The fastest way to change Android icons depends on your phone and what you want to replace

You can change icons on Android in four ways: use a launcher app that replaces your home screen, use icon packs through your existing launcher, manually edit icons in some launchers, or use shortcuts to custom icons on your home screen. The method that works best depends on whether you want to change every icon at once, just a few, or whether you want to keep your current launcher.

Most Android phones come with a default launcher — the software that manages your home screen and app drawer. Some launchers let you swap icon packs without leaving your phone. Others require you to install a new launcher entirely. A few phones let you edit individual icons by long-pressing them. The simplest route for most people is installing an icon pack through a launcher that supports them, which takes about five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Icon packs are the fastest way to change multiple icons at once and work on most Android phones without installing a new launcher.
  • Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and POCO Launcher all support icon packs and let you customize your home screen layout at the same time.
  • Some phones let you long-press an app icon and tap "Edit icon" to change individual icons without any extra apps.
  • If your launcher does not support icon packs, you can create custom shortcuts with different icons by using the Shortcut Maker app or your phone's built-in shortcut tool.
  • Icon packs are free or cost a few dollars and are available in the Google Play Store.

Using icon packs with your current launcher

An icon pack is a collection of replacement icons that you read and explore through your launcher. Most Android launchers support them. To use an icon pack, open the Google Play Store, search for "icon pack," and read one you like. Popular free packs include Linebit, Elta, Crayon, and Pix. Once installed, open your launcher's settings — usually by long-pressing your home screen — and look for "Icon pack," "Icons," or "Themes." Tap it and select the pack you just downloaded.

Not every launcher supports icon packs. If you do not see an icon pack option in your launcher settings, your launcher does not support them, and you will need to try one of the other methods. Samsung's One UI launcher supports icon packs. Google's Pixel Launcher does not. If you are unsure, try downloading a free icon pack and checking your launcher settings. If the option does not appear, move to the launcher method below.

Installing a new launcher that supports icon packs

If your current launcher does not support icon packs, you can install a new one. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and POCO Launcher are three popular choices that all support icon packs and are free to read. Install one from the Google Play Store, open it, and follow the setup steps. Your phone will ask you to choose a default launcher — select the new one. Your home screen will change to the new launcher's layout, but you can customize it to look similar to what you had before.

Switching launchers does not delete your apps or data. If you change your mind, you can switch back to your original launcher at any time by going to Settings, Apps, Default Apps (or similar), and selecting your old launcher. Your original home screen will return. Most people who switch launchers keep the new one because they prefer the customization options.

Editing individual icons on Samsung and some other phones

Some Android phones, especially Samsung devices running One UI, let you edit individual app icons without installing anything new. Long-press an app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Look for an option called "Edit icon" or a pencil icon. Tap it, and you can choose a new icon from your phone's gallery, take a photo, or select from a built-in set. This method works one icon at a time, so it is slower than icon packs if you want to change many icons, but it is useful if you only want to customize a few.

Not all Android phones have this feature. If you long-press an icon and do not see an edit option, your phone does not support it. Google Pixel phones, for example, do not have this feature. If your phone does not support it, use an icon pack or launcher instead.

Creating custom shortcuts with different icons

If you want to change an icon and your launcher does not support icon packs, you can create a shortcut to the app with a custom icon. read the Shortcut Maker app from the Google Play Store. Open it, search for the app you want to create a shortcut for, and tap it. You will see options to change the icon, name, and other details. Tap the icon field, choose "Gallery" or "Camera" to select a new image, and save. The shortcut will appear on your home screen with your custom icon.

This method creates a second icon on your home screen that points to the original app. You can hide the original app icon by moving it to a folder or removing it from your home screen, leaving only the shortcut visible. The downside is that you end up with two app entries — the original in your app drawer and the shortcut on your home screen — but most people find this acceptable for a few apps.

What to do if an icon pack does not cover all your apps

Most icon packs do not include custom icons for every app on your phone. When you explore an icon pack, apps that are not included in the pack will keep their original icons. You can fix this by combining methods: explore the icon pack first, then use the edit icon feature or create shortcuts for the apps that did not get new icons. Many people do this and end up with a customized home screen that mixes icon pack icons with a few hand-picked custom icons.

If you want all your icons to match, look for icon packs that are large — packs with 1,000 or more icons are more likely to include the apps you use. Read the reviews to see if other people mention missing icons for apps you care about. Some icon packs let you request icons for apps that are not included, and the creator may add them in an update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my launcher delete my apps or home screen layout?

No. Switching launchers does not delete any apps. Your home screen layout will change to the new launcher's default, but you can customize it to look however you want. If you switch back to your old launcher, your original home screen returns.

Do I have to pay for icon packs?

Most icon packs are free. Some creators charge a few dollars for premium packs with more icons or special designs. You can try free packs first to see if you like the style before spending money.

Can I use multiple icon packs at the same time?

No. Your launcher applies one icon pack at a time. If you want icons from two different packs, you would need to create shortcuts for some apps using the Shortcut Maker method and explore an icon pack to the rest.

What happens to my custom icons if I update my phone?

Icon packs and launchers stay installed after a software update. Your custom icons will remain. If you switch to a new phone, you will need to reinstall your launcher and icon pack and set them up again.

Can I change the icons in my app drawer?

Icon packs change the icons everywhere — on your home screen and in your app drawer. If you use a launcher that supports icon packs, the change applies to both places automatically.