iOS 26 App Icon Change: Full Guide

Changing app icons on iOS 26 lets you replace the default look of any app with a custom image, giving your Home Screen a personalized feel. This guide covers the built-in method that works without extra apps, plus the Shortcuts workaround for apps that don’t offer icon customization. You’ll need your iPhone updated to iOS 26 and the images you want to use saved in your Photos app.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 26
• Custom icon images saved to your Photos library (square, at least 180×180 pixels, PNG or JPEG)
• The Shortcuts app (pre-installed, but ensure it’s updated via the App Store)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Built-in Icon Change (Supported Apps)

1. Press and hold the app icon you want to change until the context menu appears.
2. Tap Edit Home Screen from the menu. The icons will start jiggling.
3. Tap the small edit icon (looks like a pencil or an “i” in a circle) in the top-left corner of the app icon you want to change.
4. Tap Choose Photo from the pop-up menu.
5. Select the image you want to use from your Photos library. You can pinch to zoom and drag to position it within the frame.
6. Tap Choose in the top-right corner to confirm the image.
7. Tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen, then tap Done again on the Home Screen to stop jiggling.

Method 2: Using Shortcuts (Any App)

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the + icon in the top-right corner to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap Add Action and search for “Open App” in the search bar.
4. Tap the Open App action to add it.
5. Tap the blue App text and select the app you want to create an icon for.
6. Tap the shortcut name at the top (it will be “Open App” initially) and rename it to match the app you’re creating an icon for.
7. Tap Done to save the shortcut.
8. Now tap the three dots (⋯) next to the shortcut you just created to edit it.
9. Tap the shortcut name again, then tap Add to Home Screen.
10. Tap the icon image (the shortcut’s default icon) and select Choose Photo.
11. Select your custom icon image from Photos.
12. Tap Add in the top-right corner. The new icon will appear on your Home Screen.
13. After adding it, go to your Home Screen and delete the original app icon (press and hold, then tap Remove App → Remove from Home Screen). The app itself stays installed; only the icon is removed.

Common Mistakes

• Using a non-square image: iOS will crop non-square images, which can cut off important parts. Use a square image or one with a transparent background for best results.
• Deleting the original app instead of just its icon: When removing the original icon, make sure you choose Remove from Home Screen, not Delete App. Deleting the app will also break the shortcut.
• Not renaming the shortcut: If you skip renaming, the label under the new icon will say “Open App” instead of the actual app name.
• Expecting the Shortcuts method to open without a flash: The Shortcuts method briefly opens the Shortcuts app before launching your app. This is normal and unavoidable.

Tips

• For the cleanest look, use icons with a transparent background (PNG format) so they blend seamlessly with your wallpaper.
• Create a matching set of icons for all your apps to achieve a cohesive aesthetic across your Home Screen.
• Use the built-in method first (Method 1) — it’s faster and doesn’t require the Shortcuts workaround. Only use Method 2 for apps that don’t support the built-in option.
• If you change your mind, you can revert to the original icon by following the same steps and choosing Default Icon instead of a photo.
• Organize your custom icons into a dedicated album in Photos to make them easy to find when setting up new shortcuts.

Troubleshooting

• The “Choose Photo” option doesn’t appear: This means the app doesn’t support the built-in icon change feature. Use Method 2 (Shortcuts) instead.
• The new icon shows a blank or black image: The image file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try converting it to PNG or JPEG using a photo editor and re-adding it.
• The shortcut icon opens Shortcuts first: This is expected behavior for Method 2. There’s no way to avoid it without jailbreaking.
• The original app icon reappears after a restart: This can happen if the shortcut wasn’t properly created. Delete the shortcut and recreate it from scratch, making sure to follow every step.
• Icons look blurry: Use a higher-resolution image. A 180×180 pixel image is the minimum; 512×512 or larger is recommended for Retina displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing an app icon affect the app’s functionality?

No. Changing the icon only changes the visual representation on your Home Screen. The app itself works exactly as before.

Can I change icons for system apps like Settings or Photos?

Yes, using the Shortcuts method (Method 2). System apps don’t support the built-in method, but the shortcut workaround works for any app.

Do I need to keep the original app installed?

Yes. The shortcut just opens the app; it doesn’t replace it. If you delete the app, the shortcut will stop working.

Will the badge notifications still appear on custom icons?

No. The Shortcuts method does not support notification badges. If you rely on badges, stick with the built-in method (Method 1) where available.

Can I change an icon back to the original?

Yes. For Method 1, repeat the steps and choose “Default Icon.” For Method 2, delete the shortcut from your Home Screen and re-add the original app icon by going to the App Library and dragging it back.

Does this work on iPad with iPadOS 26?

Yes, both methods work identically on iPad running iPadOS 26.

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