Modern smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, and device personalization comes to the fore. When interface design seems monotonous, many users look for ways to stand out. The simplest and most effective method to refresh the perception of a gadget is to change the appearance of application shortcuts. On Android 11 this problem is solved in several ways, from simple theme settings to installing advanced apps.
Changing the shape of icons does not require deep technical knowledge or obtaining superuser rights. You can choose classic squares, elegant circles or even custom shapes that support modern launcherss. It is important to understand that the available options directly depend on the manufacturer of your device and the installed shell, be it MIUI, One UI or pure Android.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available customization methods. We will consider both the built-in tools of the system and the capabilities of third-party software. You will learn how to adapt old applications to a new style and what pitfalls can be encountered in the process of customizing the visual style.
Built-in options for changing the style in Android 11
Let's start with the simplest option, which does not require installing additional software. Many smartphone manufacturers integrate functions for changing icons directly into the system settings. If you have a device from Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlus, the likelihood of having such an option is extremely high.
To access these settings, you usually just need to go to the menu Settings → Screen → Icon Style or use a long press on the desktop. In the menu that opens, you will see a gallery of preset forms. The system allows you to apply changes instantly, which makes it possible to quickly evaluate the result.
However, it is worth considering the limitations of stock solutions. Often the choice is limited to just a few options: circle, square, rounded square or drop. In addition, not all installed applications support automatic adaptation to the selected style, which can lead to a visual mess on the desktop.
- 🔹 Go to settings and find the interface personalization section.
- 🔹 Select the desired geometry of shortcuts from the proposed list.
- 🔹 Check how they have changed icons of system and third-party applications.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with pure Android (for example, Google Pixel), the ability to change the shape of icons may not be possible without installing a third-party launcher or using themes through special tools.
If the standard settings do not meet your needs, do not be upset. The Android ecosystem is open to modification, and the following methods will give you complete creative freedom.
Using third-party launchers for complete customization
Installing an alternative skin is the most powerful way to transform the interface. Third-party launchers not only change the shape of the icons, but also completely rebuild the logic of the desktop, notification bar and application menu.
Popular solutions such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcheroffer detailed customization of each element. You can adjust the grid size, the spacing between icons and, of course, their shape. Unlike stock solutions, here the number of options is practically unlimited.
To get started, you need to download the selected application from Google Play. After installation, the system will prompt you to make it the default shell. Next, in the launcher settings, find the section responsible for the appearance and activate the desired option.
Some advanced users prefer to combine different launchers with icon packs. This allows you to create a unique style that no one else has. The setup process may take some time, but the result is worth it.
☑️ Install a new launcher
Using Icon Packs
Icon packs are special sets of graphic elements developed by designers to replace standard application icons. They are ideal for those who want to change not only the shape, but also the color scheme, rendering style and detail of the images.
Thousands of free and paid packages are available in the store. From minimalistic black and white sets to bright neon styles. To apply such a package, your launcher must support this feature. Most modern shells, including stock ones from Play Market There are thousands of free and paid packages available. From minimalistic black and white sets to bright neon styles. To apply such a package, your launcher must support this feature. Most modern shells, including stock ones from Samsung and Xiaomi, have built-in support.
After installing the icon pack, you need to go to the theme or launcher settings and select the downloaded set. The system will automatically replace supported icons. For applications that are not in the package, you can use the “masking” function or select a default icon from the same set.
| Package name | Style | Number of icons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | Minimalism (white) | 4500+ | High |
| LineX | Linear (black) | 6000+ | Medium |
| Pix Material You | Material Design | 3000+ | High |
| Neon Glow | Neon | 2500+ | Low |
When choosing a package, pay attention to the date of the last update. Developers are trying to add support for new popular applications, so the latest sets will look more harmonious.
Before purchasing a paid icon pack, check for the availability of a free Lite version to evaluate the style and quality of the icons on your device.
Manually replacing icons through shortcuts
Sometimes the user needs to change the shape or image of just one specific icon, and not the entire interface. In such cases, the function of creating custom shortcuts comes to the rescue. This method is universal and works on any device with Android 11.
The essence of the method is to create a new shortcut on the desktop that links to the desired application, but uses the image of your choice. To do this, you can use the launcher's built-in functions or special utilities, such as X Icon Changer.
The process is as follows: you select the application, then specify a new image from the gallery or downloaded package. The system creates a new shortcut that can be placed anywhere on the screen. The old icon can be deleted or hidden in a folder.
This method takes more time if you need to change many icons, but it gives maximum control over each element. You can use your own photos, logos or any other images as icons.
⚠️ Attention: If you remove the application from your device, manually created shortcuts will no longer work, as they are only links. You will have to create them again after re-installing the app.
Compatibility problems and adaptation of old applications
One of the common problems when changing the shape of icons is the appearance of “white spots” or standard placeholders instead of beautiful icons. This happens because the developers of some applications did not provide adaptive icons in their code.
Adaptive icons is a standard introduced in Android 8.0 that allows the system to automatically crop an image to the desired shape. If the application is old or written in violation of standards, it may not display correctly in a round or other non-standard shell.
Modern launchers solve this problem using masking algorithms. They automatically apply a background or crop the image to fit the specified geometry. The quality of this processing depends on the specific launcher.
Why do some icons not change?
Some applications use static images of a fixed size that cannot be automatically transformed. In such cases, only manual replacement helps by creating a shortcut or waiting for an update from the application developer.
If you notice that the icons look sloppy, try changing the size of the desktop grid or disabling automatic scaling in the launcher settings. Sometimes a small change in proportions solves the problem of visual inconsistency.
The impact of customization on device performance
Many users fear that installing heavy themes and launchers will slow down the smartphone. On Android 11 resource optimization has been improved, but certain nuances still exist. Complex animations and highly detailed icon packs may consume more RAM.
Devices with low RAM (less than 4 GB) may respond to heavy skins with a slight delay when opening menus or switching between screens. However, for most modern smartphones this effect is not noticeable in everyday use.
To minimize the load, choose optimized launchers that are positioned as “light”. Skip live wallpapers combined with complex icon packs if you experience a drop in performance.
Regularly clearing the launcher cache also helps keep the interface responsive. This is especially true if you often change themes and icon packs, accumulating temporary files.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and settings may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and the specific smartphone model. Always check the names of menu items with your current software version.
The balance between beauty and performance is achieved by choosing lightweight launchers and avoiding excessive animations on devices with weak hardware.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the shape of icons without installation launcher?
Yes, this is possible on smartphones with proprietary skins (MIUI, One UI, EMUI), where the function is built into the system theme settings. This cannot be done on pure Android without third-party applications.
Why did some icons become square after changing the shape?
This means that this application does not support adaptive icons. The launcher cannot automatically crop the image, so it displays it in its original form or uses a fallback option.
Will changing the launcher reset the settings?
No, your data and applications will be saved. However, the layout of the desktop shortcuts may change as the new launcher uses a different grid structure. The location of widgets may also require manual adjustment.
Is it safe to download icon packs from unverified sources?
Downloading APK files from third-party sites carries the risk of malware infection. It is recommended to use only the official Google Play store or trusted resources like XDA Developers.
How to return everything back if you don’t like the new style?
Simply go to the settings, select another default launcher (system) or reset the theme settings to factory settings in the personalization menu. All changes are reversible and do not require resetting the phone data.