Modern operating system updates Android often bring not only new functions, but also fundamental changes in appearance. Users accustomed to a certain style of icons may experience discomfort from the sudden transition to flat design or unusual color schemes. Returning old icons This becomes an urgent task for those who appreciate the aesthetics of previous versions of the shell or simply want to personalize the device to their taste.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystem is highly flexibility, allowing you to change visual elements without obtaining root access. There are several proven methods, from built-in theme settings to installing third-party launcher apps. In this article, we will analyze each method in detail, evaluate their pros and cons, and also provide specific instructions for popular smartphone models.
Using built-in themes and shell settings
Many smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei, provide users with built-in tools for customization interface. Before downloading third-party software, it makes sense to check the capabilities of your current shell. Often in the screen settings menu or in the special “Themes” application, you can find icon packs that imitate the style of older versions Android or classic design iOS.
To access these functions, you usually need to hold down an empty space on the desktop and select “Wallpaper and Style” or “Themes”. In the content store that opens, you can filter items by the “Icons” category. However, it is worth considering that the choice of free options may be limited, and some premium packs require payment in the manufacturer’s internal currency.
If you own a device with a clean Android (for example, Google Pixel or Moto), the ability to change icons may be more modest. In such cases, the system often only offers to change the shape of the icons (round, square, teardrop-shaped) through the menu Settings → Display → Icon Style. This will not return the old images, but can make the interface more familiar visually.
Before installing a new theme through the built-in store, take a screenshot of the current widget arrangement, since changing the icon pack can sometimes reset the desktop grid.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in themes from manufacturers may contain advertising integrations or require a constant Internet connection to verify the license. Make sure that the downloaded package is compatible with your firmware version.
Installing third-party launchers to completely change the style
The most effective way to radically change the look of the system is to install an alternative launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher give full control over the grid, icon size and appearance. After installing such an application, it becomes the main interface, allowing you to use third-party icon packs that are not supported by the standard shell.
The setup process usually begins with downloading the launcher itself from Google Play. After the first launch, the system will offer to make it the default application. Next, in the launcher settings, you need to find the “Appearance” or “Look & Feel” section, where you can select the style of the icons. Many popular launchers have a built-in library or support for downloading themes directly from the interface.
Particular attention should be paid to setting up the grid. Older versions of Android often used a 4x5 or 5x5 grid with fairly large icons. In modern launchers, you can manually set the number of rows and columns, as well as the size of the icons themselves, to recreate the atmosphere of yesteryear as accurately as possible. This gives the feeling of the “good old” interface even on new hardware.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher —the standard for performance and flexibility of settings, supports gestures and detailed control of icons.
- 🌿 Lawnchair — A lightweight launcher with a pure Android design, ideal for going back to the roots of Material Design.
- 📂 Smart Launcher —automatically sorts apps and offers unique clock and icon styles.
Using icon packs from Google Play
Third-party icon packs (Icon Packs) are special applications that contain a set of images for replacement standard icons. They work in conjunction with supported launchers. Thousands of such packages are available in the store, including replicas of icons from Google Play thousands of such packs are available, including replicas of icons from Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 5.0 Lollipop or even Windows Phone.
To install, find the desired style in the store search, for example, "Retro Icons" or "Classic Android Icons". After downloading, open the package application and follow the instructions: usually you need to click the “Apply” button and select the previously installed launcher from the list. Some packages require manual configuration through the launcher menu in the “Icon Style” section.
It is important to understand that not all applications have icons in third-party packages. For those apps that have not been redrawn by the authors of the pack, launchers usually offer the function of automatically generating icons based on a mask. This allows you to maintain a consistent style, although these icons may look slightly different from the original older versions.
Why do some icons not change?
The authors of icon packs cannot predict the design of each application. If the icon remains old, go to the launcher settings, select this icon manually and assign it an image from the downloaded package or use the “Edit” function.
| Package name | Style | Number of icons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | Minimalism (white) | 4000+ | Free |
| LineX Icon Pack | Linear (outline) | 5000+ | Paid |
| Retro Icon Pack | Classic Android 2.3 | 1500+ | Free |
| CandyCons | Bright and voluminous | 6000+ | Paid |
Manually replacing icons through the launcher settings
If you want to return icons only for a few specific applications, it is not necessary to install the whole package. Most advanced launchers allow you to change icons manually for each shortcut separately. This is an ideal option for fine-tuning the interface without making global changes.
