You can change app icons on iOS 18 using the Shortcuts app, which lets you create custom icons that launch the apps you use
iOS 18 does not have a built-in settings menu to change app icons the way you might change a wallpaper. Instead, you use the Shortcuts app — a free tool that comes with every iPhone — to create a custom icon that points to the app you want. When you tap the custom icon, it opens the real app. The icon itself sits on your home screen like any other app, and you can arrange it however you want.
This method works for any app on your phone. The custom icon can be a photo, an emoji, a solid color, or anything else you can create or find. The process takes about two minutes per app once you understand the steps.
Key Takeaways
- You create custom app icons using the Shortcuts app by making a shortcut that opens an app, then assigning a custom icon to that shortcut.
- The custom icon appears on your home screen as a separate item, and tapping it launches the real app behind it.
- You can use photos from your camera roll, emoji, or solid colors as your custom icon.
- The original app icon stays in your app library unchanged; the custom icon is purely visual and sits wherever you place it on your home screen.
- If you delete the shortcut, the custom icon disappears, but the original app remains on your phone.
Open Shortcuts and create a new shortcut
Tap the Shortcuts app on your home screen. If you do not see it, swipe left to reach your app library, then search for "Shortcuts" and tap it to open.
Once Shortcuts is open, tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. You will see a blank shortcut editor with a search bar at the top.
Add the app you want to customize
In the search bar, type "Open app" and tap the result that says "Open App". This action tells the shortcut to open a specific app when you tap it.
After you add "Open App", a dropdown menu appears that says "Choose". Tap it and search for the app you want to customize — for example, "Instagram", "Messages", or "Notes". Select the app from the list. The shortcut now knows which app to open.
Assign a custom icon to the shortcut
Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the shortcut editor. This opens the shortcut details menu. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen".
A new screen appears asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. The name field shows the app name by default — you can change it or leave it as is. Below the name field, you will see a small circle showing the current icon, usually the app's original icon.
Tap that circle to open the icon picker. You can now choose how your custom icon looks.
Choose your icon style
The icon picker gives you several options. You can tap "Photo" to use a picture from your camera roll, "Color" to use a solid color background, or "Emoji" to pick an emoji. Select whichever option appeals to you.
If you choose "Photo", your camera roll opens and you can select any image. If you choose "Emoji", a keyboard appears with hundreds of emoji to browse. If you choose "Color", you get a color wheel to pick any shade. After you make your choice, the preview circle updates to show your new icon.
Some people use this step to create a themed home screen — for example, all icons the same color, or all icons using a specific emoji style. Others use photos of people or places. The choice is entirely yours.
Save the shortcut to your home screen
After you set your icon, tap "Add" in the top right corner. iOS asks where you want to place the shortcut — usually "Home Screen" is already selected. Tap "Add" again, and the custom icon appears on your home screen immediately.
You can now move it around like any other app by long-pressing it and dragging it to a new position. If you want to organize it into a folder with other apps, drag it onto another app icon and iOS will create a folder automatically.
Repeat for other apps you want to customize
To change icons for more apps, go back to the Shortcuts app and tap the plus icon again. Repeat the same steps: add "Open App", choose the app, tap the three dots, select "Add to Home Screen", pick a new icon, and add it to your home screen.
You can customize as many apps as you want. Each one becomes a separate shortcut with its own custom icon. Your original apps stay in the app library untouched, so you are not replacing anything — you are creating new home screen items that point to those apps.
What to do if your custom icon does not look right
If you tap the custom icon and nothing happens, or if it opens the wrong app, go back to Shortcuts, find the shortcut in your library, tap the three dots, and select "Edit". Check that the "Open App" action is set to the correct app. If it is not, tap the dropdown and select the right one.
If you want to change the icon itself after you have created it, long-press the icon on your home screen and tap "Edit". Tap the circle icon at the top, and you can pick a new photo, emoji, or color. Tap "Done" when you finish.
If you want to remove a custom icon entirely, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen". The shortcut stays in your Shortcuts app library in case you want to add it back later, but it disappears from your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icons of apps that are already on my home screen?
No, iOS does not let you change the icon of the original app. You create a shortcut with a custom icon instead, which means you end up with two items on your home screen — the original app and the shortcut with the custom icon. Most people hide or delete the original app icon to avoid clutter.
Will the custom icon work if I delete the Shortcuts app?
No. If you delete Shortcuts, all the custom icons you created will stop working. The original apps remain on your phone, but the shortcuts that point to them disappear. Do not delete Shortcuts if you want to keep using custom icons.
Can I use a photo of my own face or a screenshot as a custom icon?
Yes. Any image in your camera roll or photos library can become a custom icon. Tap "Photo" when you are choosing your icon, select the image, and iOS will crop it to fit the circular icon shape. Screenshots, memes, and personal photos all work.
Do custom icons slow down my phone or use extra storage?
No. Shortcuts are lightweight and do not noticeably affect performance or storage. Each shortcut is just a small instruction file that tells iOS to open an app, so there is no meaningful drain on your phone's resources.
Can I share a custom icon with someone else?
Yes, but they have to recreate it themselves. You can share the shortcut by tapping the three dots in the shortcut details and selecting "Share", then sending the link to someone else. When they open the link, they can add the shortcut to their own phone, though they may need to adjust the icon or app choice to match their preferences.