Custom icons make your shortcuts easier to spot and tap
When you create a shortcut on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can replace the default icon with a photo, emoji, or symbol that means something to you. This takes about 30 seconds and works the same way across all Apple devices. The icon appears on your home screen, in the Shortcuts app, and anywhere else the shortcut shows up.
You do not need to edit the shortcut itself — the icon change happens in one menu, and you can swap it out whenever you want. If you change your mind later, you can revert to the default icon in the same place.
Key Takeaways
- Open the shortcut you want to customize, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Edit Details" to access the icon menu.
- You can choose from emoji, photos from your library, or the built-in symbol library that comes with your device.
- The icon you pick will display on your home screen, in the Shortcuts app, and in any widget or folder where the shortcut appears.
- Changing or removing a custom icon takes the same steps — just open Edit Details again and pick a different option or tap "Default".
How to add an emoji or symbol as your icon
Open the Shortcuts app and find the shortcut you want to customize. Tap the three dots (or the menu icon) in the top right corner of the shortcut card. Tap "Edit Details" from the menu that appears.
In the Edit Details screen, look for the icon preview at the top — it shows the current icon, usually a small square with a symbol or color. Tap that icon. A menu will open with three options: "Emoji", "Photo", and "Symbol". Tap "Emoji" to see the emoji keyboard. Scroll through and pick the emoji you want, then tap it to confirm. The icon updates immediately.
If you want a symbol instead of an emoji, tap "Symbol" in that same menu. You will see a grid of built-in icons organized by category — things like arrows, shapes, weather symbols, and common app icons. Tap the one you want and it becomes your shortcut icon.
How to use a photo from your library as an icon
Follow the same first steps: open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Edit Details". Tap the icon at the top of the screen. When the menu appears, tap "Photo".
Your photo library will open. Pick any photo you want — it can be a screenshot, a picture you took, or an image you saved. The photo will be cropped to a square and shrunk down to icon size, so pick something with a clear, simple subject. Tap the photo to confirm. The system will ask you to position and scale it if needed — drag to center it and pinch to resize it, then tap "Choose" to finish.
Photos work best when they have a solid background or a clear focal point. A photo of a person's face, a logo, or a solid-color object usually looks better than a busy landscape or a photo with lots of small details.
How to change or remove a custom icon
To swap out an icon you already set, open the shortcut and tap the three dots, then "Edit Details". Tap the current icon at the top. The menu will show you what type of icon you are using now (emoji, photo, or symbol) and let you pick a different one the same way you added the first one.
To go back to the default icon, tap the three dots and "Edit Details", then tap the icon. Tap "Default" at the bottom of the menu. The icon will revert to whatever symbol the Shortcuts app normally shows for that type of shortcut.
Why your custom icon might not appear everywhere
If you add a custom icon but it does not show up on your home screen, make sure you have added the shortcut to your home screen as a widget or icon. Custom icons always show in the Shortcuts app itself, but they only appear on your home screen if you have placed the shortcut there. To do that, open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Add to Home Screen".
On older devices or older versions of iOS, the custom icon feature may not be available. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. You can check this in Settings > General > Software Update (or System Settings > General > Software Update on Mac).
Tips for picking icons that work well
Emoji are the fastest option and work well because they are instantly recognizable. Pick an emoji that relates to what the shortcut does — a camera emoji for a photo shortcut, a speaker emoji for a volume control, a clock for a timer. Avoid emoji that are too similar to each other or too small to see clearly at a glance.
Symbols from the built-in library are good if you want something more minimal or professional-looking. They are usually single-color and scale cleanly to any size. Photos work best if you want something very specific or personal — a logo, a screenshot of an app, or a simple graphic. Avoid photos with text, because the text will be too small to read once the photo is shrunk to icon size.
If you use the same shortcut on multiple devices, the custom icon syncs through iCloud, so you only have to set it once. The icon will appear the same way on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom icon on a shortcut I share with someone else?
Yes. When you share a shortcut, the custom icon goes with it. The person who receives it will see your icon when they add the shortcut to their device. They can change it to something else if they want, and their version will not affect yours.
What if I want to use a symbol that is not in the built-in library?
You can take a screenshot of any symbol or icon you find online, save it to your photos, and use it as a photo icon. This works for app icons, website logos, or any other image. Just remember that it will be shrunk down to icon size, so make sure it is clear and simple.
Does changing the icon affect how the shortcut runs?
No. The icon is purely visual. Changing it does not change what the shortcut does, how fast it runs, or any of its settings. You can change the icon as many times as you want without affecting the shortcut's function.
Can I use a GIF or animated image as an icon?
No. Icons are static images only. If you try to use a GIF or video, the system will use the first frame as a still image. For animated effects, stick with emoji, which have built-in animations on some devices.