How to Change App Icons on Android

Changing app icons on Android lets you personalize your home screen, giving your phone a fresh look that matches your style. You can do this without rooting your device, using either a custom launcher or built-in options depending on your phone model. This guide covers both methods, so you can get the icons you want in a few minutes.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone or tablet (Android 8.0 or newer recommended)
A custom launcher app (like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Lawnchair) – required for most devices
Icon pack app (optional, but gives you a ready-made set of icons) or your own image files (PNG or JPG)
If using your own images, a way to crop/resize them (most launchers do this automatically)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using a Custom Launcher (Most Devices)

Install a launcher. Go to the Google Play Store and search for a launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Lawnchair. Install one that suits you. Launchers replace your home screen and give you more customization options.
Set the launcher as default. Press the Home button. A prompt will appear asking which launcher to use. Select your newly installed launcher and choose “Always” or “Just once” (pick “Always” to make it stick). If you don’t see the prompt, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app and select your launcher.
Long-press the app icon you want to change. On the home screen, press and hold the icon until a menu appears (usually with options like “Edit”, “Remove”, or “App info”).
Tap “Edit” or the pencil icon. This opens the icon editing screen. In Nova Launcher, it’s labeled “Edit”; in Microsoft Launcher, it’s the pencil icon.
Tap the icon preview. You’ll see a small circle or square showing the current icon. Tap it to open a menu with options: “Gallery”, “Photos”, “Icon Pack”, or “Files”.
Choose your new icon. Select “Gallery” or “Photos” to pick an image from your device, or choose an icon pack if you have one installed. If you pick an image, you may be able to crop or adjust it right there.
Confirm and apply. After selecting, tap “Done” or “Apply”. The icon will change immediately. Repeat for any other icons you want to customize.

Method 2: Using Built-in Options (Samsung, Pixel, and Some Others)

Check if your device supports it. On Samsung phones (One UI), long-press an app icon, tap “Edit”, then tap the icon image. On Pixel phones (Android 13+), long-press the icon, tap the pencil icon, then tap the icon preview. If you don’t see these options, your device may not support it natively—use Method 1.
Select a new icon. You’ll be able to choose from a few built-in styles, or pick an image from your gallery. Some devices only allow changing the icon shape, not the image itself.
Apply. Tap “Done” or the checkmark to save. The icon will update on your home screen.

Method 3: Using an Icon Pack (Bulk Change)

Install an icon pack. Search the Play Store for “icon pack” and choose one that appeals to you (e.g., Whicons, Linebit, or CandyCons). Install it.
Open your launcher’s settings. In Nova Launcher, go to Nova Settings > Look & Feel > Icon Theme. In Microsoft Launcher, go to Settings > Personalization > Icon pack.
Select the icon pack. Choose the icon pack you installed from the list. The launcher will apply the new icons to all compatible apps automatically.
Adjust icon size and shape. Most launchers let you tweak icon size, shape, and label visibility in the same settings menu. Play around until it looks right.

Common Mistakes

Using a low-resolution image. If your image is too small (like a 50×50 pixel photo), it will look blurry or pixelated when scaled up. Use images at least 256×256 pixels, ideally 512×512.
Not setting the launcher as default. If you press Home and it goes back to your old launcher, you didn’t set the new one as default. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app and select your launcher.
Expecting all icons to change with an icon pack. Some apps don’t support icon packs, so they’ll keep their original icons. You can manually change those using Method 1.
Forgetting to backup. If you uninstall the launcher, your custom icons disappear. Use the launcher’s backup feature (e.g., Nova Settings > Backup & Restore) to save your setup.

Tips

Use transparent PNGs. For the best look, use images with a transparent background so the icon blends with your wallpaper.
Create a cohesive look. Choose images that share a similar color palette or style. You can find free icon packs on sites like Flaticon or iconfinder.
Change icon labels. You can also rename the app label in the same edit menu. This is useful if you want to remove the name entirely or change it to something shorter.
Use adaptive icons. On Android 8.0+, some launchers let you set adaptive icons that change shape based on your wallpaper. This is a built-in feature in many launchers.
Experiment with icon size. If your icons look too big or small, adjust the icon size in the launcher settings. This can make a big difference in the overall feel.

Troubleshooting

Icon doesn’t change. Make sure you’re editing the correct icon. If you’re using a launcher, try restarting the launcher (swipe it away from recent apps) or restarting your phone. Also check that the app isn’t a system app that doesn’t allow changes.
Icon reverts after restart. This can happen if the launcher isn’t set as default or if the launcher is being killed by the system. Go to Settings > Apps > your launcher > Battery > Unrestricted (or “Don’t optimize”) to prevent it from being closed.
Image won’t crop properly. Some launchers have a fixed crop area. Try using an image with a square aspect ratio (1:1) to avoid unwanted cropping.
Icon pack doesn’t apply to all apps. As mentioned, some apps are not compatible. You can manually change those using Method 1. If the entire icon pack isn’t applying, check that you selected it in the launcher settings correctly.
Launcher crashes after changing icons. This is rare but can happen. Try clearing the launcher’s cache (Settings > Apps > launcher > Storage > Clear Cache). If it persists, reinstall the launcher and restore your backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to root my phone to change app icons?

No, rooting is not required. Custom launchers and icon packs work on any Android device without root access.

Will changing app icons affect app functionality?

No, it only changes the visual representation on the home screen. The app itself works exactly the same.

Can I change the icons of system apps like Settings or Camera?

Yes, you can change them using a launcher, but on some devices, system apps may not respond to icon pack changes. You can still manually change them via the edit menu.

Will my custom icons sync across devices?

No, icon customization is local to your device. If you get a new phone, you’ll need to set it up again. Some launchers offer cloud backup, but it’s not automatic.

Can I use any image as an app icon?

Yes, as long as it’s in a common format like PNG or JPG. PNG is preferred for transparency. Make sure the image is square and at least 256×256 pixels for best results.

What is the best launcher for changing icons?

Nova Launcher is widely considered the most customizable, but Microsoft Launcher and Lawnchair are also excellent free options. The best one depends on your preference for features and performance.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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