The fastest way to change an app icon on your iPhone
You can change how an app looks on your home screen by creating a custom icon using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. This method lets you replace the standard app icon with any image you want — a photo, a design, or a solid color. The process takes about two minutes once you understand the steps.
The custom icon appears on your home screen, but when you tap it, the Shortcuts app opens first and then launches the real app. This is the only way to change app icons on iPhone without jailbreaking your device. Apple does not offer a built-in setting to swap icons directly.
Key Takeaways
- You create a custom icon by building a shortcut in the Shortcuts app that opens the app you want, then assigning an image to that shortcut.
- The image can be any photo on your phone, a screenshot, a design from the web, or a solid color created in the Shortcuts app itself.
- Your custom icon appears on the home screen, but tapping it opens Shortcuts first before launching the real app — this adds a one-second delay.
- You can organize custom icons into folders just like regular apps, and you can delete them without affecting the original app.
- This method works on all iPhones running iOS 13 or later, and the Shortcuts app is free and already installed.
Opening the Shortcuts app and creating a new shortcut
Find the Shortcuts app on your home screen — it has a purple icon with white lines forming a square. If you cannot find it, swipe down from the top of your home screen and search for "Shortcuts" in the search box. Tap the app to open it.
Once inside, look for the plus sign (+) button in the top right corner and tap it. This opens a blank shortcut. You will see a search bar at the top that says "Search actions". This is where you tell the shortcut what to do when someone taps your custom icon.
Adding the app you want to the shortcut
In the search bar, type the name of the app you want to change — for example, "Safari" or "Messages". A list of actions appears below. Look for the action that says "Open [App Name]" and tap it. This adds a block to your shortcut that will open that app when the shortcut runs.
You should now see a blue block in the shortcut editor that says "Open [App Name]". This is the core of your shortcut. You can add more actions if you want — for instance, you could add "Open URL" to open a specific website when you tap the icon — but for a straightforward icon change, this one block is all you need.
Assigning an image and naming your custom icon
Tap the three dots (•••) button in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. A menu appears with several options. Look for "Add to Home Screen" and tap it. A dialog box opens asking you to name your shortcut and choose an icon.
In the name field, type what you want the icon to be called — this is what appears below the icon on your home screen. Below that, you will see a small circle showing the current icon (usually the app's real icon). Tap that circle to change it.
A menu appears with three options: "Glyph" (a straightforward symbol), "Photo" (an image from your phone), or "Color" (a solid background). If you choose "Photo", you can pick any image from your camera roll or take a new photo. If you choose "Color", you select a solid color and optionally add a glyph on top. Once you have chosen your image or color, tap "Add" to confirm.
Finishing and placing the icon on your home screen
After you name the shortcut and choose an icon, tap "Add" in the top right corner. Your iPhone takes you back to the home screen, and your new custom icon appears. It is now ready to use — tap it anytime to open the app.
You can move the icon around just like any other app. Long-press it and drag it to a new location, or drag it into a folder. If you want to edit the icon later — change the image, the name, or the app it opens — long-press the icon, tap "Edit", and make your changes in the Shortcuts app.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The shortcut opens before the app does. This is normal behavior. When you tap your custom icon, Shortcuts opens for about one second, then the real app launches. You cannot remove this delay, but it becomes automatic after a few uses. If this bothers you, you can use the real app icon instead.
The image looks blurry or stretched. The icon is small — usually about one inch square on your screen. If your image is very large or has fine details, it will not look sharp at that size. Use a straightforward image, a solid color with a symbol, or a photo with bold shapes. Test it on your home screen before finalizing.
You cannot find the Shortcuts app. It comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 13 or later. If you deleted it, you can read it free from the App Store. Search for "Shortcuts" and tap "Get" to reinstall it.
Changing or deleting a custom icon
To change the image, name, or app that a custom icon opens, long-press the icon on your home screen. A menu appears — tap "Edit". This takes you back into the Shortcuts app where you can modify the shortcut. Change the image by tapping the icon circle, change the name in the text field, or change the app by editing the "Open [App Name]" block. Tap "Done" when you finish.
To delete a custom icon, long-press it and tap "Remove". A confirmation appears — tap "Remove from Home Screen". The icon disappears, but the shortcut itself remains in the Shortcuts app. If you want to remove it completely, open the Shortcuts app, long-press the shortcut, and tap "Delete".
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of an app without using Shortcuts?
No. iOS does not have a built-in setting to change app icons. The Shortcuts method is the only way to do it without jailbreaking. Some people use focus modes or app library organization to hide apps, but that is different from changing the icon itself.
Will changing the icon affect the app or my data?
No. The custom icon is just a shortcut that opens the real app. Your data, settings, and everything inside the app stay exactly the same. Deleting the custom icon does not delete the app or any of your information.
Can I use a photo from the internet as my custom icon?
Yes. Save the image to your camera roll first — long-press it in Safari or your web browser and tap "Save Image". Then use that saved image when creating your custom icon in Shortcuts.
Why does my custom icon take longer to open the app than the real icon?
Because Shortcuts has to launch first, then run the shortcut, then open the app. This adds about one second to the process. If speed matters, use the real app icon instead of the custom one.
Can I make a custom icon for a website instead of an app?
Yes. In the Shortcuts app, instead of adding "Open [App Name]", search for and add "Open URL". Paste the website address in the URL field. Then assign an image and add it to your home screen. Tapping it will open that website in Safari.