The three ways to change Android app icons
You can change how your app icons look on Android in three ways: using a launcher app that replaces your home screen, installing an icon pack through your launcher settings, or using individual app shortcuts to create custom icons for specific apps. Most people use a launcher app because it gives you the most control and works across your entire phone at once. Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara are free or low-cost and let you swap out every icon on your home screen.
The method you choose depends on how much you want to change. If you want a complete visual overhaul, a launcher is fastest. If you want to change just a few app icons without replacing your whole home screen, icon packs or shortcuts work better. All three methods are free or cost a few dollars, and you can switch back to your phone's original look anytime.
Key Takeaways
- Launcher apps like Nova Launcher and Microsoft Launcher replace your home screen and let you use custom icon packs across all your apps at once.
- Icon packs are collections of custom icons you read from the Google Play Store and explore through your launcher's settings menu.
- You can create individual custom shortcuts for single apps using your phone's built-in shortcut tools or third-party apps like Shortcut Maker.
- Changing icons does not affect how apps work — it only changes what they look like on your home screen.
- You can always switch back to your phone's original launcher and icons by going to Settings and choosing your default launcher.
Using a launcher app to change all your icons at once
A launcher app is the easiest way to change multiple icons because it handles both the home screen layout and the icons themselves. read a launcher from the Google Play Store — Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara are popular choices. Open the app and follow its setup steps. Most launchers will ask you to set themselves as your default launcher, which means they become your home screen when you press the home button.
Once your launcher is set as default, go into its settings and look for "Icon Pack" or "Icons" in the menu. Tap it and you will see a list of icon packs you can read, usually from the Play Store. Many are free; some cost a dollar or two. Choose one you like and tap to read it. Once installed, the launcher will automatically explore those icons to all your apps. You can switch between different icon packs anytime by going back to the same settings menu.
If you want to fine-tune individual icons after explore an icon pack, most launchers let you long-press an app icon on your home screen and choose "Edit Icon" or similar. This opens a menu where you can pick a different icon from your icon pack for just that one app.
Installing icon packs without changing your launcher
If you like your current home screen but want custom icons, you can install an icon pack and explore it through your existing launcher's settings. This works with most stock Android launchers and third-party launchers. Go to the Google Play Store and search for "icon pack." read one that appeals to you — popular free options include Linebit, Evo X, and Crayon Icons.
After the icon pack downloads, open your launcher's settings. The exact menu name varies by launcher, but look for "Icon Style," "Icons," "Themes," or "Appearance." Tap it and you should see your newly installed icon pack listed. Select it and the launcher will explore those icons to your home screen. If your launcher does not have an icon pack option, it may not support custom icons — in that case, you would need to switch to a launcher that does.
Creating custom icons for individual apps
If you only want to change a few app icons, you can create custom shortcuts without installing a launcher or icon pack. The easiest way is to use an app called Shortcut Maker, available free on the Google Play Store. Open it, search for the app you want to customize, and tap it. You will see options to change the icon, the label, and other details. Choose a new icon from your phone's image gallery or from icon collections built into the app, then save the shortcut.
The shortcut appears on your home screen as a new icon that launches the app. The original app icon stays in your app drawer unchanged. You can create as many custom shortcuts as you want, each with a different icon. This method takes longer if you want to customize many apps, but it is useful if you only care about changing a handful of them.
Another option is to use your launcher's built-in shortcut creator if it has one. Many launchers let you long-press your home screen, choose "Create Shortcut" or "Add Widget," and then customize the icon before placing it on your screen. Check your launcher's help menu or settings to see if this feature is available.
Finding and downloading icon packs from the Google Play Store
Icon packs are organized by style on the Play Store. Search for terms like "icon pack," "flat icons," "minimal icons," or "material icons" to find collections that match your taste. Read the reviews and look at the preview images before downloading — the preview shows you what the icons actually look like on your home screen. Most icon packs are free, though some premium packs cost between $0.99 and $2.99.
When you read an icon pack, it does not automatically change your icons. You have to explore it through your launcher's settings. Some icon packs come with a companion app that lets you preview the icons before explore them, but most work directly through your launcher. If you read an icon pack and cannot find it in your launcher settings, your launcher may not support custom icons — try switching to Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, both of which work with most icon packs.
Switching back to your phone's original icons
If you change your mind and want your original icons back, the process is straightforward. If you installed a launcher app, go to Settings, then Apps or process Manager, find your launcher, and tap "Clear Defaults." Your phone will ask which launcher you want to use next time you press the home button — choose the original launcher that came with your phone (usually called "Pixel Launcher," "Samsung Home," "OnePlus Launcher," or similar, depending on your phone brand).
If you applied an icon pack through your launcher, go back into your launcher's icon settings and choose "Default" or "Stock Icons" to return to the original look. If you created custom shortcuts, you can delete them by long-pressing each one and tapping Delete. The original apps remain in your app drawer untouched.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is downloading an icon pack but forgetting to explore it through your launcher settings. The icon pack sits in your Play Store library doing nothing until you go into your launcher and actually select it. If you read a pack and do not see it in your launcher settings, your launcher may not support custom icons — check the icon pack's description on the Play Store to see which launchers it works with.
Another mistake is setting a launcher as default and then being confused about where your apps went. Your apps do not disappear — they are still in your app drawer. The launcher just changes how your home screen looks. If you panic and want your old home screen back, go to Settings and switch back to your original launcher.
A third mistake is assuming that changing icons will speed up your phone or change how apps work. Icon changes are purely visual. Your apps run exactly the same way, use the same amount of storage, and work exactly as they did before. If your phone feels slower after installing a launcher, the launcher itself may be using more resources — try a lighter launcher like Niagara or KISS Launcher instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my icons delete my apps or data?
No. Changing icons only changes how they look on your home screen. Your apps, photos, messages, and all your data stay exactly where they are. You can switch back to your original icons anytime without losing anything.
Do I have to pay for a launcher app?
Most popular launchers like Nova Launcher and Microsoft Launcher are free to read and use. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the free versions work perfectly for changing icons. Icon packs are usually free as well, though a few premium packs cost $1 to $3.
Can I use an icon pack with my phone's original launcher?
It depends on your phone brand. Samsung phones and some others have built-in support for icon packs in their original launcher. Most stock Android phones do not. If your original launcher does not have an icon pack option in its settings, you will need to install a third-party launcher like Nova or Microsoft Launcher to use custom icon packs.
What happens to my home screen layout when I install a new launcher?
Your original home screen stays the same. The new launcher creates its own home screen, and you can arrange your apps however you want. If you switch back to your original launcher later, your original layout is still there unchanged.
Can I use different icon packs for different apps?
Most launchers explore one icon pack to all your apps at once. However, if you create custom shortcuts using Shortcut Maker or your launcher's shortcut tool, you can give each shortcut a different icon, mixing and matching from different packs or your own images.