You can change app icons on iOS 16 and later using the Shortcuts app
Apple added the ability to create custom app icons in iOS 16. The process uses the Shortcuts app — a built-in tool that lets you automate tasks — to create a shortcut that opens an app but displays a different icon on your home screen. When you tap the custom icon, it runs the shortcut, which then opens the app you chose.
This method works on iPhone and iPad running iOS 16 or later. The custom icon appears on your home screen like any other app, but the original app icon remains unchanged in your App Library. You can have both the original and custom versions on your home screen at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- Custom app icons are created using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into iOS 16 and later.
- You can use any image as a custom icon — a photo, emoji, symbol, or image from the web.
- The custom icon is actually a shortcut that opens the app, so tapping it runs the shortcut first before opening the app.
- You can delete custom icons from your home screen without affecting the original app.
- Some apps may not work with this method if they have restrictions that prevent shortcuts from opening them.
How to create a custom app icon using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the search box and tap it to add that action to your shortcut.
Tap "Choose" under the Open App action, then select the app you want to customize. Once you've chosen the app, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the shortcut details. Tap "Add to Home Screen" at the bottom of the menu.
A dialog box will appear asking for a name and icon. Type the name you want to appear under the icon on your home screen. Then tap the icon preview image to choose a custom icon. You can use an emoji, a photo from your library, or a symbol from the SF Symbols library that Apple provides.
After you've selected your icon and name, tap "Add" in the top right. iOS will ask where you want to place the icon on your home screen — choose your location and tap "Add" again. The custom icon now appears on your home screen.
Where to find images and emojis for custom icons
The easiest option is to use an emoji. When you tap the icon preview in the shortcut details, you'll see an emoji keyboard at the bottom. Scroll through and tap any emoji to use it as your icon. This is fast and requires no additional apps or downloads.
You can also use photos from your camera roll. Tap the photo icon in the icon picker, then select an image from your library. iOS will crop it to a square and use that as your icon.
For more design options, websites like Icons8, Flaticon, and Noun Project offer free downloadable icon images. Save an image to your phone, then use the photo option in the icon picker to select it. Some people also create custom icons in design apps like Canva or Pixelmator, then save them to their camera roll.
Organizing custom icons on your home screen
Custom icons behave like regular app icons — you can move them, delete them, and organize them into folders. Long-press a custom icon to drag it to a new location or into a folder with other apps.
If you want to remove a custom icon from your home screen but keep the original app, long-press the custom icon and tap "Remove from Home Screen." The original app remains in your App Library and on any other home screens where you placed it.
You can create multiple custom icons for the same app with different names and images. For example, you could have one icon labeled "Messages" with a blue emoji and another labeled "Text Mom" with a heart emoji, both opening the Messages app. Each custom icon is a separate shortcut, so you can organize them however you like.
Why custom icons might not work with some apps
Most apps work fine with this method, but some apps have restrictions that prevent shortcuts from opening them. Banking apps, password managers, and some security-focused apps may not allow the Open App action to work.
If you create a shortcut for an app and it doesn't open when you tap the custom icon, the app likely has these restrictions. In that case, you'll need to use the original app icon instead. There's no workaround for this — it's a security feature built into those apps.
Troubleshooting custom app icons
If a custom icon doesn't open the app when you tap it, first check that you're running iOS 16 or later. Go to Settings, then General, then About to see your iOS version. If you're on an older version, you won't be able to use custom icons.
If the icon appears but tapping it does nothing, try deleting the shortcut and creating it again. Sometimes the shortcut doesn't save properly the first time. Long-press the icon, tap "Remove from Home Screen," then create a new shortcut using the steps above.
If the app opens very slowly when you tap the custom icon, that's normal — the shortcut has to run before it can open the app, which adds a second or two to the process. This delay is unavoidable with this method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of an app without using Shortcuts?
No. Apple only allows custom icons through the Shortcuts app method. You cannot change app icons directly in Settings or through any other built-in iOS feature. Third-party apps that claim to change icons are actually creating shortcuts behind the scenes, just like the manual method.
Will changing an app icon affect how the app works?
No. The custom icon is only a visual change on your home screen. The app itself works exactly the same way. All your data, settings, and notifications remain unchanged.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the shortcut itself through the Shortcuts app. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and tap "Share." You can send it via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop. When someone else opens the shared shortcut, they can add it to their home screen with the same custom icon.
What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?
If you delete Shortcuts, your custom icons will stop working because they're shortcuts. The original apps remain on your phone and in your App Library, but the custom icons on your home screen will show an error. Reinstalling Shortcuts will restore them.
Can I use animated images or GIFs as custom icons?
No. iOS only supports static images for custom icons. If you try to use an animated GIF, it will display as a still image. The animation won't play on the home screen.