To do this, hold down the application icon on the desktop with your finger until the context menu appears. Select Edit (often indicated by a pencil icon). In the window that opens, click on the current image of the icon - a gallery or selection menu will open where you can load your image from the phone’s memory or choose from the options offered by the launcher.
You can download archives with old icons in the format .pngon the Internet in advance. Save them in a separate folder to avoid confusion. When replacing manually, simply specify the path to the desired file. This method takes more time, but guarantees full control over how each application looks on your screen.
☑️ Preparing for manual replacement
⚠️ Attention: When manually replacing icons through the gallery, make sure that the image has a square proportion and high resolution, otherwise it may look blurry or stretched on the screen.
Returning icons on Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones
Device from leading manufacturers have their own characteristics of changing the interface. On smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI the best solution is to use the application Good Lock (or Fine Lockif Good Lock is not available in your region). The module Home Up inside this application allows you to customize the grid, folders in detail and, importantly, use third-party icons without changing the main launcher.
For users Xiaomi (shell MIUI or HyperOS) the situation is slightly different. The system has strict restrictions on changing icons without obtaining root access or using special themes. However, in the Themes app you can often find a section called Icons where free packs are available. If the built-in functionality is not enough, installing a third-party launcher will require disabling system optimization in the “For Developers” menu.
Enabling developer mode is done by repeatedly clicking on the build number in the “About phone” menu. After that, in the advanced settings you need to find the “Enable MIUI optimization” item and switch it to the inactive state. Only after this procedure will a third-party launcher be able to fully control the desktop and replace system icons.
On Samsung devices, using the Good Lock module is the most stable method of customization that does not violate the warranty and operation of the system.
Restoring deleted shortcuts and resetting settings
Sometimes under the phrase “return old ones” icons" users mean the restoration of missing shortcuts after an update or accidental deletion. If the application icon has disappeared from the menu, check the Google or System folders, where the system may have automatically moved it. Also, the shortcut could simply be deleted from the desktop, but the application itself remained in the general list.
To restore, open the all applications menu (swipe up or menu button) and find the desired app. Long-press it and drag it back to your desktop. If the problem is that the icons have become black squares or are not displayed correctly, try clearing the launcher cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Your launcher → Storage → Clear cache.
In extreme cases, when visual glitches are not eliminated, you may need to reset the launcher settings to factory settings. This will return the grid and icons to their post-purchase state. Remember that in this case you will lose the location of widgets and folders, so before resetting you should mentally fix the current structure or take a photo of the screen.
- 🔍 Check the launcher trash: some shells have the function of restoring deleted shortcuts within 24 hours.
- 🔄 Reboot the device: a banal restart often corrects GUI errors after updates.
- 🗑️ Data clearing: use only if other methods have not helped, as this will reset the entire desktop setup.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to install third-party launchers?
Yes, installing launchers from the official store Google Play is completely safe. They do not require root access and do not interfere with system files, running like a regular application on top of the system. Removing the launcher will automatically return the standard interface.
Why did some icons not change after installing the icon pack?
This happens because the author of the package did not draw an icon for a specific application. In this case, the launcher uses a standard mask or original icon. You can change it manually through the shortcut editing menu.
Does changing icons affect battery performance?
Static icons themselves do not affect battery consumption. However, some complex launchers with live wallpapers and animations may consume more power than the standard launcher. Choose lightweight launchers to save resources.
Is it possible to return icons from Android 6.0 to Android 14?
Yes, this is possible using icon packs in the “Retro” or “Classic” style, which imitate the design of older versions. Visually, they will look exactly the same, although technically the system will remain modern.
What to do if, after changing the launcher, navigation gestures stop working?
Some launchers conflict with the system navigation bar. Try turning on the “Embed navigation bar” option in the launcher settings or switch to using buttons instead of gestures in the main Android settings.