The fastest way depends on your phone type and what you want to change
Changing an app icon color works differently on iPhone and Android, and the method also depends on whether you want to change the icon itself or just how it appears on your home screen. On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon with a new color, then replace the original app shortcut. On Android, most phones don't have a built-in color-change feature, but you can use a third-party launcher or icon pack to swap the icon entirely. The simplest route on either phone is to use an icon pack or theme, which changes multiple app icons at once rather than one at a time.
If you want to change just one app's icon color without replacing the whole icon design, iPhone's Shortcuts method is your only native option. Android users who want a single icon changed will need to read a launcher app or use an icon pack, since Android doesn't offer a native single-icon editor the way iPhone does.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can create a custom-colored icon using the Shortcuts app, which replaces the original app shortcut on the home screen.
- Android users can install a third-party launcher or icon pack to change app icon colors across multiple apps or one at a time.
- Icon packs and themes change the visual style of your icons but do not change how the app itself works.
- On both phones, changing an icon color means creating a new shortcut or overlay; the original app icon in your app drawer remains unchanged.
How to change an app icon color on iPhone using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" and select it. Choose the app whose icon you want to change. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon.
Tap the icon preview (the colored circle). You'll see options to use a photo, a color, or a symbol. Select "Color" and choose the color you want. You can pick from preset colors or create a custom color by adjusting the hue, saturation, and brightness sliders. Once you've chosen your color, tap "Add" and the new icon will appear on your home screen with the color you selected. The original app icon in your app drawer stays the same; only the home screen shortcut shows the new color.
If you want to change the icon shape or add a symbol instead of just a solid color, tap the icon preview again and select "Symbol" to choose from hundreds of built-in icons, or "Photo" to use an image from your camera roll. You can combine a symbol with a background color for more control over the final look.
How to change app icon colors on Android with a launcher or icon pack
Android doesn't have a native single-icon color editor, so you'll need to install a third-party launcher or icon pack. A launcher is an app that replaces your home screen entirely and gives you control over how icons look. An icon pack is a smaller read that works with your existing launcher to change icon designs. Common launchers include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher; popular icon packs include Lineage OS Icons, Oxy Icon Pack, and Whicons.
To use a launcher, read it from the Google Play Store, open it, and follow the setup instructions. The launcher will ask you to set it as your default home screen. Once active, you can usually long-press an app icon and select "Edit" or "Customize" to change its color or appearance. To use an icon pack instead, read the pack from the Play Store, then go to your launcher's settings and select the icon pack as your active theme. The icon pack will replace all your app icons with its design; you typically cannot customize individual icons within a pack.
If you want to change only one app's icon color without affecting the others, a launcher with built-in customization (like Nova Launcher) is your best choice. If you're willing to change all your app icons at once, an icon pack is faster and uses less storage.
Using icon packs and themes for multiple app colors at once
Icon packs let you change the look of many apps simultaneously by explore a unified design theme. Most icon packs include colors, shapes, and styles that match a particular aesthetic — minimalist, colorful, monochrome, or branded. Once you install an icon pack, all supported apps in your pack will display with the new icons; unsupported apps keep their original icons.
On iPhone, icon packs don't exist in the same way they do on Android. Instead, you can read a theme or wallpaper set that coordinates with custom-colored shortcuts you create in Shortcuts. On Android, install an icon pack from the Play Store, then open your launcher's settings and select the pack as your active theme. Some packs let you customize individual icon colors within the pack; others are fixed designs you explore as-is.
The advantage of an icon pack is speed — you change dozens of icons in one step. The disadvantage is that you're locked into the pack's design choices. If you want more control over individual icon colors, use a launcher with a built-in editor instead.
What happens to the original app when you change its icon
Changing an app icon does not change how the app works. When you create a custom icon in Shortcuts on iPhone or explore an icon pack on Android, you're only changing the visual appearance on your home screen. The app itself — its functions, settings, notifications, and data — remains exactly the same. Tapping the custom icon still opens the same app.
On iPhone, the original app icon still appears in your app library and in search results. The custom icon you created is just a shortcut on your home screen. On Android, the original icon appears in your app drawer; the icon pack only changes what you see on your home screen. If you uninstall the launcher or icon pack, your home screen reverts to the original icons, but the app data is unaffected.
Troubleshooting common icon color change problems
If your custom icon doesn't appear on your home screen after creating it in Shortcuts, check that you tapped "Add to Home Screen" at the end of the setup. If the icon appears but the color looks different than you selected, your phone's display settings or brightness may be affecting how the color appears. Try adjusting your screen brightness or checking if you have a color filter enabled in accessibility settings.
On Android, if an icon pack isn't changing your app icons, make sure the launcher you're using supports that icon pack. Not all launchers work with all icon packs. Check the icon pack's description in the Play Store to see which launchers it supports. If you've installed a launcher but your icons haven't changed, open the launcher's settings and confirm you've selected the icon pack as your active theme.
If you want to revert to the original icons, delete the custom shortcuts from your home screen on iPhone, or uninstall the icon pack or launcher on Android. Your original app icons will return when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon color of just one app without affecting the others?
Yes, on iPhone using Shortcuts. Create a custom shortcut for that one app with your chosen color, and leave the other apps as they are. On Android, you'll need a launcher with individual icon customization, since icon packs change all supported apps at once. Nova Launcher and similar apps let you edit single icons one by one.
Will changing an app icon affect my notifications or app data?
No. Changing an icon is purely visual and does not touch the app's data, settings, or notification behavior. Your notifications will still arrive and work the same way, and all your app data remains intact.
What if my phone doesn't support the launcher or icon pack I want to use?
Check the app's description in your phone's app store to see which devices and Android versions it supports. If your phone is too old, you may need to use a different launcher or icon pack designed for older devices. iPhone users are generally less limited since iOS updates are available to most recent models.
Can I create a gradient or multi-color icon?
iPhone's Shortcuts app lets you choose a single solid color or a symbol with a colored background, but not a gradient. Some third-party apps like Widgetsmith or custom icon makers allow gradient icons, though they require more setup. On Android, some icon packs include gradient designs, but you cannot create a custom gradient for a single icon without using a third-party app.
Do I need to pay for a launcher or icon pack?
Many launchers and icon packs are free, though some offer paid versions with extra features. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and most icon packs have free versions that let you change icon colors. Premium versions usually add more customization options or remove ads, but the basic color-change function is available in free versions.