The desire to personalize the interface of your smartphone is quite natural, because we spend a huge amount of time in front of the screen every day. The standard blue social network icon VKontakte has already become familiar, but many users want to add individuality or stylize their desktop to match a certain color scheme. Fortunately, the operating system Android provides ample opportunities for visual changes, allowing you to modify the appearance of almost any element.
The process of replacing the graphical image of an application does not require deep technical knowledge or acquisition root access, which makes it accessible to any smartphone owner. There are several proven methods that range from using built-in system functions to installing specialized utilities. The choice of a specific method depends on the model of your device, the installed firmware version and personal preferences in terms of ease of use.
In this article we will examine in detail the main techniques that allow you to change the appearance of the shortcut of your favorite social network. You will learn about the nuances of working with third-party launchers, the capabilities of system themes, and the features of creating shortcuts through special applications. It is important to understand that some methods may slightly affect the speed of opening the app or the display of notifications, so you should carefully study each option before implementing changes.
Using built-in themes and design stores
Many modern smartphones from manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Samsung or Honorhave pre-installed theme stores. In these catalogs you can often find full-fledged icon packs that replace standard images of system and third-party applications with stylized counterparts. First, you should go to the settings of your device and find the section responsible for design themes or visual style.
Inside the store, you need to use the search for "VK" or "social networks" to find suitable packages. After downloading and installing the theme, the system will offer to apply changes to the entire interface or selectively. If the batch method is selected, the icon VK will change automatically along with other elements of the system. This is the simplest and safest method that does not require the installation of additional software.
However, it is worth considering that not all manufacturers support the complete replacement of icons for third-party applications through their stores. Sometimes only basic sets are available, which may not include the option you need for a specific version of the messenger. In this case, you will have to look for third-party solutions or use more flexible configuration tools.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party themes from unofficial sources, there is a risk of downloading malware. Always check the author's rating and reviews before downloading files from unknown theme stores.
Use of third-party launchers for complete customization
The most flexible tool for changing the appearance of the desktop are special shells, known as launchers. Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, allow you to edit the properties of each shortcut separately, without affecting other elements of the system. After installing such an application, you need to assign it as the default shell in the smartphone settings.
To change the icon VKontakte you need to hold your finger on the application icon on the desktop until the context menu appears. In the list of options, select “Change” or “Edit”, where the function of replacing a graphic image will be available. The launcher will offer to select a picture from the gallery or use the built-in library of icons if the additional icon pack.
This method gives maximum freedom of creativity, since you can use any image in the format PNG or JPG as a logo. Moreover, advanced launchers allow you to customize the grid size, background transparency, and click animations, creating a truly unique interface. The setup process is intuitive and takes only a few minutes even for inexperienced users.
Before installing a new launcher, create a backup copy of the current arrangement of widgets, as they may disappear or move when changing the shell.
You should remember that using a third-party shell may consume a little more RAM than the standard one. On older or budget smartphone models, this may lead to a slight system slowdown. However, for most modern devices, the difference in performance will be invisible to the eye.
Creating shortcuts through specialized applications
If you do not want to change the entire smartphone shell or install heavy themes, you can use lightweight utilities designed exclusively for creating shortcuts. Applications like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer work on the principle of creating a new shortcut that links to the main application, but has its own graphic design.
The principle of operation of such apps is extremely simple: you select the target application (in our case VKontakte), load the desired image from the phone's memory or the Internet, and then place the new icon on the desktop. The old icon can be deleted or moved to a folder so as not to create confusion. This solution is ideal for single-point changes without a global restructuring of the interface.
An important advantage of this method is the ability to use images of any size and format. You can download beautiful art, a minimalist logo, or even a friend's photo as an icon. Some applications also allow you to change the name of the shortcut, which is useful for creating hidden folders or funny names.
| Utility name | Presence of advertising | Support for widgets | Complexity of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortcut Maker | Minimal | Yes | Low |
| X Icon Changer | Absent | No | Average |
| Custom Icons | Yes | Partly | Low |
| Any Icon Changer | Minimal | Yes | Low |
☑️ Preparation for replacing the icon
Setting up VKontakte widgets as alternative
An interesting solution for those who want to refresh the look of their desktop could be to use social network widgets instead of classic icons. The latest versions of the application VK have several options for widgets of different sizes that allow you to quickly navigate to the news feed, messages or music player. The appearance of such elements often differs from the standard icon and looks more modern.
