For years, iPhone users have been clamoring for more Home Screen customization options in iOS. While Apple‘s mobile operating system excels in many areas, giving users the ability to truly personalize the look and layout of their iPhone’s app icons has remained stubbornly limited. But a new report suggests that could finally change with the arrival of iOS 18 later this year.

The report comes from Mark Gurman, the well-connected Bloomberg journalist who has proven to have reliable sources within Apple’s ranks. In the premium tier of his Power On newsletter, Gurman claims iOS 18 will deliver a “more customizable” Home Screen experience that could fundamentally alter how iPhone users arrange and design their app icons.

While Gurman’s newsletter lacked specifics, the team at MacRumors has supposedly heard additional details from its own sources. According to their reporting, iOS 18 will allow users to “arrange icons more freely,” giving them the “ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.” The new system would still utilize an invisible grid to maintain some sense of order, but would ostensibly provide far more flexibility than currently possible.

For iPhone owners who have fought through clunky workarounds and third-party apps just to get their Home Screens looking a certain way, this enhancement could be a game-changer. No more will they need to delete and re-download apps, use complicated widget stacking methods, or other tedious tricks. Ideally, customizing your Home Screen’s layout should become an intuitive process in iOS 18.

Of course, Apple won’t officially unveil iOS 18 until its annual WWDC in early June. Only then will we learn the full scope of the operating system update and its Home Screen overhaul. But given how restrictive and staid the iPhone’s app icons have remained over the years, any meaningful improvements in customization would be warmly welcomed by the community.

In addition to potential Home Screen changes, Gurman’s Power On newsletter also touched on Apple’s artificial intelligence plans for its upcoming software releases. Some had speculated that the tech giant might integrate ChatGPT-like generative AI models, perhaps by partnering with the likes of OpenAI or Google. However, Gurman claims “you shouldn’t expect a big focus on ChatGPT-like generative AI features” at WWDC.

Instead, Gurman states users should “prepare to see a slew of AI tools that help manage your daily life.” While he doesn’t elaborate further, past reports have hinted at AI-powered enhancements coming to apps like Apple Music, Pages, and others. This could take the form of AI assistants analogous to Microsoft’s Copilot or Spotify’s personalized AI DJ.

It remains to be seen exactly what “AI tools” Apple has cooking, but Gurman describes iOS 18 as “the biggest update to iOS since the original iPhone” hit the market in 2007. If that bold claim holds true, this year’s WWDC may have plenty of marquee features and upgrades to showcase when it kicks off in a few months.

For iPhone users who have waited over 15 years for substantive Home Screen customization, iOS 18 could finally answer their wishes. And it may do so alongside AI-driven productivity boosters that push the boundaries of Apple’s software ecosystem. This WWDC will undoubtedly be one to watch.