How to change the application icon on Android: 5 working methods with pictures

Replacing the standard application icon on Android is a task that seems simple only at first glance. In fact, the approaches differ greatly depending on the version of the operating system, the smartphone model, and even the specific launcher. Some people want to personalize their desktop, others want to hide standard icons under a single style, and others simply don’t like the design from the developers. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to change icons: from built-in functions of manufacturers to third-party applications and technical tricks for experienced users.

It is important to understand what Android does not provide a universal mechanism to replace icons at the system level. All solutions somehow bypass this limitation: either through launchers, or by creating duplicate applications, or by modifying APK files. We will consider methods from the simplest (accessible even to beginners) to advanced ones that require knowledge ADB or working with the file system. At the same time none of the methods require root access all instructions are adapted for modern versions of Android 12–15.

Why can’t you just replace the icon in the application settings

Many users wonder why Android doesn’t have a “Change Icon” button directly in the application properties, as it is implemented in iOS with version 14+. The point is in the architecture of the operating system: application icons are stored inside their APKfiles and are loaded by the system during installation. It is impossible to change them on the fly without repackaging the application for two reasons:

• 🔒 Security: Android prohibits modification of installed applications without special permissions to prevent code substitution by attackers.
• 📦 Package integrity: The icon is part of the digital signature of the APK. Any change will lead to a violation of the signature and the system’s refusal to launch the application.
• 🎨 Uniformity of the interface: Smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) often redefine standard icons to suit their corporate style, and allowing their replacement would mean breaking the visual concept.

However, this does not mean that the task is impossible. There are several workarounds, each with their own pros and cons. For example, launchers with support for icon customization (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher) allow you to overlay your own images on top of standard icons, and tools like Icon Changer create “wrappers” for applications with a new icon. Next, we will analyze each method in detail.

Method 1: Using launchers that support changing icons

The easiest and safest way is to install an alternative launcher that supports icon customization. Popular solutions: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Action Launcher and Lawnchair. Let's look at the process using an example Nova Launcheras it offers maximum flexibility and works on most devices, including Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi and Google Pixel.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play (the free version is quite functional).
2. Set it as the default launcher in the system settings (Settings → Applications → Default Launcher).
3. Long press on an empty space on the desktop → Launcher settings.
4. Go to section Appearance → Icon style.
5. Select Icon packs (if you have a third-party icon pack installed) or Adaptive icons for manual replacement.
6. For manual replacement: long press on the application icon → Edit → Edit → select a new icon from the gallery.

If you want to use your own images, prepare them first:

• 🖼️ Resolution: no less than 192×192 pixels (optimal 512×512 for modern screens).
• 🎨 Format: PNG with transparent background (for better integration).
• 📁 Storage: save icons in a separate folder (for example, Icons) for ease of selection.

Download the icon template (512×512 px)|Remove the background in the editor (Canva, Photoshop)|Save in PNG format|Place the files in a separate folder-->

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require root access or technical skills.
• ✅ Works on all versions of Android (from 5.0 and higher).
• ✅ You can return standard icons in one click.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) system applications can ignore the launcher settings and display standard icons. In this case, only creating a duplicate application will help (see Method 3).

Method 2: Applications for changing icons (Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker)

If the launcher is not suitable or you want to replace icons for only a few applications, you can use specialized utilities: Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker and Awesome Icons. These applications create shortcuts on the desktop with a new icon that redirect to the original application.

Instructions for Icon Changer:

1. Install Icon Changer from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and select Create shortcut.
3. In the list, find the desired application (for example, WhatsApp or Chrome).
4. Click Change icon and select an image from the gallery or download from the built-in library.
5. Name the shortcut (you can leave the original name) and save.
6. Remove the old icon from desktop (if desired).

Method features:

Parameter	Icon Changer	Shortcut Maker
Requires root	❌ No	❌ No
Saves notifications	✅ Yes	❌ No (only for some applications)
Widget support	❌ No	✅ Yes (partially)
Advertising	✅ Yes (in the free version)	❌ No

The main disadvantage of this approach is a duplicate application is created, which can be confusing when searching in the menu. In addition, some system ones. utilities (for example, Settings or Phone) may not work correctly through such shortcuts. For them, it is better to use the method with APK modification (Method 4).

Method 3: Manually creating shortcuts through "Widgets"

Few people know, but Android has a built-in mechanism for creating shortcuts for applications with a custom icon - through the section WidgetsThis method does not require the installation of third-party apps and works even on devices with limited customization capabilities (for example, on Samsung One UI or Xiaomi MIUI).

How to do it:

1. Long press on an empty space on the desktop → Widgets.
2. Scroll down the list and find the section Application shortcuts (or Shortcuts on English firmware).
3. Drag the widget Application shortcut to the desktop table.
4. In the list that opens, select the desired application.
5. Click on the created shortcut → Edit → Edit icon.
6. Select a new image from the gallery or standard icons.

This method has several limitations:

• 🔄 The shortcut will open the application with a slight delay (about 0.5–1 second).
• 📱 Not all manufacturers leave this function in their shells (for example, on some models Oppo and Vivo it is missing).
• 🔔 Notifications will come to the original icon in the notification panel.

But this method does not create unnecessary "junk" files does not require superuser rights. It is convenient to use for replacing icons of rarely used applications, where opening speed is not critical.

Why are some widgets not displayed in the list?

