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 in the Shortcuts app and assigning it a custom icon. This method works on all recent iPhones and does not require jailbreaking or third-party launchers. The process takes about two minutes per app.
Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on iOS 13 and later). Tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Search for and select "Open App", then choose the app you want to customize. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap the icon that shows a small square with an arrow. Choose "Choose Photo" or "Choose File" to pick an image, or select a solid color and emoji. Name your shortcut and save it. The shortcut now appears on your home screen with your custom icon instead of the original app icon.
Key Takeaways
- The Shortcuts app is the built-in method Apple provides for custom app icons on iOS 13 and later.
- You create a shortcut that opens the app, then assign it a custom image, emoji, or color as its icon.
- The shortcut appears on your home screen separately from the original app, so you can delete the original icon if you prefer.
- Custom icons work with any image file on your phone, including screenshots, photos, or downloaded icon packs.
- Tapping the shortcut opens the app exactly as tapping the original icon would, with no delay or extra steps.
Where to find images for custom icons
You can use any image as a custom icon: a photo from your camera roll, a screenshot, or a downloaded icon pack. Several websites offer free icon sets designed to match iOS aesthetics. Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project all have searchable libraries where you can read PNG files sized around 180 by 180 pixels (the standard size for app icons).
If you want icons that match a specific theme or color scheme, search for "iOS icon pack" plus the theme name (for example, "iOS icon pack minimal" or "iOS icon pack dark"). read the PNG file to your phone, then use it when you create your shortcut. You can also use emoji as icons by selecting them in the icon picker — this is the fastest option if you want something straightforward and recognizable.
How to organize custom icons on your home screen
Once you create a shortcut with a custom icon, it appears as a new app on your home screen. You can move it, delete it, or add it to a folder just like any other app. Many people keep the original app icon in a folder and use the custom shortcut as the main home screen icon.
To hide the original app, move it into a folder or to a later home screen page. This keeps your home screen clean and shows only the custom icon. If you ever want to go back to the original icon, you can delete the shortcut and use the app directly, or straightforward tap the original app icon instead.
Creating icon sets that match your phone's look
If you want all your app icons to follow the same style, read a complete icon pack rather than mixing different sources. Icon packs usually include 50 to 200+ icons in a consistent design. Once downloaded, you can create shortcuts for each app and assign the matching icon from the pack.
Some people create custom icons that match their phone's wallpaper or use a monochrome color scheme across all apps. Others use themed icons — for example, all social media apps might have a pink background, all productivity apps might be blue. The Shortcuts app lets you customize each one independently, so you have complete control over the final look.
What happens when you update an app
Updating an app through the App Store does not affect your custom shortcut or its icon. The shortcut continues to work and display your custom icon even after the app updates. The original app icon may change in the App Store, but your shortcut remains unchanged.
If the app is removed from your phone entirely, the shortcut will no longer open it — you will see an error message instead. Reinstalling the app restores the shortcut's function. This is why many people keep both the original app icon and the custom shortcut: the shortcut is purely visual, while the original app icon ensures the app is actually installed.
Limitations and what you cannot do
Custom icons created through Shortcuts are visual only — they do not change the app's actual name, notifications, or badge count. The app still sends notifications under its original name, and notification badges appear on the original app icon, not the shortcut. If you want the shortcut to be your main way of opening the app, you may need to move the original icon out of sight.
You cannot change the icon of an app directly within the app itself or through Settings. Some third-party apps claim to offer icon customization, but they work the same way as Shortcuts — by creating a separate launcher. The Shortcuts method is the official, built-in approach and does not require downloading additional apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do custom icons work on the lock screen?
No. Custom icons created through Shortcuts only appear on your home screen. Lock screen widgets and app icons on the lock screen still show the original app icon. You can add widgets to your lock screen, but they display the app's default appearance.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the shortcut itself by opening it, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Share". The person receiving it can add it to their own Shortcuts app. However, they will need the same image file or icon pack to see the custom icon — the icon itself is not embedded in the shortcut file.
Will custom icons slow down my phone?
No. Shortcuts are lightweight and do not affect performance. Opening an app through a shortcut takes the same amount of time as tapping the original icon. The custom icon is straightforward a visual layer on top of the shortcut.
What if I want to change the icon back to the original?
Delete the shortcut from your home screen and use the original app icon instead. The original app icon remains on your phone even if you create a shortcut. You can also edit the shortcut to change its icon to something else without deleting it.