You can change how app icons look on your iPhone in three main ways
iPhone lets you swap out the standard app icons for custom ones, but the method depends on which version of iOS you're running and how much control you want. The simplest approach uses the Shortcuts app to create custom icons that launch your apps. A second method uses Focus modes to hide apps and change your home screen layout. A third involves jailbreaking, which voids your warranty and isn't covered here. Most people use the Shortcuts method because it works on iOS 14 and later, requires no special tools, and takes about five minutes per icon.
The catch: custom icons created through Shortcuts don't replace the original icon—they sit on top of it as a separate shortcut. When you tap the custom icon, it opens the app. The original app icon stays in your app library. This means you're not actually changing the icon itself, but creating a launcher that looks different. If you want the icon to disappear from your home screen entirely, you can move the original app to a folder or hide it in a Focus mode.
Key Takeaways
- The Shortcuts app method works on iOS 14 and later and lets you create custom icons that launch any app you choose.
- You'll need an image file for your custom icon, which can come from your Photos app, a downloaded image, or an app like Canva.
- Each custom icon is technically a shortcut, not a replacement of the original icon, so the original app stays in your app library.
- You can hide the original app icon by moving it to a folder, deleting it from your home screen, or using a Focus mode to hide it entirely.
Creating a custom icon using the Shortcuts app
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Select the app you want to create an icon for—let's say Instagram. The shortcut now contains one action: opening Instagram.
Next, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor and select "Add to Home Screen." A menu appears asking for a name and icon. Change the name to whatever you want the icon labeled as (or leave it blank if you prefer no label). Tap the icon preview—it will show the app's default icon. Tap it again to choose a different image.
You can take a photo, choose an image from your Photos app, or use an image you've downloaded. Once you select an image, it becomes your custom icon. Tap "Add" in the top right, then "Add to Home Screen" again. Choose where on your home screen you want it to appear, then tap "Add." The custom icon now appears on your home screen and launches the app when tapped.
Finding or creating icon images
You need an image file to use as your custom icon. The image should be square (1024 by 1024 pixels is ideal, but anything close works). Several places to find or make icons: download icon packs from websites like Flaticon or Icons8, use a design app like Canva (which has free icon templates), take a screenshot of something you like and crop it, or use your own photos.
If you want a polished look, Canva is the easiest option. Open Canva on your phone, search for "app icon," choose a template, customize it with text or colors, and download it as an image. The downloaded image goes to your Photos app automatically. From there, you can use it in the Shortcuts method described above.
Some people download entire icon packs—sets of matching icons designed for a specific aesthetic. These come as ZIP files that you download to your computer, then transfer to your phone via Files app or cloud storage. Once the images are in your Photos app, you can use any of them as custom icons.
Hiding the original app icon after creating a custom one
After you create a custom icon, the original app icon still appears in your app library. If you want a cleaner home screen, you can hide it. The simplest way: long-press the original app icon on your home screen and select "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays installed and searchable, but the icon disappears from your home screen. You can still find it by swiping down and searching, or by opening the App Library.
A second option is to move the original app into a folder. Long-press the app icon, drag it onto another app icon, and iOS creates a folder. You can name the folder something like "Hidden" or "Originals" and tuck it away on a later home screen page. The app is still there, just out of sight.
The most aggressive option is to use a Focus mode. Go to Settings > Focus, create a new Focus (or edit an existing one), and under "Allowed Notifications" or "Home Screen," you can choose which apps appear. When that Focus is active, certain apps and their icons can be hidden from your home screen entirely. This is useful if you want different home screens for work versus personal use.
Organizing multiple custom icons on your home screen
If you're creating custom icons for many apps, your home screen can get crowded fast. Plan your layout before you start. Decide which apps get custom icons and which keep their defaults. Group related apps together—social media in one area, productivity in another. This makes your home screen easier to scan and looks intentional rather than chaotic.
You can also use home screen pages strategically. Put your most-used custom icons on the first page, less-used ones on later pages. iOS lets you have up to 15 home screen pages, so you have plenty of room. Long-press an empty area of your home screen and tap the dots at the bottom to see all your pages and rearrange them.
Consider using icon sizes consistently. If all your custom icons are the same size and style, your home screen will look more cohesive. If you're mixing different icon designs, try to keep them within the same color palette or aesthetic so they don't clash.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your custom icon doesn't appear on your home screen after you create it, check that you completed the "Add to Home Screen" step. Sometimes the shortcut is created but not added to the home screen. Go back into the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut you created, tap the three dots, and select "Add to Home Screen" again.
If the custom icon opens a web page or shows an error instead of opening the app, the shortcut may not have been set up correctly. Delete the shortcut and create a new one, making sure you selected "Open App" as the action and chose the correct app from the list. Some apps (like certain games) may not work with this method.
If you want to edit a custom icon after creating it, long-press the icon on your home screen and select "Edit." This opens the shortcut editor where you can change the image, name, or the app it launches. Make your changes and tap "Done" to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change icons on apps I didn't download?
Yes. Built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Settings can all have custom icons created through Shortcuts. Search for the app name in the "Open App" action and select it, then follow the same process. The custom icon will launch the built-in app just like a downloaded one.
Will changing my icon affect how the app works?
No. The app itself runs exactly the same way. You're only changing how it looks on your home screen. The custom icon is a shortcut that opens the app—it doesn't modify the app's code or features.
Can I use animated GIFs or videos as custom icons?
No. Custom icons must be static images. GIFs and videos won't work. Stick to JPG, PNG, or other standard image formats. The image will display as a still frame on your home screen.
What happens if I delete the custom icon shortcut?
The shortcut disappears from your home screen, but the original app remains installed and unaffected. You can recreate the custom icon anytime by making a new shortcut. Your photos and downloaded images stay in your Photos app.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the shortcut itself through the Shortcuts app—tap the three dots and select "Share." Other people can open the shared shortcut link and add it to their phone. However, they'll need the same image file you used, so sharing works best if you also send them the icon image separately.