How to Change App Icons on Android

Changing app icons on Android lets you personalize your home screen beyond the default look, giving your phone a fresh feel or a cohesive theme. This guide covers the built-in options on most devices, as well as using third-party launchers and icon packs for the most flexibility. You’ll need your Android phone and, for the advanced methods, a launcher app like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, plus an icon pack from the Google Play Store.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone (Android 8.0 or newer recommended)
For basic method: the app you want to change (already installed)
For advanced method: a custom launcher (e.g., Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher) and an icon pack (e.g., Whicons, Delta, or any from the Play Store)
Optional: a file manager if you want to use custom images as icons

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Built-in Options (Stock Android / Samsung / Pixel)

Long-press the app icon on your home screen. A menu will pop up. If you see an option like “Edit” or a pencil icon, tap it. On Samsung devices, you may see “Edit” or “Change icon”. On Pixel, long-press and tap the gear icon or “Edit”.
Tap the app icon preview in the edit screen. This usually opens a gallery of pre-installed icon shapes or a few color options. Some devices let you choose from a small set of built-in icons.
Select a new icon from the available choices. If you have a photo or image you want to use, look for a “Gallery” or “Photos” option (often a + or a folder icon).
Crop or adjust the image if prompted, then tap “Done” or “Save”. The icon will update immediately on your home screen.

Method 2: Using a Custom Launcher (Most Flexible)

Install a launcher from the Google Play Store. Popular choices include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Lawnchair. These are free (with paid versions) and widely used.
Open the launcher app and set it as your default home app. When you press the home button, Android will ask which launcher to use. Select your new launcher and choose “Always”.
Long-press any app icon on your home screen. In Nova Launcher, you’ll see a menu; tap “Edit”. In Microsoft Launcher, long-press and tap “Edit” or the pencil icon.
Tap the icon (in Nova, it’s a small preview next to the app name). This opens an icon picker.
Choose an icon pack from the list. If you haven’t installed any, you’ll see the default icons. To use a custom image, tap “Gallery” or “Photos” and select your image.
Adjust the image (zoom, crop) and tap “Done”. The icon will change on your home screen.

Method 3: Applying an Icon Pack Globally

Install an icon pack from the Play Store (e.g., “Whicons”, “Delta”, “Linebit”).
Open the launcher’s settings. In Nova, go to Settings > Look & Feel > Icon style. In Microsoft Launcher, go to Settings > Personalization > Icon pack.
Select your icon pack from the list. The launcher will apply the new icons to all apps that the pack supports. Apps without a custom icon will remain default.
Adjust icon size and shape if desired (e.g., squircle, circle, rounded square) in the same settings menu.

Common Mistakes

Using a launcher but not setting it as default: If you press home and it asks which launcher to use, you haven’t set it as default. Choose “Always” to avoid confusion.
Changing the icon but the app drawer still shows the old one: This is normal. Most launchers only change the home screen icon, not the app drawer icon. Some launchers (like Nova) have a setting to change the drawer icon too, but it’s not universal.
Icon pack not applying to all apps: Icon packs often don’t have icons for every single app. The launcher will use the default icon for those. You can manually change individual icons as in Method 2.
Forgetting to back up your layout: If you spend time customizing and then uninstall the launcher, you lose your setup. Use the launcher’s backup feature (e.g., Nova Settings > Backup & restore) to save your layout.

Tips

Use a consistent icon pack for a cohesive look. Mixing different styles can look messy.
If you want to use your own images, use a transparent PNG for the best result. Icons with backgrounds will look square or odd.
Experiment with icon size and grid size in launcher settings to make icons look exactly how you want.
Some launchers allow you to hide app labels (the text under the icon) for a cleaner look. This is usually in the same icon settings menu.
If you use a custom icon pack, check for updates regularly, as developers add icons for new apps.

Troubleshooting

Icon doesn’t change after following steps: Make sure you’re long-pressing the icon on the home screen, not in the app drawer. Also, try restarting your launcher (swipe it away from recent apps) or your phone.
Custom image appears blurry or stretched: Use a high-resolution image (at least 512×512 pixels) and ensure it’s square. Crop it to a square before using.
Launcher keeps crashing: This can happen if the launcher is outdated or incompatible with your Android version. Update the launcher and your phone’s system, or try a different launcher.
Icon pack doesn’t show up in launcher settings: Make sure the icon pack is installed and compatible with your launcher. Some icon packs are only for specific launchers (e.g., Samsung’s One UI). Check the app’s description.
After changing launcher, some widgets disappear: Widgets are tied to the launcher. You’ll need to re-add them on your new launcher. This is normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change app icons without a launcher?

Yes, on many stock Android devices (like Pixel and Samsung) you can long-press an icon, tap Edit, and choose a different icon from a small set or from your gallery. This is limited but works without installing anything.

Will changing an app icon affect the app itself?

No, it only changes the shortcut’s appearance on your home screen. The app’s functionality remains unchanged. The app’s actual icon in the app drawer may also remain the same unless your launcher supports changing it there.

How do I reset an app icon to its original?

In most launchers, long-press the icon, tap Edit, and then tap the icon preview. There should be a “Reset” or “Default” option. In Nova, you can tap the icon and choose “Default”. Alternatively, you can clear the launcher’s data in Settings > Apps, but that will reset your entire home screen layout.

What’s the best icon pack for Android?

It depends on your style. Popular ones include Whicons (white), Delta (colorful), and Linebit (line-style). Browse the Play Store and look at screenshots to find one that matches your aesthetic. Many are free.

Can I use any image as an app icon?

Yes, most launchers allow you to pick any image from your gallery. For best results, use a square, high-resolution image with a transparent background if possible. You may need to crop it to fit the icon shape.

Why do some apps not change their icon even with an icon pack?

Icon packs rely on the app’s package name to match. If the app is new or obscure, the pack may not have a custom icon for it. You can manually change it using the launcher’s edit feature, choosing an icon from the pack that you like.

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

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