Ever stared at your home screen and felt like that bright "Venmo Blue" was screaming at you? You're definitely not alone. Whether you're a minimalist who loves a clean look or you're just deep into a "Dark Academia" phase, the standard neon-adjacent blue can really mess with the vibe. People are obsessed with the black and white venmo icon lately, and for good reason—it looks sleek, it’s easier on the eyes at 2:00 AM, and it makes your phone feel high-end.
But here's the thing: Venmo doesn't just give you a "monochrome" toggle in the settings. Getting that perfectly desaturated look requires a few workarounds.
Honestly, the way we interact with our phones has changed. It's not just a tool; it's a digital outfit. If your wallpaper is a moody black-and-white photo of a rainy street in Paris, a bright blue "V" is basically the equivalent of wearing neon sneakers with a tuxedo.
Why the Black and White Venmo Icon is Trending
The shift toward minimalist phone aesthetics isn't just about looking "cool." There’s a psychological component to it. Our brains are conditioned to respond to bright colors—they grab attention, which is exactly what app developers want. By switching to a monochrome icon, you’re essentially taking back control of your focus. You’re making the choice to look for the app when you need to pay your roommate for pizza, rather than having the app constantly wave at you from your dock.
Beyond the mental health aspect, it's just about the "aesthetic." On TikTok and Pinterest, "iOS 18 setups" or "Android home screen inspiration" posts are racking up millions of views. A major part of those setups is a cohesive icon pack. If everything else is gray, black, or white, that Venmo icon needs to fall in line.
How to Get the Black and White Venmo Icon on iPhone (iOS 18 and Newer)
Apple finally made this surprisingly easy. If you’ve updated to iOS 18, you don’t need to download sketchy third-party apps or spend an hour in the Shortcuts app anymore.
- Long-press any empty space on your home screen until the icons start to wiggle.
- Tap the Edit button in the top-left corner.
- Choose Customize.
- A menu will slide up from the bottom. You’ll see options like "Light," "Dark," and "Tinted."
- Tap Tinted.
- You'll see two sliders. Slide the top one (saturation) all the way to the left.
- Adjust the brightness slider until the icon looks exactly how you want it.
This method is great because it applies to all your icons, not just Venmo. It creates a unified, monochromatic look across the board. However, it’s worth noting that "Tinted" mode can sometimes make certain icons look a bit muddy if the original design has weird gradients. Venmo’s "V" is simple enough that it usually looks fantastic in this mode.
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The "Shortcuts" Method for Older iPhones
If you’re stuck on an older version of iOS or if you only want the Venmo icon to be black and white while keeping the rest of your apps in color, you’ll need to use the Shortcuts app. It’s a bit of a process, but it works.
First, you need a black and white image of the Venmo logo. You can find these on sites like Icons8 or NiftyButtons. Just search for "Venmo icon black and white" and save a PNG to your photos.
Open the Shortcuts app and tap the + icon. Select Add Action and search for Open App. Tap on "App" and choose Venmo. Now, tap the little arrow at the top (next to "Open App") and select Add to Home Screen. Here’s where the magic happens: tap the small icon next to the shortcut name and choose Select Photo. Pick that black and white image you downloaded. Rename it "Venmo" (or leave it blank for a super minimalist look) and hit Add.
The downside? Shortcuts are basically "aliases." When you tap it, you might see a tiny banner notification at the top of your screen for a split second. It’s a small price to pay for a perfect aesthetic.
Customizing Android: Launchers and Icon Packs
Android users have had the upper hand in customization for years, but the process is a bit more fragmented. If you have a Samsung phone, you can often find "Monochrome" or "High Contrast" themes in the Galaxy Store.
For everyone else, the best bet is a custom launcher like Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher. Once you have a launcher installed, you can go to the Play Store and download an icon pack like "Whicons" (all white) or "Zwart" (all black). These packs replace the standard icons for thousands of apps, including Venmo.
If you don't want to change your entire theme, you can long-press the Venmo icon in Nova Launcher, tap Edit, and then tap the icon image to select a custom one from your gallery. Just like the iPhone Shortcuts method, you just need a saved PNG of a black and white Venmo logo.
Is There an Official Black and White Logo?
Technically, yes. Venmo’s brand guidelines, which are primarily aimed at developers and merchants, do include a monochrome version of their logo. According to their official documentation, the "Venmo Blue" (#008CFF) is the primary brand color, but they allow for a black logo when the artwork has no other colors.
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Interestingly, Venmo's guidelines specifically state that the "V" monogram—the part that usually makes up the app icon—should never appear in black in official marketing. But since when did "official guidelines" stop anyone from making their phone look better?
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, when you try to use a custom icon, it doesn't look quite right. If you're using a PNG you found online, make sure it has a transparent background. If the background is white and you’re using a dark theme, it’s going to look like a weird white square on your screen.
Another issue is notification badges. On iOS, if you use the "Shortcuts" method, you won't see those little red numbers telling you that you haven't paid your friend for brunch yet. For some, this is a feature (less stress!). For others, it's a bug. If you need those notification badges, stick to the iOS 18 "Tinted" method instead.
Making the Switch: Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to clean up your home screen, start by deciding how far you want to go.
- For a 30-second fix: If you have an iPhone with iOS 18, use the "Tinted" feature. It’s the fastest way to get a black and white Venmo icon without any extra apps.
- For a surgical fix: Use the Shortcuts app if you only want to change Venmo and nothing else.
- For Android power users: Download a launcher like Nova and a dedicated monochrome icon pack for the most professional-looking result.
Once you’ve swapped the icon, try pairing it with a "muted" wallpaper. A vibrant, colorful wallpaper with monochrome icons can look a bit clashing. Look for something with high contrast or a simple texture to really make that new black and white aesthetic pop.
Customizing your phone is a low-stakes way to make your daily tech use feel a little more personal. It might seem like a small detail, but when you're looking at your screen hundreds of times a day, those small details add up to a much better experience.