The fastest way to change icons on Samsung

You can change icons on Samsung devices in three ways: use the built-in Samsung One UI icon pack that comes with your phone, read a free icon pack from the Google Play Store, or use a third-party launcher app that lets you customize icons directly. The easiest method is switching to a different icon pack through your phone's settings, which takes about two minutes and doesn't require installing anything new.

If you want to change just one or two icons instead of the whole set, you'll need a launcher app like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. These apps let you tap and hold an icon, choose a new image from your phone's gallery or a built-in library, and save the change. This method gives you more control but takes a few extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung phones come with at least one built-in icon pack you can switch to without downloading anything, found in Settings > Display > Icon Pack.
  • The Google Play Store has hundreds of free icon packs designed for Samsung devices, each changing the look of all your app icons at once.
  • Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher let you change individual icons by tapping and holding them, then selecting a new image.
  • Changing icon packs through settings is reversible — you can switch back to the original icons anytime by choosing a different pack.

Switching icon packs through Samsung settings

This is the quickest method if you want to change all your app icons at once. Open Settings, then tap Display. Scroll down and look for Icon Pack or Icon Shape (the exact name varies by Samsung model and Android version). Tap it to see what packs are already installed on your phone.

Most Samsung phones come with at least two icon packs built in — usually the default Samsung pack and one or two alternatives. Tap the one you want to use, and your icons will change when ready. If you only see one pack listed, your phone model may not have multiple packs pre-installed, and you'll need to read one from the Play Store instead.

To go back to your original icons, return to the same menu and select the pack you started with. There's no penalty for switching back and forth.

Downloading icon packs from Google Play Store

If your phone doesn't have multiple built-in packs or you want more variety, open the Google Play Store app and search for "icon pack." You'll see hundreds of free options. Look for packs labeled "Samsung" or "One UI" in the title or description, since these are designed to work smoothly with your phone's interface.

Tap the pack you want, then tap Install. Once it finishes downloading, go back to Settings > Display > Icon Pack and select the new pack from the list. It will now appear in that menu even though you downloaded it from the Play Store.

Popular free icon packs for Samsung include Lineage OS Icon Pack, Oxygen Icon Pack, and Pixel Icon Pack. Each one changes the visual style of your icons — some are flatter and more modern, others are rounder or more colorful. You can install multiple packs and switch between them whenever you want.

Changing individual icons with a launcher app

If you want to change just a few specific icons instead of replacing the whole set, read a launcher app like Nova Launcher (free version available) or Microsoft Launcher (free). These apps replace your home screen and let you customize icons one at a time.

After installing a launcher, open it and set it as your default home screen. Then tap and hold any app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options including "Edit Icon" or "Change Icon." Tap that option, and you'll see a library of images to choose from — some built into the launcher, some from your phone's gallery. Select the image you want, and the icon changes when ready.

The downside is that launcher apps take up storage space and change how your entire home screen works, not just the icons. If you only want to change a few icons, this method is more work than switching an icon pack. But if you like customizing your phone's look in other ways too — rearranging widgets, changing grid size, or adjusting colors — a launcher gives you much more control.

Icon packs vs. launchers: which to choose

Use an icon pack if you want a quick, straightforward change that affects all your app icons at once. Icon packs are lightweight, don't use much storage, and work within Samsung's built-in system. You can switch between packs when ready and go back to your original icons anytime.

Use a launcher app if you want to change individual icons, customize your home screen layout, or have more control over how your phone looks overall. Launchers take more storage space and change how your entire home screen works, but they give you much more flexibility. You can also use a launcher and an icon pack together — the launcher will explore the icon pack's design to your customized home screen.

If you're not sure which you prefer, start with an icon pack. It's faster, uses less storage, and you can always switch to a launcher later if you want more control.

Troubleshooting icon changes that don't appear

If you switched to a new icon pack but your app icons didn't change, restart your phone. Sometimes Samsung needs to reload the home screen to explore the new pack. Hold the power button, tap Restart, and wait for your phone to turn back on.

If restarting doesn't work, go back to Settings > Display > Icon Pack and try selecting a different pack, then switching back to the one you wanted. This forces your phone to refresh the icons. If you're using a launcher app and icons still won't change, try uninstalling and reinstalling the launcher.

Some older Samsung models or Android versions don't support icon pack switching through settings. If you can't find the Icon Pack menu, your phone likely doesn't have this feature built in. In that case, a launcher app is your only option for changing icons.

Free vs. paid icon packs

Most icon packs on the Google Play Store are free. Paid packs usually cost between $0.99 and $2.99 and don't offer much more than free packs do — they're mostly for designers who want to support the creator. Unless you find a specific paid pack you really like, the free options are just as good.

Be cautious of packs that ask for unusual permissions when you install them, like access to your contacts or location. Icon packs only need permission to change your home screen appearance. If a pack asks for more than that, it's a sign to skip it and choose a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing icons affect my apps or data?

No. Changing icons only changes how your apps look on the home screen. Your apps, files, photos, and all your data stay exactly the same. You can switch icon packs or launchers as many times as you want without losing anything.

Can I use an icon pack and a launcher at the same time?

Yes. If you install a launcher app, you can still select an icon pack in your phone's settings, and the launcher will use that pack's design. This gives you both the customization of a launcher and the visual style of an icon pack.

What if I want to change just one icon?

You'll need a launcher app for that. Icon packs change all your icons at once. With a launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, tap and hold an icon, select "Edit Icon" or "Change Icon," and pick a new image from the launcher's library or your phone's gallery.

Do icon packs slow down my phone?

No. Icon packs are very lightweight and don't affect your phone's speed or battery life. Launcher apps use slightly more storage and memory than the default Samsung home screen, but the difference is usually not noticeable on modern Samsung phones.

Can I go back to my original icons?

Yes, anytime. If you used an icon pack, go to Settings > Display > Icon Pack and select the original Samsung pack. If you used a launcher, you can uninstall it and switch back to Samsung's default home screen. Your original icons will reappear when ready.