How to change application icons on Android: from simple methods to hidden functions

App icons on Android are the first thing that catches your eye when you unlock your smartphone. Standard icons from the manufacturer often look boring or don’t fit into your style. Luckily, Android offers many ways to change them, from simple launcher settings to deep customization via ADB. In this article we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work on Android 14. Samsung One UI 6.0, Xiaomi HyperOS And Google Pixel with Android 14.

It is important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, on stock Android (for example, on Pixel or Motorolayou can do without third-party applications, while on proprietary shells like MIUI or ColorOS a launcher may be required. Also keep in mind that some methods require root access or USB debugging —we will separately note such cases.

If you want more than just change icons and completely transform the interface, pay attention to the last sections of the article, where we talk about icon packs i hidden features of Android 14. And for those who are afraid of breaking something, we have prepared a unique security checklist before changing system files unique security checklist before changing system files.

1. The easiest way: using launchers

Launchers are applications that replace the standard Android interface. Most of them support changing icons without having to root your device or use ADB. This method is suitable for 90% of users and works on any version of Android, including Android 14 and Android 15 Beta.

The most popular launchers with support for icon customization:

• 📱 Nova Launcher - supports icon packs, adaptive icons and manual replacement via a long press.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher - allows change icons individually or apply themes.
• 🔄 Action Launcher —a unique function Quicktheme automatically selects icon colors to match the wallpaper.
• 🆕 Lawnchair —free open source launcher, supports icon packs from Google Play.

To change icons via launcher:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Click on an empty space on the main screen → Launcher settings.
3. Find the section Icon style or Icon themes.
4. Select an icon pack (if installed) or download a new one from the store.
5. For manual replacement: long press on the icon → Edit → Change icon.

If you want the icons to automatically adjust to the wallpaper, Nova Launcher there is a function Adaptive icons. It analyzes the color palette of your wallpaper and applies it to your icons. To do this:

1. Open Nova Launcher settings.
2. Go to Appearance → Adaptive icons.
3. Enable the option and select a style (for example Round or Square).

2. Installing icon packs from Google Play

Icon packs are special applications that contain sets of icons in the same style. They only work in conjunction with launchers that support customization (for example, Nova or Apexthere are more than 10,000 available on Google Play). such packages range from minimalistic to futuristic.

How to install and apply an icon pack:

1. Download the package you like from Google Play (for example, Whicons, CandyCons or Minimal O).
2. Open the settings of your launcher.
3. Find the section Icon themes or Icon style.
4. Select an installed package from the list.
5. Apply the changes - the icons will be updated automatically.

Some icon packs support dynamic colors (starting with Android 12). This means that the icons will adapt to the system color scheme. To enable this feature:

• Install the package marked Dynamic Colors (for example, DynamicCons).
• In the launcher settings, select this package.
• Activate the option Dynamic colors (if available).

Package icons	Style	Support for dynamic colors	Price
Whicons	Minimalism, white icons	Yes	Paid (~200 rub.)
CandyCons	Bright, “candy” icons	No	Free + purchases
Minimal O	Flat design, monochrome	Yes	Paid (~150 rub.)
Delta	Futuristic, 3D effects	No	Free
Before	Retro style, pixel icons	No	Paid (~300 rubles)

How to check the compatibility of an icon pack with your launcher?

Before purchasing an icon pack, open its page on Google Play and check the "Compatible launchers" section. no, the package may not work. Also pay attention to the reviews - users often write about which shells there were problems with.

3. Manually changing icons without a launcher (for experienced ones)

If you do not want to install third-party launchers, on some firmware you can change icons manually through system settings. data-i="134">and some versions Samsung One UI, Xiaomi HyperOS and some versions ColorOS, but not available on stock Android.

Instructions for Samsung (One UI 5.0/6.0):

1. Long press on the application icon on the main screen.
2. Select Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
3. Click on the application icon → Change icon.
4. Select one of the proposed icons or upload your own via Gallery.

For Xiaomi (HyperOS/MIUI 14+):

1. Open Themes (default application).
2. Go to My Profile → Theme Editor.
3. Select Icons and download your set (premium subscription required).

Make a backup copy of current icons (screenshots)

Check the firmware version (some functions are only available on the latest updates)

Prepare your icons in PNG format (recommended size: 192×192 pixels)

Disable battery optimization for the "Themes" application (on Xiaomi)-->

⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi devices, after manually changing icons, their binding to applications may be lost. If after rebooting the icons are reset, try using the launcher instead of standard themes.

4. Changing icons via ADB (for advanced users). users)

If you are ready to dive into technical details, you can change the icons of system applications via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting to the PC and turning on USB debugging, but allows you to change the icons of even those applications that are usually blocked (for example, Settings or Phone).

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Android smartphone with enabled USB debugging (press 7 times, then return to Settings → About the phone → Build number press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
• 🖼️ Set of icons in format .png (size must be the same as the original one).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm permission to debug.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:

   adb devices

   Make sure that your device is displayed in the list.

