How to Change App Icon Labels on Samsung Galaxy

This guide shows you how to rename the labels under app icons on your Samsung Galaxy phone’s home screen and app drawer. You’ll be able to customize names like “Camera” to “Cam” or “Messages” to “Texts” — a simple way to personalize your device or reduce clutter. No special apps or root access are needed; everything is done through the built-in One UI settings.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung Galaxy phone running One UI (most models from 2019 onward, including Galaxy S, Note, A, and Z series).
• Your phone unlocked and on the home screen.
• About 2 minutes of time.

Step-by-Step

1. Unlock your phone and go to the home screen where the app icon you want to rename is located.
2. Press and hold the app icon you wish to rename. Do not tap it — hold your finger on it until a menu appears or the icon starts to wiggle.
3. In the pop-up menu that appears, look for “Rename” or “Edit” (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your One UI version). Tap it.
4. A text field will open with the current app name highlighted. Type the new label you want. For example, type “Cam” for the Camera app.
5. Tap “Done” or the checkmark icon on the keyboard to save the new label.
6. The icon label will now display your custom text. Repeat these steps for any other apps you want to rename.

If the “Rename” option doesn’t appear when you long-press the icon, try this alternative method:

7. Long-press the app icon and drag it to the “Edit” option at the top or bottom of the screen (this appears when you start dragging).
8. In the editing screen, tap the app name field (usually below the icon preview) and type the new label.
9. Tap “Save” or the checkmark to confirm.

You can also rename apps from the app drawer (the screen you see when you swipe up on the home screen). The process is the same: long-press the icon, select “Rename,” and type the new name.

Common Mistakes

• Long-pressing too briefly or tapping instead of holding — if you tap, the app opens. Make sure you press and hold for about a second until the menu appears.
• Looking for a “Rename” option in the app’s own settings — this is a home screen feature, not an app setting. It won’t be inside the app’s menu.
• Renaming the folder instead of the app — if you long-press a folder, you’ll get folder options. You need to long-press the individual app icon inside the folder (or on the home screen) to rename the app itself.
• Expecting the rename to affect the app’s internal name — this only changes the label on your home screen. The app’s actual name (as shown in the app drawer or in Settings) remains the same.

Tips

• Use short, recognizable names to keep your home screen tidy — e.g., “Maps” instead of “Google Maps”.
• You can add emojis to labels. When typing the new name, tap the emoji key on your keyboard and insert any emoji you like (e.g., “📷 Camera”).
• If you want to revert to the original name, just repeat the rename process and type the original app name exactly as it appears in the app drawer.
• Renaming an app does not move it or change its icon — only the text label changes.
• If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), the rename option might be in a different menu (usually under “Edit” after long-pressing).

Troubleshooting

“Rename” option doesn’t appear when I long-press.

This can happen if you’re using a custom launcher or if your One UI version has a different menu. Try the drag-to-edit method described in Step 7. If that still doesn’t work, check if you’re on the latest One UI update (Settings > Software update). Some older models may not support renaming directly — in that case, consider using a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, which allows renaming from its own edit menu.

The new label doesn’t save.

Make sure you tap “Done” or the checkmark on the keyboard, not the back button. If the label reverts, try restarting your phone and repeating the process. Also, ensure you’re not using any characters that the system might reject (like some special symbols).

I renamed an app, but it shows the old name in the app drawer.

That’s normal — the rename only applies to the home screen icon. The app drawer will always show the original name. If you want the custom name to appear in the app drawer too, you’ll need a third-party launcher that supports renaming throughout.

The icon label is cut off or too long.

One UI will automatically truncate long labels with an ellipsis. Shorten the name to fit. If you want to see the full name, you can increase the icon grid size in Settings > Home screen > Home screen grid, which makes icons smaller and allows more characters to display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does renaming an app affect its notifications or widgets?

No. Notifications and widgets are tied to the app itself, not the label. You’ll still receive notifications normally, and widgets will continue to work.

Can I rename system apps like Phone or Messages?

Yes, you can rename any app that appears on your home screen, including system apps. The change is only cosmetic and doesn’t affect the app’s functionality.

Will the rename sync to my Samsung account or other devices?

No. The rename is stored locally on your phone’s home screen layout. It won’t sync to other devices or your Samsung account.

How do I undo a rename?

Simply long-press the icon, select “Rename,” and type the original app name. You can find the original name in the app drawer or in Settings > Apps.

Does this work on Samsung Galaxy tablets?

Yes, the same steps apply to Samsung Galaxy Tab devices running One UI.

Why can’t I rename apps on my older Galaxy model?

Renaming is a feature of One UI. If your phone is running an older version of Samsung Experience or TouchWiz, the option may not be available. Updating to One UI (if supported) or using a third-party launcher will give you this ability.

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