The fastest way to change an app icon depends on your phone type
On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon that launches the real app. On Android, you use your launcher app's built-in customization feature or a third-party icon pack. Both methods take less than five minutes once you have the image file ready.
The iPhone route requires one extra step — you create a shortcut that points to the app, then assign a custom image to that shortcut. Android launchers like Nova, Microsoft Launcher, and the default Samsung One UI launcher let you swap icons directly without creating a middleman shortcut.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users create a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, assign a custom image to it, and place it on the home screen instead of the original app icon.
- Android users open their launcher settings, find the icon customization or icon pack option, and select a new image for each app.
- You need an image file (PNG or JPG) saved to your phone before you start, sized between 512×512 and 1024×1024 pixels for best results.
- The original app still runs normally — you are only changing how it appears on your home screen.
How to change an app icon on iPhone using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app (it comes built into iOS). Tap the plus icon in the top right to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" and select it. Tap "Choose" and find the app you want to customize, then select it.
Tap the three dots in the top right of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A dialog will appear asking for a name and icon. Tap the icon preview (the colored circle), then tap "Choose Photo" or "Choose File". Select your custom image from your photo library or files. Name the shortcut and tap "Add". The new icon will appear on your home screen and launch the app when tapped.
If you want to hide the original app icon to avoid clutter, open Settings, go to App Library, and find the app. Long-press it and select "Remove from Home Screen" — the app stays installed and searchable, but the icon disappears from your home screen.
How to change an app icon on Android with your launcher
The steps depend on which launcher you use. On Samsung phones, long-press an app icon on your home screen. Tap "Edit icon" or the pencil icon that appears. Select "Choose icon" and pick a new image from your gallery or an installed icon pack. Tap "Done" or "explore".
On phones using Nova Launcher, long-press the app icon, tap "Edit", then tap the icon preview. Select "Gallery" or "Icon Pack" and choose your image. On Google Pixel phones with the default launcher, long-press the icon and look for "Edit icon" — if it does not appear, your launcher does not support direct icon swaps, and you will need to install Nova or another third-party launcher.
If your launcher does not have a built-in icon editor, read an icon pack from the Google Play Store (search "icon pack"). Install it, open your launcher settings, find "Icon Pack" or "Icons", and select the pack you installed. All app icons will change to match that pack's design.
Finding or creating the right image file
You can use any image on your phone — a photo, a screenshot, a design you made in a drawing app, or an icon you downloaded. For the cleanest look, use a square image at least 512×512 pixels. If your image is smaller, it may look blurry when enlarged.
Free icon sites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project let you read individual icons as PNG files. You can also take a screenshot of any image you like, crop it to a square in your phone's photo editor, and use that. On iPhone, the image will be cropped to a circle by default; on Android, it depends on your launcher, but most use circles or rounded squares.
Why your custom icon might not appear or work
On iPhone, if the shortcut does not launch the app, make sure you selected the correct app in the "Open App" step. If the icon does not show on your home screen, check that you tapped "Add to Home Screen" and not just "Done". If the image looks blurry, it is likely smaller than 512×512 pixels — replace it with a larger version.
On Android, if the icon does not change, your launcher may not support custom icons. Try installing Nova Launcher (free version available) or another third-party launcher and repeating the steps. If you installed an icon pack and the icons did not change, open your launcher settings again and make sure the pack is actually selected — sometimes you have to toggle it on or restart your phone for the change to take effect.
Removing or reverting a custom icon
On iPhone, long-press the custom icon and tap "Remove from Home Screen". The original app icon remains on your phone and in the App Library. If you want to use the original icon again, long-press the app name in the App Library and select "Add to Home Screen".
On Android, long-press the icon and tap "Edit icon" or "Remove", depending on your launcher. If you installed an icon pack and want to go back to the default icons, open your launcher settings, find "Icon Pack", and select "Default" or "None". Your original icons will reappear when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo of myself as an app icon?
Yes. Take or select a photo, crop it to a square in your phone's photo editor, and follow the steps for your phone type. The image will be cropped to a circle (iPhone) or rounded square (most Android launchers), so make sure the part you want to see is in the center of the square.
Will changing my app icon affect how the app works?
No. The app runs exactly the same way. You are only changing the image that appears on your home screen — the app's actual function, notifications, and settings are unchanged.
Can I change the icon of a built-in app like Settings or Phone?
On iPhone, yes — use the Shortcuts method to create a shortcut to any built-in app and assign it a custom icon. On Android, it depends on your launcher. Nova Launcher and most third-party launchers allow it; the default launcher on some phones does not.
What image format should I use?
PNG or JPG both work. PNG is better if your image has a transparent background, because it preserves the transparency. JPG works fine for solid images or photos. Both phones accept either format.
Do I need to read a special app to change icons?
On iPhone, you only need the built-in Shortcuts app. On Android, you may need to install a third-party launcher if your default launcher does not support icon customization, but many do. Icon packs are optional — they are only needed if you want a coordinated set of icons across all your apps.