How to Change an Application's Icon on Any Device

Changing an app icon is one of those customization tasks that looks simple on the surface — until you realize the method depends entirely on your operating system, the type of app, and how much control your platform actually gives you. Here's a clear breakdown of how it works across the major platforms, and what determines whether the process is quick or complicated.

Why App Icons Can Be Changed (And Why It's Not Always Easy)

Every app icon is essentially an image file — typically a PNG or SVG — stored either within the app's installation package or referenced by the operating system's shell. The key variable is who controls that reference: the OS, the app itself, or a third-party launcher.

On some platforms, changing icons is a built-in, supported feature. On others, it requires workarounds, third-party tools, or developer-level access. Understanding which category your situation falls into saves a lot of frustration.

How to Change App Icons on iOS (iPhone and iPad)

Apple introduced native icon customization in iOS 14 through the Shortcuts app, and it remains the standard method for non-jailbroken devices.

Method: Using the Shortcuts App

1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Tap the + button to create a new shortcut
3. Add the action "Open App" and select your target app
4. Tap the shortcut name at the top, then select "Add to Home Screen"
5. Tap the icon preview image and choose "Choose Photo" or "Choose File" to select your custom image
6. Name the shortcut and tap "Add"

⚠️ Important caveat: this method creates a shortcut alias on your home screen, not a true icon replacement. When tapped, it briefly opens Shortcuts before launching the app — a noticeable delay. The original app icon remains in your App Library.

Third-party apps like Widgetsmith or themed icon packs work through the same Shortcuts mechanism, so the delay limitation applies universally on stock iOS.

How to Change App Icons on Android

Android offers significantly more flexibility, largely because the OS supports third-party launchers — replacement home screen environments that can override icon appearance entirely.

Method 1: Long-Press (Supported Launchers)

On launchers like Nova Launcher, Niagara, or Microsoft Launcher:

1. Long-press the app icon on your home screen
2. Select "Edit" or tap the icon image in the edit dialog
3. Choose an image from your gallery, an icon pack, or a built-in set

Not all Android launchers support this. Samsung's One UI home launcher, for example, does not natively support icon editing without additional tools.

Method 2: Icon Packs

Icon packs are collections of themed icons distributed as apps. Once installed, any compatible launcher can apply them globally across all apps. Packs are available on the Google Play Store and range from minimalist to highly stylized. Compatibility depends on the launcher — always check before purchasing a paid pack.

Method 3: Built-In Per-App Icon Editors

Some Android skins (notably MIUI on Xiaomi devices) include a built-in theme engine that allows per-app icon changes without a separate launcher.

How to Change App Icons on Windows

Windows doesn't include a native icon changer for installed apps, but there are several workable approaches depending on the app type.

For Desktop Shortcuts:

1. Right-click the shortcut → Properties
2. Click "Change Icon..."
3. Browse to an .ico file or select from the system icon library
4. Click OK and Apply

This only affects the shortcut, not the underlying executable. If you create a new shortcut later, it will revert to the default.

For Pinned Taskbar or Start Menu Tiles:

Changing these icons is less straightforward. Tools like 7tsp or Resource Hacker allow deeper icon replacement inside executable files, but these involve modifying system or app files — a process that carries some risk and may be overwritten by app updates.

For Microsoft Store (UWP) Apps:

These apps store their icons inside protected package directories, making them significantly harder to modify without third-party software specifically designed for this purpose.

How to Change App Icons on macOS

macOS makes icon customization relatively accessible.

1. Find a replacement icon image — ideally in .icns format, though PNG works too
2. Open Get Info on the app (right-click → Get Info, or Cmd + I)
3. Click the small icon in the top-left corner of the Get Info window to select it
4. Paste your new icon image using Cmd + V

🎨 To revert: click that same top-left icon in Get Info and press the Delete key.

Note: macOS updates or app updates can sometimes reset custom icons. Apps installed from the Mac App Store may resist this method depending on their sandboxing settings.

Key Variables That Determine Your Experience

The Spectrum of Customization

On one end: an Android user with Nova Launcher can change every icon on their device in minutes using an icon pack. On the other: an iOS user who wants a true, seamless icon replacement (without the Shortcuts delay) currently has no supported path on a stock device.

Windows sits somewhere in the middle — easy for shortcuts, considerably more involved for pinned apps or executables. macOS leans toward accessible, with a simple paste method that works well for most conventional apps.

How deep you need to go, and how much friction you're willing to accept, depends on your platform, your specific apps, and how permanent you need the change to be.