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) Manufacturers hide system widgets, including App Shortcuts. In this case, only installing a third-party launcher or using ADB commands to unlock hidden functions will help.

Method 4: Modifying the APK file (for advanced users)

If you need completely replace the icon in the application itself (for example, for your APK or an uninstalled system application), you can use decompiling and reassembling the file. This method requires skills in working with APKTool, Java and understanding of the structure of Android applications.

Required tools:

• 🖥️ APKTool (for decompiling and building APK).
• 🎨 Image editor (GIMP, Photoshop or even Paint.NET).
• 📂 7-Zip or WinRAR for working with archives.
• 🔧 Java JDK (for working with APKTool).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download the APK file of the application (for example, via APK Extractor from Google Play).
2. Decompile the APK using the command:

   apktool d your_application.apk -o output_folder

3. Go to the folder output_folder/res and find the icons (usually in drawable- or mipmap-).
4. Replace the icon files (for example, ic_launcher.png) with your own, respecting the original names and permissions.
5. Rebuild the APK:

   apktool b output_folder -o modified.apk

6. Sign the new APK using uber-apk-signer:

   java -jar uber-apk-signer.jar --apk modified.apk

7. Install the modified APK on the device (after allowing installation from unknown sources).

⚠️ Attention: Modification of system APKs (for example, Settings or Phone) without root access will lead to an installation error. For such cases, you need either a rooted device or use ADB to install to the system partition.

This method is suitable for:

• 📱 Your applications (if you are a developer).
• 🔧 Modified firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• 🖥️ Android emulators (for example, BlueStacks).

Method 5: Using ADB to change system icons (advanced)

For replacement icons system applications (for example, Settings, Phone, Messages) without root access you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method works on most devices, but requires enabling USB debugging mode and having a computer.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB and drivers for your device.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging USB).
• 🎨 Prepared icons in format PNG with the correct resolutions.

Instructions:

1. Connect the device to the computer and confirm debugging on the smartphone screen.
2. Download the system application (for example, Settings) using ADB:

   adb shell pm path com.android.settings

   Copy the path from the answer (for example, /system/priv-app/Settings/Settings.apk) and download APK:

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

3. Decompile the APK using APKTool (as in Method 4) and replace the icons.
4. Rebuild and sign the APK.
5. Install the modified APK back to the system partition:

   adb push modified.apk /sdcard/
   adb shell
   su
   mount -o rw,remount /system
   cp /sdcard/modified.apk /system/priv-app/Settings/
   chmod 644 /system/priv-app/Settings/Settings.apk
   reboot

This method has several critical nuances:

• 🔐 Requires an unlocked bootloader (bootloader) on most devices.
• 🔄 When updating the system, your changes will be erased.
• ⚠️ Incorrect commands can lead to k bootloop (loop loading).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Samsung Knox (for example, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold5), modification of system files via ADB can lead to the flag being triggered Knox and loss of warranty.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose

To make the choice easier, we have summarized the key parameters of all methods in one table:

Method	Complexity	Requires root	Works for system applications	Saves notifications	Restrictions
Launcher (Nova)	⭐	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	Not all icons change (depending on the launcher)
Icon Changer	⭐⭐	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	Creates duplicate applications
Shortcut widget	⭐	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	Delay when opening, not on all firmware
APK modification	⭐⭐⭐⭐	❌ No (but skills are needed)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Risk of disrupting the application
ADB	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅ Partially (needs an unlocked bootloader)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Risk of bootloop, loss of warranty

Recommendations for choosing:

• 📱 For most users: Nova Launcher or Icon Changer - simple and safe methods.
• 🛠️ For experienced users: Modification of APK or ADB, if you need to change system icons.
• 🔧 For developers: Changing the source code of the application before building the APK.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing icons on Android

Is it possible to replace an icon without installing third-party ones applications?

On most devices - no. However, on some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) there is a built-in function for changing icons through themes. Check the section Settings → Personalization → Themes. You can also use the method with the "Shortcut" widget (Method 3), which does not require third-party software.

Why did notifications disappear after replacing the icon via Icon Changer?

This happens because Icon Changer creates a shortcut, and does not modify the application itself. Notifications come to the original icon in the notification panel. to fix this, try:

1. In the notification settings for the application, enable the "Show on lock screen" option.
2. Use a launcher that supports notifications for shortcuts (for example, Nova Launcher Prime).

How to return standard icons after experiments?

The method depends on how you changed them:

• 🔄 Launcher: In the launcher settings, select "Reset icons" or return to the standard style.
• 📱 Icon Changer: Delete the created shortcuts and restore the original icons from the application menu.
• 🖥️ Modified APK: Reinstall the original application from Play how the icon is tied to a specific APK. However, you can:

If the icons disappear after using ADB, you may need to reset the settings or flash the device.

Is it possible to replace the icon for an application that is not installed (for example, for a future game)?

No, since the icon is tied to a specific APK. However you can:

1. Create an empty shortcut with the desired icon via Nova Launcher or Shortcut Maker.
2. Install a blank application with the desired icon (for example, via App Cloner), and then replace it with target.

Will replacing icons work on Android 15?

Yes, all the described methods (except for modifying system APKs without root) work on Android 15. However, keep in mind that:

• Google is tightening its security policy, so in future versions there may be additional restrictions for third-party launchers.
• On devices with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1.4, Samsung Galaxy A03s) some customization functions may be disabled.