You can change how app icons look on your iPhone using the Shortcuts app and home screen customization
Apple lets you replace the standard app icons that appear on your home screen with custom images you choose. The method uses the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone, and works on iOS 14 and newer. You create a shortcut that opens the app you want, then assign a custom image to that shortcut and place it on your home screen instead of the original app icon.
This is different from jailbreaking or modifying the phone's system files. You are straightforward creating a visual replacement that launches the app when you tap it. The original app stays in your phone unchanged, and you can switch back to the standard icons anytime by deleting the shortcuts.
Key Takeaways
- The Shortcuts app is the official way to create custom app icons without jailbreaking, and it comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 14 or later.
- You create a shortcut for each app you want to customize, assign it a custom image, and place the shortcut on your home screen instead of the original app.
- Custom images can be photos from your camera roll, images you read, or designs you create in any app that lets you save images.
- The original app remains unchanged on your phone, and you can delete the shortcuts and return to standard icons at any time.
- Tapping a custom icon opens the app slightly slower than tapping the original icon because the shortcut has to launch first.
How to create a custom icon using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for the action called "Open App" and tap it. A menu will appear asking you to choose which app to open — select the app you want to customize.
Once you have added the "Open App" action, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear with a preview of how the shortcut will look on your home screen. Tap the icon preview (the small image at the top) to change it.
You can choose "Take Photo," "Choose Photo," or "Choose File" to select a custom image. Pick the image you want to use as your new app icon. After you select the image, name the shortcut — this name will appear below the icon on your home screen. Tap "Add" to place the custom icon on your home screen.
Where to find or create custom icon images
You can use any image file saved on your iPhone as a custom icon. Many people read icon packs from websites like Flaticon, Icons8, or Noun Project, which offer free or paid icon designs. Search for "iPhone app icons" or the name of the specific app you want to customize, then read the image file to your phone.
If you want to create your own icons, you can use design apps like Canva (which has free templates for app icons), Pixlr, or Adobe Express. These apps let you design a custom image, then save it to your camera roll so you can use it in the Shortcuts app.
For the best appearance on your home screen, use square images (1024 × 1024 pixels is ideal, though smaller sizes work too). Icons that are too small will look blurry when enlarged on your home screen.
Organizing custom icons on your home screen
After you create your first custom icon, you can arrange it like any other app. Long-press the icon and drag it to move it, or drag it to a different home screen page. You can also create a folder to hold your custom icons by dragging one custom icon onto another.
If you want all your apps to have custom icons, you will need to create a separate shortcut for each one. This takes time, so many people start by customizing their most-used apps and leave the rest as standard icons. You can always add more custom icons later.
Why custom icons open slightly slower than regular apps
When you tap a custom icon, the Shortcuts app has to launch first, then it opens the app you selected. This adds a half-second or so to the opening time compared to tapping the original app icon directly. For most people this delay is barely noticeable, but if you use an app dozens of times a day, you may notice the difference over time.
If the slight delay bothers you, you can keep your most frequently used apps as standard icons and only customize the ones you open less often. There is no way to remove this delay because of how iOS handles shortcuts, but it is not a sign that anything is wrong with your phone.
How to remove custom icons and return to standard app icons
To delete a custom icon, long-press it on your home screen and tap "Remove from Home Screen." The original app will still be on your phone and in your app library — you are only removing the shortcut. If you want to use the original app icon again, you can find the app in your app library and tap it, or drag it back to your home screen from the app library.
To delete the shortcut itself from your phone entirely, open the Shortcuts app, long-press the shortcut, and tap "Delete." This removes it from the Shortcuts app as well as from your home screen.
Troubleshooting common problems with custom icons
If a custom icon does not appear on your home screen after you create it, make sure you tapped "Add" at the end of the process. If the icon appears but looks blurry or stretched, the image file may be too small. Try using a larger image file (at least 512 × 512 pixels) and create the shortcut again.
If tapping a custom icon does nothing or takes a very long time to open the app, check that the Shortcuts app has permission to open other apps. Go to Settings > Shortcuts and make sure "Allow Running Scripts" is turned on. If it is already on, try deleting the shortcut and creating it again.
Some apps (like banking or security apps) may not work properly when opened through a shortcut because of how they handle permissions. If an app does not work correctly when opened from a custom icon, use the original app icon instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts?
iOS does not have a built-in way to change app icons other than using Shortcuts. Some third-party launcher apps claim to change icons, but they do not actually change the icons — they create a separate home screen that looks different. The Shortcuts method is the official way Apple supports.
Will changing app icons void my warranty or get my phone banned?
No. Creating shortcuts and custom icons is a standard feature Apple built into iOS. It does not modify your phone's system files, does not require jailbreaking, and does not violate any terms of service. Your warranty remains valid.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the shortcut itself by opening it in the Shortcuts app, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Share." Other people can tap the link and add the shortcut to their own phone. However, they will need to have the same app installed for the shortcut to work.
What happens to custom icons if I update iOS?
Custom icons and shortcuts usually survive iOS updates without problems. However, it is a good idea to back up your phone before a major update. If something goes wrong, you can always delete the shortcuts and recreate them.
Can I use custom icons for folders?
Folders themselves cannot have custom icons, but you can create shortcuts that open folders. The process is the same: create a shortcut with the "Open App" action set to a specific folder, then assign a custom image. When you tap it, the folder opens.