iOS has a lot of useful and interesting features, but when it comes to app icons, the system is pretty rigid. Although Apple allows app developers to make use of a feature called Alternate App Icons to add one or more app icons that users can switch between, these changes can only be added manually by the user, removing the option for developers to include an interactive or animated image. icon However, a developer has found an iOS exploit that bypasses these restrictions to add animation to app icons.
Exploiting iOS animated app icons: How it works
As researcher Bryce Bostwick explained in a blog post, this iOS exploit solves two key problems. First, iOS sends an alert to the user whenever the app icon is changed. Second, the alternate app icons feature doesn't work in the background, which means that unless the app is active, the effect can't be implemented. This makes no sense because if an app is active, the user can't see the icon anyway.
Bostwick illustrates two alternative solutions to circumvent these restrictions. To override the alert system, the researcher uses a private call to an iOS application programming interface (API). It's a simple fix that requires minor changes to the API code, as he illustrated in a YouTube video. The second change requires full fixes and changing the state of the UI app.
By completing both steps, Bostwick showed that it is indeed possible to add multiple app icons and then have them change so quickly that it gives the appearance of animation. In particular, developers should not try this, as Apple will likely review the changes and reject them immediately.
Animated app icons on iOS are purely cosmetic
While it's a quirky feature that would make sense for some apps (Apple already allows dynamic icons for its Clock and Calendar apps), for most third-party apps it would just be a party trick. Also, there is potential for abuse as developers can use subtle tricks to draw users' attention to the app.
There are also technical issues. Changing app icons fast enough would require the app to run in the background, which can drain your battery faster. App icon animation can further drain your battery. Apple will likely restrict this action based on these reasons and will likely patch the exploit that enables this functionality.
However, according to a report, Apple plans to offer some app icon customization to users with iOS 18. The company could allow users to repaint the app icon and place icons in anywhere on the home screen, abandoning its standard grid pattern.
