The fastest way to change an app icon on your iPhone
You can change how an app looks on your home screen by creating a shortcut with a custom icon. Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 13 or later), tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut, then tap "Add Action." Search for "Open App," select it, and choose which app you want to open. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap the icon circle next to the app name. You can take a photo, choose from your photo library, or pick from the Shortcuts app's built-in icon library. Name your shortcut, save it, and it will appear on your home screen as a new icon that opens the original app when tapped.
This method works because you are not actually changing the app itself — you are creating a launcher that points to the app. The original app icon stays in your app library unchanged, but your home screen shows whatever icon you designed.
Key Takeaways
- The Shortcuts app lets you create custom icons that launch any app, and these custom icons appear on your home screen instead of the original ones.
- You can use photos from your camera roll, screenshots, or built-in icon designs from the Shortcuts app as your custom icon.
- Custom icons created this way are shortcuts, not the apps themselves, so the original app still exists in your app library with its original icon.
- You can organize custom icons into folders on your home screen just like regular app icons.
- If you delete a custom icon shortcut from your home screen, the original app remains on your phone and in the app library.
Step-by-step: Creating a custom icon in Shortcuts
Start by opening the Shortcuts app and tapping the plus button in the top right corner. This opens a blank shortcut where you can add actions. Tap "Add Action" and use the search bar to find "Open App." Tap "Open App" when it appears in the results.
Next, tap where it says "Choose" under the Open App action. A list of all your apps will appear. Scroll through and select the app you want to create a custom icon for. Once you select it, the app name appears in that field. Now tap the three dots at the top right of the screen to open the shortcut details menu.
In the details menu, you will see a circle with the app's current icon. Tap that circle to change it. You can choose "Take Photo" to use your camera, "Choose Photo" to pick from your library, or "Choose from Library" to browse the Shortcuts app's built-in icons. Pick whichever option works for you, then confirm your choice. Give your shortcut a name (this is what appears below the icon on your home screen), then tap "Save."
Using photos and screenshots as custom icons
If you want to use a photo or screenshot as your icon, take or find the image first and save it to your photo library. Screenshots work especially well because they are already square-shaped. You can screenshot anything on your phone — a solid color, a pattern, text, or part of another image — and use that as your icon.
When you reach the icon selection step in Shortcuts, tap "Choose Photo" and navigate to the image you want. The Shortcuts app will automatically crop it to fit the icon shape. You can adjust the crop by pinching and dragging before you confirm. Keep in mind that small details may not show up clearly at icon size, so bold colors and straightforward shapes work better than detailed photos.
Organizing custom icons into folders
Once you have created several custom icons, you can organize them into folders to keep your home screen tidy. Long-press on one custom icon, then drag it on top of another custom icon. Your iPhone will create a folder and ask you to name it. You can add more icons to the folder by dragging them into it the same way.
Folders work the same way whether they contain custom icons or regular app icons. Tap the folder to open it and see all the icons inside. You can rearrange icons within the folder by long-pressing and dragging them to a new position.
What happens to your original app when you create a custom icon
Creating a custom icon does not remove or hide your original app. The original app stays in your app library (swipe to the rightmost home screen and you will see it there), and you can still search for it using Spotlight (swipe down from the top of your home screen and type the app name). The custom icon is just a shortcut — a separate launcher that opens the original app.
If you delete the custom icon from your home screen, the original app remains untouched on your phone. You can always create a new custom icon for the same app later if you want to change it again. This separation means you can have multiple custom icons for the same app, each with a different design, all pointing to the same app.
Common mistakes to avoid when creating custom icons
The most common mistake is trying to change the icon of the app itself rather than creating a shortcut. iOS does not let you directly edit an app's icon — you can only create launchers through Shortcuts. If you are looking for a way to change the icon without using Shortcuts, that option does not exist on standard iPhones.
Another mistake is forgetting to save your shortcut. If you create the shortcut but close the Shortcuts app without tapping "Save," your work will be lost. Always tap "Save" at the end of the process, and make sure you give it a name you will recognize.
A third mistake is using an icon image that is too detailed. Small text, fine lines, and busy patterns become unreadable when shrunk to icon size. Test your icon by looking at it on your home screen — if you cannot tell what it is from a few feet away, consider simplifying the design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of a built-in Apple app like Mail or Calendar?
Yes. You can create a custom icon shortcut for any app on your phone, including Apple's built-in apps. Follow the same steps in the Shortcuts app, search for the app you want, and design your custom icon. The original Mail or Calendar app will still work normally in the background.
Will my custom icons work if I update my iPhone or restore from backup?
Custom icon shortcuts will survive an iOS update, but restoring from an older backup may remove them if that backup was made before you created them. If you restore from a recent backup, your custom icons should come back. To be safe, take a screenshot of your home screen layout before doing a major update.
Can I share my custom icon design with someone else?
You can share the shortcut itself by opening it in the Shortcuts app, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Share." The person you send it to can open the link and add the shortcut to their own phone. They will get your icon design and the app it launches.
What if the Shortcuts app is not on my iPhone?
The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 13 or later. If you cannot find it, search for "Shortcuts" in the App Store and read it for free. Once installed, you can use it to create custom icons.
Can I make an icon that does something other than open an app?
Yes. The Shortcuts app lets you create shortcuts that do many things — send a text message, open a website, play a song, toggle Wi-Fi on or off, or run a series of actions in sequence. You can design a custom icon for any of these shortcuts, not just app launchers. Explore the "Add Action" menu to see what is possible.