How to Change App Icons on Android

This article covers how to change app icons on your Android smartphone, including applying custom icons on a Samsung phone or tablet.

How to Get Custom App Icons on Android

One of the best features of Android is the option to customize nearly anything you want, from the wallpaper and lock shortcuts to the way the icons look and feel. What’s more, there are many ways to apply custom icons. You can even create your own!

Before you can change app icons, you’ll need to download and install custom icon sets. You can find them at the Google Play Store.

Here's how to install them:

1. Find a set of custom icons you like at the Google Play Store. The best way to find them is to type custom icons in the search bar (located at the top).

2. When you find an icon set you like, tap the entry in the search results. Then tap the green Install button.

3. Wait for it to finish, and then return to the home screen or tap Open.

How to Get Custom App Icons on a Samsung Using Galaxy Themes

Like the Galaxy Note 20, Samsung smartphones and tablets use a reskinned version of Android called One UI. That means you can also customize the home screen and interface with unique wallpapers, widgets, and app icons.

Before you can apply custom app icons, you must download theme packs from the Galaxy Themes app.

Here's how to install app icons using Galaxy Themes:

1. Open the Galaxy Themes app or go to Settings > Themes. If you’re not already logged in, tap the menu button in the top left and tap the profile button to do so. If you do not have a Samsung account, you will need to create one.

2. Tap the Icons button on the bottom (third from the left). Find an icon pack you like.

   Note

   Some icon packs cost money. If you don't want to spend anything, be sure to look for the packs listing Free underneath, not a price.

3. Tap the icon pack to open the store page and then select the Download button at the bottom of the screen. An advertisement may appear, and the download should start after it finishes playing.

4. Wait for it to finish.

5. If you want to apply the icon pack right away, tap the Apply button, which replaced the Download option.

How Do You Change App Icons on Android?

Even if you installed a custom app icon pack, you need to apply it first before seeing any changes. Just having the icon pack installed does not make them active or visible.

Changing App Icons Within the Application

Sometimes, you can apply the custom icons using a tool that comes with the icon packs you install. Here's how:

1. Open the icon app for the pack you downloaded. Accept any permission requests.

2. Depending on the app, you may or may not see an Apply button. Some icon packs require you to have a custom launcher to use them.

How Do You Change App Icons on Samsung?

If you haven’t already applied the icon packs previously installed on your Samsung, here’s how to activate them or swap them out.

1. Open Galaxy Themes either by clicking on the icon in your app tray or going to Settings > Themes.

2. Tap the menu button in the top left, and select My Stuff.

3. At the top of the screen, tap the Icons option. Then tap the icon pack you wish to apply.

4. At the bottom of the page, select the Apply option. You may or may not see a warning, tap Agree or Apply again to continue.

5. That’s it! Enjoy your new icons.

   Warning

   Most icon packs you download from Galaxy Themes will only change the appearance of official Samsung or system app icons. You will need to use another method to change the appearance of other app icons.

Can You Change App Icons without a Launcher?

The short answer is yes, you can.

With some icon packs, you can apply them directly from within the native app. If that doesn't work, you can always use another app like Shortcut Maker.

How Do You Change App Icons and Names on Android?

If you want more freedom when changing app icons, like adding a custom name, you’ll need to install another app called Shortcut Maker.

How Do You Install Shortcut Maker?

Go to the Shortcut Maker Google Play Store page. Then, tap the green Install button and wait for it to download and install.

How Do You Change App Names with Shortcut Maker?

To change the display name of an app, you'll create a shortcut which means creating an additional app icon with custom parameters. Here’s how:

1. Open Shortcut Maker. Choose the type of shortcut you wish to make from the list. Choose the Apps option for an app icon. Next, select the app icon you want to customize from the list of installed apps.

2. Use the Tap to Edit Label button (it will also show the app name) to change the name. Then, enter the new custom name or label and select Done.

3. Edit any other custom options you want (you can also choose a custom app icon). When you’re done, tap the big blue Create Shortcut button in the bottom right.

How Do You Change App Icons with Shortcut Maker?

If you want to apply app icons individually or apply icons from a pack you installed, you can use Shortcut Maker. Here’s how:

1. Open Shortcut Maker. Choose the type of shortcut you wish to make from the list. For an app icon, that would be the Apps option.  Next, select the app icon you want to customize from the list of installed apps.

2. To apply a new icon, use the Tap to Edit Icon button (it will also show the current app icon).

3. You will see a list of available options for customizing the icon on the next screen. You may see custom icon packs you have installed, and you can also use text, emojis, gallery images, and system icons. Choose the source containing the icon you wish to use, and then select your image.

4. You will see the new icon you have selected on the right side of the page. To apply it, tap the blue checkmark in the top right.

5. Edit any of the other custom options you want (you can also change the name). When you’re done, tap the big blue Create Shortcut button in the bottom right.

How Do You Make Custom Icons on Android?

Creating custom icons and adding them to a set is a lengthy and complex process, and explaining how to do it is best left for a separate guide.

It is possible, and it can be a lot of fun. It can also be a lucrative business opportunity if you’re good at it! You can sell custom themes on the Google Play Store or Samsung Themes store.

How to Change the Home Screen on Android?

On all Android devices, you can play around with app icons, including their look and feel. You can also customize your device by applying custom wallpaper, unique screensavers, changing the lock screen display, and much more.

An app like Shortcut Maker makes it easy to customize the appearance of individual app icons, even those not affected by installing a custom icon pack or a Samsung Galaxy Theme.