The quickest way to change your Instagram icon
On Android, you change your Instagram app icon by creating a shortcut to Instagram on your home screen, then choosing a different image for that shortcut. Instagram itself does not offer an icon change inside the app — you are working with Android's shortcut system instead. The process takes about two minutes and does not affect how Instagram actually works.
The method depends on which Android launcher you use. Most phones come with Google Launcher (called "Pixel Launcher" on Google phones or "Samsung One UI Launcher" on Samsung devices), and all of them support custom shortcuts. You can also use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher if you prefer more customization options.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram does not have a built-in setting to change its icon — you create a custom shortcut instead, which appears on your home screen alongside or replacing the original icon.
- Long-press an empty space on your home screen, select "Widgets" or "Create shortcut", find Instagram, and choose a custom image from your phone or a downloaded icon pack.
- The original Instagram app icon remains unchanged in your app drawer — only the home screen shortcut shows your custom image.
- Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher offer more icon customization options, including icon packs that change the look of multiple apps at once.
Creating a custom Instagram shortcut on your home screen
Start by going to your home screen and finding an empty space. Long-press (hold your finger down for two seconds) on the empty area until a menu appears. You should see options like "Widgets", "Settings", or "Create shortcut" — the exact wording depends on your phone's launcher.
Tap "Widgets" if that is your only option. Scroll down until you find Instagram, then long-press the Instagram widget. You should see an option to add it to your home screen. If your launcher has a "Create shortcut" option instead, tap that and search for Instagram in the list of apps.
Once you have added the shortcut, long-press it again. Look for an option called "Edit", "Customize", or "Change icon". Tap that option, and your phone will open a menu to choose a new image. You can select from images already on your phone, or read icon packs from the Google Play Store.
Choosing and downloading custom Instagram icons
If you want a specific look for your Instagram icon, you can read icon packs from the Google Play Store. Search for "Instagram icon pack" or "custom icon pack" and you will find dozens of free and paid options. Popular packs include Linebit, Pix, and Oxy Icon Pack — each one includes hundreds of app icons in a consistent style.
read an icon pack, then go back to your Instagram shortcut and tap "Change icon" again. Your phone should now show the icons from the pack you downloaded. Select the Instagram icon you want, and it will replace the shortcut image on your home screen.
You can also use any image from your phone's camera roll or downloads folder. Take a screenshot of Instagram, edit it in a photo app, or read a single icon image from the web — then select that image when customizing your shortcut.
Using a third-party launcher for more control
If your phone's built-in launcher does not give you enough customization options, you can read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher. These apps replace your home screen and app drawer with versions that have more features.
Nova Launcher (free version available on Google Play Store) lets you change individual app icons without creating shortcuts. Install Nova, set it as your default launcher, then long-press the Instagram icon on your home screen. Tap "Edit icon" and choose a new image. The change applies directly to the app icon, not just a shortcut.
Third-party launchers also work better with icon packs. When you install an icon pack while using Nova or Microsoft Launcher, the launcher automatically applies those icons to your apps. You do not have to manually change each one.
Putting the custom icon where you want it
After you create your custom shortcut, you can move it anywhere on your home screen. Long-press the shortcut and drag it to a new position. You can also delete the original Instagram icon if you want — just long-press it and tap "Remove" or "Uninstall shortcut". The actual Instagram app stays installed and working; you are only removing the icon from your home screen.
If you want both icons on your home screen (the original and your custom version), you can keep them side by side. Some people do this to have a custom icon for quick access and the original icon as a backup.
What happens to Instagram when you change the icon
Changing your Instagram icon does not change how the app works. Your account, messages, followers, and all your settings stay exactly the same. You are only changing the image that appears on your home screen — the app itself is untouched.
If you uninstall the custom shortcut by accident, you can always create a new one using the same steps. The original Instagram app remains in your app drawer and on Google Play Store, so you can reinstall the shortcut whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Instagram icon affect my account or login?
No. Changing the icon is purely visual and only affects what you see on your home screen. Your account, password, messages, and all your data remain completely unchanged. Instagram has no way of knowing you changed the icon.
Can I change the icon back to the original?
Yes. If you created a shortcut, you can delete it and create a new one with the original Instagram icon. If you used a third-party launcher, you can reset the icon in the launcher's settings, or uninstall the launcher and go back to your phone's default launcher.
What if my phone does not have a "Create shortcut" option?
Different Android phones have different launchers. If you do not see "Create shortcut" or "Widgets", try downloading Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher from Google Play Store. These third-party launchers work on any Android phone and give you more icon customization options.
Do I need to read anything to change my Instagram icon?
Not necessarily. You can change the icon using only your phone's built-in launcher and images already on your phone. If you want a specific icon style, you can read an icon pack from Google Play Store, but that is optional.
Can I change the icon of other apps the same way?
Yes. The shortcut method works for any app on your phone. You can create custom shortcuts with different icons for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, or any other app you use regularly.