You can change how app icons look on your home screen using the Shortcuts app
iPhone doesn't let you swap out the built-in icons for apps themselves — iOS locks that down. But you can create custom icons that launch apps when you tap them. The method uses Apple's Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on every iPhone. When you tap a custom icon, it runs a shortcut that opens the app you want. To anyone looking at your home screen, it looks like you've changed the icon. What's actually happening is you're tapping a shortcut that points to the app.
This approach works for any app on your phone. You can make icons match a theme, use photos instead of app logos, or organize them however you want visually. The trade-off is a one-second delay when you open an app — the Shortcuts app has to run first, then launch the app you chose.
Key Takeaways
- Custom icons are actually shortcuts that launch apps, created in the Shortcuts app, not changes to the apps themselves.
- You need to create a shortcut for each app you want a custom icon for, then add that shortcut to your home screen.
- You can use any image as a custom icon — photos, downloaded icon packs, or images you create yourself.
- Custom icons take about one second to open an app because the Shortcuts app runs first, then launches the app.
- You can organize custom icons into folders on your home screen just like regular app icons.
How to create a custom icon in Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want the custom icon to launch. You now have a shortcut that opens that app.
Next, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A menu appears asking for a name and icon. Change the name to whatever you want the icon labeled (or leave it blank if you don't want a label). Tap the icon preview — it shows the app's current icon — and you can choose a photo from your library, take a new photo, or pick a color.
After you set the icon and name, tap "Add" in the top right. The shortcut is now on your home screen as a custom icon. Repeat this process for each app you want to customize.
Where to find icon images and packs
You don't have to create icons from scratch. Websites like Noun Project, Flaticon, and Icons8 offer free downloadable icon images. Search for the app name or the look you want. Download the image to your phone's Photos app, then use it when creating your shortcut.
Some people share pre-made icon packs on Reddit communities like r/iOSsetups. These are collections of matching icons designed to work together. You download the images, then create shortcuts for each one. Icon packs take longer to set up because you're creating multiple shortcuts, but they give your home screen a cohesive look.
You can also use your own photos as icons — a picture of a person for Contacts, a photo of your pet for a notes app, anything that makes sense to you. The image gets scaled down to fit the icon space, so simple, clear images work better than busy ones.
Organizing custom icons into folders
Once you have custom icons on your home screen, you can organize them the same way you organize regular app icons. Long-press an icon and drag it onto another icon to create a folder. Name the folder whatever you want. Drag more icons into the folder to group them.
This is useful if you've customized a lot of apps and want to keep your home screen from getting cluttered. You might put all your productivity app icons in one folder, entertainment apps in another, and so on. The folder itself can also have a custom icon if you create a shortcut that opens a folder — though that's more advanced and requires using the Shortcuts app's folder action.
Why custom icons take longer to open
When you tap a custom icon, your phone is actually running the Shortcuts app in the background. The Shortcuts app then tells your phone to open the app you selected. This adds a delay — usually one to two seconds — between tapping the icon and the app appearing. It's not a glitch; it's how the system works.
If speed matters more than appearance, stick with the app's original icon. If you're willing to wait a second or two for the visual customization, custom icons are worth it. The delay is consistent and predictable, not random.
Removing or editing custom icons
To delete a custom icon from your home screen, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen". The shortcut itself stays in your Shortcuts app — you're just removing it from the home screen. If you want to delete the shortcut entirely, open the Shortcuts app, long-press the shortcut, and tap "Delete".
To edit a custom icon you've already created, open the Shortcuts app and find the shortcut. Tap it to open the editor. Tap the three dots in the top right, then "Edit Home Screen Icon". You can change the image, name, or the app it launches. Tap "Done" to save your changes.
Limitations and things to know
iOS doesn't let you change the actual app icons in your app library or when you search — only the icons on your home screen. If you use Spotlight search to open an app, you'll see the original icon, not your custom one. Custom icons only appear on your home screen.
If you back up your iPhone and restore it to a new phone, your custom icons won't transfer automatically. You'll need to recreate them on the new device. The shortcuts themselves might transfer if you use iCloud backup, but the home screen arrangement usually doesn't.
Some people use icon packs that require you to set them as your default app for certain actions — like setting a custom Mail icon as your default email app. This is optional and not necessary just to have custom icons on your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icons of built-in apps like Settings or Phone?
Yes. Open Shortcuts, create a new shortcut, add the "Open App" action, and select the built-in app you want. Then add it to your home screen with a custom icon. The process is the same as for third-party apps.
Will custom icons work if I use a different launcher or home screen app?
Custom icons are shortcuts, so they work on the standard iOS home screen. Third-party launcher apps have their own icon systems and don't use Shortcuts. If you switch to a different launcher, your custom icons won't appear there.
Can I download a whole icon pack and apply it all at once?
No. Icon packs are collections of images, not automated installers. You download the images, then create a shortcut for each app you want to customize. It takes time, but once it's done, you have a matching set of icons.
What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?
Your custom icons will stop working. They'll show as broken shortcuts on your home screen. Don't delete Shortcuts if you're using custom icons. You can hide it from your home screen if you don't want to see it, but keep it installed.
Can I make a custom icon that opens multiple apps at once?
Yes, but it's more complex. In the Shortcuts app, you can create a shortcut that opens one app, then waits, then opens another. This requires editing the shortcut beyond the basic "Open App" action. Most people stick with single-app shortcuts because they're simpler.