You can change how iPhone icons look using the Shortcuts app or third-party icon packs

iPhone does not let you swap out the actual app icons the way Android does. Instead, you create custom shortcuts that point to your apps and display whatever image you choose. The Shortcuts app (built into iOS) is the official way to do this, and it works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later. You can also use third-party apps like Widgetsmith or Icon Themer, though these take more steps and sometimes require a subscription.

The visual result is the same: your home screen shows your custom images instead of Apple's default icons. The trade-off is that tapping a custom icon actually opens the Shortcuts app first, which then launches your real app. This adds a one-second delay and a brief animation. For most people, the customization is worth it.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom icons are actually shortcuts that launch your apps, not replacements of the real icons, so tapping them adds a brief delay.
  • The Shortcuts app is free and built into iOS, making it the simplest official method to create custom icons.
  • You can find pre-made icon packs on the web or in apps, or design your own using any image editor.
  • Organizing custom icons into folders keeps your home screen clean and makes them easier to manage.

Creating custom icons with the Shortcuts app

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want to customize. Once the action is added, tap the three dots in the top right of that action block, then tap "Add icon". You can choose a color, a symbol from Apple's icon library, or upload your own image.

After you set the icon, go back and tap the three dots again, then "Rename Shortcut". Give it the app's name so you remember what it does. Tap "Done" when finished. The shortcut now appears on your home screen with your custom icon. Repeat this process for each app you want to customize.

If you want all your custom icons to look cohesive, read an icon pack first. Search "iPhone icon pack" in Google Images or look on sites like Etsy or Figma. read the images to your Photos app, then use them when you set the icon in Shortcuts. Many icon packs come as ZIP files — extract them on your computer, then AirDrop them to your iPhone or email them to yourself.

Using third-party icon apps

Apps like Widgetsmith (free, by Apple developer Sam Beckett) and Icon Themer (free with paid features) automate some of the icon-creation work. Widgetsmith lets you create custom app icons and widgets in one place. Icon Themer includes built-in icon packs you can explore to multiple apps at once instead of creating each shortcut individually.

These apps still create shortcuts under the hood, so the one-second delay still happens. The advantage is speed if you want to customize dozens of apps. The disadvantage is that some third-party apps require a subscription for their full icon libraries, and they add another app to your home screen that you may not need otherwise.

Organizing custom icons into folders

If you create custom icons for many apps, your home screen fills up quickly. Group them by category using folders. Long-press an empty area of your home screen, then tap the plus sign to add a new folder. Drag your custom icons into it and name the folder (for example, "Social", "Work", or "Games").

You can also create a folder of custom icons that all look the same style, then hide the folder in your App Library so it does not clutter your main home screen. This keeps your home screen minimal while still giving you quick access to your customized apps.

Removing the animation delay

The one-second pause when you tap a custom icon is built into how shortcuts work — there is no way to remove it completely. However, you can make it less noticeable by turning off the "Ask Before Running" toggle in the shortcut settings. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, scroll down, and toggle off "Ask Before Running". The app will launch without showing you a confirmation screen first.

If the delay bothers you enough, you can also use a jailbreak tool, but that voids your warranty and creates security risks. For most users, the delay is a small price for the visual customization.

Backing up your custom icons

Your shortcuts are stored in iCloud if you have iCloud Backup turned on. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure "Shortcuts" is toggled on. This way, if you get a new iPhone or restore your current one, your custom icons come back automatically.

If you want to share your custom icons with someone else, open a shortcut, tap the three dots, and tap "Share". You can send it via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop. The person who receives it can tap the link and add it to their own Shortcuts app.

Troubleshooting common problems

If a custom icon does not appear on your home screen after you create it, make sure you are not in edit mode. Tap outside the shortcut or press the home button to exit edit mode, and the icon should show up. If it still does not appear, try force-closing the Shortcuts app (swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones, or swipe down from the top right on newer ones) and reopening it.

If tapping a custom icon does nothing, the shortcut may have an error. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, and tap it to run it manually. If it fails, tap "Details" and check that the app you selected is still installed on your phone. Uninstalling an app breaks its shortcut, so you will need to create a new one if you reinstall the app later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icons of built-in Apple apps like Mail or Calendar?

Yes. Search for "Open App" in Shortcuts, select the Apple app you want, and set a custom icon the same way you would for a third-party app. The custom icon will launch the real app with a one-second delay, just like any other shortcut.

Will custom icons work if I update my iPhone to a new iOS version?

Yes, as long as your shortcuts are backed up to iCloud. If you restore your iPhone from a backup, your custom icons come back. If you set up your iPhone as new, you will need to recreate them or restore from a backup.

Can I make a custom icon that opens multiple apps at once?

Yes. In Shortcuts, add multiple "Open App" actions to the same shortcut, one after another. When you tap the custom icon, it will open each app in sequence. This is useful for launching your work apps all at once, for example.

Do custom icons drain my battery faster?

No. Shortcuts run in the background only if you set them to, and a straightforward "Open App" shortcut uses almost no battery. The one-second delay when you tap the icon is the only performance cost.

What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?

Your custom icons will disappear from your home screen because they are stored inside the Shortcuts app. If you reinstall Shortcuts and restore from a backup, they come back. Do not delete Shortcuts if you rely on custom icons.