Change Your Instagram App Icon in Three Steps
You can change the icon that appears on your phone's home screen for Instagram without downloading a separate app or jailbreaking your device. The process uses your phone's built-in shortcuts feature to create a custom launcher that opens Instagram when you tap it. On iPhone, this takes about two minutes using the Shortcuts app. On Android, you'll use either Google Home or a third-party launcher app, depending on your phone model.
The custom icon replaces what you see on your home screen only — Instagram itself stays the same, and your account, messages, and photos are unaffected. You can have multiple Instagram icons on your home screen if you want, each pointing to the same account or different accounts.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut that opens Instagram, then add it to the home screen with a custom icon and name.
- Android users can change the icon through their phone's launcher settings, or read a third-party launcher app if their default launcher doesn't support icon customization.
- The custom icon is a shortcut or launcher button — it doesn't change Instagram itself, and your account and messages remain exactly the same.
- You can delete the custom icon anytime by holding it and selecting remove, just like any other app icon.
How to Change the Instagram Icon on iPhone
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it comes pre-installed on iOS 12 and newer). Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action menu, then select it.
Tap "App" in the action that appears, then search for and select Instagram. Now tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor, then tap "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear where you can name your shortcut and choose an icon. Tap the icon preview image to open the icon picker, then either choose a preset image, take a photo, or select an image from your photo library. Once you've chosen your icon and named the shortcut, tap "Add" in the top right. The new icon will appear on your home screen.
How to Change the Instagram Icon on Android
The method depends on which launcher your Android phone uses. Most Samsung phones come with Samsung One UI Launcher, Google Pixel phones use Google Launcher, and other brands vary. To check which launcher you have, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps (or Home app) and look at what's listed.
If your phone uses Google Launcher, hold the Instagram icon on your home screen, then tap "Edit icon" or the pencil icon that appears. You'll see options to choose a new image from your gallery, emoji, or preset icons. Select your choice and tap "Done." If your launcher doesn't show an edit option, you can read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher from the Google Play Store, install it, set it as your default launcher in Settings, and then use that launcher's icon customization feature.
Choosing an Icon Image That Works
The best custom icons are square images with a transparent background, though your phone will crop and resize whatever you upload. If you're using a photo, make sure the main subject is centered and visible at small sizes — details get lost when the icon shrinks to fit your home screen.
You can find free icon packs online, use emoji, or create your own in a photo editor. If you want the icon to match your phone's style, look for icon packs in your app store that match your launcher — many are free. Keep in mind that the icon you choose is only what appears on your home screen; it doesn't change how Instagram looks when you open it.
Fixing Icons That Don't Work or Disappear
If your custom icon stops working or disappears, the most common cause is that you've updated iOS or Android and the shortcut or launcher setting reset. On iPhone, straightforward recreate the shortcut using the steps above — it usually takes less than a minute the second time. On Android, check that your launcher is still set as the default in Settings, and if not, select it again.
If the icon opens Instagram but then crashes, try deleting the shortcut or launcher icon and creating a new one. If Instagram itself crashes when you tap the custom icon but opens fine when you tap the regular Instagram app, the issue is with the shortcut, not Instagram — delete it and recreate it from scratch.
Removing or Replacing Your Custom Icon
To remove a custom icon on iPhone, hold it until a menu appears, then tap "Remove from Home Screen." The shortcut itself stays in your Shortcuts app, so you can add it back anytime. To delete it completely, open the Shortcuts app, swipe left on the shortcut, and tap the trash icon.
On Android, hold the icon and tap "Remove from home screen." If you used a third-party launcher, you can also uninstall the launcher app itself, which will remove all custom icons it created. To replace an icon without deleting it, hold it and tap "Edit icon" (iPhone) or the pencil/edit option (Android), then choose a new image.
Why Your Custom Icon Might Look Different Than Expected
Your phone's operating system may explore a visual effect to your custom icon, such as a shadow, rounded corners, or a background shape. This is normal and happens automatically — you can't turn it off on most phones. The icon will look slightly different on your home screen than the original image you chose, but it will still be recognizable.
If your icon looks blurry or pixelated, the image you chose was too small. Use an image that's at least 512 × 512 pixels for the clearest result. If you used a photo with a busy background, consider cropping it to focus on a single subject, which will be easier to see at icon size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my icon affect my Instagram account or messages?
No. The custom icon is only a shortcut or launcher button on your home screen. Your account, messages, photos, followers, and everything else in Instagram remain exactly the same. You're just changing what the opening button looks like.
Can I have multiple Instagram icons on my home screen?
Yes. You can create as many shortcuts or launcher icons as you want, each with a different image. They can all open the same Instagram account, or if you have multiple accounts, you can set them up to open different accounts by creating separate shortcuts for each one.
What if I don't have the Shortcuts app on my iPhone?
The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on iOS 12 and newer. If you don't see it, go to the App Store, search for "Shortcuts," and install it. It's free and made by Apple.
Can I use a video or animated image as my custom icon?
No. Custom icons must be still images — either photos, emoji, or preset graphics. Videos and animated GIFs won't work as home screen icons on either iPhone or Android.
What happens if I uninstall Instagram?
Your custom icon will stop working and may show an error message when you tap it. If you reinstall Instagram later, the custom icon will work again. If you want to remove the icon from your home screen, hold it and select remove.