In iOS 26, Apple has added a new feature to its Home screen customization options that can match the color of your app icons with the actual color of your iPhone's case. Keep reading to learn how it works.

iphone 17 beats cases
In iOS 18, Apple introduced Tinted app icons. The option applies a color filter over app icons, widgets, and even system UI elements. And with iOS 26, Apple has built on the theme with a new option that matches the color of your iPhone's removable case.

It's worth noting from the off that the color-matching feature only works with official Apple MagSafe cases that include a small NFC chip with color variant information. If you don't have such a case, you might want to consider trying another new tint option in iOS 26 that can match the color of your app icons with the actual color of your iPhone.

How to Tint App Icons to Match iPhone Case Color

This filter uses a base color taken from your iPhone's case color, then automatically adjusts brightness, saturation, and contrast so icons remain legible while still reflecting the case's tone. The following steps show you how it's done.

  1. On your iPhone's Home screen, long press a space between app icons.
  2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then select Customize from the popup menu.
  3. Choose Tinted from the options panel that appears, then tap the iPhone case button, second-to-left, under the two horizontal color sliders.
  4. Select Light, Dark, or Auto below that, based on your preferences.

home screen

Note that Tinted mode looks different in iOS 26 than it did in iOS 18. Rather than icons featuring a black background with colored graphics, icons adopt the full color that you select with white graphics in Light Mode. In ‌Dark Mode‌, backgrounds are a much darker shade of the color you choose, but aren't entirely black.

Top Rated Comments

Ru_C Avatar
6 weeks ago
Seriously. Does anyone care about this rubbish? Of all the things Apple can spend their time & resources on!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Donkey Man Avatar
6 weeks ago
An absolutely useless and UI-destroying “feature” - one can barely discern an icon from the other.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
akbarali.ch Avatar
6 weeks ago
I seriously dont understand, who would want this? I tried tinting my icons, and in 2 seconds, i'm 100% sure i dont want this.All the icons looks same, its so hard to figure out which icons are which.

Maybe i'm missing something, are you guys using it and do feel its easier to look at all the icons identify them?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
6 weeks ago
Amazing! I have a transparent case and lo and behold all my icons now have this sort of glassy-look to them! ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
6 weeks ago

This is a smart idea and would be a good use of  intelligence.
"Hey Siri, make my phone icons match my blue case"

"Here's what I found on the web for suitcase"
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Total Respray Avatar
6 weeks ago
And since the headline photo is of Beats cases (but there is no mention of them in the text), does it work with those too?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Spotlight

Report: Apple to Launch These New Products in 2026

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:34 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

New Version of Siri to 'Lean' on Google Gemini

Sunday November 2, 2025 6:06 am PST by
In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026. Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Likely Launching Soon

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:49 am PST by
A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day. The timing of the overnight...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.1 With Liquid Glass Toggle, Slide to Stop Alarm, New Apple Intelligence Languages and More

Monday November 3, 2025 1:11 pm PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.1, the first major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.1 comes over a month after iOS 26 launched. ‌iOS 26‌.1 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
Early Black Friday Deals 2

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals

Sunday November 2, 2025 10:04 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Available Today With These 8 New Features

Monday November 3, 2025 5:54 am PST by
Update: Apple has released iOS 26.1. Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 26.1 this Monday, November 3. The update includes a handful of new features and changes, including the ability to adjust the look of Liquid Glass and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Liquid Glass Toggle iOS 26.1 lets you choose your preferred look for ...
Apple Foldable Thumb

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Ove...
macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.1 With New Liquid Glass Setting and More

Monday November 3, 2025 1:09 pm PST by
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.1, the first major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.1 comes 49 days after Apple first released macOS Tahoe. Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Tahoe 26.1 adds a toggle that allows you to select a Tinted mode for Liquid Glass,...