Personalizing a mobile device is not just a tribute to fashion, but a way to make interaction with a smartphone more intuitive and enjoyable. Many users are faced with the desire to change the standard, often boring appearance of system icons that have remained unchanged on manufacturers' shells for years. Changing the application screensaver allows you to create a unique visual style, highlight important apps, or simply refresh the perception of the interface.
Fortunately, the operating system Android provides ample opportunities for customization without requiring in-depth programming knowledge or obtaining superuser rights. Unlike iOS, where the options are limited, here you can change the appearance of almost any element of the desktop. However, the process is not always obvious to a beginner, since standard settings often hide these functions.
In this guide, we will look at all the proven ways to replace graphical symbols of apps. We will look at using specialized launchers, built-in shell functions Samsung One UI and Xiaomi MIUI, as well as creating shortcuts through system tools. You will learn how to create thematic folders and customize the desktop grid for maximum convenience.
Using third-party launchers for complete customization
The most effective and flexible way to change the appearance of icons is to install an alternative launcher. The manufacturer's standard shell often limits the user's actions, while specialized applications give full control over every pixel of the screen. Launchers completely replace the desktop, providing new menus, control panels and, of course, the ability to change application graphics.
After installing such an application, the system will prompt you to select it as the default. This is a key point: while the standard launcher is active, you won’t be able to change screensavers en masse. Some of the most popular solutions include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher. They support the installation of themes from the Play Store, which allows you to change the design of hundreds of applications with one touch.
To manually replace a specific icon in most launchers, just long tap on the icon and select the “Edit” item. Here you can select an image from the gallery or launcher library.
- 🎨 Nova Launcher —a standard of flexibility in settings, allowing you to change the size, shape, and even click animation.
- 🚀 Lawnchair —a light and fast launcher, as close as possible to “pure” Android, but with support for icon packs.
- 📱 Smart Launcher —automatically sorts applications into categories and offers excellent built-in theme system.
- 🛠️ Niagara Launcher - a minimalistic approach where a list is used instead of a grid, but icons can be changed through integrations.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party launcher, some widgets from the smartphone manufacturer may no longer display correctly or disappear. This is normal behavior, since widgets are often tied to their native shell.
Replacement icons on Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones
Owners of devices from leading Chinese and Korean manufacturers often have an advantage, since their shells already contain powerful tools for personalization. In Samsung One UI this function is built deep into the system and does not require the installation of additional software, which saves battery resources and RAM.
To change the image to Samsung you need to go to the settings, find the “Themes” section and go to the “Icons” category. Here you can select ready-made sets or download individual graphic elements. The process takes just seconds and is applied to the entire system instantly, without disrupting widgets and system notifications.
Users Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) can also use the Themes application. Unlike Samsung, it often requires you to watch ads to download items for free, but the graphics selection is much wider. You can change not only the icons themselves, but also fonts, sounds and the lock screen, creating a unified design ecosystem.
Use the “Create a Pair” function in Samsung settings to automatically select wallpapers and icons to match the color of your desktop.
There is a table showing the differences in manufacturers' approaches to customization:
| Manufacturer | Replacement method | Need third-party software | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings / Themes | No | Minimal |
| Xiaomi | Theme Application | No (built-in) | Average |
| Sony / Motorola | Third-party launcher | Yes | Depends on the launcher |
| Google Pixel | Material You / Launcher | Partially | Low |
| Realme | Theme Store | No | Low |
| Huawei | Themes Application | No | Medium |
Creating shortcuts via Google Shortcuts
If you do not want to change the entire interface and install heavy launchers, you can use Google's official tool called Shortcut Maker. This method is ideal for those who want to change the appearance of only a few selected applications, leaving the rest in their standard form.
The principle of operation is to create a new shortcut that leads to the same application, but has a different icon and name. You can use any images from the gallery, even photographs or complex collages. This allows you to create folders with a single style, for example, “Work”, “Games” or “Social Networks”, designed in a single color scheme.
After creating such a shortcut, a new icon will appear on the desktop. The old application icon can be deleted from the desktop (the application itself will not be deleted from the phone’s memory), leaving only the new, custom version. This is a great way to bring visual order without risks to the system.
