The fastest way to change app icons depends on your phone type
On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create custom icons that launch your real apps. On Android, most phones let you long-press an app and pick a new icon from your launcher, though some phones require a third-party launcher app instead. Both methods take under five minutes once you know the steps.
The iPhone route feels like extra work because it is — you are building a shortcut that points to the app rather than renaming the app itself. Android is more direct. Neither method changes the app's actual name or function, only what you see on your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open Shortcuts, create a new shortcut that opens an app, add a custom icon and name, then add it to the home screen.
- Android users long-press an app icon, tap "Edit icon" or similar, and choose a new image from their phone or a built-in library.
- Some Android phones and launchers do not support icon editing, so you may need to install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.
- Custom icons on iPhone are technically shortcuts, not the original app, so they sit separately on your home screen.
- Both methods are free and do not require downloading extra apps on iPhone, though Android sometimes does.
Changing icons on iPhone using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app (it comes built in). Tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Search for and select "Open App", then choose the app you want to customize. Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap the icon circle next to the app name.
A menu appears with options to take a photo, choose from your photo library, or pick from a set of built-in symbols and colors. Select or create your icon. Give the shortcut a custom name if you want one different from the app's real name. Tap "Add to Home Screen" at the bottom. The shortcut now appears on your home screen with your custom icon.
The downside: this creates a shortcut tile, not a renamed version of the original app. Your home screen will have both the shortcut and the original app icon unless you delete or hide the original. The shortcut launches the app the same way, but it is technically a separate object.
Changing icons on Android with your launcher
Long-press the app icon you want to change. A menu appears with options like "Edit icon", "Change icon", or "Customize". Tap whichever option your phone shows. A gallery or icon picker opens, usually showing built-in icon sets or your phone's photo library.
Choose a new image or icon. Some launchers let you crop or resize it. Confirm your choice, and the icon updates on your home screen when ready. The app itself has not changed — only what you see.
If your phone does not show an edit or customize option when you long-press, your launcher does not support icon changes. In that case, you can install a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher all let you edit icons. read one from the Google Play Store, set it as your default launcher in Settings, and then long-press app icons to customize them.
Using icon packs on Android
Some Android launchers work with icon packs — themed sets of icons you read once and explore to multiple apps at once. This is faster than changing icons one by one if you want a cohesive look.
Open your launcher's settings, look for "Icon packs" or "Themes", and browse available packs in the Google Play Store. read one you like. Return to your launcher settings and select it. Your app icons change to match the pack's design. You can still customize individual icons afterward if you want.
Icon packs are optional — you do not need one to change individual icons. But if you are redesigning your entire home screen, a pack saves time.
What happens to the original app
On iPhone, the original app stays in your app library or on your home screen unless you manually delete it. The shortcut you created is separate. You can hide the original by swiping left on it and tapping "Remove from Home Screen" — it stays on your phone but disappears from view.
On Android, the original app icon remains unchanged. Only the shortcut or launcher-level customization shows your new icon. If you uninstall the third-party launcher you were using, your custom icons revert to the defaults.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your custom icon does not appear on iPhone, make sure you tapped "Add to Home Screen" at the end of the Shortcuts setup. If the shortcut launches but shows the app's original icon, you may have skipped the icon customization step — go back into the shortcut, tap the three dots, and add an icon.
On Android, if the edit icon option does not appear, your launcher does not support it. Try long-pressing and looking for "Customize", "Properties", or "App info" — different phones use different names. If none of those work, install a third-party launcher. If you installed a launcher but icon editing still does not work, check the launcher's settings menu for an icon customization toggle.
If a custom icon you chose does not display correctly, the image file may be too small or in an unsupported format. Try a different image or use a built-in icon from your launcher instead of uploading your own.
When custom icons might not work
Some work phones or school-managed Android devices restrict launcher changes or icon customization for security reasons. If you see a message that your device administrator has blocked this action, you cannot change icons on that device.
Older Android phones (version 9 and earlier) may not support icon editing in their default launcher. Updating to a newer launcher solves this. iPhone 12 and later support Shortcuts icon customization; older iPhones can use Shortcuts but may have fewer icon options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts on iPhone?
Not through Apple's built-in tools. Shortcuts is the official method. Some third-party launcher apps exist for iPhone, but they are limited compared to Android launchers and do not give you the same level of icon control. Shortcuts remains the simplest route.
Will changing my app icon affect how the app works?
No. The app functions exactly the same. On iPhone, you are creating a shortcut that launches the app — the app itself is unchanged. On Android, you are only changing the visual icon. The app's performance, data, and settings remain identical.
Can I use any image as a custom icon?
Yes, on both iPhone and Android you can upload photos from your phone's library. Keep in mind that very small or low-resolution images may look blurry. Square images work best. Some launchers compress or crop images automatically, so test how it looks before finalizing.
What happens to my custom icons if I update my phone?
On iPhone, your Shortcuts shortcuts stay in the Shortcuts app and on your home screen after an update. On Android, custom icons created through your launcher usually persist, but if you switch to a different launcher or reset your phone, they revert to defaults.
Can I change icons for system apps like Settings or Phone?
On iPhone, yes — you can create a Shortcuts shortcut that opens any app, including system apps. On Android, it depends on your launcher. Most launchers let you customize system app icons the same way you customize third-party apps.