Change app icon colors using the Shortcuts app

iOS 17 does not let you change the actual color of app icons directly in Settings. Instead, you create custom colored icons using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. This method replaces the original app icon with a custom one you design, and tapping it opens the real app underneath.

The process takes about five minutes per app once you understand the steps. You will need the Shortcuts app (free, pre-installed) and a way to create or find an image file — either by taking a screenshot, downloading an image, or using a design tool.

Start by opening the Shortcuts app on your home screen. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for and add the action called "Open App," then select the app you want to customize. This tells the shortcut which app to launch when you tap the icon.

Key Takeaways

  • iOS 17 uses the Shortcuts app to create custom colored app icons; you cannot change icon colors in Settings directly.
  • Each custom icon is actually a shortcut that opens the real app, so you will have both the original and custom icon on your phone unless you hide one.
  • You need an image file (PNG or JPEG) in the color you want; you can create one in Photos, Notes, or a design app, or read one online.
  • After adding the image to your shortcut, tap the three dots, select "Add to Home Screen," and choose the custom icon from your photo library.
  • Custom icons appear on your home screen but do not change the app's appearance in the App Library or when you search for it.

Add an image to your shortcut

Once your shortcut opens the app you chose, you need to attach a colored image to it. Tap the three dots at the top right of the shortcut editor to open the menu. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen."

A dialog will appear asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. Tap the colored circle or square next to the shortcut name — this is where you pick your custom image. You will see options to choose a photo, use an emoji, or pick a color. Tap "Choose Photo" to select an image from your photo library.

If you do not have a colored image yet, you can create one quickly: open Notes, draw or type something in the color you want, take a screenshot of it, and save it to your photo library. Alternatively, search online for "solid color PNG" in the color you need and read it to your phone.

Save the shortcut to your home screen

After you choose your image, the icon preview will update to show your custom color. Tap "Add" in the top right corner. Your phone will ask where to place the icon — choose "Home Screen" and pick the location you want.

The custom icon now appears on your home screen. When you tap it, the Shortcuts app briefly opens and then launches the real app. This happens in about one second on most phones.

You will now have two icons for the same app: the original in the App Library and your custom colored one on the home screen. If you want to hide the original, press and hold it, tap "Remove App," and choose "Remove from Home Screen" — this keeps the app installed but removes its icon from view.

Use design apps to create custom colored icons

If you want more control over the icon design, use a free design app like Canva or Pixlr. Both let you create square images in any color, add text or shapes, and read them as PNG files to your phone.

Open Canva, tap the plus icon to create a new design, and search for "icon" or "square." Choose a template or start blank. Change the background color by tapping the color swatch at the bottom. Add text, shapes, or other elements if you want. When finished, tap "Share," select "read," and choose "PNG" as the file type. Save it to your photo library.

Once the image is saved, follow the same steps as above: create a shortcut, open your app, add the image to the home screen, and tap "Add."

Organize multiple custom icons in folders

If you create custom icons for many apps, your home screen can get crowded. You can organize them into folders just like regular app icons. Press and hold one custom icon, tap "Move," and drag it onto another icon. This creates a folder. Name the folder by tapping the name field at the top.

Continue dragging icons into the folder until you have organized them the way you want. Folders work the same way whether they contain custom shortcuts or regular apps.

Troubleshoot custom icons that do not work

If your custom icon does not open the app, check that you added the "Open App" action to the shortcut. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and look for the "Open App" step. If it is missing, tap the plus icon, search for "Open App," and add it back.

If the icon looks blurry or stretched, the image file may be the wrong size. iOS works best with square images between 512 × 512 and 1024 × 1024 pixels. If you created the image in Notes or took a screenshot, it may be too small. Try downloading a larger image or creating one in Canva, which lets you set the exact size.

If tapping the icon opens Shortcuts instead of your app, the shortcut may not have the "Open App" action set correctly. Edit the shortcut, tap the app name in the "Open App" step, and make sure the right app is selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of app icons without using Shortcuts?

No. iOS 17 does not have a built-in setting to change app icon colors. Shortcuts is the only method that works on iPhone. Some third-party apps claim to change icons, but they actually create shortcuts the same way this guide describes.

Will my custom icons update when the app gets a new version?

Your custom icon will not change because it is a separate image file. The app itself updates normally, but the icon you see on your home screen stays the same color and design until you manually change it.

Do custom icons work on the lock screen?

No. Lock screen widgets and app shortcuts on iOS 17 do not support custom icons. Only home screen icons can be customized this way. The lock screen shows the original app icon if you add an app shortcut there.

Can I share custom icons with other people?

You can share the shortcut itself by opening it, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Share." Other people can receive it and add it to their phone, but they will need to choose their own image for the icon — the custom image does not transfer with the shortcut.

What happens if I delete the image file from my photo library?

The custom icon will still appear on your home screen and will still open the app. The image is copied into the shortcut, not linked to the photo library, so deleting the original file does not affect the icon.