The fastest way to change an app icon on iPhone

You can change how an app looks on your home screen by creating a shortcut that points to that app, then assigning a custom image to the shortcut. The shortcut itself becomes the new icon — when you tap it, it opens the app normally. This works on any iPhone running iOS 13.1 or later.

The process takes about two minutes per app. You'll use the Shortcuts app (built into iOS) to create a shortcut, then customize its appearance with a photo, emoji, or downloaded image. The original app stays unchanged; you're just creating a visual replacement on your home screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Shortcuts app, tap the plus icon, and search for "Open App" to create a new shortcut that launches your target app.
  • After selecting the app, tap the three dots, then tap the icon preview to assign a custom image, emoji, or color to the shortcut.
  • Add the shortcut to your home screen by tapping the share icon and selecting "Add to Home Screen," then name it and confirm.
  • The shortcut tile becomes your new app icon; tapping it opens the app exactly as the original icon would.
  • You can delete the original app icon from your home screen after adding the shortcut, or keep both if you prefer.

Creating a shortcut for the app you want to customize

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. In the search bar that appears, type "Open App" and tap the action when it shows up.

A dialog box will ask you to choose an app. Tap "Choose" and scroll through your installed apps to find the one you want to customize. Select it. The shortcut now contains the instruction to open that app — you'll see it listed in the shortcut editor.

Assigning a custom image or emoji to your shortcut

With your shortcut open in the editor, tap the three dots in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap the icon preview — it's the small square showing the app's current icon. A menu will appear with options to choose a photo, use an emoji, use a color, or use a symbol.

If you choose a photo, you can select one from your camera roll or take a new one. If you choose an emoji, tap the emoji keyboard and select any emoji you want. If you choose a color, pick from the color palette. Once you've made your choice, tap "Done" to confirm.

The icon preview in the shortcut editor will now show your custom image. This is what will appear on your home screen.

Adding the shortcut to your home screen

With your customized shortcut still open, tap the share icon (the arrow pointing out of a box) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." A preview will appear showing your custom icon and asking you to name the shortcut.

Type the name you want to appear below the icon on your home screen. This can be the app's name, a custom label, or anything else. Tap "Add" in the top right. Your shortcut will now appear on your home screen with your custom icon.

Removing the original app icon if you want

After adding the shortcut to your home screen, you can delete the original app icon if you prefer a cleaner look. Long-press the original app icon and tap "Remove from Home Screen." The app itself stays installed on your phone — you're only removing its icon from the home screen.

If you ever want to uninstall the shortcut, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen," then tap "Remove." The original app remains untouched. You can always create a new shortcut for the same app with a different icon later.

Using downloaded images instead of photos or emojis

If you want to use a custom icon image you've downloaded from the internet, save it to your Photos app first. Then follow the steps above to create and customize your shortcut. When you reach the icon selection screen, tap "Choose Photo" and navigate to the image in your camera roll.

Many websites offer free icon packs designed for this purpose — search for "iOS app icons" or the name of the app you're customizing followed by "icon." read the image file, save it to your phone, and use it the same way you would use a photo you took yourself.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your shortcut doesn't open the app when you tap it, make sure the app is still installed on your phone. If you've deleted the app, the shortcut will fail. Recreate the shortcut by following the steps above with the app reinstalled.

If the custom icon doesn't appear on your home screen, try restarting your iPhone. Sometimes iOS needs a moment to refresh the home screen display. If the shortcut works but the icon looks blurry or stretched, the image you chose may be the wrong size — try a different image or use an emoji instead.

If you want to change the icon later, long-press the shortcut on your home screen, tap "Edit," then tap the three dots and the icon preview to select a new image. Save your changes and the home screen will update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using a shortcut icon slow down opening the app?

No. The shortcut opens the app at the same speed as tapping the original icon. There is no noticeable delay.

Can I use the same custom icon for multiple apps?

Yes. Create a separate shortcut for each app, and assign the same image to all of them. Each shortcut will open its own app when tapped.

What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?

Your custom icon shortcuts will stop working. If you reinstall Shortcuts, you'll need to recreate your shortcuts. The original apps remain on your phone.

Can I organize custom icon shortcuts into folders?

Yes. Long-press a shortcut on your home screen, tap "Move," and drag it into a folder, or create a new folder by dragging one shortcut onto another.

Will custom icons work on my lock screen?

Lock screen widgets and shortcuts work differently than home screen icons. You can add shortcuts to your lock screen, but they display as small icons rather than large home screen tiles.