How to Change App Icons on Android Device

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Do you want to customize the look and feel of your Android device? Do you want to make your home screen more attractive and unique? One of the easiest ways to do that is by changing the app icons on your Android device. App icons are the small images that represent the apps on your device. They can be boring, generic, or inconsistent with your personal style. By changing them, you can create a more personalized and aesthetically pleasing home screen.

In this article, we will show you how to change app icons on your Android device using three different methods: using a launcher, using an icon pack, and using a custom shortcut. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Using a Third-party launcher

A launcher is an app that controls how your home screen and app drawer look and behave. It can also offer additional features, such as widgets, gestures, themes, and customization options. By default, most Android devices come with a stock launcher that is developed by the device manufacturer or Google. However, you can also install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store that can offer more functionality and flexibility. One of the benefits of using a third-party launcher is that it can support changing app icons using icon packs.

An icon pack is a collection of app icons that share a common design, style, or theme. You can find thousands of icon packs on the Google Play Store, ranging from simple and elegant to colorful and creative. Some icon packs are free, while others are paid or offer in-app purchases. To use an icon pack, you need to have a compatible launcher installed on your device. Some of the most popular and feature-rich launchers that support icon packs are Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, and Smart Launcher. Here is how to change app icons on Android using each of these launchers:

Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is one of the most popular and powerful launchers for Android. It offers a high level of customization, performance, and stability. It also supports icon packs from the Google Play Store, as well as custom icons that you can create or import from your gallery.

How to Change App icons on Android using Nova Launcher

Download and install Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store. You can use the free version or upgrade to Nova Launcher Prime for more features and options.
Set Nova Launcher as your default launcher by following the instructions on the screen.
Download and install an icon pack of your choice from the Google Play Store. You can search for “icon pack” or browse the categories and recommendations.
Open Nova Launcher Settings by tapping and holding on an empty space on your home screen and selecting Settings.
Tap on Look & feel and then tap on Icon style.
Tap on Icon theme and select the icon pack you want to apply. You can also adjust the icon size, shape, and label if you want.
Tap on the back button and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icons applied to your device.

How to Change the App icon for an only Specific App

Tap and hold on the app icon you want to change and select Edit.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the built-in icon editor.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on Done.
Tap on Done again to save the changes.

Action Launcher

Action Launcher is another popular and powerful launcher for Android. It offers a modern and intuitive interface, as well as innovative features, such as Quicktheme, Quickbar, Quickpage, and Quickdrawer. It also supports icon packs from the Google Play Store, as well as adaptive icons that can change their shape and color according to your wallpaper.

How to Change app icons on Android using Action Launcher

Download and install Action Launcher from the Google Play Store. You can use the free version or upgrade to Action Launcher Plus for more features and options.
Set Action Launcher as your default launcher by following the instructions on the screen.
Download and install an icon pack of your choice from the Google Play Store. You can search for “icon pack” or browse the categories and recommendations.
Open Action Launcher Settings by tapping and holding on an empty space on your home screen and selecting Home settings.
Tap on Display and then tap on Icon pack.
Select the icon pack you want to apply. You can also adjust the icon size, shape, and label if you want.
Tap on the back button and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icons applied to your device.

How to Change the App icon for an only Specific App

Tap and hold on the app icon you want to change and select Edit icon.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the adaptive icon generator.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on OK.
Tap on OK again to save the changes.

Smart Launcher

Smart Launcher is another popular and powerful launcher for Android. It offers a minimalist and smart interface, as well as useful features, such as Smart search, Smart categories, Smart gestures, and Smart lock. It also supports icon packs from the Google Play Store, as well as custom icons that you can create or import from your gallery.

How to change app icons on Android using Smart Launcher:

Download and install Smart Launcher from the Google Play Store. You can use the free version or upgrade to Smart Launcher Pro for more features and options.
Set Smart Launcher as your default launcher by following the instructions on the screen.
Download and install an icon pack of your choice from the Google Play Store. You can search for “icon pack” or browse the categories and recommendations.
Open Smart Launcher Settings by tapping and holding on an empty space on your home screen and selecting Preferences.
Tap on Global appearance and then tap on Icon pack.
Select the icon pack you want to apply. You can also adjust the icon size, shape, and label if you want.
Tap on the back button and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icons applied to your device.

How to Change the App icon for an only Specific App

Tap and hold on the app icon you want to change and select Edit icon.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the icon editor.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on Apply.
Tap on Apply again to save the changes.

Using an icon changer app

Another method to change app icons on Android is to use an icon changer app. An icon changer app is an app that can create custom shortcuts for your apps with different icons. Unlike a launcher, an icon changer app does not change the app icons in your app drawer, but only on your home screen. You can also use an icon changer app with any launcher, including the stock launcher.

