Standard application names on the Android home screen are often too long, contain unnecessary characters, or simply do not correspond to the user’s personal preferences, which makes it difficult to quickly search and spoils the visual style of the desktop.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for changing icon labels. You will learn how to use the built-in functions of launchers, how to use widgets to create “fake” shortcuts, and which applications will help you change the name systematically. We will also discuss the technical limitations that modern versions of Android 13 i Android 14 impose on editing system files.
Renaming a shortcut may be required not only for the sake of aesthetics. This is often done to organize the workspace, group apps by functionality, or to hide the true purpose of the application from prying eyes. Regardless of your goal, there are several proven ways to achieve the desired result without obtaining root access.
Standard capabilities of Android and launchers
The first thing to check is the capabilities of your current desktop. Many smartphone manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Samsung or OnePlus, implement their own shells on top of pure Android. In some of them, the renaming function is built in natively, although it is often hidden in non-obvious menus.
Try long pressing on the application icon. If a context menu appears with an "Edit" option or a pencil next to the title, you're in luck. In the pure Android (version from Google Pixel) this option is usually absent, and the system rigidly binds the shortcut name to the name of the package in the store. Google Play.
If the standard menu does not offer editing options, the problem is solved by installing a third-party launcher. These are special applications that completely replace the desktop and application menu. The most popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, provide extensive control over each interface element.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the launcher, some widget layout settings may be reset. It is recommended to take a screenshot of the current desktop before installing a new interface in order to quickly restore the folder structure.
After installing an alternative shell, the process becomes intuitive. You access editing shortcut metadata directly from the main screen. This is the safest method, since it does not require intervention in system files and can be easily rolled back.
Using third-party launchers for customization
Let's consider the algorithm of actions using the example of the most popular tool - Nova Launcher. This application is the de facto standard for customization and offers flexible settings for each element. After installing and using the default launcher, the renaming procedure takes a few seconds.
You need to hold your finger on the icon you plan to change. In the menu that appears, select “Edit”. A window will open where you can change not only the name, but also the icon itself, and also hide the application from the menu. The “Shortcut” field allows you to enter any text value, including emoji or special characters.
It is important to note that changing the name through the launcher only affects the display on the desktop. In the “All applications” menu and in the system settings, the app will remain under its original name. This is worth considering if you are looking for a app through a global device search.
- 📱 Long press on the icon brings up the editing menu.
- ✏️ The “Shortcut” field accepts any text up to 50 characters.
- 🎨 At the same time, you can change the icon to any of galleries.
- 🔍 Phone search will work using the old application name.
Other launchers, such as Smart Launcher or Apex Launcher, work on a similar principle, but may have differences in the location of the buttons. In some cases, you need to go to the general settings of the launcher, the “Desktop” section, and enable the “Allow changing shortcuts” option if it is disabled by default.
Use short names or abbreviations to save space on the screen, especially if you have many icons in one row.
Method using widgets “Shortcut”
If you don’t want to install a third-party launcher or your phone is slow with a heavy shell, there is a universal system method. It is based on the use of the standard Shortcut widget, which is available in almost any version Android.
The essence of the method is to create a new shortcut for an already installed application, which can be assigned an arbitrary name. The old shortcut is then deleted or moved to a folder. Thus, only your customized version of the icon remains on the desktop.
To implement this method, follow these steps: remove the current icon from the desktop (without deleting the application itself). Then go to desktop editing mode, select the “Widgets” section and find the “Shortcut” or “Shortcut” element. Drag it to an empty space.
The system will prompt you to select an application from the list. After selecting a specific software, a dialog box will open where you will be asked to enter a name for the new shortcut. Here you can write anything from “Game” to “Secret Folder”. Confirm the action, and an icon with a new name will appear on the table.
| Method | Complexity | Impact on the system | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party launcher | Low | Interface only | High |
| Shortcut widget | Medium | Absent | Medium |
| Shortcut editor | High | Access to settings | Maximum |
| root access | Extreme | Deep change | Full |
The downside to this approach is that widgets can sometimes look slightly different than native icons, depending on the theme. In addition, when updating the application, the icon may be reset to the standard one, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
Specialized editor applications
For those who want to gain maximum control without changing the entire launcher, there are highly specialized utilities. apps like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer are created specifically for managing shortcuts. They allow you not only to change names, but also to create shortcuts for specific actions within applications.
