Changing the visual style of a smartphone is one of the easiest ways to personalize the device for yourself, without resorting to complex technical manipulations. In the operating system Android 11 Google has given users more freedom to customize the appearance, including the ability to adapt the shape of application icons. However, standard settings do not always allow you to achieve the desired result, since much depends on the manufacturer of your gadget and the installed shell.
Many users are faced with the fact that after updating the system, their favorite ones icons become square or lose their uniqueness, merging with the general background. Luckily, there are several effective methods to restore the aesthetics of your desktop. We will look at both the built-in capabilities of the system and third-party solutions that will help you completely transform the interface.
Before you start making changes, it is worth understanding that some methods require the installation of additional software, while others are available out of the box. The choice of a specific path depends on your smartphone model and personal design preferences.
Built-in capabilities of Android 11 and manufacturers' skins
The first thing you need to check is the standard theme settings. Smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlusoften implement their own customization tools on top of pure Android. These tools can allow you to change the shape of icons without installing unnecessary applications.
To access these settings, you usually need to go to the menu Settings and find the section related to appearance. Depending on the brand, the path may vary. For example, on devices Samsung with a shell One UI you need to look for the "Themes" section, and on Xiaomi s MIUI the "Themes" application on the desktop.
Inside these menus there is often an “Icons” or “Icon Style” option. Here you can select a pre-installed package that will change the geometry of all icons to round, square, teardrop or other shapes. This is the safest method, as it does not interfere with the stability of the system.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with stock Android 11 (for example, Google Pixel), the ability to change the shape of icons may be completely blocked by the manufacturer without installing a third-party launcher.
If you do not find the settings you need in the standard menu, do not rush to get upset. There are many alternative solutions that work on almost any device running this OS.
Before changing system themes, take a screenshot of the current arrangement of icons to quickly restore order in case of settings failure.
Using third-party launchers for complete customization
The most powerful tool for changing the appearance of the interface is installation alternative launcher. The launcher replaces the standard desktop, providing advanced customization options, including flexible control over the shape, size and color of icons.
Popular solutions such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcherallow you to fine-tune every aspect of application display. After installing such an application and making it the default launcher, you get access to the style settings menu.
In the launcher settings there is usually a section “Appearance” or “Icons”. There you can choose the style of the form: from strict geometry to completely custom sets. Some launchers even allow you to manually adjust the corner radius, creating a unique shape that is not found in standard launchers.
- 🎨 Nova Launcher Offers incredible flexibility in customizing the grid and shape of icons, supporting third-party icon packs.
- 🚀 Lawnchair As close as possible to the style of pure Android, but allows you to change the shape of icons through built-in settings or plugins.
- 📱 Smart Launcher automatically sorts applications and offers beautiful themes with changing icon geometry in one click.
It is important to note that when changing the launcher, widgets may require re-configuration, since new desktops do not always correctly import old configurations. However, the advantage of complete control over the design is worth it.
Using Icon Packs
Icon packs are special applications containing a set of graphics to replace standard icons. They work in conjunction with the launchers that support them and allow you to change not only the shape, but also the color scheme, drawing style and detail of each application.
Thousands of such packages are available in the store: from minimalistic black and white sets to bright and cartoon collections. When choosing a package, pay attention to the number of supported applications, since for uncovered icons the launcher will use a standard icon or stub. Google Play There are thousands of these packs available, from minimalist black and white sets to colorful and cartoonish collections. When choosing a package, pay attention to the number of supported applications, since for uncovered icons the launcher will use a standard icon or placeholder.
The activation process is simple: install the package, open the settings of your launcher, go to the “Icon Style” section and select the installed set from the list. The system will automatically apply the new images to all compatible applications.
| Package name | Form style | Number of icons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | Round/Square | 4500+ | High |
| LineX Icon Pack | Rounded | 6000+ | Medium |
| CandyCons | Various | 3800+ | High |
| Flight Icon Pack | Oval | 5200+ | Medium |
Some icon packs require manual configuration for each application if automatic application does not work. This may take time, but the result will be as accurate and aesthetic as possible.
What to do if the icon does not change?
If after applying the package a certain icon remains old, go to the launcher settings, find the “Change Icon” section, select the desired application and manually assign an image from the package.
Configuration via developer mode and ADB
For advanced users who want to change the shape of icons at the system level without installing launchers, there is a method of using debugging by USB and command line ADB. This method allows you to implement changes directly to the system display settings.
You must first activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After a message appears indicating that you have become a developer, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the settings menu.
Enable USB debugging in this section and connect the phone to the computer. Using the ADB console, you can send commands to change interface settings. However, it is worth remembering that this method requires caution, since an incorrect command can lead to unstable operation of the system.
adb shell cmd overlay enable --target androidThis method is not suitable for all devices, since manufacturers often block changes to system overlays. If the command does not work, it means that your firmware does not support such a modification without obtaining root access.
⚠️ Attention: Using ADB commands may lead to loss of warranty or software failures. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and understand the risks.
☑️ Preparing to use ADB
Solving problems with icon display
Sometimes after changing the form or installing a new package, icons may not be displayed correctly: stretched, have a black background or do not change shape at all. Most often this is due to the launcher cache or an application version conflict.
The first step to resolve the problem is to clear the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Applications, find your launcher in the list, select “Storage” and click “Clear cache”. This action will not delete your settings, but will update the graphics data.
If the problem persists, try restarting your device. In rare cases, resetting the launcher to factory settings helps, but then you will have to re-configure the widget layout and desktop grid.
Also make sure that the Android version and the launcher version are compatible. Developers often release updates to fix display bugs on new versions of the operating system.
Clearing the launcher cache is the first and safest action for any visual glitches with icons on Android 11.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the form icons without installing a launcher?
Yes, this is possible on smartphones with custom skins (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) through built-in themes. On pure Android 11, this function is often not available without third-party software.
Does changing icons affect the performance of the phone?
No, changing the graphical shell does not have a significant impact on processor speed or battery consumption, unless you use “heavy” animated launchers.
Why do some icons not change shape after installing the package?
This means that the author of the icon package did not draw a unique icon for a specific application. In this case, the launcher applies a shape mask to the standard icon or leaves it as is.
Is it safe to download icon packs from third-party sources?
It is recommended to download themes and packages only from the official Google Play store to avoid installing malware disguised as useful utilities.