The three ways to change app icons on Android

You can change how app icons look on your Android home screen in three ways: use a launcher app that replaces your entire home screen, use icon pack apps that work within your existing launcher, or use your phone's built-in icon customization if your manufacturer included it. Most Android phones let you do at least one of these without downloading anything extra, though the exact steps depend on which phone you have and which Android version it runs.

The easiest route for most people is a third-party launcher app like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher. These replace your home screen entirely and let you pick from thousands of icon designs. Icon pack apps like Lineage Icon Pack or Oxy Icon Pack work differently — they sit in the background and change icons within whatever launcher you already use, but they work only if your launcher supports them. Some Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus phones have built-in icon customization buried in Settings, which requires no extra apps at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Launcher apps like Nova Launcher replace your entire home screen and let you change icons, organize apps, and customize how everything looks.
  • Icon pack apps change only the icons themselves and work only if your existing launcher supports them — check before downloading.
  • Some phones from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus have icon customization built into Settings, so check there before installing anything.
  • Changing icons does not affect how apps work or what data they can access — it changes only what they look like on your home screen.

Using a launcher app to change all your icons at once

A launcher app replaces your phone's entire home screen interface. When you install one, it becomes your new default launcher, and every icon, widget, and folder on your home screen uses the launcher's design system. This means you can change icons, rearrange them, add custom folders, and adjust spacing all from one place. Popular launcher apps include Nova Launcher (free and paid versions), Microsoft Launcher, Niagara Launcher, and Lawnchair.

To install and set up a launcher, go to the Google Play Store, search for the launcher name, and tap Install. Once it finishes, open it and follow the setup wizard. The app will ask you to set it as your default launcher — you can do this from the setup screen or later by going to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager), then Default Apps, then Home App, and selecting your new launcher. After that, long-press any icon on your home screen to see options to change it. Most launchers let you pick from built-in icon packs or read new ones from within the app.

If you want to go back to your phone's original launcher, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps, then Home App, and select your phone's default launcher (usually called "Pixel Launcher" on Google phones, "One UI Home" on Samsung phones, or "OxygenOS Home" on OnePlus phones).

Using icon pack apps with your existing launcher

Icon pack apps change only the icons themselves, not your entire home screen. They work by sitting in the background and telling your launcher to display different images for each app. This approach is lighter on your phone's resources than a full launcher app, but it only works if your launcher supports icon packs. Most modern launchers do, including the default launchers on Google Pixel phones, Samsung's One UI, and OnePlus phones, as well as third-party launchers like Nova Launcher.

To use an icon pack, read one from the Google Play Store — search for "icon pack" and look for ones with names like "Lineage Icon Pack," "Oxy Icon Pack," "Pix Icon Pack," or "Crayon Icon Pack." Install it, then open your launcher's settings. Look for a section called "Icon Pack," "Icons," or "Themes." Tap it and select the icon pack you just downloaded. Your home screen icons should change when ready. If you do not see an icon pack option in your launcher settings, your launcher does not support icon packs, and you will need to use a launcher app instead.

Built-in icon customization on Samsung, Google, and OnePlus phones

Some Android phones include icon customization without needing any extra apps. Samsung phones with One UI let you change individual app icons through Settings. Open Settings, go to Display, then tap Themes or Icon Pack (the exact name varies by model and Android version). From there you can read new icon packs or select ones you have already downloaded. Google Pixel phones sometimes include a Themes section in Settings where you can change icon styles. OnePlus phones with OxygenOS may have icon customization in Settings under Customization or Themes.

The steps vary significantly by phone model and Android version, so if you do not find these options in the places listed above, your phone may not have built-in customization. In that case, a launcher app or icon pack app is your next option. You can also long-press an app icon on your home screen — some phones show a "Change Icon" or "Edit Icon" option in the menu that appears, though this usually only works for individual icons rather than changing them all at once.

How to change a single app icon

If you want to change only one or two icons instead of all of them, long-press the app icon on your home screen. A menu should appear with options like "Edit," "Customize," or "Change Icon." Tap whichever option appears. Some phones let you pick from a set of alternative icons for that app, while others let you upload a custom image or choose from your phone's icon library. After you make your choice, tap Save or Confirm, and the icon changes on your home screen only — the app itself is not affected.

Not all apps support this feature, and not all phones offer it. If you long-press an icon and do not see an edit or customize option, try a different app to see if the feature works at all on your phone. If it does not, use a launcher app or icon pack instead.

What happens to your apps when you change their icons

Changing an app's icon changes only how it looks on your home screen — nothing else about the app changes. The app still works exactly the same way, opens the same files, has access to the same permissions, and stores data in the same place. Changing icons does not affect your phone's performance, battery life, or storage space. You can change icons back to the original at any time by switching launchers, uninstalling an icon pack, or selecting the original icon from your phone's settings.

If you uninstall a launcher app or icon pack, your home screen reverts to your previous launcher and icons return to their original appearance. Your apps themselves are not affected — they remain installed and work normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my launcher affect my apps or data?

No. A launcher is just the interface that displays your apps and home screen. Changing launchers does not uninstall apps, delete data, or change how they work. You can switch between launchers at any time, and all your apps and files stay exactly where they are.

Can I use both a launcher app and an icon pack at the same time?

Yes. If you install a launcher app that supports icon packs, you can install an icon pack and use it within that launcher. The launcher controls your home screen layout and design, while the icon pack controls what the icons look like. You can use one, the other, or both together.

What if I do not like the launcher I installed?

Go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps, then Home App, and select a different launcher or your phone's original launcher. Your home screen switches back when ready. You can uninstall the launcher app from the Play Store if you do not want to keep it.

Do icon packs work on all Android phones?

Icon packs work only if your launcher supports them. Most modern default launchers do, but some older phones or custom launchers may not. If you read an icon pack and do not see an option to use it in your launcher settings, your launcher does not support icon packs. In that case, install a launcher app that does support them.

Can I create my own custom icons?

Most launcher apps let you upload custom images as icons. Long-press an icon in your launcher, select Edit or Customize, and look for an option to choose an image from your phone's gallery or camera. Some launchers also let you create icons from scratch using built-in design tools, though this varies by launcher.