For example, you can create a separate icon called “Dark Mode”, which will immediately open the theme settings in Telegram, or a “Payment” shortcut that launches a specific function in a banking application. This increases the usability of the smartphone significantly.
The interface of such applications is usually extremely simple. You select the target app, click on the name field and enter new text. Additionally, you can change the shape of the icon, add frames, or apply color filters. Some features may only be available in premium versions.
Can I create a shortcut for a site?
Yes, in Chrome or Samsung Internet browser you can add a page to the home screen. When creating such a shortcut, the system also allows you to rename it, changing the name of the website to any word convenient for you.
The use of shortcut editors is especially important for people with disabilities or for those who want to simplify the interface for elderly relatives. Large signatures and clear names help you navigate the menu faster.
⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications and services with increased security may block the creation of third-party shortcuts or display them incorrectly. This is done to protect against phishing.
Technical limitations and Android versions
With the release of new versions of the operating system, Google is tightening security rules, which directly affects customization options. In Android 12 and later, restrictions were introduced on the use of certain types of overlays and modification of system resources without special permissions.
This is especially true for attempts to change the names of system applications such as Phone, Messages or Settings. Even if you have superuser rights (root), changing these names can lead to unstable operation of the system or errors in the operation of other apps that access these components using internal identifiers.
It is also worth considering the policies of application stores. Google Play periodically removes utilities that interfere too aggressively with the operation of the interface or imitate system processes. Therefore, popular shortcut editors may disappear from time to time or require updating.
Owners of smartphones with shells based on Android Go or simplified versions of firmware may encounter a lack of support for shortcut widgets. In such cases, the only solution is to install a full-fledged launcher, which will replace the limited standard interface.
The newer the Android version, the more difficult it is to make deep changes to system shortcuts without root access, but methods with widgets and launchers remain working.
Advanced methods: root access and system files
For experienced users with superuser rights, it is possible to edit system configuration files. This method allows you to change the name of the application globally - it will change everywhere: in the menu, in the settings, in the list of running processes and in the notification.
The implementation of this method requires the use of file managers with access to the root directory, such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer. You need to find the file .apk of the desired application or the corresponding resource file resources.arsc, decode it and edit the string values.
Path to resources: /system/app/ApplicationName/File to edit: resources.arsc
Tool: APK Editor Pro (Full Edit mode)
This process is extremely risky. One error in the syntax of the resource file can lead to a “bootloop” (infinite reboot) of the device. Before any manipulations, be sure to create a full backup of the system via TWRP Recovery. It is strictly not recommended to start working without a backup.
Another nuance is system updates. When you receive an OTA update (over the air), all changed system files will be overwritten by the original ones, and you will have to repeat the procedure again. In addition, some applications with integrity checks (banks, games with anti-cheat) may stop launching when they detect modified resources.
- 🔒 An unlocked bootloader and root access is required.
- 💾 Mandatory creation of a full backup copy (Nandroid backup).
- 🛠 Knowledge in decoding APK files is required.
- ⚠️ High risk of system disruption if an error occurs.
There are also modules for Magiskthat allow you to replace application names on the fly without editing the firmware files themselves. This is a safer method, since it is reversible: just disable the module in the Magisk menu, and everything will return to its original state.
Is it safe to change the names of system applications?
Changing the names of critical system applications (Phone, Contacts, Settings) may lead to the fact that other apps will not be able to find them by their internal name. This may cause problems with calls or SMS sending. It is recommended to change names only for third-party apps.
Will the name be reset after rebooting the phone?
When using launchers or widgets, the name is saved after a reboot. If you used temporary methods without saving the launcher configuration, the settings may be reset. When editing system files, the changes are permanent until the next firmware update.
Is it possible to remove the name under the icon completely?
Yes, many launchers (for example, Nova) allow you to disable the display of captions for all icons in the desktop grid settings or configure this for each folder separately. You can also enter a space in the shortcut name field to visually hide the text.
Does renaming affect the operation of notifications?
When using launchers and widgets, notifications will come with the original name of the application, since this is a system level. Only when globally editing system files (root method) will the name in the notification shade change to a new one.
How to get everything back if something went wrong?
If you used a launcher, just delete it or reset the settings in the menu of the launcher itself. If you used widgets, delete the created shortcuts and add standard ones from the application menu. In case of root intervention, you will need to restore from a backup.