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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kent State chapter.

Like many other iPhone users, when Apple announces a new major update, I immediately look at what new cool features will be included. I typically wait to update my phone overnight in case it takes a long time and then I explore all the new features in the morning. But, as someone who struggles with change, I am reluctant when the new update involves changing the layout/main features of my phone. So, when Apple came out with iOS 14, and I saw how different the home screen could look and all the new settings it had, I was slightly hesitant. 

The update itself honestly took a lot less time than I was expecting. My sister had updated her’s the day before and was spending hours redecorating her home screen to look ~aesthetic~. She told me what apps to download and how to change the app’s icon picture. This process was pretty long, I’m not gonna lie. I was seeing tweets and TikToks that people were spending hours upon hours to get their home screens to look how they did. Que the “ain’t nobody got time for that” meme from 2012. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

I added a few “widgetsmith” icons that seemed practical and also pleasing to the eye. Then, I changed the app icon to neutral looking photos for the apps I used most. I put all of this on one page and it looks super aesthetic, and I love it. But on the next screen…we have a different story. Obviously, I didn’t spend hours redoing my entire phone so on the next page is my more practical widgetsmiths like my activity tracking and battery life as well as all my apps organized to my liking. 

However, customizing your home screen is completely optional so if you love the way yours looks and you are most likely not a Gen Z, then you will be perfectly happy you don’t have to waste your time color-coordinating all of your apps that will just take you to the “shortcut” application first anyways. 

woman taking photo food display
Jenna Day/Unsplash

Additionally, the search bar for emojis and the smaller notification when you get an incoming call are so convenient! iOS 14 is actually a lot more practical and user friendly once you get over the change and are used to it. Overall, I think iOS 14 is Apple’s best update yet!

 

Cassidy Gladieux

Kent State '23

Cassidy is a junior journalism student at Kent State minoring in creative writing. This is her third year writing for Her Campus and first year as a senior editor. Cassidy is also a features writer for KentWired. In her free time, she loves to read, go on runs, and cuddle with her dog. In the future, Cassidy hopes to write for a digital magazine and travel around the world!
Junior at Kent State, with a mojor in journalism and a minor in fashion media. I like to write about fashion, lifestyle and Harry Styles.