The fastest way to change your iPhone icons

You can change how your iPhone icons look using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. The process takes about five minutes per icon: you create a shortcut that opens the app you want, then assign a custom image to that shortcut. When you tap the custom icon on your home screen, it opens the app just like the original icon would.

This method works on iPhone XS and newer running iOS 13 or later. If you have an older iPhone or an older iOS version, you can still customize your home screen, but the steps are slightly different — we'll cover that below.

The trade-off is that tapping a custom icon adds a half-second delay while the Shortcuts app opens in the background before launching your app. Most people don't notice this. If you want icons that respond when ready with no delay, you'll need to use a third-party launcher app from the App Store instead, though those have their own limitations.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app (built into iOS) lets you create custom icons for any app by making a shortcut and assigning it an image.
  • Each custom icon you create is technically a shortcut, so tapping it opens the Shortcuts app briefly before launching your app.
  • You can find free icon packs online, design your own in any image editor, or use photos and screenshots as custom icons.
  • Third-party launcher apps from the App Store can replace your home screen entirely, but they may slow down your phone or limit access to some iOS features.
  • iOS 16 and newer also let you change your app icons directly through Settings without using Shortcuts, though this method is more limited.

Creating a custom icon using the Shortcuts app

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it has a purple icon with a wand). 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 customize — let's say Instagram. Tap "Open App" and select Instagram from the list.

Now tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A dialog will appear asking for a name and an icon. Change the name to whatever you want (or leave it as "Instagram"). Then tap the icon preview image — this opens your photo library and lets you choose an image, take a photo, or paste one you've copied.

Select or create the image you want to use as your icon. It should be square and at least 192 pixels by 192 pixels, though larger is fine. Once you've chosen the image, tap "Add" in the top right. The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with your custom icon.

Repeat this process for each app you want to customize. You can organize these custom icons into folders just like regular apps.

Where to find or create custom icon images

Icon packs are collections of matching custom icons designed by other people. Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project offer thousands of free icons you can read. Search for the app name or category (like "social media" or "productivity") and read the PNG file. Make sure the icon is square before you use it.

You can also design your own icons using free tools like Canva, Pixlr, or even the Notes app. Open Canva, create a new square design (1000 by 1000 pixels works well), add text or shapes, and read it as a PNG. This takes longer than using a pre-made pack, but you get exactly what you want.

Another option is to use screenshots or photos. Take a screenshot of something you like, crop it to a square, and use that as your icon. Some people use photos of their pets, family members, or favorite artwork.

Using iOS 16 or newer's built-in icon customization

If you have iOS 16 or newer, you can change app icons directly without creating a shortcut. Open Settings, go to "Home Screen", and tap "App Icons". Select an app and choose a new icon from the available options. Not every app offers custom icons — only apps that have built-in support for this feature will appear in the list.

This method is simpler than using Shortcuts because there's no delay when you tap the icon. However, you're limited to whatever icons the app developer has included. You can't use your own images or icon packs with this method.

You can combine both methods: use the built-in customization for apps that support it, and use Shortcuts for everything else.

Third-party launcher apps and their trade-offs

Apps like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara let you completely replace your home screen with a custom interface. You can use any icon pack you want, organize apps however you like, and avoid the Shortcuts delay. These apps are free or low-cost.

The downside is that launcher apps run in the background constantly, which can drain your battery and slow down your phone. They also can't access some iOS features — for example, you may not be able to use widgets the same way, and Siri may not work as smoothly. Some people find that switching to a launcher app makes their iPhone feel less responsive.

If you decide to try a launcher app, read it from the App Store, open it, and follow the setup instructions. You'll be asked to set it as your default home screen. You can always switch back to the standard iOS home screen in Settings if you don't like it.

Organizing custom icons into folders and groups

Once you've created custom icons, you can organize them just like regular apps. Drag one icon onto another to create a folder. Name the folder whatever you want — "Social Media", "Work", "Games", etc. You can fit up to nine icons per folder on most iPhones.

If you've customized a lot of icons, consider grouping them by category or color. This makes your home screen easier to navigate and more visually cohesive. You can also move custom icons to different pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen.

Troubleshooting common problems with custom icons

If a custom icon isn't showing up on your home screen, make sure you completed the "Add to Home Screen" step in the Shortcuts app. If it's there but the image looks blurry or stretched, the image file may be too small. Try using a larger image — at least 512 by 512 pixels.

If tapping a custom icon doesn't open the app, check that the shortcut is set up correctly. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, and tap it to test it. If it doesn't work, delete it and create a new one. If the Shortcuts app keeps asking for permission to open the app, tap "Always Allow" when prompted.

If your custom icons disappear after restarting your phone, this is usually a temporary glitch. Restart your phone again or force-close the Shortcuts app and reopen it. If icons keep disappearing, try recreating them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icons of apps I already have on my home screen without using Shortcuts?

On iOS 16 and newer, some apps let you change their icons directly through Settings without using Shortcuts. Open Settings, go to "Home Screen", and tap "App Icons" to see which apps support this. For older iOS versions or apps that don't support it, you'll need to use Shortcuts or a third-party launcher app.

Will changing my icons slow down my iPhone?

Using Shortcuts to create custom icons adds a tiny delay (about half a second) when you tap them. This won't noticeably slow down your phone overall. Third-party launcher apps can use more battery and processing power because they run constantly in the background, but most people don't notice a significant difference unless they have an older iPhone.

Can I use any image as a custom icon?

Yes, you can use any image file on your phone — photos, screenshots, downloaded icons, or images you create yourself. Square images work best and should be at least 192 pixels by 192 pixels. Rectangular or very small images may look stretched or blurry.

What happens if I delete a custom icon shortcut?

Deleting a custom icon shortcut removes it from your home screen, but it doesn't delete the app itself. The original app remains on your phone and in the App Library. You can recreate the custom icon anytime by making a new shortcut.

Do custom icons work on the lock screen?

On iOS 16 and newer, you can add shortcuts to your lock screen, which means custom icons can appear there too. Long-press your lock screen, tap "Customize", and add shortcuts as lock screen widgets. This is different from home screen icons and requires a few extra steps.