Modern Samsung smartphones running on an operating system Android with a shell One UIgive users ample opportunities to customize their appearance. However, default settings often limit your creative freedom, especially when it comes to personalizing your home screen. Many owners of flagships of the series Galaxy S and budget models of the series Galaxy A are faced with the desire to change standard, sometimes boring application icons to something more individual and stylish.
The process of replacing icons can vary from simply using a ready-made theme from the store to deep customization of each individual shortcut using third-party utilities In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and also provide step-by-step guide for implementing your ideas. You will learn how to use the company's built-in tools Samsung, platform capabilities Good Lock and the functionality of third-party launchers to achieve the ideal visual result.
Before you take active steps, it is important to understand that changing icons does not affect the performance of the device or the operation of the applications themselves. This is a purely cosmetic procedure aimed at improving the aesthetic perception of the interface. However, some methods require the installation of additional software, which can take up space in the phone's memory.
Using the built-in theme changer
The easiest and safest way to change the appearance of icons on your device is to use the official theme store from Samsung. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications and is fully integrated into the system. To get started, you need to open the application Settings and find the section responsible for the appearance, or simply hold down an empty space on the main screen and select “Themes.”
The opened store Galaxy Themes presents a huge catalog of free and paid design options. You can preview each theme to see exactly how your favorite app icons will look. After selecting the appropriate option, just click the “Download” button and then “Apply”. The system will automatically replace all standard images with new ones that match the selected style.
It is worth noting that not all themes change the icons of absolutely all installed applications. Theme developers often create graphics only for popular services, such as social networks, instant messengers and system utilities. For other apps, standard icons may remain, which sometimes creates visual dissonance on the desktop.
Before downloading a paid theme, be sure to use the preview function to make sure that the icon style really suits you, since refunds for digital goods are often impossible.
If you want to return everything as it was, the process of undoing changes is also extremely simple. Just go to the themes menu, go to the “My things” or “My themes” section, select a standard theme Samsung and apply it. This action will instantly restore the factory appearance of the icons without the need to reboot the device.
The built-in theme store is the most stable way of customization, guaranteeing compatibility with the current version of One UI and no system conflicts.
Deep customization through the Good Lock module
For advanced users who want maximum control over each element interface, the company Samsung has developed a unique tool called Good Lock. This is a set of modules that allow you to configure aspects of the system that are not available in the standard menu. To work with icons, we need a module Theme Parkwhich often needs to be downloaded separately through the app Galaxy Store.
After installation Theme Park you will have the opportunity to create your own theme from scratch. You can choose a base template and then manually replace the icons for any application installed on your smartphone. The process is as follows: you select a category of applications, click on a specific icon and replace it with an image from the gallery or select from the proposed sets.
- 🎨 Complete freedom: You can use any pictures from your gallery as icons, creating a unique design.
- ⚙️ Detailed customization: The ability to change not only the shape and color, but also the background of folders, application menu and notification panel.
- 🔄 Flexibility: Easy switching between created themes and the ability to share them with other users.
It is important to understand that Good Lock is not officially available in all regions. If, when searching in Galaxy Store you did not find the application you need, you can download it through an alternative store Fineline or other trusted sources. Using this tool takes some time to master, but the result is worth it.
The theme created through Theme Park can be saved and used at any time. This is especially convenient for those who like to change the mood of their smartphone depending on the time of year or event. For example, you can create a holiday theme with themed icons and activate it only during the holidays.
Using third-party launchers
If the built-in capabilities One UI seem limited to you, installing a third-party launcher would be an excellent solution. A launcher is an application that completely replaces the standard desktop and application menu, providing new gestures, animations and, of course, icon customization options. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher.
After installing and activating a third-party launcher, the process of changing the icon becomes intuitive. Typically, you just need to long press an app shortcut, select Edit or Edit, and then select a new icon from the built-in library or gallery. Many launchers support downloading individual icon packs from Google Play.
However, it is worth considering that replacing the standard launcher may change the usual logic of working with a smartphone. Navigation gestures, widget placement, and folder behavior may work differently than in the native shell Samsung. In addition, some features specific to One UIsuch as ecosystem integration Samsungmay not work correctly or be unavailable.
Battery impact
Third-party launchers may consume more CPU and RAM resources than the standard interface. which in rare cases leads to a slight increase in battery consumption.
For users who value system stability over visual experimentation, this method may seem redundant. But for enthusiasts looking for a complete interface transformation, third-party launchers open up limitless horizons. You can customize the desktop grid, hide unnecessary applications and create a unique navigation system.
