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. The process uses your phone's built-in shortcut feature to create a custom launcher that points to Instagram. On iPhone, you'll use the Shortcuts app; on Android, you'll use the home screen's widget or shortcut menu. The icon you see on your home screen will change, but you're still opening the real Instagram app.
This method works on both iPhone and Android, though the exact steps differ slightly between the two. The custom icon appears on your home screen alongside your other apps, and tapping it opens Instagram normally. You can change it back anytime by deleting the shortcut and using the original app icon again.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users create a custom shortcut through the Shortcuts app, then add it to the home screen with a custom image.
- Android users can create a shortcut directly from the home screen menu or use a third-party launcher app for more icon options.
- The custom icon is a shortcut that opens Instagram—it does not change the app itself or affect how Instagram works.
- You can use any image file as your custom icon, including photos, downloaded graphics, or screenshots you create yourself.
- Changing back to the original icon takes seconds: delete the shortcut and tap the real Instagram app on your home screen.
How to Change Your Instagram Icon on iPhone
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it comes pre-installed on iOS 13 and later). Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action menu and select it. Choose Instagram from the list of apps that appears.
Tap the three dots in the top right of the shortcut editor, then select Add to Home Screen. A dialog box will appear asking for a name and icon. Type the name you want to appear under the icon (or leave it blank). Tap the icon preview image to choose a custom picture. You can take a photo, select one from your photo library, or use a downloaded image file. Once you've chosen your image, tap Add in the top right. The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with your custom icon.
If you want to change the icon later, long-press the shortcut on your home screen, select Edit Home Screen, tap the icon again, and choose a new image. To remove it, long-press and select Remove.
How to Change Your Instagram Icon on Android
The process on Android depends on which launcher your phone uses. Most Android phones come with Google Launcher or a manufacturer's default launcher (Samsung, OnePlus, etc.). Each has slightly different steps, but the basic idea is the same: create a shortcut to Instagram and assign it a custom image.
On most Android phones, long-press an empty area of your home screen and select Widgets or Shortcuts. Look for an option called App Shortcut or Create Shortcut. Select Instagram from the list. Long-press the new shortcut, tap Edit, and look for an option to change the icon or image. Select a picture from your phone's files or gallery. Tap Save or Done. The custom icon will now appear on your home screen.
If your phone's launcher does not support custom icons natively, you can read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which offer more customization options. Install the launcher, set it as your default, and follow the same shortcut process with more icon choices available.
Finding and Creating Custom Instagram Icons
You can use any image as your custom icon. Many people read pre-made Instagram icon packs from websites like Flaticon, Icons8, or Noun Project. Search for "Instagram icon" and read a PNG or JPG file to your phone's photo library. Make sure the image is square (equal width and height) for the best appearance on your home screen.
You can also create your own icon using a photo editing app like Canva (free version available) or Pixlr. Design a square image with the dimensions 512 × 512 pixels or larger, then save it to your phone. When you assign it as your shortcut icon, the app will automatically resize it to fit your home screen.
If you want to use a screenshot of something specific—like a photo, a piece of text, or a design—take the screenshot, crop it to a square in your phone's photo editor, and use that as your icon. The image will be scaled down to icon size, so make sure any details are large enough to be visible when small.
Troubleshooting Common Icon Change Problems
If your custom icon does not appear after you create the shortcut, restart your phone and check your home screen again. Sometimes the icon takes a moment to render. If it still does not show, try deleting the shortcut and creating it again, making sure you selected Add to Home Screen (iPhone) or Save (Android).
On iPhone, if the Shortcuts app is not on your home screen, swipe left through your app library pages until you find it, or search for "Shortcuts" in Spotlight. On Android, if you do not see a Widgets or Shortcuts option when you long-press the home screen, your launcher may not support this feature—try downloading a third-party launcher instead.
If the icon image looks blurry or pixelated, the original image file may be too small. Use an image that is at least 512 × 512 pixels, or read a higher-resolution version. Square images work best; if your image is rectangular, the system will crop it, which may cut off important details.
What Happens When You Change Your Icon
Changing your app icon does not change how Instagram works or affect your account in any way. You are creating a shortcut—a launcher that points to the real app. When you tap the custom icon, it opens Instagram exactly as if you had tapped the original app icon. Your login, messages, followers, and all your data remain unchanged.
The original Instagram app icon will still appear in your app library or app drawer (depending on your phone). You can have both the custom icon and the original icon on your home screen if you want, though most people delete the original once they have the custom version set up. Deleting the shortcut does not uninstall Instagram; it only removes the custom launcher from your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my icon affect my Instagram account or login?
No. The custom icon is only a visual change on your home screen. It opens the same Instagram app you have always used, so your account, messages, followers, and all your data stay exactly the same. Instagram has no way of knowing you changed the icon.
Can I use any image as my custom icon?
Yes, any image file on your phone can be used. Square images (equal width and height) work best and will display without cropping. Images that are at least 512 × 512 pixels will look sharp; smaller images may appear blurry when scaled down to icon size.
What if I want to change my icon back to the original?
Delete the custom shortcut from your home screen by long-pressing it and selecting Remove (iPhone) or Delete (Android). The original Instagram app icon will still be in your app library. Tap it to open Instagram normally, or drag it back to your home screen if you want the original icon visible again.
Do I need to read anything extra to change my icon?
On iPhone, you only need the built-in Shortcuts app, which comes with iOS 13 and later. On Android, most phones support shortcuts natively through the home screen menu. If your phone does not, you can read a free third-party launcher like Nova Launcher to enable custom icons.
Can I change my icon to a photo of myself or a friend?
Yes. Take a photo or screenshot, crop it to a square shape in your phone's photo editor, and use it as your custom icon. The image will be scaled down to fit the icon size, so make sure any important details are large enough to remain visible when small.