How to Change App Icons on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac

Changing app icons on your devices can make them more visually appealing and easier to identify. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to change app icons on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

If you are an iOS user, changing app icons is quite straightforward. Here is a detailed guide that walks you through the process:

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad. This app typically has a dark blue icon with pink and green squares inside.

Tap the My Shortcuts tab, which is the tab with four squares at the bottom-left corner.

Tap the at the top-right corner to open the New Shortcut screen.

Tap the at the top of the screen to add an action, and then type "Open App" into the search bar.

Tap "Open App" under the search results to proceed.

Tap Choose right next to the app name that you want to change the icon for.

Tap the app you want to change the icon for and it will now be reflected in the action section.

Tap the three dots under the app name and select "Add to Home Screen." This adds your new shortcut to the home screen.

Select a new icon to represent the app. You can use a picture in your Photo library, take a new photo, or leave the placeholder icon by default.

Replace the name if you wish to, but this is optional. Tap Add at the top-right corner to finalize the app icon change.

To launch the app, tap the new icon on the home screen to open the shortcut and then tap the app name.

If you want to add another app icon, repeat the steps above for the desired app.

Android Devices

Android offers more customization options for app icons than iOS. Here are the methods to change them:

For Samsung Galaxy devices, you can use the built-in icon packs:

Tap and hold an empty area of the home screen and select Icon Packs. Select a free pack or purchase one, then follow the on-screen instructions. To change an icon, tap and hold an empty area of the screen again, select Icon Packs, tap Select, then choose the icons you want to use.

Install a new app launcher:

Go to the Play Store, search for a launcher like Nova Launcher, and install it. Once installed, browse its settings for the ability to add icon packs. Apply a new icon pack by tapping and holding a blank area of the home screen and selecting Set Home Screen.

Use an icon changing app:

Install apps like X Icon Changer or Awesome Icons. These apps allow you to change the icons of apps by choosing from a variety of pack options.

Windows

Windows users can also customize app icons. Here is what you need to do:

Download or create new icons. Convert them to the ICO format if necessary.

Create a desktop shortcut for the app you want to change:

Press the Windows key, scroll to the app, right-click, and choose Create shortcut. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and click Change Icon near the bottom. Select an icon or click Browse to search for the one you downloaded. Click Select on the icon you want, then OK to apply the changes.

Mac

Mac users can change app icons by following these steps:

Download icon files that are appropriate for Mac. Icons from Flaticon or Findicons should work well.

Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.

Right-click the app icon you want to change and select Get Info.

Press Command N to open a new Finder window and navigate to the icon file.

Drag the new icon file to the existing app icon in the Get Info panel. This will update the icon.

By following these instructions, you can customize your app icons to better suit your preferences and make your devices more visually appealing. Experiment with different icons to find the style that works best for you!