What changing app icons actually means
Changing an app icon on iPhone or iPad means replacing the image that appears on your home screen with a different picture — without changing the app itself. The app still works exactly the way it did before. You are only changing what it looks like.
Apple added this feature in iOS 14 (released in 2020) and it remains in iOS 18 and later. The process uses the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone and iPad. You create a shortcut that opens the app you want, then assign a custom image to that shortcut. When you tap the custom image on your home screen, it opens the app normally.
This is different from changing your home screen wallpaper or organizing apps into folders. You are creating a new icon that points to an existing app.
Key Takeaways
- Custom app icons are created using the Shortcuts app, which is free and built into your device.
- The process takes about two minutes per app and does not change how the app works or what it can access.
- You can use any image on your device — a photo, a downloaded icon pack, or something you create yourself.
- The custom icon appears on your home screen as a separate item from the original app icon, so you end up with two versions unless you hide the original.
How to create a custom app icon using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app (it has a purple icon with a lightning bolt). Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action menu and select it. Choose the app you want to customize from the list that appears.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A menu will appear asking for a name and an icon. Type the name you want to appear under the icon. Tap the icon preview image to choose a custom picture.
You can select a photo from your camera roll, take a new photo, or choose a file from your device. Once you select an image, it will be cropped to fit the icon shape. Tap "Add" in the top right, then "Add to Home Screen" again. The custom icon will now appear on your home screen.
Where to find icon images and packs
You do not have to create icons from scratch. Many websites and apps offer free icon packs designed specifically for this purpose. Popular sources include Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay — all free photo sites where you can search for icon-style images. read the image to your device, then use it in the Shortcuts process above.
Some people create icon packs in design apps like Canva (free version available) or Procreate, then save them as image files. Others find pre-made icon packs on Reddit communities like r/iOSsetups, where users share collections they have designed. You can also search the App Store for "icon pack" apps, though many require payment.
The image size does not have to be exact — iOS will crop and resize it to fit the icon shape automatically. A square image works best, but any image will work.
Why you end up with two app icons
When you create a custom icon using Shortcuts, the original app icon stays on your home screen. You now have both the custom version and the original. This happens because the custom icon is technically a shortcut, not the app itself.
If you want only the custom icon visible, you can hide the original app. Press and hold the original app icon, select "Remove App", then choose "Remove from Home Screen" (not "Delete App"). The app stays on your device and in the App Library — you just remove it from the home screen. You can still find it by swiping left to the App Library or searching for it with Spotlight.
Some people keep both icons on their home screen intentionally, using the custom icon for quick access and keeping the original as a backup.
What custom icons cannot do
Custom icons are visual only. They do not change the app's permissions, what data it can access, or how it functions. If an app tracks your location, changing its icon does not stop the tracking. If an app requires a password, the custom icon still requires the same password.
Custom icons also do not work on the lock screen or in the app switcher (the screen you see when you swipe up from the bottom or swipe left). They only appear on your home screen. The original app icon will still show everywhere else.
If you delete the shortcut from your home screen, the custom icon disappears, but the original app remains on your device untouched.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the Shortcuts app is not on your home screen, swipe left to the App Library and search for it. It comes pre-installed on all devices running iOS 14 or later. If you cannot find "Open App" in the Shortcuts menu, make sure you are in the action library (the plus sign icon) and not the shortcuts library itself.
If the custom icon does not appear on your home screen after you create it, try restarting your device. Sometimes iOS needs a moment to refresh. If the shortcut opens the app but the custom image does not show, delete the shortcut and create it again — occasionally the image fails to save on the first try.
If you want to change a custom icon after creating it, you cannot edit it directly. Delete the shortcut from your home screen, create a new shortcut with the same app, and assign a different image. This takes about one minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change app icons without using Shortcuts?
No. Shortcuts is the only built-in way to create custom app icons on iPhone and iPad. Some third-party apps claim to do this, but they use the same Shortcuts method behind the scenes. Using the Shortcuts app directly is faster and does not require downloading another app.
Will changing an app icon affect my data or settings?
No. The custom icon is only a visual change. Your data, login information, notifications, and all app settings remain exactly the same. The app works identically whether you use the custom icon or the original.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the image file itself, but the other person has to create their own shortcut and assign the image to it. You cannot directly send someone a custom icon that they can tap to install. However, you can share the image file through Messages, email, or AirDrop, and they can use it to create their own custom icon.
What happens to custom icons when I update iOS?
Custom icons usually survive iOS updates without problems. However, if something goes wrong during an update, you may need to recreate them. This is rare, but keeping a folder of your icon images makes it straightforward to rebuild them if needed.
Can I create custom icons for built-in apps like Settings or Camera?
Yes. The "Open App" action in Shortcuts works with any app on your device, including built-in apps. The process is identical — create a shortcut that opens the app, assign a custom image, and add it to your home screen.