Creating shortcuts through the Shortcuts application
Sometimes there is no need to change the icon of the application itself, just create a new shortcut with the desired image that will launch the same app. To do this, smartphones Samsung often use a built-in or third-party application Shortcuts (Shortcuts). This method allows you to bypass system restrictions on changing system icons.
The principle of operation is to create a link to the application and assign it a custom icon. You open the utility, select the “Open application” action, specify the desired app, and then at the shortcut setup stage, load a picture from the gallery. The created shortcut appears on the desktop as a separate element.
The main disadvantage of this method is the presence of duplicates. You will still have the original application icon in the menu, and a new shortcut will appear next to it on the desktop. To avoid confusion, many users hide original applications from the menu or move them to hidden folders, leaving only customized shortcuts visible.
| Method | Complexity | Flexibility | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme Store | Low | Medium | Minimum |
| Good Lock | Medium | High | Absent |
| Third-party launcher | High | Maximum | Medium |
| Shortcuts (Shortcuts) | Low | High | Minimum |
Using shortcuts is especially important if you want to change the icon for a specific contact or website, and not just for installed applications. This is a universal tool that works on almost any version Android without the need to obtain superuser rights.
Technical limitations and compatibility
When trying to change icons, it is important to remember the technical features of the operating system Android. Not all applications support changing icons through third-party icon packs. Software developers can hardcode graphics resources within their code, ignoring external themes. In such cases, the icon will remain standard, even if a global pack is applied.
In addition, system updates One UI may make changes to the structure of the interface files. What worked stably on version Android 12may require adjustments after updating to Android 13 or 14. Modules Good Lock are usually quickly updated by developers, but third-party launchers may temporarily lose compatibility with new security features.
⚠️ Attention: When installing launchers from unknown sources, always check the requested permissions. Some unscrupulous applications may request access to contacts or call history without any real need to change icons.
It is also worth considering screen resolution and pixel density. Icons created for low-resolution devices may appear blurry on flagship series displays. It is recommended to use high-resolution images (at least 512x512 pixels) to ensure clear graphics. Galaxy S Ultra. It is recommended to use images in the format PNG with high resolution (at least 512x512 pixels) to ensure clear graphics.
☑️ Preparing for customization
Return to factory interface settings
If you are tired of experimenting with the appearance or the new design turns out to be inconvenient in everyday use, you can always return to the original state. For each of the considered methods there is its own algorithm for rolling back changes. In the case of themes, it is enough to apply the standard theme, as mentioned earlier.
When using a third-party launcher, the return process is carried out through the settings of the phone itself. You need to go to the section Applications, find the active launcher in the list, click on it and select the “Open as default” option, and then reset the settings or select the launcher One UI Home. The system will prompt you to confirm the selection of the main desktop.
If you have created many shortcuts through the app Shortcuts, you can delete them in the standard way: long press on the shortcut and drag it to the “Delete” area or select the corresponding item in the menu. This will not affect the applications themselves, only the links you created with custom icons will be deleted.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting a third-party launcher, make sure that you remember how to access the phone settings, as the interface may change. As a last resort, rebooting into Safe Mode will temporarily disable all third-party launchers.
Restoring factory settings will not affect your personal data, photos or contacts. The changes will only affect the organization of the workspace and visual style. This is a safe procedure that can be performed as many times as necessary to find the perfect option.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the icon for system applications such as Phone or Messages?
Yes, it is possible. Built-in theme tools and module Good Lock allow you to change the icons of most system applications. However, in some cases, after a major firmware update, the icons of critical system utilities may be protected from changes by third-party themes until the theme module itself is updated.
Does changing icons affect the warranty of a Samsung smartphone?
No, changing the appearance of the interface, installing themes or launchers is not a violation of the warranty terms. These actions do not require unlocking the bootloader (root access) and do not interfere with the operation of the device hardware. The warranty remains in full.
Why did some icons remain old after applying the theme?
This happens because theme authors often do not render graphics for all existing applications. For apps that are not included in the theme support list, the system automatically substitutes a standard icon. You can solve the problem by manually replacing these icons via Good Lock or by installing an additional icon pack in a third-party launcher.
Is it safe to download icon packs from third-party sources?
Downloading themes from the official Galaxy Themes or Google Play absolutely safe. However, downloading theme files from unverified forums or sites may pose risks as the files may contain malicious code. Always check the reputation of the source before installing.
How to make icons larger or smaller on the desktop?
The size of the icons is adjusted in the desktop settings. Long-press an empty space on the screen, select Settings, and then look for Screen Grid or Icon Size. By moving the slider, you can increase or decrease the size of all interface elements at the same time.