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 that points to the app and giving that shortcut a custom icon. The shortcut appears on your home screen instead of the original app icon, but tapping it opens the app normally. This method works on iOS 16 and later.
The process takes about two minutes per app. You will need the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. You do not need to read anything else or jailbreak your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Custom app icons are actually shortcuts that point to the real app, so the original app still works normally in the background.
- You create the shortcut in the Shortcuts app, assign it a custom image, and place it on your home screen where the original icon was.
- The custom icon will not update automatically if the app releases a new design, so you may need to recreate it later.
- Siri Suggestions and search results will still show the original app icon, not your custom one.
- You can use any image as an icon — a photo from your camera roll, a downloaded image, or a screenshot of something you like.
Opening the Shortcuts app and creating a new shortcut
Open the Shortcuts app on your home screen. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to start a new shortcut. You will see a blank canvas with a search bar at the top.
Tap the search bar and type "Open App". You will see a result that says "Open App" with a description underneath. Tap it. A new action block will appear on your canvas that says "Open App" with a dropdown menu set to "App".
Tap the "App" dropdown and search for the app you want to customize. For example, if you want to change the Instagram icon, type "Instagram" and tap it when it appears. The action block will now say "Open App Instagram".
Assigning a custom image to your shortcut
Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the Shortcuts app. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A menu will appear asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon.
The name field will show the app name by default — you can leave it or change it to something shorter if you prefer. Below that, you will see a small circle showing the current icon. Tap that circle to change it.
A menu will appear with options: "Glyph", "Photo", "Color", and "Document". Tap "Photo" to use an image from your camera roll or a downloaded image. You can also tap "Glyph" to choose from built-in symbols, or "Color" to pick a solid color background with a symbol on top.
If you choose "Photo", your photo library will open. Select the image you want to use. The image will be cropped to a square and placed on your home screen as the icon.
Placing the custom icon on your home screen
After you choose your image, tap "Add" in the top right. The Shortcuts app will ask where you want to place the icon. You can add it to your home screen, your lock screen, or your home screen and lock screen together.
Tap "Add to Home Screen". Your iPhone will show a preview of where the icon will appear. Tap "Add" again to confirm. The custom icon will now appear on your home screen.
You can move it around like any other app icon — press and hold it, then drag it to a new position. You can also delete the original app icon if you want, since the shortcut will still open the app even if the original icon is gone.
Using images from the internet as custom icons
If you want to use an image you found online, open Safari and find the image. Press and hold the image until a menu appears. Tap "Save Image" to save it to your camera roll.
Then follow the steps above — when you reach the icon selection screen, tap "Photo" and choose the image you just saved. The image will be resized to fit the icon shape.
Many websites offer free icon packs designed specifically for this purpose. Search "iOS app icons free read" to find collections. read the image file, save it to your camera roll, and use it the same way.
What happens to the original app and common issues
The original app stays on your phone and works normally. If you delete the custom icon shortcut from your home screen, the app itself is not deleted. The original app icon will still appear in your app library and in search results.
If the app updates and changes its official icon, your custom icon will not change automatically. You will need to recreate the shortcut with a new image if you want to match the updated design.
Siri Suggestions and Spotlight search will still show the original app icon, not your custom one. This is normal — the custom icon only appears on your home screen and lock screen.
Changing or removing a custom icon
To change a custom icon, press and hold it on your home screen and tap "Edit Shortcut". The Shortcuts app will open. Tap the three dots in the top right, scroll down to "Add to Home Screen", and tap it. You can now choose a new image and update the icon.
To remove a custom icon, press and hold it and tap "Remove from Home Screen". The shortcut will be deleted, but the original app will remain on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts?
No. The Shortcuts method is the only way to change app icons on a standard iPhone without jailbreaking. Focus modes and home screen organization can change how apps appear, but they do not change the actual icon image.
Will my custom icons work on my lock screen?
Yes, if you add the shortcut to your lock screen when you create it. You can tap the custom icon on your lock screen and it will open the app the same way it does on your home screen.
What if I want to use a photo of myself as an app icon?
Take a photo with your camera, save it to your camera roll, and follow the steps above. When you reach the icon selection screen, tap "Photo" and choose your photo. The app will crop it to a square.
Can I undo a custom icon and go back to the original?
Yes. Delete the custom icon shortcut from your home screen by pressing and holding it and tapping "Remove from Home Screen". The original app icon will still be in your app library and search results.
Do custom icons slow down my iPhone?
No. Shortcuts are lightweight and do not affect your phone's speed or battery life. Each shortcut uses minimal storage space.