However, an icon changer app may not support all the apps on your device, and it may create duplicate icons on your home screen. Some of the most popular and easy-to-use icon changer apps are Awesome Icons, Icon Changer, and Adapticons. Here is how to change app icons on Android using each of these apps:

Awesome Icons

Awesome Icons is an icon changer app that can create custom shortcuts for your apps with different icons. You can use any icon pack from the Google Play Store, or any image from your gallery, or any text as your app icon. You can also change the app name and color if you want.

How to change app icons on Android using Awesome Icons

Download and install Awesome Icons
Open Awesome Icons and tap on the plus button at the bottom right corner.
Select the app you want to change the icon for from the list.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the text.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on OK.
Optionally, you can change the app name and color by tapping on the respective fields.
Tap on Create at the top right corner.
Tap on Add automatically or add manually, depending on your launcher. If you choose Add manually, you will need to drag and drop the new shortcut to your home screen.
Tap on Done and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icon on your home screen.

Icon Changer

Icon Changer is another icon changer app that can create custom shortcuts for your apps with different icons. You can use any icon pack from the Google Play Store, or any image from your gallery, or any emoji as your app icon. You can also change the app name and color if you want.

How to change app icons on Android using Icon Changer

Download and install Icon Changer from the Google Play Store.
Open Icon Changer and tap on the app you want to change the icon for from the list.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the emoji.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on OK.
Optionally, you can change the app name and color by tapping on the respective fields.
Tap on Create at the top right corner.
Tap on Add to home screen and follow the instructions on the screen.
Tap on Done and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icon on your home screen.

Adapticons

Adapticons is another icon changer app that can create custom shortcuts for your apps with different icons. You can use any icon pack from the Google Play Store, or any image from your gallery, or any icon from your device. You can also customize the icon shape, size, color, and background if you want.

How to Change App icons on Android using Adapticons

Download and install Adapticons from the Google Play Store.
Open Adapticons and tap on the plus button at the bottom right corner.
Select the app you want to change the icon for from the list.
Tap on the app icon and select the icon source. You can choose from the icon pack, the gallery, or the device.
Select the icon you want to use and tap on Next.
Optionally, you can customize the icon shape, size, color, and background by tapping on the respective buttons.
Tap on Next and then tap on Create.
Tap on Add to home screen and follow the instructions on the screen.
Tap on Done and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icon on your home screen.

Using Samsung Galaxy Themes

If you have a Samsung Galaxy device, you can also change app icons on Android using Samsung Galaxy Themes. Samsung Galaxy Themes is a feature that allows you to download and apply various themes for your device, including wallpapers, icons, fonts, sounds, and more.

You can find thousands of themes on the Galaxy Store, ranging from official Samsung themes to third-party themes. Some themes are free, while others are paid or offer in-app purchases. To use Samsung Galaxy Themes, you need to have a Samsung account and a compatible device.

How to change app icons on Android using Samsung Galaxy Themes

Open the Settings app on your Samsung device and tap on Themes.
Tap on Explore more themes to open the Galaxy Store.
Browse or search for the theme you want to apply. You can filter the themes by category, price, popularity, and more.
Tap on the theme you want to apply and tap on Download. You may need to sign in with your Samsung account if you haven’t already.
After the theme is downloaded, tap on Apply and wait for the theme to be applied to your device.
Tap on Done and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icons applied to your device.

How to Customize Individual icons

Tap and hold on an empty space on your home screen and select Themes.
Tap on Icons and then tap on My icons.
Tap on the icon pack you want to use and tap on Apply.
Tap on the app icon you want to change and select the icon you want to use from the list.
Tap on Done and return to your home screen. You should see the new app icon on your home screen.

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FAQs

How do I Restore the Original App icons on Android?

To undo icon changes, remove third-party launcher or icon changer app. Or switch to stock launcher or default theme in Settings.

How do I change app icons on the lock screen on Android?

To change lock screen app icons, use third-party launcher or icon changer app with lock screen option. Or apply same or different theme in Settings.

How do I change app icons on the notification bar on Android?

To change notification bar app icons, use third-party launcher or icon changer app with notification bar option. Or apply same or different theme in Settings.

How do I change app icons on the folders on Android?

To change folder app icons, use third-party launcher or icon changer app with folder option. Or apply same or different theme in Settings.

Conclusion

Changing app icons on Android is a fun and easy way to personalize your device and make it stand out from the crowd. You can use various methods to change app icons on Android, such as using a third-party launcher, using an icon changer app, or using Samsung Galaxy Themes. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.

You can also experiment with different icon packs, images, and styles to create your own unique look. We hope this article has helped you learn how to change app icons on Android and inspired you to try it out yourself.