The fastest way to change app icons on Samsung
Samsung phones let you change app icons in three ways: using a custom launcher, creating a shortcut with a different icon, or using the built-in theme system if your model supports it. The quickest method for most people is the shortcut route — you pick an app, create a shortcut to it on your home screen, and assign it a new icon from your phone's gallery or icon pack.
The shortcut method works on all Samsung phones running Android 7 and newer. It takes about two minutes per app and leaves your original app untouched — the shortcut is just a new way to open it. If you want to change dozens of icons at once, a custom launcher is faster, but it replaces your entire home screen interface.
Key Takeaways
- Creating a shortcut and assigning it a custom icon is the fastest method and works on all recent Samsung phones without installing extra apps.
- You can use any image from your phone's gallery as an icon, or read a free icon pack from the Google Play Store.
- A custom launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher changes all your app icons at once but replaces your home screen interface.
- Samsung's theme system (available on newer models) lets you change icon packs through Settings without a launcher, but options are limited.
- Changing icons does not affect how the app works or where your data is stored — it is purely visual.
Method 1: Create a shortcut with a custom icon
This method works on every Samsung phone and requires no extra apps. Long-press an empty space on your home screen, then tap the plus icon or "Add widget" button (the exact wording varies by model). Search for "Shortcut" and select it. Choose the app you want to create a shortcut for.
After you select the app, your phone will ask you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. Tap the icon preview to open the icon picker. You can select from your phone's built-in icons, upload an image from your gallery, or take a new photo. Once you choose an icon, the shortcut appears on your home screen with that new image. Tap it to open the app normally.
The advantage of this method is that it is reversible — if you do not like the new icon, you delete the shortcut and create a new one. Your original app stays unchanged in your app drawer. The downside is that you are creating a second way to open the app, so your home screen gets crowded if you want to change many icons.
Method 2: Use a custom launcher
A custom launcher replaces your entire home screen with a new interface that lets you change all app icons at once. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher — all are free to read from the Google Play Store. Once you install one, your phone will ask which launcher you want to use as your default. Select the new one.
After you set the launcher as default, open it and look for icon pack settings (usually under "Appearance" or "Customization"). read a free icon pack from the Play Store — packs like Lineage Icon Pack, Oxy Icon Pack, or Pix Pie offer hundreds of icons. Once the pack is installed, the launcher will ask if you want to explore it. Select yes, and all your app icons change at once.
The trade-off is that you are changing your entire home screen experience, not just the icons. Some launchers are slower than Samsung's default, and some features (like Samsung DeX or certain widgets) may not work the same way. If you decide you do not like the launcher, you can switch back to Samsung's default in Settings under "Apps" — find the launcher, tap "Set as default," and choose Samsung Home.
Method 3: Use Samsung's theme system
Newer Samsung phones (Galaxy S21 and later, and some mid-range models) have a built-in theme system that lets you change icon packs without a launcher. Open Settings, go to "Display," then tap "Themes." Select "Icon packs" and browse the available options. Most are free, though some require payment.
Once you select an icon pack, tap "explore" and your app icons change across your entire phone. This method is the simplest if your phone supports it, because you do not install a new launcher or create individual shortcuts. However, the selection of icon packs is smaller than what you get through the Play Store, and not all Samsung models have this feature.
To check if your phone has this feature, open Settings and search for "Themes." If the Themes app appears, your phone supports this method. If it does not, use Method 1 or Method 2 instead.
Where to find icon packs and images
The Google Play Store has hundreds of free icon packs. Search "icon pack" and filter by free apps. Popular packs include Lineage Icon Pack, Oxy Icon Pack, Pix Pie, Crayon Icons, and Lawnchair Icons. Each pack contains 500 to 2,000 icons designed to match a specific style — flat, minimal, colorful, or retro.
If you want to use your own images as icons, you can upload any photo from your gallery when you create a shortcut (Method 1). The image will be cropped to a square and scaled down to icon size. For best results, use images that are at least 512 by 512 pixels and have a clear subject in the center.
You can also find free icon images on sites like Flaticon, Icons8, or Noun Project. read the image to your phone's gallery, then use it when creating a shortcut. Some of these sites require attribution in the image description, so check the license before you use an icon.
What happens to your apps when you change icons
Changing an icon does not change how the app works, where it stores data, or how you receive notifications. The app itself stays in your app drawer with its original icon. If you create a shortcut with a new icon, you now have two ways to open the same app — one from the shortcut on your home screen, one from the app drawer. Both open the exact same app.
If you use a custom launcher, your notifications, app updates, and data all work the same way. The launcher is just a visual layer on top of Android — it does not affect the apps themselves. If you switch back to Samsung's default launcher, all your apps are still there with their original icons, and nothing is lost.
Troubleshooting common problems
If an icon pack does not explore or shows only partial icons, the pack may not be compatible with your launcher. Try a different pack or switch to a different launcher. If you are using a custom launcher and it is slow or draining battery, try a lighter launcher like Lawnchair or Niagara, or switch back to Samsung's default.
If you create a shortcut but the custom icon does not save, make sure the image you selected is in a supported format (JPG or PNG). If the shortcut disappears after a restart, your phone may have cleared it due to storage space — try creating it again or freeing up storage in Settings under "Storage."
If you want to remove all custom icons and go back to the default look, delete all shortcuts you created (Method 1), or switch your launcher back to Samsung Home (Method 2), or select the default icon pack in Themes (Method 3). Your apps will return to their original icons when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of a single app without creating a shortcut?
Not directly on Samsung's default launcher. You either create a shortcut with a new icon, use a custom launcher, or use the theme system. The shortcut method is the only way to change one app's icon without affecting your entire home screen.
Will changing app icons affect my notifications or app updates?
No. The app itself does not change — only the image you see on your home screen. Notifications, updates, and all app functions work exactly the same way.
What if I do not like the custom launcher I installed?
Open Settings, go to "Apps," find the launcher you installed, tap "Set as default," and choose Samsung Home. Your phone will return to the default interface, and all your apps will be there with their original icons. You can then uninstall the launcher if you want.
Can I use a photo of my own as an app icon?
Yes, when you create a shortcut (Method 1), you can upload any image from your gallery as the icon. The image will be cropped to a square. For best results, use images at least 512 by 512 pixels with a clear subject in the center.
Do I need to pay for icon packs?
Most icon packs on the Google Play Store are free. Some premium packs cost money, but you can find high-quality free options like Lineage Icon Pack, Oxy Icon Pack, and Pix Pie. Samsung's theme system also offers mostly free icon packs.