What changing app colors actually means

When you change the color of your apps, you are usually changing one of three things: the color scheme of the app itself (if the app offers a dark mode or theme picker), the color of the app icon on your home screen, or the overall appearance of your phone's interface that affects how apps display. Most phones and computers do not let you recolor the app code itself — instead, you work within the options the app developer built in, or you change how your device displays everything.

The easiest route depends on what you actually want to change. If you want a dark mode in a specific app, look in that app's settings. If you want to change the icon color, you will need a launcher app (on Android) or the built-in customization tools (on iPhone or Mac). If you want your entire phone to look different, you can switch to dark mode or light mode at the system level.

Key Takeaways

  • Most apps have a dark mode or theme setting buried in their own settings menu — check there first before trying system-wide changes.
  • On iPhone, you can change app icon colors using the Shortcuts app to create custom icons, or use Focus modes to hide apps you do not want to see.
  • On Android, you need a third-party launcher app like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher to change icon colors and appearance.
  • Changing your phone's system-wide dark mode or light mode affects how all apps display, but individual apps can override this setting.
  • On Mac and Windows, dark mode and light mode settings are built into the operating system and change app appearance across the board.

Changing colors within individual apps

Most apps that let you change their appearance have a settings or preferences menu. Open the app, look for a gear icon or a menu button (usually three horizontal lines), and tap or click "Settings" or "Preferences." From there, search for options labeled "Theme," "Appearance," "Dark Mode," "Light Mode," or "Color Scheme."

Common apps with built-in theme options include Gmail, Google Maps, Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, and most social media platforms. Some apps let you pick from preset themes (dark, light, auto-switching based on time of day). Others let you choose accent colors or adjust brightness. The exact menu location and options vary by app and by whether you are on a phone or computer.

If an app does not have a theme option in its settings, it does not offer one — you cannot add one yourself. In that case, your only option is to change how your device displays the app, which is covered in the sections below.

Changing app icon colors on iPhone

iPhone does not have a built-in icon color changer. To change how an app icon looks on your home screen, you use the Shortcuts app (which comes pre-installed on newer iPhones) to create a custom icon that launches the app. Open Shortcuts, tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut, tap "Add Action," search for "Open App," and select the app you want to customize. Then tap the three dots, scroll down, and tap the icon preview to upload a custom image or choose a color.

This method creates a new icon on your home screen that points to the original app — the original icon stays in your app library. You can delete the original icon from your home screen if you want. The downside is that each custom icon is a separate shortcut, so if you customize many apps, your home screen setup takes longer to create and maintain.

Another option is to use Focus modes to hide apps you do not use often, which makes your home screen cleaner and less visually cluttered. Open Settings, go to Focus, create a new Focus, and choose which apps appear when that Focus is active. This does not change colors, but it changes what you see.

Changing app icon colors on Android

Android phones let you install a launcher app that replaces your home screen and gives you control over icon appearance. Popular launchers include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher. Download one from the Google Play Store, open it, and follow the setup steps to make it your default launcher.

Once installed, most launchers let you long-press an app icon and choose "Edit Icon" or "Change Icon." You can then pick a new image from your phone, upload a custom image, or choose from icon packs (themed collections of icons you can download separately). Some launchers also let you change icon colors, size, and shape. The exact steps depend on which launcher you choose.

If you do not want to install a launcher, some Android phones (particularly Samsung and Google Pixel) have limited built-in customization. On Samsung, you can use the "Good Lock" app to customize your home screen. On Google Pixel, you can use the built-in Wallpaper & Style tool to change accent colors that affect some system elements, though this does not change individual app icons.

Using dark mode and light mode on your device

Dark mode and light mode are system-wide settings that change how your entire phone or computer displays content. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and choose Dark or Light. On Android, go to Settings, tap Display, and toggle Dark Theme on or off. On Mac, go to System Settings, click General, and choose Dark or Light. On Windows, go to Settings, click Personalization, select Colors, and choose Dark or Light.

When you turn on dark mode, most apps automatically switch to a dark background with light text. When you turn on light mode, apps switch to a light background with dark text. However, not all apps respect this setting — some apps have their own theme preference that overrides your system setting. If an app stays light when you turn on dark mode, check that app's individual settings to see if it has its own theme toggle.

You can also set your phone or computer to switch between dark and light mode automatically based on time of day. On iPhone, go to Display & Brightness and tap "Automatic." On Android, the option is usually in Display settings under "Dark Theme Schedule." On Mac and Windows, you can set the same option in the system appearance settings.

Using wallpapers and widgets to change visual appearance

Changing your wallpaper does not change app colors directly, but it changes how your home screen looks overall and can make your phone feel like a different color scheme. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Wallpaper, and choose a new wallpaper. On Android, long-press your home screen, tap Wallpaper, and select a new one. Both phones let you upload custom images as wallpapers.

Widgets (small app windows that sit on your home screen) can also affect the overall look. Some widgets have their own color options. On iPhone, you can customize widget colors by long-pressing a widget and tapping "Edit Widget." On Android, the process varies by launcher and widget, but most widgets let you long-press them to access color or appearance options.

What you cannot change and why

You cannot change the core color of an app's interface if the developer did not build that option in. Apps are designed by their creators, and the colors are part of that design. You can install a launcher or use system settings to change how icons look on your home screen, but you cannot reach into the app code and recolor it yourself.

Some apps intentionally do not offer dark mode because the developer believes their design works better in light mode. Others do not offer it because the app is old or no longer maintained. If an app does not have a theme option and you strongly prefer dark mode, your options are to use your phone's system dark mode (which may not affect that specific app) or to look for an alternative app that does offer the appearance you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change app colors without installing a launcher on Android?

Not for individual app icons. You can change your system-wide dark mode or light mode, and some phones have limited built-in customization tools (Samsung's Good Lock, Google Pixel's Wallpaper & Style), but to truly customize individual app icon colors, you need a launcher app. Launchers are free and do not affect your phone's performance.

Will changing dark mode affect all my apps?

Most apps will switch to dark mode when you enable it system-wide, but not all. Apps that have their own theme setting may override your system preference. If an app stays light when your phone is in dark mode, open that app's settings and look for a theme or appearance option to switch it manually.

Do custom icons created in Shortcuts slow down my iPhone?

No. Custom icons are just shortcuts that launch the original app — they do not duplicate the app or use extra storage. They open the app the same way tapping the original icon does. The only downside is that you have an extra icon on your home screen to manage.

Can I change the color of the notification badges on app icons?

On most phones, notification badges (the red circles with numbers) are controlled by the app itself and the system, not by you. You cannot change their color directly. You can turn off notifications for specific apps in your phone's settings, which removes the badge entirely, but you cannot recolor it.

What happens to my custom icons if I update my phone?

On iPhone, custom Shortcuts icons stay on your home screen after an update. On Android, custom icons created through a launcher stay as long as you keep the launcher installed. If you uninstall the launcher, the custom icons disappear and you will see the default app icons again.