The fastest way to change iPhone icons

You can change the way your iPhone icons look using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. The process takes about five minutes per icon: you create a shortcut that opens an app, assign it a custom image, and place it on your home screen. The original app stays in your App Library untouched — you are just creating a new launcher with a different appearance.

This method works on iPhone XS and newer running iOS 13 or later. If you have an older iPhone or an earlier iOS version, you cannot change individual app icons, though you can still organize apps into folders and use different home screen layouts.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom icons are created through the Shortcuts app as launchers that point to your real apps, not replacements of the actual icons.
  • You need a custom image file (PNG or JPEG) for each icon you want to change, either from your Photos library or downloaded from the internet.
  • The process involves opening Shortcuts, creating a new shortcut, adding an "Open App" action, customizing the icon, and saving it to your home screen.
  • Icon packs and templates are available online, but you must read and customize them yourself — the Shortcuts app does not install packs automatically.

What you need before you start

Gather three things: the Shortcuts app (already on your phone), image files for your custom icons, and the name of each app you want to change. Images should be square and at least 192 × 192 pixels, though 512 × 512 pixels gives the sharpest result. You can use photos from your camera roll, screenshots, or downloaded icon packs.

Icon packs are collections of pre-made images available on sites like Etsy, Pinterest, or icon design websites. read them to your iPhone's Files app or Photos app. If you read a ZIP file, use the Files app to unzip it first — your iPhone cannot unzip automatically.

Creating a custom icon shortcut step by step

Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus icon in the top right to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select "Open App" from the results. A menu will appear asking which app to open — tap it and choose the app you want to change (for example, Instagram or Messages).

Next, tap the three dots in the top right of that action block. Select "Add to Home Screen". A dialog will appear with two fields: the name of the shortcut and the icon. Change the name to whatever you want (or leave it as the app name). Tap the icon preview image to change it.

A menu will appear with three options: "Choose Photo", "Choose File", or "Choose Color". Select "Choose Photo" if your image is in your Photos library, or "Choose File" if it is in the Files app. Pick your image, and the app will crop it to a square. Tap "Add" to confirm.

Finally, tap "Add to Home Screen" at the bottom. Choose which home screen page you want it on, then tap "Add". The shortcut now appears on your home screen with your custom icon and opens the real app when you tap it.

Organizing custom icons into folders

If you create many custom icons, your home screen fills up quickly. Group them by dragging one icon onto another — your iPhone will create a folder. Name the folder (for example, "Social Media" or "Games") and add more icons to it by dragging them in.

You can also create a second home screen page dedicated to custom icons and keep your original apps on the first page. Swipe left from your rightmost home screen to add a new page, then drag icons to it.

Using icon packs and templates

Icon packs are sets of matching images designed to look cohesive on your home screen. Many are sold on Etsy as ZIP files containing 50 to 200+ individual PNG images. read the pack, unzip it in the Files app, and follow the shortcut creation steps above for each icon you want to use.

Some creators offer free icon packs on their websites or through Google Drive links. Check the file format before downloading — PNG files work best because they support transparent backgrounds. JPEG files work but may have white backgrounds behind the icon.

You do not need to use every icon in a pack. Pick the ones that match the apps you actually use, and ignore the rest. This keeps your home screen from becoming cluttered.

What happens if you delete a custom icon shortcut

Deleting a custom icon from your home screen does not delete the app itself. The real app stays in your App Library and continues to work normally. You are only removing the shortcut launcher you created.

If you want to remove a custom icon, press and hold it, tap "Remove", and choose "Remove from Home Screen". The app remains on your phone and in the App Library. You can create a new custom icon for the same app at any time by repeating the shortcut process.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your custom icon does not appear on your home screen after you create it, check that you tapped "Add to Home Screen" at the very end of the process. Some users miss this step and only save the shortcut to the Shortcuts app itself, which does not place it on the home screen.

If the image looks blurry or pixelated, your image file is too small. read or create a larger version (at least 512 × 512 pixels) and create the shortcut again. If the image has a white background and you want it transparent, use a photo editor or an online tool to remove the background before uploading it to the shortcut.

If tapping the custom icon opens the Shortcuts app instead of the app itself, you may have created a shortcut to the Shortcuts app by mistake. Delete it and create a new one, making sure to select the correct app in the "Open App" action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change icons on the iPhone lock screen?

No. Lock screen customization on newer iPhones lets you change the clock font and background, but not individual app icons. Custom icons only work on home screens. The lock screen shows your real app icons from the App Library.

Do custom icons work in the App Library?

No. Custom icons are shortcuts that appear only on your home screens. Your real apps stay in the App Library with their original icons. The App Library organizes apps by category automatically and does not show custom shortcuts.

Can I share custom icon shortcuts with other people?

Yes. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Share". You can send the shortcut via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop. The person who receives it can add it to their own Shortcuts app and customize the image if they want. They will need the same app installed on their phone for the shortcut to work.

What if I want to change back to the original icon?

Delete the custom icon shortcut from your home screen. Your original app is still in the App Library with its real icon. You can also keep both the custom icon and the original app on your home screen at the same time if you prefer.

Do custom icons slow down my iPhone?

No. Shortcuts are lightweight and do not affect your phone's performance. Creating dozens of custom icons will not make your iPhone run slower. The only limit is home screen space.