The three ways to change an app icon on Android

You can change an app icon on Android in three ways: use a third-party launcher, use your phone's built-in icon customization (if your device has it), or create a shortcut with a custom icon on your home screen. The method that works depends on your phone model and what you want to accomplish. Most people use a launcher because it changes icons across your whole phone at once, while shortcuts work if you only want to change one or two apps.

Android does not let you change app icons the way iOS does — you cannot edit the app itself. Instead, you are replacing what you see on your home screen. The actual app stays unchanged, and the icon reverts to normal if you uninstall the launcher or delete the shortcut.

Key Takeaways

  • Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara replace your home screen and let you change hundreds of icons at once.
  • Some phones (Samsung, Google Pixel) have built-in theme or icon packs that change icons without installing a separate app.
  • Shortcuts let you create a custom icon for a single app and place it anywhere on your home screen.
  • Icon packs are free or paid collections of replacement icons that work with launchers and some phones' native settings.
  • Changing an icon does not change how the app works — it only changes what appears on your home screen.

Using a launcher to change multiple app icons

A launcher is an app that replaces your home screen and app drawer. Once you install one, you can change icons for dozens or hundreds of apps without touching the apps themselves. Popular launchers include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Niagara, and Lawnchair.

To use a launcher: read it from Google Play, open it, and tap "Set as Home" or "Set as Default Launcher" when prompted. Your phone will ask which launcher you want to use when you press the home button — choose the one you just installed. Then open the launcher's settings, find the icon customization or theme section, and either change individual icons or install an icon pack to change many at once.

Most launchers are free but offer paid versions with more features. The free versions usually let you change icons, organize your home screen, and hide apps. Paid versions add things like gesture controls and backup. You can switch back to your phone's default launcher at any time by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Home App and choosing the original launcher.

Changing icons on Samsung and Google Pixel phones

Samsung phones have a built-in theme system. Open Settings, go to Display > Themes, and tap the store icon. Browse icon packs and tap one to preview it. If you like it, tap "explore" and the icons change across your phone. You do not need to install a separate launcher — the icons change in your existing home screen.

Google Pixel phones (Pixel 6 and newer) have a similar feature called Material You. Open Settings, go to Display > Wallpaper & Style, and scroll to "Icon Shape." You can change the shape of all your app icons — rounded, squircle, teardrop, or circle. This changes the shape but not the color or design of individual icons.

If your phone is not Samsung or Pixel, check your Settings under Display or Themes to see if your manufacturer included a built-in option. Many phones do not have this feature, which is why launchers are the most common solution.

Installing and using icon packs

An icon pack is a collection of replacement icons designed to look cohesive — for example, all flat, all 3D, all minimal, or all colorful. Icon packs work with launchers and with some phones' native theme systems. Popular icon packs include Linebit, Crayon, Oxy, and Pix.

To use an icon pack with a launcher: read the icon pack from Google Play, then open your launcher's settings and look for "Icon Pack," "Icons," or "Themes." Tap it and select the icon pack you just installed. The launcher will change icons for any apps that have a design in that pack. Apps without a matching icon in the pack keep their original icon.

Some icon packs cost money (usually $1 to $3), while others are free. Free packs often have fewer icons, so less common apps may not have a custom design. Paid packs usually cover more apps. You can install multiple icon packs and switch between them whenever you want.

Creating a custom icon for a single app using a shortcut

If you only want to change the icon for one or two apps, you can create a shortcut instead of installing a launcher. A shortcut is a link to an app that sits on your home screen with a custom icon you choose.

On most Android phones: long-press an empty space on your home screen, tap "Widgets," search for "Shortcut," and drag it to your home screen. Tap the shortcut to choose which app it opens. Then tap the icon preview to pick a custom image from your phone's gallery, Google Photos, or a design app. Name the shortcut and tap "Create." The shortcut now appears on your home screen with your custom icon.

On Samsung phones: long-press an empty space, tap "Widgets," find "Shortcuts," and drag "App Shortcut" to your home screen. Choose the app, then tap the icon to change it. On Google Pixel: long-press the home screen, tap "Create Shortcut," choose the app, and customize the icon the same way.

Shortcuts work on any Android phone, but the exact steps vary slightly. If the steps above do not match your phone, search your phone's help for "create shortcut" to find the exact process for your model.

What happens to changed icons when you update or uninstall

If you use a launcher and update it, your custom icons stay in place. If you uninstall the launcher, your home screen reverts to your phone's default launcher and all icons return to normal. Your apps are not affected — they still work exactly as before.

If you use a shortcut with a custom icon and uninstall the icon pack or design app you pulled the image from, the shortcut stays on your home screen but the icon may disappear or revert to the app's default icon. The shortcut still opens the app normally.

If you use your phone's built-in theme system (Samsung or Pixel), changing themes does not affect your apps. You can switch themes back and forth without losing anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to root my phone to change app icons?

No. Launchers, icon packs, shortcuts, and built-in theme systems all work on unrooted phones. Rooting is not necessary and is not recommended because it can void your warranty and create security risks.

Can I use multiple icon packs at the same time?

Most launchers let you install multiple icon packs but only use one at a time. You can switch between them in your launcher's settings whenever you want. Some advanced launchers let you mix icons from different packs, but this requires manual setup for each icon.

Will changing my app icons slow down my phone?

No. Launchers and icon packs use very little processing power. Your phone's performance will not noticeably change. If your phone feels slower after installing a launcher, the launcher itself is probably not the cause — check if other apps are running in the background.

Can I change the icon for system apps like Settings or Phone?

Yes, if you use a launcher or icon pack that includes designs for those apps. If the icon pack does not have a design for a system app, that app keeps its original icon. You cannot change system app icons using shortcuts because shortcuts only work for apps you can open from your app drawer.

What is the difference between a launcher and an icon pack?

A launcher is a full replacement for your home screen and app drawer. An icon pack is just a collection of replacement icons. You need a launcher to use an icon pack, but you can use a launcher without an icon pack. Some phones' built-in theme systems let you use icon packs without installing a separate launcher.