Modern operating systems offer many customization options, but the visual style remains the most accessible way to express the individuality of the device owner. Android 10 brought with it not only improved gesture navigation, but also a more flexible theme system, however a standard set of graphic elements often seems boring to users. Replacing standard application icons allows you to completely change the perception of the interface, making it more strict, bright or minimalistic.
The process of replacing graphic elements on this version of the OS requires an understanding of how the system manages application resources. Unlike earlier versions, more stringent verification of signatures and file structure has been introduced, which imposes certain restrictions on customization methods. However, there are several proven ways to implement your plans without obtaining superuser rights.
In this article we will examine in detail the technical aspects of creating and implementing your own graphics into the system. Material Design, which underlies the interface, dictates its own design rules, but they are not an insurmountable barrier for enthusiasts. You will learn what tools are needed to work with graphic resources and how to safely integrate them into the shell of your smartphone.
Preparing the workspace and necessary tools
Before you start modifying the visual style, you need to prepare the appropriate software. The basic requirement is to have a high-quality graphic editor that supports working with layers and transparent backgrounds. Applications like PicsArt or Canvaare great for mobile devices, but for professional work it is better to use desktop solutions such as Adobe Photoshop or a free analog GIMP.
The key point is to understand the format of the source files. The system prefers vector graphics or high-resolution raster images. The standard requirement for most launchers is pixels, although for high-resolution screen densities (xxhdpi) it is recommended to start with 512x512 pixels, although for high resolution screen densities (xxhdpi) it is recommended to start with 1024x1024s. This will ensure that the image remains clear when scaled.
⚠️ Attention: When creating graphics, always save your source files in a transparency-enabled format (PNG). Using the JPEG format will result in a white background appearing around the icon, which will ruin the appearance of the desktop.
You will also need a file manager with advanced access rights if you plan to replace system files, although in most cases Android 10 the rights of a regular user and a third-party launcher are sufficient. Make sure USB debugging is enabled on your device if you plan to use tools like ADB for deeper integration.
For ease of use, collect all the necessary resources in one folder. These can be brand logos downloaded from open sources, or your own drawings. Structuring your files at the initial stage will save you hours of work in the future.
Method of extracting an icon from an APK file
One of the cleanest ways to get the original application graphics is to extract them directly from the installation package. Files .apk are essentially archives containing all the app resources, including images. To do this, you will need any archiver that supports the ZIP format, since the structure of the APK is identical to the standard archive.
First you need to get the installation file itself. You can use special extractor applications that create copies of installed apps, or download APKs from trusted repositories. After the file is in the device memory, rename the extension from .apk to .zip and open it.
Inside the archive you are interested in the directory res, and in it the folder mipmap or drawable. This is where graphic elements are stored. Look for files with names containing words icon, launcher or the name of the application itself. Typically, the system stores several versions for different screen resolutions, indicated by suffixes like -hdpi or -xxhdpi.
☑️ Resource extraction
After extraction, you will receive an image that can be modified. Often the original icons have complex shapes or shadows that may not fit with your new style. Using a graphic editor, you can remove unnecessary details by changing the color scheme or adding effects.
What to do if the icon is in XML format?
In modern versions of Android, resources are often stored as vector files.xml (Vector Drawable). To use them as an image, open the file in a vector editor (for example, Figma or Illustrator) and export to PNG, or use an online SVG/XML to PNG converter.
Using third-party launchers for installation
The standard Android 10 shell often does not allow you to change the icons of individual applications without installing themes. The solution to this problem is to use alternative launchers. The most popular and functional are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair i Smart Launcher. These applications completely replace the desktop, providing deep customization options.
The process of installing custom graphics in such launchers is unified. You need to (hold your finger) on the icon of the application you want to change. In the context menu that appears, select “Change” or “Edit”. In the window that opens, there will be a preview of the current icon - click on it to open the gallery.
Here you can select any image from the device memory. The launcher will automatically crop the image or apply a mask to it that matches the style of the rest of the interface. This allows you to use even those images that were not originally intended for use as application icons.
| Launcher | Theme support | Editing one icon | Complexity of customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Full | Yes | Medium |
| Lawnchair | Basic | Yes | Low |
| Smart Launcher | Automatic | Yes | Low |
| Microsoft Launcher | Limited | Yes | Low |
It is important to note that when updating the launcher application itself, your settings are usually saved, but when you reinstall system or resetting the phone settings, personalization will be lost. Backup launcher configuration is a mandatory procedure for those who have spent a lot of time on customization.
