You can change how app icons look using the Shortcuts app and home screen customization

iPhone lets you swap out the standard app icons for custom images using the built-in Shortcuts app. You create a shortcut that opens the app you want, then assign a custom image to that shortcut and place it on your home screen. The original app stays unchanged in your App Library — you're just creating a visual replacement on your home screen that launches the same app.

This method works on iPhone running iOS 13 and later. You don't need to jailbreak your phone or install anything outside the App Store. The trade-off is that tapping the custom icon takes a half-second longer than tapping a native app icon, because the Shortcuts app has to run first.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom icons are created as Shortcuts that point to real apps, so they open the same app but with a visual delay of less than a second.
  • You need the Shortcuts app (built into iOS) and an image file for each custom icon, which you can find free online or create yourself.
  • The process involves creating a shortcut, assigning an image to it, and adding it to your home screen as a widget.
  • Your original app icons remain in the App Library unchanged, so you can always go back to them.

How to create a custom icon shortcut

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action menu and tap it. A dialog will appear asking which app to open — select the app whose icon you want to change.

Once you've added the Open App action, tap the three dots in the top right of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear with a preview of how the shortcut will look on your home screen. Tap the icon preview (the small square image at the top) to change it.

Assigning a custom image to your shortcut

When you tap the icon preview, you'll see options to choose a photo, use an emoji, or use a color. If you want a custom image, tap "Choose Photo" and select an image from your Photos app or Files app. The image should be square (or close to it) for the best result — 180 × 180 pixels works well, though iPhone will resize whatever you choose.

You can also use a free icon pack. Search "iOS icon pack" or "[app name] icon" in Google Images, read a PNG file to your phone, and save it to your Photos app or Files app. Then use the "Choose Photo" option to select it. Many designers share free icon packs on sites like Etsy, Dribbble, or Reddit's r/iOSsetups community.

Finishing the shortcut and placing it on your home screen

After you've chosen your custom image, tap "Add" to confirm. You'll be back in the shortcut editor. Give your shortcut a name — this is what will appear below the icon on your home screen. Tap "Add to Home Screen" again, and the shortcut will be placed on your home screen when ready.

You can now move the shortcut icon around your home screen like any other app. Long-press it to drag it to a different location, or organize it into a folder. If you want to change the icon later, open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Edit" to modify the image.

Using icon packs for a coordinated look

If you want all your app icons to match visually, look for a complete icon pack rather than creating individual icons. Icon packs are sets of matching icons designed for popular apps. You read the pack, then create a shortcut for each app and assign the corresponding icon from the pack to each one.

This takes longer than using native icons — you're creating dozens of shortcuts if you want to customize your entire home screen — but the result is a unified, custom appearance. Some people create a folder on their home screen called "Apps" and place all their custom shortcuts inside it, keeping the home screen cleaner.

Why the custom icon takes longer to open

When you tap a custom icon shortcut, the Shortcuts app launches first, runs the "Open App" command, and then opens the app you selected. This adds a brief delay — usually under one second, but noticeable compared to tapping a native app icon. If speed is important for an app you use constantly, you might want to keep the native icon for that app and only customize icons for apps you use less frequently.

The delay is the same whether you're opening Mail, Safari, or any other app. It's a limitation of how iOS handles shortcuts, not a problem with your phone or the Shortcuts app itself.

Removing or changing custom icons

To remove a custom icon from your home screen, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen." The shortcut itself stays in the Shortcuts app — you can add it back to your home screen later if you change your mind. To delete the shortcut entirely, open the Shortcuts app, swipe left on the shortcut, and tap the trash icon.

To change the icon image, open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Edit." Tap the icon preview at the top and choose a new image. Your changes will appear on the home screen when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts?

iOS does not have a built-in way to change app icons without using Shortcuts. Some third-party apps claim to change icons, but they actually work the same way — they create shortcuts that point to your real apps. Sticking with the native Shortcuts app is the safest approach.

Will changing icons affect how the app works?

No. The app itself is unchanged. You're only changing how it looks on your home screen. All your data, settings, and notifications remain the same. The app still sends notifications normally, and you can still use Siri to open it by voice.

Can I use any image as a custom icon?

Yes, but square images work best. Rectangular or oddly-shaped images will be cropped or resized to fit the icon space. PNG files with transparent backgrounds look cleanest, but JPG files work too. The image should be at least 180 × 180 pixels for sharp results on modern iPhones.

What happens if I update my iPhone?

Your custom shortcuts and icons stay on your home screen. If you back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer before updating, your shortcuts will restore automatically. If you set up a new iPhone from scratch, you'll need to recreate your shortcuts on the new device.

Can I share my custom icons with someone else?

You can share the shortcut itself through the Shortcuts app by tapping the three dots and selecting "Share." The person receiving it can add it to their phone, but they'll need to reassign the custom image themselves — the image file doesn't transfer with the shortcut. Sharing the icon image file separately (through email, AirDrop, or a shared folder) is the easiest way to help someone else use the same custom icon.