How to change an app icon depends on your device and operating system
Changing an app icon works differently on iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac. iPhone and Mac let you customize icons natively through their settings or shortcuts apps. Android offers several methods depending on your phone's manufacturer and launcher. Windows has the fewest built-in options but still allows icon changes through file properties. The method you use also depends on whether you want to change just the visual appearance or create a custom shortcut with a new icon.
On all platforms, changing an icon affects only how the app appears on your home screen, dock, or launcher — it does not change how the app works or performs. The process takes between two and ten minutes depending on your device and whether you already have a custom icon image ready.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can change app icons through the Shortcuts app by creating custom shortcuts that point to existing apps.
- Android users can change icons through their phone's launcher settings, third-party launchers, or by using icon pack apps.
- Mac users can change app icons by right-clicking the app, selecting Get Info, and pasting a new icon image into the icon well.
- Windows users can change app icons by right-clicking a shortcut, selecting Properties, and choosing a new icon from the system files or a custom image.
- Icon changes on iPhone and Android typically affect only how the app appears on your home screen, not the app itself.
Changing app icons on iPhone using Shortcuts
The easiest way to change an iPhone app icon is through the Shortcuts app, which comes built into iOS. Open Shortcuts, tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut, then search for and select the app you want to customize. Tap Add to Shortcut, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Add to Home Screen.
When prompted, give your shortcut a name and tap the icon preview (usually showing the app's original icon). Choose "Choose Photo" to select an image from your library, take a new photo, or use an emoji. Once you confirm, the shortcut appears on your home screen with your custom icon. Tapping it opens the app normally, but the home screen now displays your chosen icon instead of the original.
This method creates a shortcut rather than changing the app itself, so your original app icon still appears in your App Library. You can create multiple shortcuts to the same app with different icons if you want. The shortcut will continue to work and display your custom icon even after you update the app.
Changing app icons on Android through launcher settings
Most Android phones let you change app icons directly through your launcher's settings. Long-press on the app icon you want to change, then look for an "Edit" or "Customize" option in the menu that appears. Some launchers show a pencil icon or let you tap and hold to access icon options. The exact steps vary by manufacturer — Samsung phones, Google Pixel phones, and other brands each have slightly different menus.
If your phone's default launcher doesn't offer this feature, download a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher from the Google Play Store. Install it, set it as your default launcher, then long-press the app icon and select the edit option. Most third-party launchers let you choose from built-in icon packs or upload your own image.
Alternatively, download an icon pack app like Lineage Icon Pack or Evo Icon Pack, which changes the appearance of multiple apps at once. Install the icon pack, then go to your launcher settings and select it as your active icon theme. This approach changes many app icons simultaneously rather than one at a time, and the changes persist after app updates.
Changing app icons on Mac
On Mac, right-click the app you want to customize in your Applications folder and select "Get Info" from the menu. A window opens showing the app's details, with a small icon in the top left corner. Click that icon once to select it, then press Command+C to copy it.
Find a new icon image online or create one yourself (PNG or ICNS format works best). Copy that image to your clipboard, then return to the Get Info window and click the app's icon again. Press Command+V to paste the new icon over the original. Close the Get Info window, and the app's icon on your dock and in Finder now displays your custom image.
If you want to revert to the original icon, open Get Info again, click the icon, and press Delete. Mac will restore the default icon automatically. Custom icons you apply to app files remain in place after app updates, though some major updates may occasionally overwrite them.
Changing app icons on Windows
Windows doesn't let you change app icons directly in most cases, but you can change the icon of a shortcut. Right-click the app shortcut on your desktop or taskbar and select "Properties." In the Properties window, click the "Shortcut" tab, then click "Change Icon" near the bottom.
A dialog box opens showing available system icons. Browse through the options or click "Browse" to select a custom image file from your computer. Choose your new icon and click OK twice to apply the change. The shortcut now displays your selected icon instead of the original.
If you want to change the icon of an app pinned to your Start menu or taskbar, you'll need to create a desktop shortcut first, change its icon using the method above, then pin that shortcut to the Start menu or taskbar instead. This workaround takes a few extra steps but gives you full control over how the app appears.
Using icon packs and custom icon libraries
Icon packs are collections of custom icons designed to work together visually. On Android, icon packs are the fastest way to change many app icons at once. Popular options include Lineage, Evo, Asymmetric, and Whicons. Download one from the Google Play Store, install it, then select it in your launcher's settings under Themes or Icon Packs.
On iPhone, you can't install icon packs directly, but websites like Icons8 and Flaticon offer free downloadable icons you can use with the Shortcuts method described earlier. Download an icon, save it to your Photos app, then create a shortcut and assign it as the custom icon. This takes longer than using an icon pack on Android, but gives you more control over which icons you change.
On Mac and Windows, websites like Deviantart and Iconarchive host free custom icon sets. Download the icons you want, then follow the Mac or Windows instructions above to apply them to your apps or shortcuts. Many of these sites organize icons by category or style, making it easier to find a cohesive set that matches your preferences.
What happens when you update an app after changing its icon
On iPhone, custom icons created through Shortcuts remain unchanged when you update the app. The shortcut still points to the updated app, and your custom icon stays in place. This is one advantage of the Shortcuts method — your customization is separate from the app itself.
On Android, icon changes through your launcher typically persist after app updates. However, if you use an icon pack, the app's icon may revert to the pack's design if the app receives a major update or if the icon pack is updated. Most users find this acceptable since icon packs are designed to be cohesive across many apps.
On Mac and Windows, custom icons you've applied to app files or shortcuts remain in place after updates. However, if you change the icon of the app file itself (rather than a shortcut), some major updates may overwrite your custom icon and restore the original. Creating a shortcut instead of modifying the app directly protects your customization from being overwritten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change an app icon without creating a shortcut on iPhone?
Not through native iPhone settings. The Shortcuts app method creates a shortcut rather than modifying the app itself, which is why your original app icon still appears in the App Library. This is a limitation of iOS — Apple does not allow direct icon customization of installed apps.
Will changing an app icon affect how the app works?
No. Changing an icon only changes how the app appears on your home screen, dock, or launcher. The app's functionality, performance, and behavior remain exactly the same. You are only modifying the visual representation.
What image formats work best for custom app icons?
PNG files work on all platforms and preserve transparency, making them ideal for custom icons. On Mac, ICNS format is native but less common. On Windows, ICO format is standard but PNG also works. For iPhone and Android, PNG is your safest choice. Square images at 512x512 pixels or larger work best and scale properly across different screen sizes.
Can I change icons for system apps like Settings or Mail?
On iPhone, you can create a Shortcuts shortcut that opens Settings or Mail and assign it a custom icon, but you cannot change the original system app's icon. On Android, system apps can usually be customized through your launcher or icon pack just like any other app. On Mac and Windows, system apps are typically protected and cannot have their icons changed directly.
Do I need to download anything to change app icons?
On iPhone, you only need the built-in Shortcuts app. On Android, your default launcher may have icon customization built in, but third-party launchers like Nova Launcher offer more options. On Mac and Windows, no downloads are required — you can use the built-in tools. Icon packs and custom icon libraries are optional if you want pre-designed icons rather than creating your own.