Use the “Backup and Restore” function inside the Nova Launcher settings to save the created style and quickly transfer it to a new one device.
Creating your own icon pack (Icon Pack)
For those who want to go further and create a full-fledged pack that can be applied to any application at once, a more serious approach will be required. You need to create a separate Android application that will contain only graphic resources and a manifest describing the mapping of icons to apps. This requires installation Android Studio on a computer.
A special XML file is created in the project structure appfilter.xml, which acts as a correspondence map. It specifies which image from the resources of your pack should be displayed for a specific package name of the application (for example, com.whatsapp). Without this file, the system will not understand which graphics to use.
The build process is as follows: you create a project, add all the drawn images to the folder res/drawable, fill out the XML filter and compile the project into an APK. After installing this APK, you can select your pack in the settings of the supported launcher.
⚠️ Attention: Creating your own APK pack requires basic knowledge of the structure of the Android manifest. An error in the syntax of the appfilter XML file will result in icons not being applied or the launcher may be unstable.
There are simplified tools for creating packs directly on the phone, for example, Icon Pack Studio. They allow you to combine shapes, colors and symbols to generate a ready-to-install file. This is an ideal option for users who do not want to dive into the code.
Technical requirements for graphic elements
The quality of the final image directly depends on compliance with technical standards. Android 10 uses adaptive icons, which consist of two layers: foreground (foreground) and background (background). The system itself dynamically crops them depending on the selected design theme (circle, square, rounded rectangle).
If you create an icon manually, try to place the main object in the central area, leaving sufficient margins (safe zone) around the edges. This will prevent a situation where an important part of the logo will be cut off when changing the shape of the icon in the launcher settings.
The color scheme also matters. Too bright or contrasting icons can stand out from the overall style, creating visual noise. It is recommended to use a palette close to the system theme Material You or standard Android colors.
Dimensions for adaptive icons:Full size: 108dp x 108dp
Safe zone (visible area): 66dp x 66dp
Margin: 21dp on all sides
When working with texture, make sure that it is not too detailed. On a small smartphone screen, small details will merge into mush. Minimalism is the best friend of mobile iconography.
Adaptive icons consist of two layers, which allows the system to automatically adjust their shape to the selected theme, so when creating it is important to leave margins around the edges.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
During the customization process, users often encounter the fact that some applications ignore the installed icon pack. This happens because the application developers did not provide support for third-party themes, or your package does not have a specific rule for this application in the compliance file.
Another common problem is low image quality after installation. This happens if the original image resolution is less than the required one. The launcher tries to stretch a small picture, and compression artifacts appear. Always use high quality sources.
Sometimes after updating the system or the launcher itself, the settings may get lost. In this case, clearing the launcher cache through the menu Settings → Applications → Your Launcher → Memory → Clear cachehelps. Do not confuse this with clearing data, which will return the desktop to its factory appearance.
⚠️ Attention: Launcher interfaces and system settings can be updated by developers. If a menu item is not found, use the search in the phone settings or check the official documentation of a specific launcher.
It is also worth considering that some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI or Samsung with One UI) may aggressively limit the operation of third-party launchers, preventing them from changing the icons of system applications. In such cases, you may need to use special adapters or deeper settings via ADB.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the icons of system applications (Phone, Messages) without root access?
Yes, it is possible. Most modern third-party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair) allow you to change the icons of any applications, including system ones, through the shortcut editing menu. However, it is usually impossible to change the graphics itself inside the “Settings” system section without root access.
Why, after installing the pack, did the icons become black or white?
This means that the pack does not have a vector version of the icon or the correct color mask for a specific application, and the launcher used a default stub. Try updating the icon pack or manually selecting a different image for this application.
Does changing icons affect battery life?
No, static images do not consume additional processor resources. Only the launcher itself can have a slight impact on performance, if it is very heavy and overloaded with widgets, but not the image files themselves.
How to get all the icons back if you don’t like the new style?
Simply delete the launcher application or select the “Reset settings” option in its settings. After this, the system will return to using the standard launcher and factory icons.