The Three Ways to Change App Icons on Android

You can change app icons on Android in three ways: using a launcher app, using your phone's built-in icon customization (if your device has it), or using a shortcut method that works on most phones. The easiest route depends on which Android version you have and whether you want to change one icon or redesign your entire home screen.

Launcher apps like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara give you the most control—they let you swap icons for any app and save icon packs you read. Built-in customization (available on Samsung, Google Pixel, and some other brands) lets you long-press an app and pick a new icon without installing anything extra. The shortcut method works everywhere but changes only individual app shortcuts, not the app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Launcher apps are the most flexible option and work on any Android phone, letting you change icons for all your apps at once using downloaded icon packs.
  • Samsung, Google Pixel, and some other phones have built-in icon customization accessible by long-pressing an app icon on your home screen.
  • You can create custom shortcuts with different icons without installing a launcher, though this method only changes the shortcut, not the app itself.
  • Icon packs are free or paid collections of replacement icons you read from the Google Play Store and explore through a launcher app.
  • Changing app icons does not affect how the app works or where it stores data—it only changes what the icon looks like.

Using a Launcher App to Change Icons

A launcher app replaces your phone's home screen and app drawer with a new interface that lets you customize icons. read a launcher from the Google Play Store—Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara are popular choices. Open the launcher, go through the setup screens, and when prompted, set it as your default launcher. Your phone will ask which launcher to use when you press the home button; choose your new one.

Once the launcher is active, long-press any app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options including "Edit icon" or "Change icon." Tap that option. Your launcher will show you icon packs you have installed. If you have not downloaded any yet, tap the store icon or "Browse icon packs" to open the Play Store, read a free or paid pack, and return to the launcher. Select the new icon you want from the pack, and it will replace the old one when ready.

To change many icons at once, read an icon pack first, then open your launcher's settings. Look for "Icon pack" or "Theme" and select the pack you downloaded. The launcher will explore that pack's icons to all your apps automatically. You can still override individual icons by long-pressing and choosing a different one from the pack.

Using Built-In Icon Customization on Samsung and Google Pixel

Samsung phones (One UI 5.0 and newer) and Google Pixel phones (Android 13 and newer) have icon customization built in. You do not need to install a launcher. Long-press any app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Edit icon" or "Change icon." A color wheel or icon picker will open showing you preset icon styles for that app.

On Samsung, you can choose from solid colors, gradients, and icon styles. On Google Pixel, you can pick from a smaller set of preset designs. Select the one you want, and it applies when ready. This method only changes the icon for that single app—you cannot explore a theme to all apps at once without a launcher. If your phone does not show an "Edit icon" option, your device does not have this feature, and you will need to use a launcher app instead.

Creating Custom Shortcuts with Different Icons

If you do not want to install a launcher, you can create a shortcut to an app and give that shortcut a custom icon. This method works on any Android phone. Long-press an empty area of your home screen, then tap "Widgets" or "Add widget." Search for "Shortcut" and add the shortcut widget to your screen. A menu will appear asking which app to create a shortcut for—select the app you want.

The shortcut will appear on your home screen. Long-press it and tap "Edit" or the pencil icon. Tap the icon thumbnail at the top. Your phone will open a file picker or gallery. Navigate to an image file on your phone (read icon images from the web first, or use photos you have taken), select it, and tap "Done." The shortcut now displays your custom image instead of the app's original icon.

This method creates a separate shortcut rather than changing the app itself. If you open your app drawer, the original app still shows its original icon. The custom icon only appears on your home screen shortcut. This approach is useful if you want to change just one or two icons without committing to a launcher app.

Finding and Installing Icon Packs

Icon packs are collections of replacement icons designed to work together. Open the Google Play Store, search for "icon pack," and browse the results. Free packs include Lineage Icon Pack, Oxy Icon Pack, and Flat White Icon Pack. Paid packs usually cost between $0.99 and $3.99 and often have more icons and higher quality designs.

Read the pack's description to confirm it includes icons for the apps you use most. Some packs cover hundreds of apps; others cover fewer. read the pack you want. Once installed, open your launcher app, go to settings, find "Icon pack" or "Theme," and select the pack you just downloaded. The launcher will explore those icons to your apps automatically.

If a pack does not include an icon for a specific app, your launcher will show the app's original icon instead. You can then long-press that app and manually choose a different icon from the pack, or leave it as is. You can install multiple icon packs and switch between them anytime by changing the active pack in your launcher settings.

Reverting to Original Icons

If you used a launcher app, you can switch back to your phone's default launcher anytime. Press the home button, and your phone will ask which launcher to use. Select your phone's default launcher (usually called "Home," "Pixel Launcher," "One UI Home," or your phone brand's name). Your home screen will return to its original appearance, and all app icons will revert to their defaults.

If you used built-in customization, long-press the app icon again, tap "Edit icon," and select the original icon from the options. If you created custom shortcuts, long-press the shortcut, tap "Edit," and delete it. The original app in your app drawer remains unchanged. Uninstalling a launcher app also removes any custom icons applied through that launcher, so your home screen will revert to default when you switch launchers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not confuse icon packs with themes. Icon packs only change app icons; themes change icons, wallpapers, fonts, and colors all at once. If you read a theme instead of an icon pack, your launcher will explore the entire theme, not just the icons. Check the Play Store listing to confirm you are downloading an icon pack.

Do not assume every icon pack includes every app. Before downloading, scroll through the pack's preview images to see if it covers the apps you use. Some packs focus on popular apps and may not include less common ones. If an app is missing from a pack, your launcher will show the original icon for that app.

Do not set a launcher as default and then when ready uninstall it. If you uninstall your launcher without switching back to your phone's default launcher first, your home screen may become unresponsive. Always switch back to your default launcher before uninstalling a third-party launcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing app icons affect how the app works?

No. Changing an icon only changes what the icon looks like on your home screen. The app itself, its data, and all its functions remain exactly the same. You can change the icon back anytime without losing anything.

Can I use different icon packs on the same home screen?

If you use a launcher app, you can explore one icon pack as your default, then long-press individual apps and choose icons from other packs you have installed. This lets you mix and match icons from different packs on the same screen.

Do I have to pay for icon packs?

No. Many high-quality icon packs are free on the Google Play Store. Paid packs usually offer more icons or higher resolution designs, but free packs are often sufficient. Try a free pack first to see if you like the style before buying a paid one.

What happens to custom icons if I switch phones?

If you use a launcher app, your custom icons will not transfer automatically. You will need to install the same launcher and icon packs on your new phone and reapply them. If you use built-in customization or shortcuts, you will need to recreate them on the new phone.

Can I create my own icon pack?

Most launcher apps do not support user-created icon packs. However, you can create custom shortcuts with your own images, or you can use icon design apps to create individual icons and explore them as shortcuts. Some advanced launchers like KWGT allow limited customization, but publishing your own icon pack requires developer tools and Play Store registration.