To add a widget, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop and select "Widgets" in the menu that appears. In the list of available elements, find the section dedicated to VKontakte, and drag the option you like onto the screen. Some widgets support a transparent background, which allows them to fit seamlessly into any wallpaper.
The use of widgets not only changes the visual style, but also increases functionality. You can see the number of unread messages or control music playback without logging into the app. This is especially convenient for users who actively use the platform's social functions throughout the day.
⚠️ Warning: Widgets consume more battery resources than regular icons as they constantly update information on the screen. If your phone's charge quickly drains, limit the number of active widgets.
What to do if the widget is not displayed correctly?
If the widget is not displayed correctly or has a black background, try changing the transparency of the wallpaper in the launcher settings or restarting the device. Sometimes the problem is solved by re-adding the widget after clearing the VK application cache.
Technical nuances and possible problems
When replacing icons, users may encounter a number of technical features that should be known in advance. One common problem is that after updating the application itself VKontakte via Google Play or Galaxy Store, the manually created shortcut may stop working or refer to an old version of the app. In such cases, you have to delete the old shortcut and create a new one.
It is also worth considering the features of notifications. In some third-party launchers or when using applications to change icons, the unread message counter (badge) may not be displayed on top of the new image. This is due to the fact that the system does not always recognize a custom shortcut as a native application for displaying statistics.
To solve problems with notifications, it is recommended to use launchers with built-in support for badges or check the settings for displaying notification icons in the system settings. Sometimes resetting permissions for the icon changer application and re-issuing rights to access notifications helps.
Another important aspect is image resolution. In order for an icon to look sharp on screens with a high pixel density, the source image must have sufficient resolution, preferably at least 512x512 pixels. Stretching small pictures will lead to “graininess” and loss of visual quality.
The most stable method of replacing icons is to use a third-party launcher, since it integrates best with the notification system and does not break when updating applications.
Where to find high-quality images for icons
The success of customization directly depends on the quality of the selected images. There are many resources on the Internet where you can find free icon sets in the same style. Popular sources are sites like Flaticon, Icons8 or specialized sections on DeviantArtwhere designers post their work.
When searching, you should pay attention to the file format. The best option is PNG with a transparent background, as this allows the icon to look harmonious on any wallpaper without unnecessary frames. If you download an image in JPGformat, you may need additional processing in a graphics editor to remove the background.
- 🎨 Look for icon packs in the same style (Material Design, iOS, Flat) so that the entire desktop looks cohesive.
- 📐 Consider the proportions: most icons are square a shape with rounded corners, this is what you need to adjust the image to.
- 🔍 Check the license: if you plan to share screenshots of your interface online, make sure that the use of pictures is authorized by the author.
You can also create an icon yourself using simple graphic editors on your phone. It is enough to take the logo VK, apply it to a colored background of the desired shade and save the result. This approach guarantees the uniqueness of your interface and full compliance with personal taste preferences.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and system settings may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. If a menu item is not found, use the search in the phone settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the icon be reset after updating the VKontakte application?
If you used a third-party launcher, the icon will most likely be saved, since the launcher stores the settings separately. If you created a shortcut through a special application, then if there is a major update to the main application, the shortcut may stop working and you will have to create it again. Built-in themes are usually updated automatically along with the system.
Does changing the icon affect the speed of the application?
No, visually replacing the icon does not in any way affect the loading speed, functionality or traffic consumption of the application itself VKontakte. Only the graphical shell of the shortcut on the desktop changes. The only minimal impact may be on the speed of rendering the desktop itself when using heavy launchers.
Is it possible to return the standard icon back?
Yes, it's easy to do. For launchers, just select the "Reset icon" option in the shortcut editing menu. For shortcut creator apps, you just need to remove the custom icon and replace it with the original one from the all apps menu. If you changed the theme, select the standard theme in the design settings.
Is it safe to install applications for changing icons?
It is safe if you download them from the official store Google Play. Avoid installing APK files from unknown sites as they may contain malicious code. Icon changing apps usually require the minimum set of permissions required to create shortcuts.
Why is the notification counter not visible on the new icon?
This is a common problem when using third-party shortcuts. The system cannot always associate a custom image with the application process to display the badge. Try changing the launcher to a more functional one or using widgets that support displaying the number of events.