Why Custom App Icons Are Gaining Popularity on iOS

One UI 8 vs iOS 26: A Deep Dive into Customization and User Choice.The smartphone experience is defined by its software. Two giants, Apple’s iOS and Samsung’s One UI, are on a collision course with their latest updates. iOS 26 and One UI 8 offer distinctly different philosophies for personalizing your device. This divergence is most apparent in how they handle a fundamental feature: app icon customization.According to Reuters, the competition in the mobile OS space is intensifying as manufacturers seek to lock in users. Each platform’s approach reflects its core identity, with Apple favoring controlled uniformity and Samsung championing user-led flexibility. The battle is no longer just about specs; it is about the user’s ability to make the device truly their own.

Icon Customization: Two Philosophies, One Goal

iOS 26 provides several preset modes for app icons. Users can select Default, Dark, or the new Tinted mode. The standout feature is the Clear mode, powered by Apple’s proprietary Liquid Glass technology. This creates a unique, frosted-glass aesthetic across the icon grid.One UI 8 takes a different path. It lacks dedicated Dark or Clear modes for icons. Instead, Samsung leverages a powerful system-wide color palette tool. This feature automatically extracts colors from your wallpaper. It then applies a harmonious, unified color scheme across supported app icons and interface elements.The result is a cohesive look that ties your wallpaper to your entire phone’s theme. You can also choose from a selection of basic color swatches if you prefer. The process is simple: pinch the home screen, go to Wallpaper and Style, and toggle the color palette and app icon options on.

Beyond the Basics: The Power of Good Lock

Where One UI 8 truly pulls ahead is in its extensibility. Samsung’s official Good Lock platform offers a module called Theme Park. This powerful tool opens up a new world of customization that iOS does not natively permit. Users are not limited to simple color changes.With Theme Park, you can alter the shape of all your app icons. You can apply gradient effects and adjust sizing. It even includes an optional glass effect, offering a different take on the translucent look compared to iOS’s Liquid Glass. This level of granular control provides nearly limitless personalization potential.For users who value absolute control over their device’s appearance, One UI 8 presents a compelling case. While iOS offers beautiful, curated presets, Samsung hands the creative tools directly to the user. The choice ultimately comes down to a preference for guided design versus open-ended creativity.

Samsung Accelerates Galaxy Phone Repairs

The mobile OS landscape is evolving beyond mere functionality. The showdown between One UI 8 and iOS 26 highlights a fundamental split in design philosophy, giving users a clear choice between curated elegance and boundless personalization.

Info at your fingertips

What is the main difference in icon customization between iOS and One UI?

iOS uses preset modes like Dark and Clear. One UI uses a dynamic color palette system that pulls colors from your wallpaper to theme icons and the interface uniformly.

Does One UI 8 have a feature like iOS’s Liquid Glass?

Not exactly. One UI lacks a direct Liquid Glass equivalent. However, the Theme Park module in Good Lock offers a separate glass effect for app icons, providing a similar translucent aesthetic.

Can I change individual app icon colors in One UI?

No, the native color palette system in One UI applies a unified color set to all supported app icons. You cannot recolor each icon individually without using third-party launchers.

Is the Good Lock platform safe to use?

Yes. Good Lock and its modules like Theme Park are developed and published by Samsung themselves. They are official, safe tools available in the Galaxy Store.

Which platform is better for customization?

One UI, especially with Good Lock, offers far deeper and more granular customization options. iOS provides beautiful, but more limited, preset choices for a consistent look.