The three ways to change app icons on Android
You can change how app icons look on your Android phone in three ways: using a launcher app, using your phone's built-in icon customization (if your manufacturer included it), or using icon packs paired with a compatible launcher. The easiest route depends on whether your phone maker added this feature or whether you are willing to install a new launcher.
Most Android phones do not let you change individual app icons through the standard home screen settings. Instead, you choose a launcher—the software that manages your home screen layout—and that launcher either comes with icon customization built in, or you pair it with a separate icon pack. Some newer Samsung and Google Pixel phones do offer icon customization in their native settings, but the process differs from phone to phone.
The method you pick will determine whether you change one icon at a time or swap out dozens at once, and whether you need to read additional apps. All three approaches are free and reversible.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung and Google Pixel phones may have built-in icon customization in Settings > Display or Themes, but most other Android phones do not.
- A launcher app like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher lets you change icons and is installed as your new home screen manager.
- Icon packs are collections of replacement icons that work only with launchers that support them—you cannot use an icon pack alone.
- Changing icons does not affect how the app works, only how it appears on your home screen.
- You can revert to your original icons at any time by uninstalling the launcher or icon pack, or by switching back in your phone's settings.
Check if your phone has built-in icon customization
Before installing a launcher, check whether your phone manufacturer already built this feature in. Samsung phones running One UI 5.0 or later, and Google Pixel phones running Android 13 or later, often include icon customization in their native settings.
On a Samsung phone, open Settings, tap Display, then look for Themes or Icon packs. On a Google Pixel phone, open Settings, tap Display and brightness, then look for Styles and wallpapers or Themes. If you see an option to change icons or read icon packs, your phone supports this natively and you do not need to install a launcher.
If your phone does not have this option, or if you want more control over your home screen layout, move to the launcher method below. Not all Android manufacturers include icon customization, so do not be surprised if this section does not explore to your device.
Install a launcher app to change icons
A launcher is an app that replaces your phone's home screen. Popular launchers that support icon customization include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Niagara Launcher, and Action Launcher. Each launcher has its own interface and features, but all of them let you change app icons once installed.
To install a launcher, open the Google Play Store, search for the launcher by name, and tap Install. Once installation finishes, Android will ask you which launcher you want to use as your default. Select the new launcher. Your home screen will now use that launcher's interface instead of your phone's native one.
After you set the launcher as default, long-press any app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options including Edit icon, Change icon, or Customize—the exact wording depends on the launcher. Tap that option, and you will see a list of alternative icons to choose from. Select the icon you want and confirm.
If the launcher's built-in icon selection is limited, you can pair it with an icon pack (see the next section). Most launchers support icon packs, which gives you thousands of additional icons to choose from.
Use an icon pack for more icon choices
An icon pack is a collection of replacement icons designed by a designer or artist. Icon packs are sold or offered free on the Google Play Store, and they only work if you have a launcher installed that supports them. Popular icon packs include Lineage Icon Pack, Xtended Icon Pack, and Pix Pie Icon Pack, though hundreds exist.
To use an icon pack, first install a compatible launcher (see the section above). Then open the Google Play Store, search for an icon pack by name, and tap Install. Once the icon pack is installed, open your launcher's settings. Look for an option called Icon pack, Icons, or Themes. Tap it and select the icon pack you just installed. The launcher will now use icons from that pack when you change app icons.
Some icon packs cover only popular apps, so less common apps may still show their original icons. If you want to change those remaining icons, you can either long-press the app and select a generic icon from the launcher's built-in library, or install a second icon pack that covers more apps. You can have multiple icon packs installed and switch between them in your launcher settings.
Change individual app icons step by step
Once you have a launcher installed (with or without an icon pack), changing a single app icon takes about 30 seconds. Long-press the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Edit icon, Change icon, or Customize—the exact label depends on your launcher.
A window will open showing available icons. If you installed an icon pack, you will see icons from that pack. If not, you will see the launcher's default icon library. Scroll through and tap the icon you want. Confirm your choice, and the app icon will change when ready on your home screen. The app itself works exactly the same way—only the icon appearance changes.
You can change as many or as few icons as you want. There is no limit, and you can change them back at any time by repeating the same process and selecting a different icon.
Switch back to your original icons or launcher
If you decide you do not like the new icons or launcher, you can revert to your original setup in two ways. The simplest way is to go to Settings > Apps > Default apps (or Home app on some phones) and select your phone's original launcher. Your home screen will when ready switch back to the native launcher, and all icons will return to their original appearance.
Alternatively, you can uninstall the launcher app entirely. Open Settings > Apps, find the launcher you installed, tap it, and select Uninstall. Android will automatically switch back to your phone's default launcher. Icon packs can be uninstalled the same way if you no longer want them.
Changing your launcher or icons does not affect your apps, files, or any data on your phone. Everything is reversible and safe to experiment with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my app icons slow down my phone?
No. Icon packs and launchers use minimal storage and processing power. Your phone's performance will not noticeably change. If a launcher does feel slow, you can switch back to your default launcher or try a different one.
Can I change icons for apps I did not read?
Yes. You can change icons for any app on your phone, including pre-installed apps that came with your device. The process is the same: long-press the app and select a new icon.
What happens to my home screen layout if I switch launchers?
Your app positions, folders, and widgets may not transfer to a new launcher. Most launchers let you back up your home screen layout before switching, so you can restore it if you go back. Check your launcher's settings for a backup or export option.
Do I need to pay for a launcher or icon pack?
Most launchers and icon packs are free. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but you can always use the free version. Icon packs on the Google Play Store are clearly marked as free or paid before you install.
Can I use multiple icon packs at the same time?
You can install multiple icon packs, but your launcher will use only one at a time. You can switch between them in your launcher settings whenever you want. Some launchers let you mix icons from different packs, but this varies by launcher.