What changing an iPhone icon actually means
When you change an icon on your iPhone, you are replacing the small picture that appears on your home screen with a different image. The app itself — the program that does the work — stays exactly the same. You are only changing what it looks like. This is different from moving an app around, which changes where the icon sits on your screen.
Apple lets you do this in two ways: through the Shortcuts app (which comes built into every iPhone), or by using a custom icon pack from the App Store. Both methods create what looks like a new app on your home screen, but they are really shortcuts that point to the real app underneath. The actual app still lives in your App Library, unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- You can change an iPhone icon using the Shortcuts app, which is free and built into every iPhone.
- The process involves creating a shortcut to the app you want, then assigning a custom image to that shortcut.
- Custom icon packs from the App Store offer pre-made designs, but they cost money and require the same shortcut setup.
- Your original app is not affected — the icon change only affects what appears on your home screen.
- You can change icons back to the original at any time by deleting the shortcut and using the real app again.
Using the Shortcuts app to change a single icon
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it has a purple icon with white lines). 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 whose icon you want to change — for example, Messages or Safari.
Once you have added the app to your shortcut, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut screen. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A dialog will appear asking you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. Tap the current icon image to open the icon picker. You can take a photo, choose from your photo library, choose a color, or pick from emoji. Select what you want, then tap "Add" in the top right. The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with your custom icon.
The shortcut works exactly like the original app — tapping it opens the same program. The only difference is the picture on your home screen.
Using icon packs from the App Store
Icon packs are apps that contain collections of pre-designed icons. Search the App Store for "icon pack" or "custom icons" and you will see many options. Some are free, but most cost between $0.99 and $4.99. read one that matches the style you want.
Once installed, open the icon pack app and browse the icons it offers. When you find one you like, tap it and select "Copy Image" or a similar option (the exact wording varies by app). Then open Shortcuts, create a new shortcut for the app you want to change, and follow the same steps as above — but when you get to the icon picker, tap "Choose Photo" and paste the image you copied from the icon pack.
Icon packs save time if you want to change many icons at once, because the designs are already made for you. But you still have to create a shortcut for each app individually.
What happens to your original app
Your original app does not change or move. It stays in your App Library (the section at the end of your home screens that shows all your apps). When you create a shortcut with a custom icon, you are creating a new item on your home screen that points to that app. You now have two ways to open the same program: the shortcut with the custom icon, and the original app in your App Library.
If you want to clean up your home screen, you can delete the shortcut by pressing and holding it, then tapping "Remove" — but the actual app stays on your phone. You can also hide the original app from your home screen by going to Settings > Home Screen and toggling off "Show in App Library Only".
Changing icons back to the original
If you change your mind about a custom icon, straightforward delete the shortcut by pressing and holding it and tapping "Remove". The original app is still in your App Library and works exactly as it did before. You can also edit a shortcut's icon by opening Shortcuts, finding the shortcut you created, tapping the three dots, scrolling to "Add to Home Screen", and choosing a different image.
There is no limit to how many times you can change an icon or switch back to the original. The process is completely reversible.
Why your iPhone might not let you change icons the way you expect
If you are trying to change an icon by pressing and holding the app itself, you will see options like "Remove App" or "Edit Home Screen" — but not "Change Icon". That is because Apple does not let you change icons directly on the app. You have to use the Shortcuts method described above.
Some older iPhones running iOS versions before iOS 13 cannot use the Shortcuts app the same way. If you have an older phone and the steps above do not work, you may need to update your iPhone first. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of any app on my iPhone?
Yes, you can create a shortcut for any app and assign it a custom icon. The only exception is that some system apps (like Settings or Phone) may not work as smoothly in shortcuts, but most apps will open normally when you tap the custom icon.
Will changing an icon use more storage on my phone?
No. A shortcut with a custom icon takes up almost no storage space. The image you choose is stored as part of the shortcut, not as a separate file. Even if you change icons for 20 apps, the total storage used is negligible.
Can I share my custom icons with someone else?
You can share the shortcut itself by opening Shortcuts, finding the shortcut, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Share". The person who receives it can add it to their own home screen. However, if you created the icon from a photo, they will see that same photo, not a generic icon.
Do custom icons work on the lock screen?
No. Lock screen widgets and app icons on the lock screen use the original app icon, not your custom shortcut icon. Custom icons only appear on your home screen.
What if I delete the image I used for a custom icon?
If you used a photo from your library and then deleted that photo, the shortcut will show a blank or broken icon. You can fix this by editing the shortcut in Shortcuts and choosing a new image for it.