The three ways to change how your app icons look
You can change the appearance of app icons on your iPhone in three ways: create custom icons using the Shortcuts app and a home screen shortcut, use a third-party launcher app that replaces your home screen, or switch to an iPhone theme if your device runs iOS 16 or later and supports dynamic wallpapers with matching icon styles. The Shortcuts method is free and works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later. Launcher apps require downloading from the App Store but give you more control over the entire home screen layout. Themes work only on newer devices but integrate directly with your system settings.
Each method has different steps, different limitations, and different results. The Shortcuts approach takes the most time upfront but costs nothing. Launcher apps are faster to set up but may slow down your phone slightly. Themes are the most seamless but only work on iOS 16 and later.
Key Takeaways
- The Shortcuts app lets you create custom icons that open any app, and this method works on any iPhone with iOS 13 or later.
- Launcher apps from the App Store replace your entire home screen with a customizable interface and work on all recent iPhone models.
- iPhone themes that match your wallpaper are built into iOS 16 and later through the lock screen customization menu.
- Custom icons created in Shortcuts will open slightly slower than native app icons because they run a shortcut first.
- Changing icons does not affect how the app actually works or where it stores your data.
Creating custom icons with the Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app comes built into every iPhone. Open it, tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut, then search for and add the "Open App" action. Select the app you want to customize. Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap "Add to Home Screen." A menu will appear asking you to choose an icon and name. Tap the icon preview image to change it—you can use a photo from your camera roll, a downloaded image, or an emoji.
After you set the icon and name, tap "Add" in the top right. The custom icon will appear on your home screen as a new item, separate from the original app. You can now delete or hide the original app icon if you want. Repeat this process for each app you want to customize. The downside is that tapping a custom icon runs a shortcut before opening the app, so it takes about one second longer than tapping the native icon.
To find custom icon images, search "iPhone app icons" on Google Images or download icon packs from sites like Flaticon or Icons8. Save the image to your phone, then follow the steps above. You can also create your own icons in apps like Canva or Pixlr and save them to your camera roll.
Using a launcher app to replace your home screen
Launcher apps like Launcher, Pricetag, or Homescreen let you build an entirely custom home screen with different icon styles, layouts, and organization. Download one from the App Store, open it, and customize your icons and layout within the app itself. Most launcher apps let you choose from built-in icon packs or upload your own images. You then add the launcher app itself to your home screen and tap it to see your custom layout.
The advantage is speed—you set everything up once inside the app and don't have to create individual shortcuts. The disadvantage is that you're opening a separate app every time you want to access your home screen, which adds a step compared to the native iPhone home screen. Some launcher apps also charge a one-time fee or subscription to unlock all features. Check the App Store listing before downloading to see what's free and what costs money.
Launcher apps work on all recent iPhones and don't require any technical knowledge. They're the fastest method if you want to change many icons at once, but they're slower to use day-to-day because you have to open the launcher app first.
Applying themes on iOS 16 and later
If your iPhone runs iOS 16 or later, you can create a custom lock screen theme that includes matching app icon styles. Go to Settings, tap Wallpaper, then tap "Customize." Choose a wallpaper, then scroll down to see icon style options. Some wallpapers come with built-in icon packs that automatically change the appearance of your app icons to match the wallpaper's color scheme and design.
This method is the most seamless because the icons change system-wide without requiring shortcuts or launcher apps. However, not all wallpapers include icon styles—you may need to try several before you find one with the look you want. Apple's built-in wallpapers are more likely to have matching icon styles than user-uploaded photos.
Themes are the fastest method to set up and the least disruptive to your phone's performance, but they offer the least customization. You're choosing from Apple's pre-made combinations rather than building your own.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Time to set up | Cost | Works on | Speed when opening apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortcuts | 5–10 minutes per icon | Free | iOS 13 and later | Slightly slower (1 second delay) |
| Launcher app | 10–20 minutes total | Free to $5 | iOS 14 and later | Slower (must open launcher first) |
| Themes (iOS 16+) | 2–5 minutes | Free | iOS 16 and later | Same speed as native icons |
What happens to your apps when you change icons
Changing an icon does not change how the app works, where it stores data, or how it sends notifications. Your messages, photos, login information, and all other app data remain exactly the same. The change is purely visual.
If you use Shortcuts to create a custom icon, the original app still exists on your phone—you're just creating a new way to open it. You can delete the custom shortcut icon from your home screen anytime without affecting the app itself. If you use a launcher app, your native home screen is still there underneath; you're just viewing a different interface on top of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my icons slow down my iPhone?
Themes and native shortcuts have no impact on speed. Launcher apps may use slightly more memory because they run in the background, but most users won't notice a difference on recent iPhone models. If your phone is already running slowly, a launcher app could make it slightly worse, but the effect is usually minimal.
Can I change the icons of built-in apps like Settings or Phone?
Yes, using Shortcuts or a launcher app. You cannot change the native icon appearance of built-in apps directly, but you can create a custom shortcut that opens them and give that shortcut a different icon. The original built-in app icon will still appear in your app library.
Do custom icons work in the app library or search?
Custom icons created in Shortcuts appear only on your home screen. When you search for an app or look in the app library, you'll still see the original app icon. Launcher apps replace only the home screen view, so the app library remains unchanged.
What if I want to undo the changes?
Delete the custom shortcut icons from your home screen, or delete the launcher app entirely. Your original apps and all their data will remain untouched. If you used themes, go back to Wallpaper settings and choose a different wallpaper or turn off the icon style option.
Can I use multiple methods at the same time?
Yes. You could use themes on your lock screen, Shortcuts for some apps, and a launcher app for others. However, mixing methods can look disorganized. Most people choose one method and stick with it for consistency.