The two ways to change app icons on iOS 18

iOS 18 lets you change how apps look on your home screen in two separate ways: you can use the Shortcuts app to create custom icons that launch apps, or you can use Focus filters to hide the original app and show a different icon instead. The Shortcuts method is more flexible and works with any image you want. The Focus method is simpler but only works when a specific Focus mode is active.

Both methods keep the original app untouched — you are not replacing the actual app, just what appears on your screen. If you delete the custom icon, the original app stays in your library.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app method creates a custom icon that launches the real app, and you can use any image you upload or download.
  • You need to add the custom shortcut to your home screen as an app icon, not just save it in the Shortcuts library.
  • The Focus method hides the original app icon and shows a custom one only when that Focus is active.
  • Custom icons created in Shortcuts will show a small Shortcuts badge in the corner unless you turn off notifications for that shortcut.

Creating custom icons with the Shortcuts app

Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want to customize. This is the app that will actually launch when you tap the custom icon.

Tap the three dots at the top right of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A menu will appear asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. Tap the icon preview (the colored circle) to open the icon picker. You can choose from built-in Shortcuts icons, take a photo, or select an image from your photo library. Once you pick an image, tap "Add" and then "Add to Home Screen" again. The custom icon will appear on your home screen and launch the app when tapped.

If you want to remove the small Shortcuts badge that appears on the corner of the icon, go back into the shortcut, tap the three dots, and turn off "Show in Share Sheet" and "Notify When Run". This makes the icon look cleaner.

Using Focus filters to swap app icons

Open Settings and go to Focus. Create a new Focus or edit an existing one. Scroll down to "Apps" and add the apps you want to hide when this Focus is active. Then scroll to "Home Screen" and tap "Customize". This lets you choose which apps appear on your home screen when this Focus is on.

You can set up a different home screen layout for each Focus, which means you can have different icons showing depending on which Focus mode is active. For example, your Work Focus could show only work-related apps, while your Personal Focus shows a different set. This does not create new icons — it just hides and shows different ones based on your Focus.

Finding and downloading custom icon images

You can use any image as a custom icon: a photo from your camera roll, a screenshot, or an image you download. Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay have free images you can download. Some people create icon packs specifically for iOS and share them on Reddit communities like r/iOSsetups.

For the best results, use square images (1024 by 1024 pixels works well, though smaller sizes are fine). If you want icons that match a theme, search for "iOS 18 icon pack" or "custom app icons" on your preferred image site. Save the image to your photo library, then use it when you create your shortcut or Focus.

Organizing custom icons on your home screen

After you create custom icons, arrange them like you would any other app: long-press and drag them into folders or different positions. You can mix custom icons and real app icons on the same screen. If you create multiple custom icons for different apps, you might want to group them in a folder so your home screen stays organized.

Remember that custom icons created through Shortcuts are separate from the original app. If you want to keep both the custom icon and the original app icon visible, you will need to keep the original app on your home screen as well. You can hide it by moving it to a different page or into a folder.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your custom icon shows a Shortcuts badge and you do not want it, make sure you turned off "Notify When Run" in the shortcut settings. If the icon is not launching the app, open the shortcut and check that the "Open App" action is still pointing to the correct app.

If you are using Focus filters and the custom home screen is not showing up, make sure the Focus is actually active. You can check this by swiping down from the top right of your screen — if the Focus is on, it will show in the Control Center. If a custom icon disappears after you update iOS, you may need to recreate it, though this is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icon of an app without using Shortcuts?

Not directly. iOS does not have a built-in way to change app icons without using Shortcuts or Focus filters. The Shortcuts method is the most common approach because it gives you full control over the image and works all the time.

Will changing my app icon affect the app itself?

No. The app works exactly the same way. You are only changing what the icon looks like on your home screen. The app's data, settings, and function stay the same.

Can I use animated images or GIFs as custom icons?

iOS will convert animated images to a single still frame, so you cannot use moving GIFs or animated images. Stick with static images for best results.

What happens if I delete a custom icon?

The custom icon disappears from your home screen, but the original app stays in your app library. You can recreate the custom icon anytime by making a new shortcut.

Do custom icons work on the lock screen?

Custom icons created through Shortcuts do not appear on the lock screen. Only real apps can be added to the iOS 18 lock screen. You can only use custom icons on your home screen.