The quickest way to change an app icon on Android
You can change how an app icon looks on your home screen without installing anything new or modifying the app itself. The method depends on which Android launcher you have — the software that manages your home screen. Most Android phones come with either Google Launcher (called Pixel Launcher on Google phones) or a manufacturer launcher like Samsung One UI or OnePlus OxygenOS.
The simplest route is to long-press the app icon on your home screen, tap "Edit icon" or "Change icon" from the menu that appears, and select a new image from your phone's gallery or a built-in icon pack. If that option does not appear, your launcher does not support direct icon editing, and you will need to use a third-party launcher instead.
Key Takeaways
- Long-pressing an app icon on your home screen opens a menu where you can edit or change the icon if your launcher supports it.
- Google Launcher, Samsung One UI, and most other stock launchers allow icon changes through the long-press menu without extra apps.
- If your launcher does not offer an edit option, you can install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher to gain that feature.
- Custom icon packs from the Google Play Store work only with launchers that support them — check the pack's description to see which launchers it works with.
- Changing an icon affects only how it appears on your home screen; the app itself and all your data stay exactly the same.
Changing an icon using your phone's built-in launcher
Start by locating the app on your home screen. If it is not there, open your app drawer, find the app, and long-press it until a menu appears. Tap "Add to Home Screen" to place it there first.
Once the app is on your home screen, long-press the icon. A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Edit icon," "Change icon," or sometimes just an edit pencil symbol. Tap it. Your phone will open either your photo gallery or a built-in icon library. If it opens your gallery, navigate to a folder with image files and select the one you want to use. If it opens an icon library, scroll through and tap the icon you prefer.
After you select a new image, your phone will ask you to confirm the crop or size. Adjust the image if needed, then tap "Save" or "Done." The icon on your home screen will update when ready. The app itself continues to work exactly as before — you have only changed its appearance on your home screen.
Using a third-party launcher if your phone does not support icon editing
If long-pressing the app icon does not show an edit option, your launcher does not have that feature built in. The solution is to install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara Launcher all support custom icons and are free to read.
Open the Google Play Store, search for one of these launchers, and tap "Install." Once installed, open the launcher app and follow its setup steps. You will be asked to set it as your default launcher — this means it will become the software that manages your home screen. After setup, long-press any app icon on your home screen. The launcher's menu will include an "Edit icon" or "Change icon" option. Tap it and select an image from your gallery or from an icon pack you have installed.
If you decide you do not like the third-party launcher, you can switch back to your original one at any time. Go to Settings, search for "Default apps" or "Home app," and select your original launcher. Your custom icons will disappear, and your home screen will return to its original appearance.
Installing and using icon packs
Icon packs are collections of themed icons designed to work together. They are available free on the Google Play Store and give you hundreds of matching icons to choose from instead of picking individual images. Search "icon pack" in the Play Store and you will see options like Lineage Icon Pack, Xtended Icon Pack, and many others.
read and install an icon pack. Then open your launcher and long-press an app icon. When you tap "Change icon," your launcher should show the icon pack as an option alongside your photo gallery. Tap the icon pack name and browse the available icons. Select the one that matches your app, and it will replace the original icon on your home screen.
Icon packs work only with launchers that support them. If you install an icon pack but do not see it as an option when you try to change an icon, your current launcher does not recognize it. Switch to a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, which has broad icon pack support, and try again.
Changing app icons without moving them to your home screen
Some launchers let you change icons directly from the app drawer without placing the app on your home screen first. Open your app drawer, long-press the app, and look for an edit option. If it appears, you can change the icon there. The edited icon will then appear both in the app drawer and on your home screen if you add it later.
This is useful if you want to organize your icons before deciding where to place them. However, not all launchers support this — if the option does not appear, you will need to add the app to your home screen first, then edit it there.
Reverting to the original icon
If you change an icon and later want to go back to the original, long-press the app icon again and tap "Edit icon" or "Change icon." Select the original app icon from your icon pack or launcher library. Most launchers keep the original icon available in their icon library even after you have changed it.
If you cannot find the original icon in your launcher's library, uninstall and reinstall the app. This will reset the icon to its default appearance. You will not lose any data or settings — reinstalling only affects the app's appearance on your home screen.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is trying to change an icon that is not on your home screen. If you long-press an app in your app drawer and no edit option appears, add it to your home screen first, then try again.
Another mistake is installing an icon pack and expecting it to change all your app icons automatically. Icon packs do not work that way — you have to change each icon individually by long-pressing it and selecting from the pack. This takes time if you have many apps, but you can change only the ones you use most and leave the rest as they are.
A third mistake is assuming that changing an icon will affect the app's performance or data. It will not. The icon is purely visual and exists only on your home screen. Changing it does not alter the app's code, your saved data, or how it runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing an app icon delete my data or settings?
No. Changing an icon affects only how the app appears on your home screen. All your data, login information, and app settings remain exactly the same. The app itself is not modified in any way.
Can I use any image as an app icon?
Yes, most launchers let you select any image from your phone's gallery. However, square or circular images work best because they fit the icon space cleanly. Very small images may look blurry when enlarged to icon size.
What happens if I uninstall a third-party launcher?
Your custom icons will disappear, and your home screen will revert to the appearance it had with your original launcher. If you reinstall the third-party launcher later, your custom icons will return if you set it as your default launcher again.
Do icon packs work with all launchers?
No. Icon packs work only with launchers that have been designed to support them. Google Launcher, Samsung One UI, and most stock launchers support icon packs. If your launcher does not recognize an icon pack, switch to Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which have broad support.
Can I change the icon of system apps like Settings or Phone?
Yes, you can change the icons of system apps the same way you change any other app icon. Long-press the icon on your home screen, tap "Edit icon," and select a new image. However, system apps cannot be uninstalled, so the original icon will remain in your app drawer even if you change the home screen version.