The fastest way to change an app icon depends on your device
On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon that launches the real app — the actual app icon in your home screen stays the same, but you can hide it in your library and use your custom version instead. On Android, most phones let you long-press the app icon directly and select "Edit icon" or a similar option, though this varies by manufacturer. On Mac and Windows, you right-click the app and choose properties or get info, then select a new icon file from your computer.
The method you choose depends on whether you want a quick visual change or are willing to spend a few minutes setting up a shortcut. iPhone's approach takes longer but gives you complete control over the image. Android's native method is fastest if your phone supports it. Desktop systems are straightforward but require you to have an image file ready.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users create a custom icon using the Shortcuts app, which launches the real app but displays your chosen image on the home screen.
- Android phones with Samsung, Google Pixel, or OnePlus typically let you long-press the app icon and edit it directly without extra apps.
- Mac requires you to right-click the app, select "Get Info," paste an image into the icon well, and save the change.
- Windows lets you right-click an app shortcut, open Properties, click "Change Icon," and select a new image file from your computer.
- You will need an image file (PNG, JPG, or ICNS on Mac) saved to your device before you start the process.
Changing an app icon on iPhone using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app (the blue icon with white lines). Tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" and tap it. Select the app whose icon you want to change — for example, Instagram or Spotify. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap "Add to Home Screen."
A dialog will appear asking for a name and icon. Tap the icon preview (the small circle showing the current app icon). You can choose "Take Photo," "Choose Photo," or "Choose File" to pick an image from your phone. Select your image and tap "Add." The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with your custom icon, and tapping it will open the real app. You can then hide the original app icon by moving it to your app library so only your custom version shows on the home screen.
Changing an app icon on Android with native settings
The process varies by phone manufacturer, but most recent Android phones support direct icon editing. Long-press the app icon you want to change until a menu appears. Look for an option labeled "Edit icon," "Customize," or a pencil icon. If you see "Edit icon," tap it and select a new image from your phone's photo library or choose from preset icons your phone offers.
If your phone does not show an edit option, check your launcher settings instead. Go to Settings > Apps and look for a "Home screen" or "Launcher" section. Some Android phones require you to use a third-party launcher app like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher to change icons; search your phone's app store for "custom launcher" if the native method does not work. Once you change the icon, it updates when ready on your home screen.
Changing an app icon on Mac
Find the app in your Applications folder. Right-click it and select Get Info. At the top of the window, you will see a small icon preview. Click it once to select it, then paste your image file (you can copy an image from the web or from a file on your computer by pressing Command+C, then Command+V in the icon well).
The image must be in a format Mac recognizes — PNG, JPG, or ICNS files work best. If pasting does not work, drag an image file directly onto the icon preview. Close the Get Info window and the change takes effect when ready. If you want to revert to the original icon later, click the icon preview in Get Info and press Delete.
Changing an app icon on Windows
Right-click the app shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu. Select Properties. In the Properties window, click the Shortcut tab, then click the Change Icon button near the bottom. A dialog will open showing available icons from the app's own files.
To use a custom image instead, you need to convert it to an ICO file first (Windows' native icon format). Use a free online converter or an app like IcoFX to convert your PNG or JPG to ICO format, then save it to your computer. In the Change Icon dialog, click Browse, navigate to your ICO file, select it, and click Open. Click OK to explore the change. The new icon appears on your shortcut when ready.
Finding and preparing image files for your new icon
You can use any image on your phone or computer, but icons work best when the image is square (equal width and height) and at least 512 pixels by 512 pixels. Smaller images will look blurry when enlarged. Search for "app icon" or the app's name plus "icon" on Google Images, or use a site like Flaticon or Icons8 to find free icons in PNG format.
Before you start changing the icon, save your chosen image to your device. On iPhone, save it to your Photos app. On Android, save it to your Downloads or Pictures folder. On Mac and Windows, save it to your Desktop or Documents folder so you can find it quickly. If you are using Windows, remember to convert your image to ICO format first using an online converter.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake on iPhone is forgetting that you are creating a shortcut, not changing the app itself — the original app icon will still appear in your app library. If you want a clean home screen, swipe to find the original app icon and move it to a folder or off your home screen entirely. On Android, trying to change an icon when your phone does not support it natively will fail silently; if the edit option does not appear after long-pressing, your phone requires a third-party launcher.
On Mac, pasting an image into the icon well sometimes does not work if the image is in an unsupported format — stick to PNG or JPG. On Windows, forgetting to convert your image to ICO format is the biggest stumbling block; the Change Icon dialog only recognizes ICO files, not PNG or JPG. If you see a message that the file is not valid, convert it first and try again. Always keep a backup of the original image in case you want to change the icon again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the app icon affect how the app works?
No. Changing the icon is purely visual and does not alter the app's function, settings, or data. The app will work exactly as before — only the picture you see on your home screen or desktop changes.
Can I change the icon of a built-in app like Mail or Calendar?
On iPhone, yes, using the Shortcuts method — you create a shortcut that opens the built-in app and give it a custom icon. On Android and Mac, built-in apps are often protected and cannot be edited directly, but you can create a shortcut or launcher icon instead. On Windows, built-in apps typically cannot be changed.
What image format should I use for each device?
iPhone and Android accept PNG and JPG files. Mac accepts PNG, JPG, and ICNS files. Windows requires ICO format, which you can create free using an online converter. Always use a square image at least 512 by 512 pixels for the best result.
If I delete the shortcut on iPhone, does the original app disappear?
No. The original app remains in your app library. Deleting the shortcut only removes the custom icon from your home screen. You can recreate the shortcut anytime by repeating the Shortcuts app process.
Can I change an app icon on a work phone or managed device?
It depends on your organization's security settings. Some managed devices restrict icon changes or third-party launcher apps. Check with your IT department before attempting to change icons on a work device.