- 🖼️ Ability to use any image from the gallery as a logo.
- 🏷️ Renaming the application on the shortcut for clearer navigation.
- 📂 Grouping shortcuts into folders with the same design.
- ⚡ Quickly create shortcuts for specific functions within the application (for example, directly calling a contact).
⚠️ Attention: When updating the main application through the Play Store, the custom shortcut you created may be reset or stop working if the internal launch structure changes. In this case, the shortcut will have to be created again.
Using Icon Packs
For those who value uniformity of style, there are special ones icon packs. These are graphic sets developed by designers that replace the standard images of thousands of applications with stylized analogues. Installing such a package is the fastest way to completely transform your smartphone.
Most popular launchers (Nova, Apex, ADW) support the use of such packages. Just download the pack from the Play Store, go to the launcher settings, select the “Appearance” or “Icons” section and activate the downloaded set. The system will automatically replace graphics where possible.
However, it is worth considering that no package will cover 100% of your installed applications. For uncovered apps, the launcher will either leave the standard icon or use a placeholder image. Some advanced packs have a feature that automatically applies to new applications, which makes life easier for users.
Why do some icons not change?
This happens because the developer of the icon pack did not add a graphic element for a specific application. In such cases, you can manually assign any other icon from the package through the launcher editor.”
There are both free packages with a basic set and paid ones, which include hundreds of unique designs and regular updates. Popular styles include Material Design, neomorphism, retro styling and minimalism.
Setting the desktop grid and scale
After you have replaced application screensavers, it is important to properly organize the space around them. The standard 4x5 or 5x6 grid may not be suitable for new, more detailed or, conversely, minimalist icons. Changing the grid density allows you to make the interface more airy or, conversely, more informative.
In the launcher or system settings, find the “Desktop Grid” item. Increasing the number of rows and columns will allow you to fit more elements, but will make them smaller. Reducing the grid, on the contrary, will create large, easy-to-click icons, which is especially important for users with large smartphones or vision problems.
It is also worth paying attention to the padding and font size of captions. Sometimes completely hiding icon labels (if you've memorized their layout) gives the desktop the appearance of a blank canvas, where application graphics play the main role. This creates the effect of “live wallpaper”.
☑️ Checklist for the ideal desktop
Frequent problems and their solutions
During the customization process, users may encounter a number of technical difficulties. Most often the problems are related to caching of old images. If you changed the icon, but it remains the same on the screen, try clearing the launcher cache through the system settings or simply restarting the device.
Another common problem is notifications being out of sync. Some launchers may not correctly display the badge (a circle with the number of unread messages) on custom icons. In such cases, you should check the settings of a specific launcher and enable the “Allow notifications” option for it in the system access rights.
If, after changing the launcher, the menu gesture or swipe stops working, make sure that the corresponding gestures are enabled in the settings of the new launcher. Often they conflict with Android system navigation gestures, and one of the sets has to be disabled.
⚠️ Attention: Shell interfaces and menu names may differ depending on the Android version and phone model. If you do not find the described item, use the search in your phone settings.
The main problem when changing icons is the desynchronization of styles. Try to select icon packs that support the maximum number of popular applications to avoid visual chaos.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to install third-party launchers?
Yes, installing launchers from the official Google Play store is completely safe. They do not gain access to your personal data, contacts or passwords, working only with the display of the interface. However, avoid downloading modified versions (MOD) from unknown sites.
Will the phone's performance decrease after changing icons?
Using light launchers (Lawnchair, Nova) has virtually no effect on performance. Heavy launchers with 3D effects and live backgrounds can consume more battery power and RAM, which can lead to slowdown on older devices.
Is it possible to return everything as it was if you don’t like it?
Of course. Simply uninstall the installed launcher or in the system settings in the “Default Applications” section, select the original manufacturer’s launcher. All your data and applications will remain in place, only the appearance of the desktop will change.
Why does the WhatsApp or Telegram icon not change?
Some applications are protected from changing or use their own dynamic icons. In such cases, creating a shortcut through the Shortcut Maker application helps, which forcibly assigns a new image.