The Two Ways to Change App Icons on iPad

You can change how app icons look on your iPad in two ways: using the Shortcuts app to create custom icons that replace the originals on your home screen, or using the Home Screen customization features in iPadOS 16 and later to change icon appearance directly. The Shortcuts method gives you more control and lets you use any image you want. The built-in customization is simpler but works only on certain apps and only changes the icon's color and style, not the image itself.

Both methods keep your original apps intact—you are just changing what appears on your home screen. The Shortcuts approach takes longer to set up but produces a more dramatic visual change. If you want quick, minor adjustments to existing icons, use the built-in method. If you want complete control over the look, use Shortcuts.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app lets you create custom icons for any app by building a shortcut that opens the app and assigning it a custom image.
  • iPadOS 16 and later include a built-in icon customization feature that changes icon color and style without using Shortcuts, though it works on fewer apps.
  • Custom icons created in Shortcuts appear on your home screen as separate shortcuts, not as replacements of the original app icons.
  • You will need an image file (PNG, JPEG, or other common format) saved to your iPad to use as a custom icon.
  • The process takes five to ten minutes per app when using Shortcuts, or one to two minutes per app with the built-in customizer.

Creating Custom Icons with the Shortcuts App

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPad. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select "Open App" from the results. Tap "Choose" where it says "App" and pick the app you want to customize—for example, Safari or Messages. This action tells the shortcut which app to open when you tap the custom icon.

Now you need to add the custom image. Tap "Add Action" again and search for "Ask for [Media Type]" or scroll down to find "Set Shortcut Icon". Tap "Set Shortcut Icon". A menu will appear with options: you can take a photo, choose from your photo library, choose a color, or use an emoji. Select the option that matches your image source. If you are using a photo or image file, tap "Photo Library" and select the image. If you want to use an emoji, tap the emoji option and choose one.

Once you have set the icon, give your shortcut a name. Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap "Details". In the Name field, type what you want the icon to be called—for example, "Safari" or "Messages". Tap "Done" to save the shortcut. The custom icon now appears on your home screen. You can move it, delete it, or organize it into folders just like a regular app.

If you want the custom icon to look more polished, you can use an image editing app to create a square image before you add it to Shortcuts. Many people read icon packs from websites and save them to their photo library, then use those images in Shortcuts. The image should be square (same width and height) for the best appearance.

Using Built-In Icon Customization on iPadOS 16 and Later

Check your iPad's iOS version by opening Settings, tapping "General", then "About". Look for the "Software Version" number. If it shows 16.0 or higher, you can use the built-in customizer. Open the app whose icon you want to change. Tap and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Customize Home Screen" or "Edit Home Screen" (the exact wording varies by iPadOS version).

A panel will appear showing customization options. You may see choices to change the icon color, explore a tint, or select a different icon style if the app offers multiple options. Not all apps support this feature—only apps that have built-in customization will show these controls. Make your changes and tap "Done" or tap outside the panel to save.

This method is faster than Shortcuts but more limited. You cannot use your own images, and you can only adjust colors and styles that the app developer has already created. If the app you want to customize does not appear in the customization menu, it does not support this feature, and you will need to use Shortcuts instead.

Finding and Organizing Custom Icons

When you create a custom icon using Shortcuts, it appears as a new item on your home screen, separate from the original app. You now have both the original app icon and the custom shortcut icon visible. To keep your home screen organized, move the custom icon to a folder or to a second page. Tap and hold the custom icon, then drag it to a folder or to an empty area of another page.

If you want to hide the original app icon so only the custom one shows, you can move the original app to the App Library (the last page of your home screen) or delete it from the home screen without deleting the app itself. Tap and hold the original app icon and select "Remove from Home Screen". The app stays on your iPad and remains in the App Library, but it no longer clutters your main home screen.

You can also organize custom icons by theme. Create a folder called "Social Media" or "Productivity" and move all related custom icons into it. This keeps your home screen clean and makes it easier to find the apps you use most.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is creating a custom icon in Shortcuts and then deleting the original app, thinking the shortcut will work without it. The shortcut only opens the app—if you delete the app, the shortcut will not work. Always keep the original app installed, even if you hide it from your home screen.

Another mistake is using an image that is not square. If your image is wider than it is tall, or taller than it is wide, it will appear stretched or squished on your home screen. Before you add an image to Shortcuts, crop it to a square in a photo editing app or use an online tool to resize it. A size of 512 by 512 pixels works well, though smaller sizes like 256 by 256 pixels also work.

Some people create dozens of custom icons and then forget which shortcut opens which app. Name your shortcuts clearly—use the exact app name, not something vague like "Social" or "Work". This makes it much easier to manage them later.

Troubleshooting Custom Icons That Do Not Work

If you tap a custom icon and nothing happens, the shortcut may not have the "Open App" action set correctly. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, and tap it to edit it. Make sure the first action is "Open App" and that an app is selected in the "App" field. If the field is blank, tap "Choose" and select the app again.

If the custom icon appears but the image looks blurry or pixelated, the image file may be too small. Try using a larger image—at least 256 by 256 pixels, preferably 512 by 512 pixels. Delete the current icon from your home screen, edit the shortcut in the Shortcuts app, tap "Set Shortcut Icon" again, and choose a higher-resolution image.

If the built-in customizer does not show any options for an app, that app does not support the feature. You will need to use Shortcuts instead. Not every app has customization built in—developers choose whether to include it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts?

Yes, if your iPad runs iPadOS 16 or later and the app supports built-in customization. Tap and hold the app icon and look for customization options. If none appear, the app does not support this feature, and you will need to use Shortcuts to create a custom icon.

Will changing an app icon affect how the app works?

No. Changing the icon is purely visual. The app itself works exactly the same way. You are only changing what the icon looks like on your home screen.

Can I use any image as a custom icon?

Yes, as long as the image is saved on your iPad. You can use photos from your camera roll, downloaded images, or emojis. For the best appearance, use a square image (same width and height).

What happens if I delete a custom icon shortcut?

The shortcut is removed from your home screen, but the original app remains on your iPad. You can create a new custom icon for the same app whenever you want.

Can I share custom icons with other people?

You can share the shortcut itself through the Shortcuts app by tapping the three dots on a shortcut and selecting "Share". The person receiving it will need the same image file or will need to set a new icon image themselves.