How to undo custom app icons on your iPhone

If you've set up custom app icons using the Shortcuts app and now want to go back to the standard iPhone icons, you have two main routes: remove the shortcuts you created, or delete the custom icons from your home screen and reinstall the original apps. The fastest way depends on whether you want to keep the apps themselves or start fresh.

Custom icons on iPhone don't actually change the app itself—they create a shortcut that points to the real app. That's why removing them is straightforward: you're just deleting the shortcut layer, not uninstalling anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom app icons are shortcuts, not changes to the actual app, so removing them leaves your data and settings untouched.
  • The fastest removal method is to long-press the custom icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," and choose "Remove from Home Screen."
  • If you want the original app back on your home screen, search for it in the App Library and drag it back to your home screen.
  • Deleting the Shortcuts app itself will remove all custom shortcuts at once, but you'll lose any other shortcuts you've created.
  • Your original apps remain installed and functional no matter what you do with custom icons—they're just hidden from view.

Remove custom icons one at a time from your home screen

The simplest method is to delete each custom icon individually. Long-press the custom app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App" at the bottom of the menu.

A second menu will pop up with two options: "Remove from Home Screen" and "Remove App." Choose "Remove from Home Screen" if you want to keep the shortcut but hide it, or "Remove App" if you want to delete the shortcut entirely. For most people, "Remove from Home Screen" is the right choice because it keeps the shortcut in case you change your mind later.

After you remove the custom icon, your home screen will update when ready. The original app (if it's still installed) will remain on your phone and in the App Library, even though it's no longer on your home screen.

Restore the original app to your home screen

Once you've removed the custom icon, you can bring back the real app. Swipe to the App Library (the last page of your home screen, or swipe left from the home screen). Search for the app by name or scroll through the categories to find it.

When you find the original app, long-press it and select "Add to Home Screen." The app will reappear with its standard iPhone icon. You can drag it to the position you prefer before releasing it.

If the app is no longer installed on your phone, you'll need to read it again from the App Store before you can add it back to your home screen. Search for the app by name in the App Store, tap the read button, and follow the prompts to reinstall it.

Delete all custom shortcuts at once by removing the Shortcuts app

If you've created many custom icons and want to remove them all in one step, you can delete the Shortcuts app itself. Long-press the Shortcuts app icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," and then tap "Remove App" again to confirm. This will delete the Shortcuts app and all shortcuts you created with it.

Be aware that this removes all shortcuts, not just the custom app icons. If you've created other shortcuts for tasks like sending messages, opening websites, or automating actions, those will be deleted too. If you only want to remove custom icons and keep other shortcuts, use the one-at-a-time method instead.

After you delete the Shortcuts app, your original apps will still be on your phone and in the App Library. You can reinstall the Shortcuts app later from the App Store if you change your mind.

Check the App Library if an app seems to have disappeared

Sometimes after removing a custom icon, it looks like the app is gone. It's almost always still on your phone—it's just hidden from your home screen. Swipe to the App Library and search for the app by name. You'll see it listed in a category.

From the App Library, you can long-press the app and add it back to your home screen with its original icon. This is faster than searching the App Store or worrying that you've lost something.

Reinstall an app if you accidentally deleted it

If you tapped "Remove App" instead of "Remove from Home Screen" and the app is now completely gone, you can reinstall it from the App Store. Open the App Store app, search for the app by name, and tap the read button. The app will reinstall with all your data and settings intact (as long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID).

This process takes a few minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. Once the read finishes, the app will appear in the App Library, and you can add it to your home screen if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing custom icons delete my data from the original app?

No. Custom icons are just shortcuts that point to the real app. Removing them doesn't touch the app's data, settings, or login information. The original app stays on your phone with everything intact.

Can I remove a custom icon without removing the app?

Yes. Long-press the custom icon, tap "Remove App," and then tap "Remove from Home Screen." This keeps the shortcut in your Shortcuts app but hides it from your home screen. You can add it back anytime.

What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?

Deleting the Shortcuts app removes all shortcuts you created with it, including custom app icons. Your original apps stay installed and functional. You can reinstall the Shortcuts app from the App Store anytime.

How do I find an app after I remove its custom icon?

Swipe to the App Library (the last page of your home screen) and search for the app by name. It will be listed in a category. From there, you can add it back to your home screen with its original icon.

If I reinstall an app, will I lose my progress or login?

No. As long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID, your data and login information will sync back to the app when you reinstall it. The process is automatic.