The two ways to change app icons on your iPhone

You can change how your iPhone app icons look in two ways: by creating a shortcut that points to an app and giving that shortcut a custom icon, or by using the Home Screen customization features in iOS 16 and later to swap out the standard icon for a different image. The shortcut method works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later. The Home Screen method is faster but only works if your phone runs iOS 16 or newer.

Both methods keep your apps working exactly as they do now — you are only changing what the icon looks like on your home screen. The app itself, your data, and how it opens remain unchanged.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app method works on any recent iPhone and lets you create a custom icon that launches any app you choose.
  • iOS 16 and later offer a faster built-in way to change icons directly without creating a shortcut, though the process is still manual for each app.
  • You can use any image as a custom icon — a photo, a design you read, or something you create yourself.
  • Custom icons appear on your home screen but do not change how the app works or where your data is stored.
  • If you want to undo custom icons, you can delete the shortcuts or restore the original icons through your phone's settings.

Using the Shortcuts app to create custom icons

Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on all iPhones). Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want to give a custom icon to, then tap the three dots at the top right of the screen.

Tap "Add to Home Screen". You will see a prompt asking for a name and icon. Tap the icon preview (the small circle showing the current app icon). You can choose from your photo library, take a new photo, or pick a color. Once you have chosen your image, tap "Add" and the shortcut will appear on your home screen with your custom icon.

Repeat this process for each app you want to customize. The shortcut will launch the app normally when you tap it, but it will display your chosen icon instead of the standard one.

Changing icons directly on iOS 16 and later

If your iPhone runs iOS 16 or newer, you can change app icons without using Shortcuts. Long-press on any app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Edit Home Screen" at the bottom. Long-press the app icon again and tap "Change App Icon" (or sometimes labeled as customizing the icon).

Select a new image from your photos, take a screenshot, or choose a solid color. Tap "Add" and the icon will update on your home screen. This method is faster than the Shortcuts method because you are modifying the icon directly rather than creating a separate shortcut.

Not all apps support this feature equally — some apps offer built-in alternate icons you can choose from in their own settings, which you can access through the same long-press menu.

Where to find images for custom icons

You can use any image file on your phone, including photos you have taken, screenshots, or images you have downloaded. Many websites offer free icon packs designed specifically for iPhone customization — search for "iPhone app icons free read" to find collections organized by theme or color.

If you want to create your own, straightforward design apps like Canva (free version available) let you make custom icons quickly. Icons work best when they are square, at least 180 pixels wide, and have a clear design that is readable at small sizes on your home screen.

Organizing custom icons into folders and pages

Once you have created custom icons, you can organize them the same way you organize regular apps. Drag icons onto each other to create a folder, or drag them to different home screen pages. Custom icons created through Shortcuts appear as regular home screen icons and follow all the same organization rules.

If you create many custom icons, consider grouping them by category — for example, putting all your social media custom icons in one folder, or organizing them by color across different home screen pages.

Removing or changing custom icons later

To remove a custom icon created through Shortcuts, long-press it and tap "Remove App" or swipe it away. The original app remains on your phone and in your app library — you are only removing the shortcut from your home screen.

To change a custom icon you have already created, long-press it and tap "Edit Home Screen" (iOS 16+) or delete the shortcut and create a new one using the Shortcuts app method. You can update the icon image without losing any settings or data in the app itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my app icon affect my data or settings?

No. Changing an icon only changes what the app looks like on your home screen. All your data, login information, and app settings remain exactly the same. The app works identically whether it has a custom icon or the standard one.

Can I change icons on apps that are in my app library?

You can only change icons for apps that appear on your home screen. Apps that live only in the App Library cannot have custom icons. You would need to add them to your home screen first, then customize the icon.

What if I want to undo all my custom icons at once?

If you used Shortcuts, delete each shortcut individually by long-pressing and selecting remove. If you used iOS 16's built-in method, long-press each app and restore the original icon. There is no bulk undo option, so you will need to revert them one at a time.

Do custom icons work on the lock screen?

Custom icons appear only on your home screen. Lock screen widgets and app shortcuts do not use the custom icons you create — they display the standard app icon. Custom icons are a home screen feature only.

Can I share custom icons with other people?

You can share the image files you use as icons through any messaging or file-sharing app. However, the shortcuts themselves do not transfer easily between phones. Other people would need to create their own shortcuts and use the same image files to replicate your setup.