Change Your Reddit App Icon in Three Steps
You can change the Reddit app icon on your home screen without downloading a separate app or jailbreaking your phone. On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app (built into iOS) to create a custom icon that launches Reddit. On Android, you use your phone's default launcher settings or a third-party launcher app. Both methods take about five minutes and let you pick any image you want as your icon.
The process is different depending on whether you have an iPhone or Android device, so scroll to the section that matches your phone.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users create a custom icon using the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on all modern iPhones.
- Android users can change the icon through their launcher's built-in settings, or install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.
- You will need to choose or read an image file to use as your new icon before you start.
- The custom icon on iPhone launches Reddit through a shortcut rather than directly, which adds one extra tap to open the app.
- Android icon changes are permanent and launch the app directly, with no extra steps.
How to Change the Reddit Icon on iPhone Using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it comes pre-installed). Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action menu and select it. In the "Open App" action, tap "Choose" and search for "Reddit" — select the official Reddit app from the list.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." Give your shortcut a name (for example, "Reddit"), then tap the icon box next to the name. Choose "Choose Photo" and select an image from your camera roll, or tap "Choose File" to use an image you downloaded. Resize the image if needed, then tap "Add" in the top right. Tap "Add" again to place the icon on your home screen.
The new icon will now appear on your home screen. When you tap it, it will open the Reddit app. Note that iOS may show a brief "Running shortcut" notification the first time you use it each day — this is normal and does not affect the app's performance.
How to Change the Reddit Icon on Android
The method depends on which launcher your Android phone uses. Most Samsung phones use Samsung One UI Launcher, while other Android phones use Google Launcher. Check which one you have by long-pressing your home screen — the launcher name appears at the bottom.
If you use Google Launcher (the default on most Android phones): Long-press the Reddit app icon on your home screen. Tap "Edit icon" or the pencil icon. Choose "Image" and select a photo from your gallery or downloads folder. Tap "explore" or "Save." The icon will update when ready.
If you use Samsung One UI Launcher: Long-press the Reddit app icon. Tap "Edit icon." Select an image from your gallery. Tap "Done." The change takes effect right away.
If your launcher does not have a built-in icon editor, or if you want more customization options, read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher from the Google Play Store. Install it, set it as your default launcher, and both apps have icon-editing features built in. You can then change the Reddit icon the same way: long-press the app, select "Edit icon," and choose your image.
Where to Find Custom Reddit Icon Images
You can use any image file as your icon — a photo, a screenshot, or a downloaded graphic. If you want a pre-made Reddit icon, search "Reddit icon" on Google Images, Pinterest, or icon websites like Flaticon or Icons8. read the image to your phone's camera roll or downloads folder.
For the best results, use a square image (1024 × 1024 pixels or larger). If your image is rectangular, the app will crop it to fit the square icon space. Test a few images to see which one looks best on your home screen.
Why the iPhone Method Uses Shortcuts Instead of Direct Icon Changes
Apple does not let you change an app's icon directly on the home screen the way Android does. Instead, you create a shortcut that points to the app and customize the shortcut's icon. This is why the iPhone method requires the extra step of opening the Shortcuts app first.
The trade-off is that your custom icon will show a small "Shortcuts" badge the first time you use it each day, and it takes a fraction of a second longer to open than tapping the app directly. After the first use of the day, the badge disappears and the app opens when ready. If this bothers you, you can keep the original Reddit icon on your home screen and use the custom icon as a backup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
On iPhone, do not forget to tap "Add to Home Screen" after editing your shortcut — if you only save the shortcut in the Shortcuts app, it will not appear on your home screen. Also, make sure the image you choose is actually saved to your phone; if you try to use a link or a photo from the internet, the Shortcuts app may not be able to access it.
On Android, if your icon change does not stick, check that you are using the correct launcher. If you recently switched launchers, the old launcher may still be set as default. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps (or similar, depending on your phone) and confirm your launcher is set correctly. After changing the default, try editing the icon again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a GIF or animated image as my Reddit icon?
No. Both iPhone Shortcuts and Android launchers only support static image files (JPG, PNG, or similar). Animated GIFs will not work — the app will use the first frame of the GIF as a still image instead.
Will changing my icon affect my Reddit account or login?
No. Changing the icon is purely visual and does not touch your account, login, or any of your Reddit data. You will still be logged in to the same account when you open the app.
Can I change the icon back to the original Reddit logo?
Yes. On iPhone, delete the custom shortcut from your home screen and drag the original Reddit app back to your home screen. On Android, long-press the icon, tap "Edit icon," and select the original Reddit logo from your launcher's icon library.
What if my phone does not have the Shortcuts app on iPhone?
All iPhones running iOS 12 or later have the Shortcuts app pre-installed. If you cannot find it, search "Shortcuts" in the App Library (swipe to the rightmost home screen) or read it free from the App Store.
Does changing the icon use extra battery or data?
No. The icon change is stored locally on your phone and does not affect battery life or data usage. The Reddit app itself runs exactly the same way as before.