How to change icons on Android 8 Oreo: 5 working methods

Replacing standard icons with Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo is a problem faced by owners of smartphones Samsung Galaxy S8, Xiaomi Mi A1, Nokia 7 and other devices running this version of the OS. Despite manufacturers' restrictions, you can update your desktop design without root access - the main thing is to know proven methods. In this article, we will look at all the current methods: from installing custom launchers to manually editing system files via ADB.

The peculiarity Android 8 Oreo is that Google has tightened control over system files compared to Android 7 Nougat, but left life hacks for customization. For example, some launchers (like Nova Launchero) support icon packs directly, while others will require a workaround through ADB or third-party utilities. Important: not all methods are equally safe - in some cases superuser rights are sufficient, in others standard settings are sufficient.

1. Replacing icons through custom launchers

The easiest way to change icons on Android 8 is to install an alternative launcher with theme support. Popular options: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher and Action Launcher. These applications allow you to use icon packs from Google Play without manual intervention in the system.

How it works:

• 📱 Install a launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) from Play Market.
• 🎨 Download the package you like icons (for example Whicons or CandyCons).
• ⚙️ In the launcher settings, select the section Icons → Icon theme and apply the downloaded package.
• 🔄 Restart the launcher (usually just swipe down on the desktop).

The advantage of the method: does not require root access and is reversible. Minus - not all system application icons (for example Settings or Phone) can change if the manufacturer has blocked their customization.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Huawei with a shell EMUI) launchers may be unstable due to manufacturer restrictions. Before installing, check the compatibility in the application description.

2. Installing icon packs without a launcher

If you do not want to change the launcher, but still want to update. icons, you can use applications like Icon Changer or Awesome Icons. They allow you to replace icons individually, but the process is more labor-intensive:

1. Download an icon pack (for example, Minimal O or Lines) from Play Market.
2. Open the application to replace icons and select the desired package.
3. Click on the icon of the application you want to change and select a new design from the package.
4. Confirm the changes - the new icon will appear on the desktop.

This method is suitable for spot replacement, but does not change the icons in the application menu. Also, some packages may not support all applications.

3. Manually changing icons via ADB (without root)

For advanced users, there is a way to replace icons of system applications without obtaining root access - via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method works on most devices with Android 8, but requires a connection to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times, then go back to Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb devices

   to make sure that the device is detected.

3. Download the icon pack in format .zip and unpack it on your PC.
4. Use the command to replace the icon (example for Settings):

   adb shell cmd overlay enable --user 0 com.android.settings.icon.packagename

   where packagename is the name of the package with the new icon.

This method is more complicated than the previous ones, but allows you to change even system icons. However, it requires knowledge of the commands ADB and may not work on devices with heavily modified shells (for example, MIUI or One UI).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to interface malfunctions. Before experiments, create a backup copy of your data.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed. Try using a different USB cable or port. Turn on file transfer mode (MTP) in the notification shade. If the problem persists, check the debugging settings in the "For Developers" section.

4. Replacing icons using the Xposed Framework (requires root)

If your device on Android 8 has root access, you can use modules for Xposed Framework, such as Unicon or Xposed Edge. These tools allow you to flexibly customize icons, including system ones.

Step-by-step. instructions:

• 🔧 Install Xposed Framework for Android 8 (look for the current version on the forum XDA Developers).
• 📦 Download the module Unicon and activate it in Xposed Installer.
• 🎨 Select an icon pack in the module settings and apply the changes.
• 🔄 Restart the device.

Advantage: full control over icons, including system ones. Disadvantage: requires root access and may conflict with some applications.

5. Creating your own icons

If ready-made packages do not suit you, you can create your own icons:

• 🖌️ Image editor. (for example Adobe Photoshop or free GIMP).
• 📏 Icon template for Android (usually size 192×192 px or 512×512 px format .png).
• 📁 Application to replace icons (for example Icon Changer).

Process:

1. Create an icon in the editor, save in format .png with a transparent background.
2. Transfer the file to your phone.
3. In the replacement application icons, select your image and assign it to the desired application.

For system icons, you will need to replace files in /system/app or /system/priv-app, which is only possible with root access.

Method	Requires root	Complexity	Support for system icons
Launchers	❌ No	⭐ Easy	❌ Partially
Icon packs	❌ No	⭐⭐ Average	❌ No
ADB	❌ No	⭐⭐⭐ Difficult	✅ Yes
Xposed	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult	✅ Yes
Manual replacement	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Expert	✅ Yes

6. Solving problems when replacing icons

Sometimes after replacement, icons return to standard or are displayed incorrectly. Common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Icons. reset after the update: Update the launcher or reinstall the icon pack. Some OS updates reset the settings.
• ⚙️ System icons do not change: The manufacturer blocked their change. Try the method with ADB or get root access.
• 🖼️ Icons are displayed blurry: Make sure that the files have the correct resolution (192×192 px for Android 8).
• 🚫 The launcher does not see the icon pack: Check the compatibility of the package with your version Android and launcher.

On devices with shell EMUI (Huawei) or One UI (Samsung) Some methods may not work due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, the only reliable way is to use launchers with theme support.

7. Alternative methods of customization

If replacing icons does not give the desired result, consider other options for customizing the interface:

• 🎭 Widgets: Install widgets with an alternative design (for example, KWGT or UCCW).
• 🖥️ Wallpapers and themes: Use themes for the shell (for example, Samsung Themes or MIUI Themes).
• 🔧 Custom firmware: Install LineageOS or other firmware with open interface settings (requires unlocking the bootloader).

For example, on Xiaomi s MIUI you can apply a global theme that will change not only icons, but also fonts, animations and sounds. data-i="195">Themes from the store are available Samsung With One UI Themes from the store are available Galaxy Store.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change icons on Android 8 without a launcher?

Yes, but the possibilities are limited Without a launcher, you can use applications like Icon Changer for. replacing icons one by one or applying a package of icons via ADB (for system applications). However, completely replacing all icons without the launcher is impossible without root access.

Why do the icons return to standard after replacement?

This happens due to caching or system updates. Solutions:

1. Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications.
2. Restart the device.
3. If the problem persists, check the battery optimization settings - some launchers may be closed by the system.

How to return the default ones icons?

The method depends on the replacement method:

• If you used the launcher, return the standard theme in its settings.
• If you changed it through ADB - run the command:

  adb shell cmd overlay disable com.android.settings.icon.packagename

• If you installed the package icons - delete it or reset the launcher settings.

Do these methods work on Android 9 and later?

Partially. Launchers and icon packs work on all versions, but methods with ADB and Xposed may require adaptation. Starting from Android 10, Google has tightened the restrictions on changing system files, so for new versions it is better to use launchers or shell themes.

Is it possible to change the icons in the application menu (app drawer)?

It depends on the launcher. Nova Launcher and Action Launcher support changing icons in the application menu if the icon pack allows it. In the standard launcher Android 8 it is impossible to change icons in the menu without root.