Instagram lets you swap the main app icon for one of several built-in alternatives, and the process takes under a minute on either phone
Instagram offers a handful of alternate app icons you can choose from without downloading anything extra or jailbreaking your phone. On iPhone, you access these through the Instagram app's settings menu. On Android, the process is similar but happens in your phone's system settings instead. The icon you pick is purely visual — it does not change how the app works or what you see inside it.
You can switch back to the original icon at any time, and you can change it as often as you want. Instagram keeps the same icon choice even after you update the app, so you will not lose your selection when a new version rolls out.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open Instagram, go to Settings, tap Account, then select App Icon to pick from the available designs.
- Android users long-press the Instagram icon on their home screen, tap App Info, then choose Icon to change it.
- The alternate icons are built into the app itself — you do not need to read anything or use a third-party tool.
- Changing the icon does not affect your account, messages, photos, or any other part of the app's function.
How to change the icon on iPhone
Open the Instagram app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. Next, tap Account, and you will see App Icon listed near the top of that menu.
Tap App Icon and you will see thumbnails of all the available options. These typically include the standard pink-and-purple gradient, a black version, a white version, and sometimes seasonal or special designs that Instagram rotates in and out. Tap the one you want, and it will change on your home screen when ready. You do not need to restart the app or your phone.
How to change the icon on Android
Long-press the Instagram app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up. Tap App Info (or sometimes called App Details, depending on your phone's version of Android). Scroll down until you see Icon, then tap it to see the list of available designs.
Select the icon you prefer and confirm your choice. The change takes effect right away on your home screen. If you do not see an Icon option in App Info, your version of Android may not support this feature — in that case, you can try the same process through your phone's Settings app by going to Apps, finding Instagram, and looking for an Icon or Appearance option there.
What icons are usually available
Instagram typically offers between four and eight icon designs at any given time. The standard options include the recognizable pink-and-purple gradient, a solid black icon, a solid white icon, and sometimes a retro or throwback version. Instagram occasionally adds limited-time icons for holidays or special events, which may disappear after a certain date.
The exact selection depends on when you last updated the app and what Instagram is currently promoting. If you do not see as many options as you expected, updating Instagram from the App Store or Google Play Store may add new choices. The app does not notify you when new icons become available, so checking back every few months is the only way to know if fresh designs have been added.
Why you might want to change your icon
Some people change the icon to match their phone's overall aesthetic or theme — for example, using the black icon if they prefer a dark-themed home screen. Others switch icons seasonally or just for variety. The choice is entirely personal and does not affect how the app performs or what features you can use.
Changing the icon can also be useful if you want to visually distinguish between multiple Instagram accounts on the same phone, though Instagram's built-in account-switching feature is usually a better solution for managing more than one account.
Troubleshooting if the icon will not change
If you tap an icon and it does not change on your home screen, try closing and reopening Instagram, or restart your phone. On iPhone, make sure you are running the latest version of Instagram from the App Store. On Android, check that your phone's system is fully updated, as older Android versions sometimes have trouble with app icon changes.
If the App Icon option does not appear in your settings at all, your version of Instagram may be outdated. Uninstall the app completely, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store. This usually fixes missing menu options. If the problem persists after a fresh install, your phone's operating system may not support this feature — older iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier, and older Android phones, sometimes lack this capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the icon affect my account or messages?
No. The icon is only the visual appearance on your home screen. Everything inside the app — your account, messages, followers, posts, and settings — remains exactly the same. You can change the icon back and forth as many times as you want without any impact on your account.
Can I use a custom icon that is not in the list?
Not through Instagram's built-in feature. Third-party apps like Launcher or Icon Themer can create custom icons, but they require you to use a different home screen launcher and do not change the actual Instagram app icon — they create a shortcut instead. The official Instagram icon-change feature only offers the designs Instagram provides.
Will the icon change back after I update Instagram?
No. Your icon choice stays the same even after you update the app. Instagram remembers which icon you selected and keeps it active through updates.
What if I only see one or two icon options?
This usually means your app is outdated. Update Instagram from the App Store or Google Play Store and check again. If you still see only a few options after updating, Instagram may have a limited selection available at that moment, or your phone's operating system may not support all of the available designs.