What changing an app icon means and why you might do it

Changing an app icon means replacing the image that appears on your phone's home screen with a different one. The app itself still works the same way — you are only changing how it looks. People do this to organize their home screen by color, to use smaller or larger icons, to create a custom theme, or simply because they want their phone to look different.

The method depends on what phone you have. iPhone and Android handle this differently, and the steps have changed over the years as operating systems updated. Some methods are built into the phone's settings; others use a separate app.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can change app icons through the Shortcuts app by creating a custom shortcut that launches the app with a new icon.
  • Android users can change icons through their launcher app, which is the software that manages your home screen — most launchers have an icon editor built in.
  • You will need an icon image file (usually a PNG or JPG) saved on your phone before you start.
  • Changing an icon does not affect how the app runs or where your data is stored — it is purely visual.
  • If you want to undo the change, you can delete the custom shortcut or revert to the original icon in your launcher settings.

How to change an app icon on iPhone

On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon that launches an app. Open Shortcuts (it comes pre-installed on most iPhones). Tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Select the app you want to change the icon for.

Next, tap the three dots at the top right of the shortcut. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." Give the shortcut a name (this will appear under the icon on your home screen). Tap the icon preview — it will show the app's current icon. Tap it again to choose a photo from your library or take a new one. Select or create the image you want to use, then tap "Add." The new icon will appear on your home screen as a separate item.

This method creates a shortcut rather than changing the app itself, so you will have both the original app icon and the new one on your phone. You can delete the original app icon from your home screen if you want only the custom version visible.

How to change an app icon on Android

On Android, the method depends on which launcher you are using. A launcher is the software that controls your home screen. Most Android phones come with Google Launcher, but you might have Samsung One UI, a custom launcher, or a third-party launcher like Nova or Microsoft Launcher.

For most launchers: long-press the app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options. Look for "Edit," "Customize," or "Change Icon." Tap it. You will be shown a list of alternative icons for that app, or you will be given the option to upload your own image. Select the icon you want and confirm.

If your launcher does not offer this option, you can download a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store that does. Nova Launcher and Microsoft Launcher both allow custom icons. Install the launcher, set it as your default, and then follow the steps above.

Where to find icon images to use

You can create your own icon image using any photo editing app, or you can download pre-made icon packs. Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project offer free and paid icon images. Download the image as a PNG or JPG file and save it to your phone's photo library or downloads folder.

Icon packs designed for Android are also available on the Google Play Store. These are collections of matching icons that you can apply to multiple apps at once, which is faster than changing each icon individually. Some are free; others cost a few dollars.

What happens to your app data when you change the icon

Changing an app icon does not affect any of your data, settings, or login information. The app continues to work exactly as it did before. Your messages, photos, login credentials, and any other information stored in the app remain unchanged.

If you are using the Shortcuts method on iPhone, the shortcut is just a launcher — it opens the real app. If you delete the shortcut, the app itself stays on your phone with all its data intact.

How to undo or revert an app icon change

On iPhone, simply delete the custom shortcut from your home screen by long-pressing it and selecting "Remove." The original app icon will still be there if you did not delete it.

On Android, long-press the app icon and select "Edit" or "Customize," then choose the original icon from the list or select "Reset to Default." If you used a third-party launcher, you can switch back to your original launcher in your phone's settings under "Home Screen" or "Default Apps," and your icons will revert to normal.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the icon does not appear after you set it, make sure the image file is saved in a format your phone recognizes (PNG or JPG). If you are on Android and the "Change Icon" option does not appear, your launcher may not support custom icons — try a different launcher or use a third-party app like Icon Changer.

If a custom icon stops working or disappears, the app or shortcut may have been accidentally deleted. Recreate it using the steps above. On iPhone, if the Shortcuts app is not on your home screen, you can download it from the App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icon of any app?

On iPhone, you can create a custom shortcut for any app, so yes. On Android, it depends on your launcher — most allow it, but some do not. If your launcher does not support custom icons, you can download a different launcher that does.

Will changing the app icon affect notifications or badges?

On Android, no — badges and notifications will still appear on the custom icon. On iPhone, if you use a shortcut, notifications will appear on the original app icon, not the shortcut. This is a limitation of how Shortcuts works.

Can I use any image as an app icon?

Yes, but the image works best if it is square and at least 512 pixels by 512 pixels. Smaller or oddly shaped images may look blurry or distorted. Most phones will automatically resize the image to fit.

What if I want to change multiple app icons at once?

On Android, icon packs let you apply a matching set of icons to many apps simultaneously. Download an icon pack from the Google Play Store, install it, and select it in your launcher settings. On iPhone, you would need to create a separate shortcut for each app.

Does changing an app icon use extra storage or battery?

No. A custom icon is just an image file, and it uses minimal storage. It does not affect battery life or phone performance.