I’m trying to customize the app icons on my phone for a personalized look but can’t figure out the steps. Do I need specific apps or tools? Any advice or tips would be appreciated. Just need a detailed explanation to get started.
Okay, let’s be real for a sec—changing app icons isn’t as easy as it should be, but it’s not rocket science, I promise. First off, are you on iPhone or Android? That changes everything. If you’re on iPhone (iOS), get ready for THE most unnecessarily dramatic process ever.
For iPhone: You’ll need the Shortcuts app. Yes, Apple forces you to hack your own phone for some cute icons. Here’s the steps:
- Open Shortcuts > Tap the ‘+’ in the top right > ‘Add Action.’
- Select ‘Open App’ & choose the app you wanna customize.
- Tap the three dots (top right) > ‘Add to Home Screen.’
- Then click the little icon next to the shortcut name—you can upload your custom image here.
- Rename it to… whatever makes your heart sing (or just the app name).
- Rinse & repeat for every app you’re personalizing.
Bonus info: Those icon packs on Etsy? They’re probs just .png files you’ll upload here. Also, brace yourself for the annoyance of slower app launches with Shortcuts.
For Android: This is where life is LESS painful. Download a launcher like Nova or the default system on some phones may let you swap icons directly. Many launchers have ‘Icon Pack’ support. Just download an icon pack from the Play Store, apply it via the launcher settings, and BOOM—you’re done. Wanna get fancy? Apps like X Icon Changer let you swap specific icons without changing the whole theme.
Final tip: You’ll likely spend way too much time making it look perfect only to realize half these changes are for you because no one’s gonna notice—except maybe your cat. 
Changing app icons can be either mildly fun or a soul-draining experience, depending on how deep you want to go. While @voyageurdubois gave a solid breakdown, there are a few takes I’d tweak or add.
If you’re on iPhone, I know everyone says you ‘need’ the Shortcuts app, but that’s not your only option. Some apps, like Widgetsmith or Themify, offer bundled customization tools that simplify this process. Sure, they often cost a bit or lock features behind paywalls (eye roll), but if you’re into one-stop workflows, it’s worth checking out. The Shortcuts route honestly feels like auditioning for a tech-savvy DIY competition, complete with the “extra step of doom” to open the apps. (Seriously, that delay when launching shortcuts-based apps? Instant regret vibes.) But hey, it’s cheaper than those Etsy icon packs flooding Instagram!
Now for Android. While @voyageurdubois hyped launchers (and rightly so), not everyone loves switching to Nova or customizing an entire home screen. If you’re like me and just want to slap a custom icon onto one or two apps, give “Awesome Icons” or “X Icon Changer” a whirl. They’re SINGLE-use focused, no need to overhaul your phone’s aesthetic unless you wanna. Plus, depending on your Android version, your built-in settings might allow direct icon changes through widgets—check there first before app hunting.
Hot take? Custom icons are fun until you realize they can mess with app recognition (lookin’ at you, minimal icon packs that turn Spotify into just a gray circle). My advice? Pick designs that are aesthetic but functional. You know, ones that don’t leave you wildly scrolling between five redesigned Instagram icons wondering, “Which one’s real?”
Bonus rant: Can app developers just chill and make this easier natively? We’re all here downloading packs, swapping launchers, and hacking shortcuts—like tech-savvy maniacs—for processes that could just be ONE menu setting.
Alright, let’s add on to the app icon makeover saga. Gotta say, both @kakeru and @voyageurdubois made stellar points, but here’s my two cents with a nuanced twist.
Simplified Options for iPhone & Android
For iPhone Users Who Don’t Love Shortcuts:
While the Shortcuts route is OG and explained well earlier, it’s a personal grudge of mine that Apple doesn’t let us make direct edits to icons natively. However, there are some apps like Moloko or Icon Themer that streamline the process for you. Sure, there might be some in-app purchases (ughh honestly), but they save you from action-to-action drudgery. Plus, Moloko comes preloaded with aesthetic packs!
Cons:
- You’re adding another app to your already crowded phone.
- Some of these apps restrict customization to only what they offer, which might cramp your vibe.
Pros:
- Saved TIME. One app, plug & play, no 10-step customization craziness.
Better Alternative? In my humble opinion, third-party apps like Themify (kinda like what @kakeru mentioned) act as a bundle deal: icons, widgets, wallpapers. The downside is cost, but for clean one-tap options, it’s hard to argue.
Android: Flexibility to the Max
Y’all Android users actually have it breezier, but one thing I noticed missing in prior responses is leveraging Google’s Built-in ‘At A Glance’ Widget. Combine that with third-party apps like Zedge for icons, and you’ll have solid minimal hassle setups. Nova Launcher? Undoubtedly powerful as noted by @voyageurdubois, but sometimes you don’t need full-scale customization if you just want quick changes for a few apps.
Hidden Pro Tip: Some phone brands (like Samsung, OnePlus) have native Theme Stores where you can get icon packs ready to apply with zero fuss. It’s a goldmine many overlook, and it’s free for basic setups! Just download, go to your display settings/themes, and apply icons without bothering with launchers.
A Controversial Hot Take
Both systems, but ESPECIALLY iPhone, make this overly painful. Who else thinks this? Apple (and to an extent Google) leaves room for users to rely on external tools, which means spending. A lot. And while we’re customizing, minimal icons are beautiful… until you’re THAT ONE person struggling to identify apps. Form over function always backfires halfway, so pick designs with labels or recognizable symbols. The gray-circle Spotify scenario? That’s nightmare material.
Verdict:
- For major personalization, Android wins. Launchers like Nova really are saviors if you’re ready to switch full-interface schemes.
- If you want basics done faster, apps like Icon Changer (Android) or Moloko (iPhone) are simpler, more curated.
- Please, please don’t go wild paying for Etsy icon packs unless it includes matching fonts or widgets—many times, you’re being upcharged for glorified PNGs!
In the end, user-friendly tools like those win hearts because THEY JUST WORK.