Change Your Instagram App Icon in Three Steps
You can change the Instagram app icon on your home screen without downloading a separate app or jailbreaking your phone. On iPhone, you use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon that opens Instagram when tapped. On Android, you use your launcher's built-in customization feature or a third-party launcher. Both methods take about five minutes and work with the official Instagram app.
The icon you create is a shortcut or widget — it points to the real Instagram app, so your messages, followers, and account stay exactly the same. You can change it back to the original icon anytime, and Instagram updates normally through the App Store or Google Play.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users create a custom icon using the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on iOS 13 and newer.
- Android users can customize the app icon through their launcher settings or by downloading a third-party launcher like Nova or Microsoft Launcher.
- The custom icon is a shortcut that opens the real Instagram app — your account and data do not change.
- You can revert to the original icon at any time by deleting the shortcut or changing your launcher settings back.
How to Change the Instagram Icon on iPhone Using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you do not see it on your home screen, swipe left to find it or search for "Shortcuts" in Spotlight. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select "Open App" from the results. A menu will appear asking which app to open — tap "Choose" and select Instagram from the list. You should now see a card that says "Open Instagram".
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 icon. Type the name you want (for example, "Instagram" or "IG"), then tap the circular icon preview below the name field.
You can now choose a custom image. Tap "Choose Photo" to pick an image from your camera roll, or tap "Choose Color" to pick a solid color background with text or an emoji. Once you have chosen your icon, tap "Add" in the top right. The shortcut will be added to your home screen with the custom icon you selected.
How to Change the Instagram Icon on Android
The method depends on which launcher your phone uses. Most Android phones come with Google Launcher (called "Pixel Launcher" on Google Pixel phones) or Samsung's One UI Launcher. Check which one you have by long-pressing your home screen — you should see the launcher name at the bottom.
For Google Launcher: Long-press the Instagram app icon on your home screen. Tap "Edit icon" or the pencil icon that appears. You can now choose a new image from your photos or emoji library. Select your new icon and tap "explore" or "Save".
For Samsung One UI Launcher: Long-press the Instagram app icon. Tap "Edit icon" from the menu. Choose a new image or emoji, then tap "Done" or "explore".
For other launchers: If your phone uses a different launcher, long-press the home screen and look for "Settings" or "Launcher Settings". Look for an option called "Icon Pack" or "Customize Icons". You may need to read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher to change individual app icons — these apps let you customize any icon without affecting the app itself.
Choosing a Custom Icon That Works
The best custom icons are straightforward, recognizable, and different enough from other apps that you can find Instagram quickly on your home screen. Avoid icons that are too small or have low contrast — they become hard to see at a glance.
If you are using a photo, make sure it is at least 512 by 512 pixels. Smaller images may look blurry when enlarged to fill the icon space. Solid colors with white text or emoji work well and load faster than photos.
Test your icon by placing it next to other apps on your home screen. If it blends in too much with your other icons, choose something with more contrast. You can always change it again later.
Reverting to the Original Instagram Icon
On iPhone, open the Shortcuts app, find the Instagram shortcut you created, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Delete Shortcut". The custom icon will disappear from your home screen. You can then add the real Instagram app back to your home screen by searching for it in the App Store or by long-pressing your home screen and tapping "Add Apps".
On Android, long-press the custom Instagram icon and select "Remove from Home Screen" or "Uninstall". If you used a launcher app to customize the icon, open your launcher settings and reset the icon to default. The original Instagram app icon will return.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The shortcut does not open Instagram: On iPhone, make sure Instagram is installed on your phone and that you selected it correctly in the Shortcuts app. Delete the shortcut and create a new one, being careful to choose Instagram from the app list. On Android, make sure Instagram is installed and that your launcher supports icon customization.
The custom icon looks blurry or stretched: Use an image that is at least 512 by 512 pixels. If you are using a photo, crop it to a square before uploading it to your shortcut or launcher. Solid colors and emoji usually display more clearly than photos.
The shortcut is slow to open Instagram: On iPhone, this is normal the first time you tap it — the Shortcuts app needs a moment to launch. Subsequent taps should be faster. If it remains slow, delete and recreate the shortcut. On Android, make sure your phone has enough free storage space.
Instagram notifications do not appear: Custom icons created through Shortcuts or launcher customization do not receive notifications the way the original app does. If you need notifications, keep the original Instagram app on your home screen or check Instagram regularly through your custom icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the icon affect my Instagram account or messages?
No. The custom icon is just a shortcut to the real Instagram app. Your account, followers, messages, and all your data stay exactly the same. You are not creating a new account or changing how Instagram works — you are only changing how it looks on your home screen.
Can I use any image as a custom icon?
Yes, but the image works best if it is square, at least 512 by 512 pixels, and has good contrast so it is straightforward to see on your home screen. You can use photos, screenshots, emoji, or solid colors. Avoid images that are too detailed or too similar to other app icons on your phone.
Do I need to read a special app to change the Instagram icon?
On iPhone, you only need the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed. On Android, most launchers have built-in customization, so you do not need to read anything. If your launcher does not support icon changes, you can read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.
What happens when Instagram updates?
Instagram updates normally through the App Store or Google Play. Your custom icon continues to work and will open the updated version of the app. You do not need to recreate the shortcut or change your launcher settings.
Can I have multiple Instagram icons with different images?
Yes. On iPhone, you can create multiple shortcuts to Instagram, each with a different icon and name. On Android, you can create multiple launcher shortcuts or widgets pointing to Instagram. Each one will open the same Instagram account.