3. Download the original icons from the system APK (for example, for Settings):

   adb pull /system/priv-app/Settings/Settings.apk

4. Unzip the APK (you can use APKTool) and replace the icon files in the folder res/drawable.
5. Collect the APK back and install it via ADB:

   adb install -r Settings.apk

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect modification of system APKs can lead to bootloop (looping loop) Before experimenting, make a backup copy of the original file and make sure you have access. to recovery to roll back changes.

To simplify the process, you can use the utility Icon Changer for ADB (available on GitHub). It automates the replacement of icons without manually editing the APK. However, even with it, caution is required - some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block changes to system files at the kernel level.

5. Using applications to change icons

If launchers and ADB seem too complicated, you can use it. specialized applications. They work on top of the standard interface and do not require root access. The disadvantage of this approach is that the icons change only on the main screen, and in the application menu they remain standard.

Top 3 applications for changing icons:

• 🎭 Icon Changer - allows you to replace icons one at a time, supports creating shortcuts.
• 🔄 Icon Pack Studio - editor for create your own icons from scratch.
• 🖌️ Awesome Icons —more than 5,000 free icons + the ability to import your own.

How to use Icon Changer:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Click Create a shortcut and select the application, the icon of which you want to change.
3. Select a new icon from the gallery or download from the built-in library.
4. Save the shortcut on the home screen (the original icon will remain in the application menu).

For those who want to create unique ones icons, suitable Icon Pack Studio. In it you can:

• Import your images and crop them to fit the icon size.
• Apply filters and effects (blur, gradients, shadows).
• Export a ready-made icon pack for use in launchers.

6. Hidden functions of Android 14 for customizing icons

Starting from Android 12, Google has added tools to the system for dynamically changing color schemes, including icons. Android 14 these capabilities have expanded, but they are often hidden from the user. Here's how to activate them:

Dynamic icons based on wallpaper:

1. Set wallpaper with a dominant color (for example, blue or green).
2. Go to Settings → Wallpaper and style → Color palette.
3. Enable the option Dark theme or Light theme (depending on the wallpaper).
4. Icons of system applications (for example, Phone, Messages) will automatically adjust to colors.

Manually adjusting the shape of icons (Pixel and some other devices):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Style icons.
2. Select a shape: Circle, Square, Rounded square or Teardrop.
3. Apply the changes - the shape of all icons will be updated.

On devices Samsung s One UI 6.0 there is an additional option:

• Go in Settings → Wallpaper and style → Icon style.
• Select Single style —all icons will become the same shape and color.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Oppo) dynamic icon functions may be disabled by the manufacturer. If the option is not in the settings, use a launcher with support Dynamic Colors.

7. data-i="256">When changing icons, users often encounter typical errors. Here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

When changing icons, users often encounter common errors. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Icons are reset after reboot	The launcher or application does not have rights to autostart	Add the launcher to the battery optimization exceptions
Not all icons have changed	The icon pack does not support some applications	Use manual replacement for missing icons
Icons look blurry	Incorrect size of the original image	Use icons with a resolution of 192x192 or 512x512 pixels
Dynamic color change does not work	The device does not support Material You	Install a launcher that supports dynamic icons (for example, Lawnchair)

If after changing the icons via ADB the application no longer opens, follow these steps:

1. Delete the application cache: Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Memory → Clear cache.
2. If that doesn't help, restore the original APK:

   adb install -r original.apk

3. As a last resort, reset the settings launcher: long press on the main screen → Launcher settings → Reset settings.

On devices Huawei (EMUI) and some models Oppo (ColorOS) you may need to disable the function System optimization, since it resets icon changes. To do this:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Application launch optimization.
2. Find your launcher or application for icons and disable optimization.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change icons without root access?

Yes, most methods (launchers, icon packs, applications like Icon Changer) do not require root to change. system icons (For example, Settings or Phone) on some firmware you will need ADB or root.

Why did the icons reset after updating Android?

System updates often reset launcher and theme settings. To avoid this:

1. Before updating, make a backup copy of the launcher settings (in Nova Launcher: Backup copy/restore).
2. After the update, restore the settings from the backup.

If the icons were reset due to a firmware update (for example, on Samsung or Xiaomi), you will have to configure them again.

How to return standard icons?

The method depends on how you changed them:

• If you used launcher: open its settings and select Default icons.
• If changed via ADB: restore the original APK or reset the settings.
• If used application for icons: delete the shortcuts created by it.

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

It depends on the launcher:

• Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher —support changing icons in the menu.
• Standard launchers (for example, on Samsung or Xiaomi) - usually they change icons only on the main screen.
• Icon Changer and similar applications - create only shortcuts, the original icons in the menu remain.

To change icons in the menu on the stock launcher, you will have to use ADB or install a third-party launcher.

Where to download high-quality icon packs?

Best sources:

• Google Play - official packages (for example, Whicons, CandyCons).
• IconPackBay (iconpackbay.com) - a large collection of free and paid packages.
• DeviantArt (deviantart.com) - unique designs from independent artists.
• Telegram channels - many designers share their works for free (for example, channel Icon Packs for Android).

Before downloading, check reviews and ratings - some packages may contain ads or may not support the latest versions of Android.