What changing an application icon means and why you might do it
Changing an application icon means replacing the small image that represents a program on your desktop, taskbar, or phone home screen with a different image. The icon is purely visual — it does not change how the program works or what it does. People change icons to organize their screen, make programs easier to spot, or simply customize their device to match their preference.
The steps to change an icon differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a mobile device, and whether the program is installed from the official app store or downloaded separately. This guide covers the most common methods for each system.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, you right-click the program shortcut, select Properties, click Change Icon, and choose a new image from your computer or the program's built-in icon library.
- On Mac, you open the program's information window, paste a new image into the icon well at the top left, and the change takes effect immediately.
- On iPhone and iPad, you can create a custom home screen shortcut using the Shortcuts app, which lets you assign any image as the icon.
- On Android, most phones do not allow direct icon changes for installed apps, but you can use a third-party launcher app to customize your home screen.
- Changing an icon affects only how the program appears on your screen — it does not alter the program itself or require reinstalling it.
Changing an application icon on Windows
On Windows, the icon you see on your desktop or taskbar is usually a shortcut to the actual program file. To change it, right-click the shortcut and select Properties from the menu. A window will open showing the program's details.
In the Properties window, click the Change Icon button. Windows will show you a list of icons that come built into the program or system. Scroll through the options and click the icon you want to use. If you want to use an image file from your computer instead, click Browse, navigate to the image file (JPG, PNG, or BMP work best), and select it. Click OK to save the change.
If you do not see a Change Icon button, the program may not allow icon changes through this method. In that case, you can use a third-party tool like IconChanger or Microangelo to create a custom icon file and assign it manually. These tools are free or low-cost and let you convert any image into an icon format that Windows recognizes.
Changing an application icon on Mac
On Mac, find the program in your Applications folder. Right-click it and select Get Info. A small window will open showing the program's details, with a large icon in the top left corner.
To change the icon, first prepare an image file on your computer (JPG or PNG work well). Open that image in Preview or another image viewer. Press Command+A to select all, then Command+C to copy the image. Return to the Get Info window, click the icon in the top left corner to select it, and press Command+V to paste the new image. The icon will update immediately, and the change will appear on your desktop and in Spotlight search.
If you want to revert to the original icon later, click the icon in the Get Info window and press Delete. Mac will restore the default icon for that program.
Changing an application icon on iPhone and iPad
Apple's iOS does not allow you to change the icon of an installed app directly. However, you can create a custom home screen shortcut using the built-in Shortcuts app, which lets you assign any image as the icon and tap it to open the program.
Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Tap Add Action, search for Open App, and select the program you want to customize. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap Add to Home Screen. Choose a name and tap the icon preview to select a new image from your photo library or take a photo. Tap Add, and the custom shortcut will appear on your home screen with your chosen icon.
When you tap the custom icon, it opens the program just as if you had tapped the original app icon. You can create multiple shortcuts to the same app with different icons and names if you want to organize your home screen by category or color.
Changing an application icon on Android
Most Android phones do not allow you to change the icon of an installed app through the system settings. However, you can use a third-party launcher app to customize your entire home screen, including app icons.
Popular launcher apps include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher. Download one from the Google Play Store and open it. Most launchers let you long-press an app icon on your home screen, select Edit Icon or Customize, and choose a new image from your phone's gallery or from icon packs you download. Some launchers come with built-in icon packs; others let you download free or paid icon packs from the Play Store.
Once you set a launcher as your default home screen, your customized icons will appear whenever you press the home button. The original app icon in your app drawer remains unchanged — only the home screen icon changes. If you switch back to your phone's default launcher, your customizations will disappear and the original icons will return.
Using icon packs and third-party tools
If you want a consistent look across multiple programs, icon packs are a faster option than changing each icon individually. Icon packs are collections of matching icons designed by artists and distributed through app stores or websites.
On Android, download an icon pack from the Google Play Store, then open your launcher settings and select the icon pack you downloaded. The launcher will apply those icons to your apps automatically. On Windows, websites like DeviantArt and IconArchive host free icon packs you can download; extract the files and use them with the Change Icon method described above. On Mac, you can find icon packs online, but most require a tool like LUT or Candybar to apply them system-wide.
Be cautious when downloading icon packs from unofficial sources — always use reputable websites and check reviews before downloading. Stick to the official app stores when possible.
What happens if you change an icon and then uninstall the program
If you change an icon and later uninstall the program, the shortcut or custom icon remains on your screen but no longer works. On Windows, clicking it will show an error message. On Mac or mobile devices, tapping it will do nothing. Simply delete the shortcut or custom icon from your screen by right-clicking (Windows) or long-pressing (mobile) and selecting delete or remove.
If you reinstall the program later, it will use its default icon unless you change it again. Your custom icon choice does not transfer to the new installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any image file as an application icon?
On Windows and Mac, you can use JPG, PNG, or BMP files. On mobile devices, any image in your photo library works. However, square images look best because icons are displayed as squares. Rectangular or very small images may appear stretched or blurry.
Will changing an icon affect how the program runs or my files?
No. Changing an icon is purely cosmetic. It does not alter the program's code, your saved files, or any settings. The program will run exactly as it did before, and all your data remains intact.
What if I want to change the icon back to the original?
On Windows, right-click the shortcut, select Properties, click Change Icon, and choose the original icon from the list. On Mac, open Get Info, click the icon, and press Delete to restore the default. On mobile devices, delete the custom shortcut or icon and use the original app from your app drawer or home screen.
Can I change the icon of programs installed from the Microsoft Store or Apple App Store?
On Windows, Store apps are harder to customize because their shortcuts are managed by the system. You can create a new shortcut to the app and change that shortcut's icon instead. On Mac and iOS, built-in apps cannot have their icons changed directly, but you can create custom shortcuts with different icons using the Shortcuts app.
Do I need to restart my computer or phone after changing an icon?
No. Icon changes take effect immediately on Mac and mobile devices. On Windows, you may need to refresh your desktop (press F5) to see the change, but a restart is not required.