app Icons are dark on iPhone

I've been having this same issue. It doesn't seem to affect the performance or functionality of the device, but I'm still curious as to what it is. Perhaps something to do with multitasking on the iPhone 4 with iOS7.

Anyway, here are some pics for further clarification of the issue. The first one shows Twitter darkened out; the second is a folder full of video apps; the third shows the phone app darkened; and the last pic shows calculator. I've also experienced this behaviour with Mail and Weather.

Hey guys,

It's because the apps are 'refreshing'. I think this is new to iOS 7 because I don't remember it happening before...

If you go into your settings-->general--> and about halfway down the list is BACKGROUND APP REFRESH.

I wish I could include a picture to make it easier but if you go into this setting you will see a list of all the apps that will refresh and also the master switch that turns them all off.. I'm not sure what it's doing when it's refreshing tho, maybe checking for updates or location?

Hope this helps,

Mister

I realize this thread is a bit old, so hopefully you fixed your problem, but for the benefit of others...

I just had this problem too after upgrading my iPhone 4s to 7.0.4. A good 2/3rds of my app icons went dark, as if the iPhone was updating the latest versions of everything. Trouble was, it wasn't. No apps were updating or titled "Waiting" and the App Store app showed no download activity.

My solution was to "update" apps one-by-one. Go to "App Store" and search for one of your "dark" apps. The matching search result should show the "cloud" icon--the one that appears to download an app that you've already purchased, but isn't currently on your iPhone. Tap that, and it should update (and hopefully keep your config and preferences!). Do the same for the others. This will give you something to do next time you're sitting through a slow movie or staff meeting.

For what it's worth I just plugged my iphone 4S into computer, opened iTunes and the apps are now updating automatically (a bit easier than doing them one by one). Make sure your autolock settings are disabled so it can do it's thing and not put the phone to sleep (not sure if that effects downloading or not).

Also, if app icons appear dark, and don't have the word 'waiting' appearing below, tap each icon to ensure it says 'waiting', and the dowload should begin.

This may not be 100% technically correct (I'm not technical), but it worked for me.

Connect your phone to your computer and launch iTunes.

For me, it started the App Sync (Step 5 of 5) after about 15 seconds,...you may need to initiate the sync manually if it doesn't start on its own.

The progress bar shows the apps updating...and if you watch your iPhone screen, you'll see the icon's color "fill in" as they update.

Same with mine, doesn't seem to be any pattern to it.

Only way to rectify is by clicking on icon again.

Anyone got an explanation for it?

Anyone?

Guess it's not a common issue?

Only noticed this since IOS 7.04

.

Thanks Timbo100. That helped. I think one of my apps was part way through updating when I left my wifi network. So it got stuck in and stayed "dormant". I did as you said and it's "awake" again.