Smartphones based on the operating system Android provide users with almost unlimited possibilities for personalizing the device. One of the most popular requests is the desire to change the visual style of installed apps in order to bring the home screen to a single aesthetic denominator. Users often want to recolor application icons, make them brighter, darker, or completely change the design to suit their taste.
It would seem that standard system settings limit such actions, but in fact there are many legal and safe ways to achieve the desired result. Changing icons does not require obtaining root access in most cases and can be done using standard shell functions or third party software. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for modifying the appearance of apps.
You need to understand that the process of changing the color or shape of an icon does not affect the internal code of the application itself. You only change the visual “wrapper” that the launcher sees (the desktop shell). This means that the functionality of the app remains the same, and your data is completely secure. The main thing is to choose the right tool to implement your idea.
Built-in shell personalization tools
Modern smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlus, build powerful tools for customizing the interface into their proprietary shells. Before downloading third-party software, you should check the capabilities that your device already has. Often the necessary functionality is hidden in deep theme settings menus.
For example, in devices Samsung with a shell One UI there is a function for changing the system color palette. It automatically adjusts the colors of icons and widgets to match the colors of your wallpaper. To activate this, go to Settings → Wallpaper and style. Here you can select a preset palette or create your own, which will actually “recolor” many system icons in the desired shade.
In smartphones Xiaomi (shell MIUI or HyperOS) the situation is even more interesting. In the application Themes you can find thousands of ready-made packages, where the icons of all popular applications are already redrawn in the same style. You can download a theme, apply it, and then in the launcher settings select the mixing option, leaving your wallpaper but taking icons from the new theme.
Use the "Theme Mixing" feature in MIUI to apply icons from one theme to the wallpaper and system fonts from another, creating a unique design.
However, it is worth considering that built-in tools are often limited only to system applications or popular services. If you want to recolor a specific app that is not in the manufacturer's theme catalog, you will have to turn to more advanced methods. Customization Through standard settings it is good for its stability, but does not always give complete freedom of creativity.
Use of third-party launchers
The most An effective way to globally change the appearance of your desktop and icons is to install a third-party launcher. The launcher replaces the standard Android desktop, providing advanced graphics control capabilities. The leaders in this niche are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher.
After installing such an application, for example Nova Launcher, you need to go to its settings and find the section Appearance → Icon style. Here you can install a third-party icon pack. In stores Google Play there are thousands of such packs: from minimalist black and white to neon and cartoon. Installing the pack will automatically recolor all supported applications.
For applications that are not supported by the selected icon pack (their icons will remain standard), launchers offer a manual replacement function. You can long press on the icon, select “Edit” and assign it any image from the gallery or from another pack. This allows you to manually “repaint” any app in the desired color, even if the automatic pack missed it.
It is important to note that some launchers require a paid version (Prime) for full access to icon changing functions. Free versions may have limitations on the number of custom icons or lack support for certain gestures. However, this is the most flexible tool for those who want complete control over the visual.
Applications for creating custom icons
If ready-made icon packs do not suit you and you want to create a unique design from scratch, there are specialized design applications. They allow you to overlay colored backgrounds, change shapes, and add logos on top of standard images. A striking example of such a tool is the application X Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker.
The process of creating an individual icon in such utilities is as follows: you select the application from the list, then select the background shape (circle, square, rounded square) and the color of this background. After this, you can download the app logo or select it from the built-in database. As a result, you get a completely new icon created according to your design.
Some applications, such as Shortcut Maker, even allow you to change the name of the shortcut, which is useful for creating a minimalist desktop where only symbols or colors are used instead of app names. This is an advanced level personalizationavailable to every user without the need to be a designer.
⚠️ Attention: When using applications to create shortcuts, remember that they create new links to applications. Deleting such a shortcut will not delete the application itself, but if you delete the original application, the shortcut will stop working.
☑️ Creating a custom icon
Technical features of replacing shortcuts
It is important for users to understand the technical difference between changing an icon within the system and creating a new shortcut. When you use third-party launchers or builders, you are essentially creating a new shortcut (shortcut) that references the main application package. The original in the application menu often remains unchanged.
This means that when searching for a app through the system search (swipe up or search button), you can see the old icon, while the new one is on the desktop. This is normal behavior for Android, due to the system security architecture, which protects the integrity of installed packages (.apk).
For advanced users who want to change the icon specifically in the general application menu (App Drawer), there are more complex methods that require the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or specific plugins for launchers. However, for most use cases, replacing the shortcut on the desktop is sufficient measure.
| Method of change | Complexity | Depth of changes | Need for Root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer's themes | Low | System applications | No |
| Third-party launcher | Average | Desktop | No |
| Icon designers | Medium | Individual shortcuts | No |
| Modification of system files | High | The entire system | Yes |
Changing the accent color in Android 12 and later
Starting with version Android 12, Google has implemented a design system Material YouThis feature. allows you to automatically change the accent color of the interface and icons of supported applications depending on the color of the selected wallpaper. This is the most native way to “recolor” the system without installing additional software.
To use this function, go to Settings → Wallpaper and style → Color palette. Here you will see several options for color schemes extracted from your current wallpaper. By selecting one of them, you will notice how the volume sliders, switch buttons and icons of system applications (Phone, Messages, Settings) will change their color.
Third-party application developers can also integrate support Material You If the application supports this function, it will automatically. will adapt to the accent color of the system you have chosen. If the developer has not added such support, the icon will remain in its original color, despite the system settings.
Why do some icons not change color in Material You?
It depends on the application developer. If the app code does not include support for dynamic colors of Android 12+, the system will not be able to force change its icon without using third-party launchers.
Advanced customization via ADB
For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to achieve maximum control, there is a method for changing system overlays via ADB. This method allows you to enable hidden themes or change system colors where the manufacturer has blocked them. However, this method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.
First you need to activate the USB debugging mode in the menu For developers. Then, once you connect the device to your PC, you can enter commands to change system settings. For example, some commands allow you to force a dark theme or change the accent shade, even if such an option is hidden in the settings menu.
adb shell cmd overlay enable --target com.android.systemuiUse ADB puts a powerful tool in your hands, but requires caution. An incorrect command can lead to unstable operation of the system interface (SystemUI), although this is usually solved by rebooting or resetting the settings. This method is recommended only for experienced users who understand the Android command structure.
⚠️ Attention: ADB command interfaces and system package names may differ on different smartphone models. Before entering commands, be sure to check the documentation for your specific device model.
ADB allows you to change system settings hidden by the manufacturer, but requires a computer and basic knowledge of the command line.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to change application icons?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. You only change the visual appearance of the shortcut on the desktop. The application itself, its data and access remain unchanged. The risk is only possible when downloading dubious launchers from unverified sources, so use only Google Play.
Are icon settings reset after updating the application?
Usually no. If you use a third-party launcher, it stores icon settings in its database. When updating the application itself (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), its icon in the launcher should be preserved. However, if an application update radically changes its internal identifier, the shortcut may be reset.
Is it possible to recolor the icon without installing a launcher?
Yes, using shortcut maker applications such as Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer. They create new shortcuts with custom icons on top of the standard ones, without requiring replacement of the entire desktop.
Why does the application take longer to open after changing the icon?
Sometimes launchers with heavy graphic effects or a huge number of custom icons can consume more RAM. This may cause micro-delays at startup. Try using lighter launchers or reducing the number of animations.
How to get all the icons back?
If you used a launcher, just go to its settings and select the "Reset icon settings" option or delete the launcher, returning to the standard one. If you used a shortcut designer, simply delete the created shortcuts from the desktop, like regular applications.