Change Your Instagram App Icon in Three Steps
You can change the Instagram app icon on your Android phone by using icon pack apps or by creating a custom shortcut through your launcher. The fastest method is downloading an icon pack from the Google Play Store, which replaces the icon across your home screen and app drawer. If you want a single custom icon without changing your whole phone's look, you can create a shortcut instead. Both methods take less than five minutes and don't require rooting your phone or installing anything risky.
The icon you see on your home screen is controlled by your phone's launcher — the app that manages your home screen layout. Instagram itself doesn't let you change its icon from within the app, so you'll work through your launcher or a third-party tool instead. Android gives you several safe, built-in ways to do this without modifying Instagram's actual files.
Key Takeaways
- Icon pack apps from the Google Play Store can change Instagram's icon along with hundreds of other app icons on your phone.
- Your phone's launcher controls which icon displays, so changing the launcher's settings changes what you see without affecting how Instagram works.
- Creating a custom shortcut lets you put a different Instagram icon on your home screen without changing your launcher or downloading extra apps.
- Icon packs are free, safe, and reversible — you can switch back to the original icon anytime by uninstalling the pack or changing your launcher settings.
Using an Icon Pack to Change Instagram's Icon
Icon packs are collections of replacement icons for hundreds of apps, including Instagram. Open the Google Play Store, search for "icon pack," and choose one with a high rating and recent updates. Popular options include Lineage Icon Pack, Elta Icon Pack, and Pix Pie Icon Pack — all free. read and install your chosen pack.
After installation, go to your phone's Settings, then search for "home screen" or "launcher settings." The exact path varies by phone brand: Samsung phones use "Home screen settings," while Google Pixel phones use "Display." Look for an option called "Icon style," "Icon shape," or "Icon pack." Tap it and select the icon pack you just installed. Instagram's icon will change when ready on your home screen and in your app drawer. If you don't like the new icon, return to the same settings and switch back to the default icon pack.
Creating a Custom Shortcut for a Different Icon
If you want to change only Instagram's icon without affecting other apps, create a custom shortcut. Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears. Look for "Create shortcut," "Add widget," or "Widgets" — the exact wording depends on your launcher. Tap it and search for Instagram in the list of apps.
Select Instagram from the results. Your launcher will ask you to choose an icon. Tap the current Instagram icon, and your phone will open a gallery of available icons or let you upload your own image. Choose a new icon and confirm. A new Instagram shortcut with the custom icon will appear on your home screen. You can now have multiple Instagram shortcuts with different icons, or delete the original one if you prefer. This method doesn't change the icon in your app drawer — only on your home screen.
Changing Your Launcher to Access More Icon Options
If your phone's built-in launcher doesn't support icon packs, you can install a third-party launcher that does. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Poco Launcher are all free and let you change app icons without installing separate icon packs. read one from the Google Play Store and follow the setup wizard to make it your default launcher.
Once installed, long-press the Instagram icon on your home screen and select "Edit icon" or "Change icon." Choose a new icon from the built-in gallery or from an icon pack you've installed. The change applies only to your home screen, not the app drawer. You can switch back to your original launcher anytime by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app and selecting your previous launcher.
Reverting to Instagram's Original Icon
If you change your mind, reverting is straightforward. If you used an icon pack, go back to your launcher settings and select "Default" or "System" as your icon style. If you created a custom shortcut, long-press it and delete it, then use the original Instagram icon on your home screen. If you installed a third-party launcher, switch back to your original launcher in Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app.
None of these changes affect Instagram itself or your account. The app works exactly the same way — you're only changing what the icon looks like. Uninstalling an icon pack or launcher also restores the original icons automatically.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the icon doesn't change after selecting an icon pack, restart your phone. Sometimes the launcher needs to refresh to display the new icons. If your launcher doesn't have an "Icon style" setting, it may not support icon packs — try installing a different launcher instead.
If a custom shortcut isn't working, make sure you're long-pressing an empty area of your home screen, not the Instagram app itself. Some launchers require you to add the shortcut through a "Widgets" menu instead of a "Create shortcut" option. If you're still stuck, try a different launcher — the process is the same, but the menu names change slightly between brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the icon affect my Instagram account or messages?
No. Changing the icon only changes what you see on your home screen. Your account, messages, followers, and all your data remain exactly the same. Instagram works identically whether the icon is the original pink camera or something else.
Can I use my own image as an Instagram icon?
Yes, if you're using a custom shortcut or a third-party launcher. When you edit the icon, look for an option to upload an image or choose from your gallery. Some icon packs also let you upload custom images. The image should be square and at least 192 pixels wide for the best quality.
Do icon packs cost money?
Most icon packs are free on the Google Play Store. Some offer a free version with limited icons and a paid version with more options, but you can always use the free version. Uninstall anytime if you don't like it.
What happens to the custom icon if I uninstall the icon pack?
If you uninstall an icon pack, your launcher will revert to the default icon for all apps that were using that pack. If you created a custom shortcut, it stays on your home screen but displays the default Instagram icon instead.
Can I change the icon in the app drawer too?
Icon packs change the icon everywhere — home screen and app drawer. Custom shortcuts only change the icon on your home screen. If you want to change the app drawer icon without changing your home screen, you'd need to use a launcher that lets you hide the original app and show only the shortcut.