The three ways to change app icons on Android

You can change how app icons look on your Android home screen using a launcher, an icon pack, or your phone's built-in customization settings. The method depends on what your phone model allows and how much control you want over the appearance. Most Android phones support at least one of these approaches.

A launcher is an app that replaces your entire home screen interface — it controls the grid, the icons, the folders, and how everything behaves. An icon pack is a collection of replacement icons you install and then apply through your launcher or system settings. Built-in customization is the easiest route if your phone manufacturer included it, but it offers the least flexibility.

Each method works differently and requires different steps. The launcher approach gives you the most options but takes the most setup time. Icon packs are faster but depend on your launcher supporting them. Built-in settings are the quickest but may only let you change a few icons or change colors rather than the actual image.

Key Takeaways

  • Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher replace your entire home screen and let you apply icon packs or customize individual icons.
  • Icon packs are collections of replacement icons you install from the Play Store, then apply through your launcher's settings.
  • Some phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus) have built-in icon customization in their Settings app under Display or Home Screen.
  • Changing icons does not affect how apps work — it only changes what they look like on your home screen.
  • You can mix methods: use a launcher with an icon pack, or use built-in settings to change individual icons without installing anything new.

Using a launcher to change icons

A launcher is the easiest way to get full control over your app icons. Popular launchers include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Niagara Launcher, and Lawnchair. Download one from the Google Play Store, open it, and tap the button to set it as your default launcher. Your phone will ask you to choose which launcher to use when you press the home button — select the new one.

Once the launcher is active, long-press an app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options like "Edit icon" or "Change icon." Tap that option. The launcher will show you icon packs you have installed, or it will open a file browser so you can pick an image from your phone's storage. Select the new icon image and confirm. The app icon on your home screen will change immediately, but the app itself and its function stay the same.

If you want to change many icons at once, install an icon pack first. Icon packs are collections of matching icons designed to work together. Download one from the Play Store (search "icon pack"), then open your launcher's settings. Look for "Icon pack" or "Icons" in the menu. Select the icon pack you installed. The launcher will replace all compatible app icons with the pack's versions automatically.

Installing and applying icon packs

Icon packs are standalone apps that contain hundreds of replacement icons. They do not work on their own — they need a launcher that supports them. Most modern launchers do. Open the Google Play Store, search for "icon pack," and browse the results. Popular packs include Linebit, Oxy, Pix, and Crayon. Read the reviews to see which launcher the pack works with, then download the one you want.

After installation, open your launcher's settings. The location varies by launcher: Nova Launcher has it under "Look and feel" → "Icon theme," Microsoft Launcher has it under "Customization" → "Icon pack," and Niagara Launcher has it under "Icons." Select the icon pack you installed from the list. Your home screen icons will change to match the pack's design within seconds. You can switch between packs or turn off the pack and go back to default icons at any time.

If an icon pack does not include a replacement for a specific app, your launcher will usually show the original icon for that app. Some packs let you request icons for missing apps through the pack's settings or by contacting the developer.

Changing icons with built-in phone settings

Samsung phones, Google Pixel phones, and some OnePlus models have icon customization built into their system settings. You do not need to install a launcher or icon pack. Open your phone's Settings app, then look for "Display," "Home screen," "Themes," or "Customization" (the exact name varies by model and Android version). Tap into that section and look for "Icon shape," "Icon style," or "App icons."

Some phones let you choose from preset icon shapes — rounded squares, circles, squircles, or teardrop shapes. Others let you change the icon color or apply a theme that changes icons across the system. A few phones let you tap individual icons to change them one at a time. The options available depend on your phone's manufacturer and Android version.

This method is the fastest if your phone supports it, but it offers less control than a launcher. You usually cannot mix and match individual icons or use third-party icon packs. If your phone does not have these settings, you will need to use a launcher instead.

Changing individual app icons manually

If you want to change just one or two app icons without installing a launcher, most phones let you do this through long-press menus. Long-press an app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Look for an option called "Edit," "Customize," "Change icon," or a pencil icon. Tap it. Your phone will open a file browser or image picker. Navigate to an image file on your phone and select it. That app's icon will change to the image you chose.

The image you choose becomes the icon, so use a clear, square image for the best result. You can use photos, screenshots, or images you download from the internet. Some phones let you crop or resize the image before confirming. This method works on most Android phones without needing any additional apps, but it only changes the icon on your home screen — the app's name and function stay the same.

Troubleshooting common icon-changing problems

If you installed a launcher but your icons did not change, make sure the launcher is actually set as your default. Press the home button and your phone will ask which launcher to use if more than one is active. Select the new launcher. If you installed an icon pack but it is not showing up in your launcher's settings, restart your phone. The launcher sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly installed packs.

If an icon pack looks blurry or pixelated, the icons in that pack may be low resolution. Try a different pack or check the pack's reviews to see if other users reported the same issue. If you changed an icon manually and now cannot find the original icon, long-press the app again and look for a "Reset icon" or "Restore icon" option. Most launchers keep the original icon available.

If your phone does not have a built-in icon customization option and you do not want to install a launcher, you can still change individual icons using the long-press method described above. This is slower but requires no additional apps.

What happens to your apps when you change their icons

Changing an app's icon does not change how the app works, where it is stored, or any of its settings. The app still opens the same way, still has access to the same data, and still receives updates from the Play Store. Changing the icon only changes what the app looks like on your home screen. If you uninstall the launcher or icon pack you were using, your icons will revert to their defaults, but the apps themselves remain unchanged.

You can change icons back at any time. If you used a launcher, open its settings and turn off the icon pack or reset individual icons to default. If you used built-in settings, go back to the same menu and select a different option or turn off customization. If you changed icons manually, long-press the app and select "Reset icon" or "Restore icon." There is no permanent change to your phone or your apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a launcher to change app icons?

No. If your phone has built-in icon customization (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus), you can use that. You can also change individual icons by long-pressing them without any launcher or icon pack. A launcher gives you the most options, but it is not required.

Will changing app icons slow down my phone?

No. Icon packs and launchers use very little storage and memory. Your phone's performance will not noticeably change. If you install many launchers and never use them, you can uninstall the unused ones to free up space, but having one active launcher will not slow you down.

Can I use an icon pack without a launcher?

Most icon packs require a launcher that supports them. A few icon packs work with built-in Android customization, but this is rare. Check the icon pack's description on the Play Store to see which launchers it works with before downloading.

What if I want to change the icon for a system app like Settings or Phone?

Launchers and icon packs can change system app icons the same way they change third-party app icons. Long-press the system app icon on your home screen and select "Edit icon" or "Change icon." The system app itself will not change — only its appearance on your home screen.

Can I create my own custom icon pack?

You can create custom icons and apply them individually through your launcher's "Edit icon" option. Creating a full icon pack that works across multiple apps requires more technical knowledge and usually involves using icon pack creation tools or learning to package icons in the correct format. Most users find it easier to use existing icon packs or change individual icons as needed.