The application icon is the first thing that catches your eye when searching for a app in the smartphone menu. Standard icons from developers do not always match your style or desktop design. Fortunately, Android provides several ways to change them from simple launcher settings to deep editing of APK files. In this article we will look at all the current methods, including those that work without root access and do not require technical skills.

It is important to understand that Not all applications allow you to change their icons directly. System utilities (for example Settings or Phoneusually have a fixed icon, while games and third-party apps often support customization. Also keep in mind that after updating the application, the custom icon may be reset - this is normal Android behavior.

If you want not just to replace the picture, but to completely redo the appearance of the interface, please pay attention on alternative launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher. They offer advanced customization options, including responsive icons, themes, and even animations. But first things first.

1. Replacing the icon through the launcher settings

The easiest way to change the icon is to use the built-in functions of a standard or third-party launcher. Most modern shells (including Google Launcher, Samsung One UI and MIUI) support this option.

Here's how it works using an example Nova Launcher (one of the most popular options):

  • 📱 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
  • 🖼️ Press and hold your finger on the icon of the application you want to change. In the menu that appears, select Change (or Edit).
  • 🎨 Click on the current icon - a gallery will open where you can select a new image (in format .png or .jpg).
  • ✅ Confirm the changes. The icon will be updated immediately after saving.

If you have a standard launcher from the manufacturer (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei), the algorithm may differ:

  1. Hold the application icon and drag it to the menu Edit (or Edit).
  2. Select option Icon → Gallery.
  3. Upload your own image (recommended size - 192×192 pixels).
  4. Save changes.
⚠️ Attention: Some launchers (for example, Pixel Launcher from Google) do not support replacing icons without additional plugins. In this case, you will need to install third-party launcher or use the methods from the following sections.
📊 Which launcher are you using?
Standard (from the manufacturer)
Nova Launcher
Apex Launcher
Microsoft Launcher
Other

2. Using Icon Packs

If you don’t want to change each icon manually, icon packs is the ideal solution. These are sets of stylized icons that are automatically applied to all supported applications. Popular packages: Whicons, CandyCons, Lines Icon Pack.

How to install and apply an icon pack:

  • 🛒 Download the package you like from Google Play (most are paid, but there are also free options).
  • 🔧 Make sure that you have installed a launcher that supports icon packs (for example, Nova, Apex or Action Launcher).
  • 🎨 Open the launcher settings → External view → Icon pack and select the downloaded set.
  • ✨ Apply the changes. Unsupported applications will remain with standard icons.

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ Single style for all icons.
  • ✅ Automatic updates when new applications are added.
  • ✅ Ability to return standard icons in one click.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Not all applications are supported (especially little-known ones).
  • ❌ Paid packages may cost from 100 to 500 rubles.
Icon pack Style Application support Price
Whicons Minimalism, white icons 3000+ applications 299 ₽
CandyCons Bright, “candy” colors 4500+ applications Free (premium 199 ₽)
Lines Icon Pack Geometric shapes 5000+ applications 149 ₽
Minima Flat design, pastel colors 3500+ applications Free
⚠️ Attention: After updating the icon pack, some icons may be reset. To avoid this, disable automatic updates for the package in Google Play.

3. Manually editing an APK file (for advanced users)

If you want completely replacing the icon inside the application APK filethis can be done using decompilation and reassembly. The method requires skills in working with Android Studio or specialized tools like APKTool.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install APKTool (available for Windows, Linux and macOS).
  2. Copy the application APK file (for example, using APK Extractor from Google Play) to the folder with APKTool.
  3. Run the command in the terminal: 
    apktool d file_name.apk

    This decompiles the APK into the resource folder.

  4. Go to the folder res/drawable or res/mipmap - application icons are stored here (usually in the format .png).
  5. Replace the desired file with your own icon (keep the original name and permission!).
  6. Build the APK back with the command: 
    apktool b folder_with_decompiled_apk
  7. Sign the new APK using Uber Apk Signer or a similar tool.
  8. Install the modified application on the device (permission to install from unknown sources will be required).

This method is suitable for:

  • 🔧 Developers testing their applications.
  • 🎮 Modders creating custom firmware.
  • 🛠️ Users with root access who want to change system icons.
⚠️ Attention: Editing the APK may break the application or cause errors. Do not use this method for banking apps, messengers with encryption (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) and other critical utilities.
What to do if the APK does not compile back?

If you see an error when building the APK Failed to compile, check:

- Match file names (case is important!).

- Icon file permissions (must be 644).

- Availability of all required resources in the folder res.

- Version APKTool (for new APKs this may be required update).

4. Applications for changing icons without root

If manual editing of the APK seems too difficult, you can use specialized utilities. They allow you to change icons on the fly without making changes to the APK file itself. Popular apps:

  • 📦 Icon Changer - a simple tool for replacing icons via. launcher.
  • 🎨 Awesome Icons —supports the creation of shortcuts with custom icons.
  • 🔄 Shortcut Maker —allows you to create duplicate applications with new icons.

Example of working with Icon Changer:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Open it and select the app whose icon you want to change.
  3. Click Select icon and upload your image (or select from the application gallery).
  4. Save the changes - a new one will appear on the desktop shortcut.

Limitations of this method:

  • ❌ A duplicate application is created (the original icon remains in the menu).
  • ❌ Some launchers may not support such shortcuts.
  • ❌ After removing the icon changer app will be reset.

Download the app from the official store|Make a backup copy of the original icon|Prepare a new image in PNG format|Check the resolution (recommended 192x192 pixels)|Disable battery optimization for the changer application-->

5. Replacing system application icons (root required)

System applications (for example, Settings, Calls or Messages) are usually protected from changes. To change their icons, you will need root access specialized tools like Root Explorer or Xposed Framework.

Instructions for Root Explorer:

  1. Open Root Explorer and go to the folder /system/app or /system/priv-app (depending on the firmware).
  2. Find the APK file of the system application (for example, Settings.apk).
  3. Copy it to another folder (for example, on an SD card) and edit the icon via APKTool (as described in section 3).
  4. Delete the original APK from /system and insert the modified one.
  5. Change the rights to the file: owner - root, group - root, permissions - rw-r--r-- (644).
  6. Reboot the device.

An alternative method is to use module Xposed named App Settings:

  • Install Xposed Framework and activate the module App Settings.
  • In the module settings, find the desired application and change the parameter Icon.
  • Reboot the device.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (loop loading) or loss of functionality. Before making changes, make a backup copy of the firmware via TWRP or CWM Recovery.
💡

If after replacing the system icon the application stops working, try clearing its cache. in Settings → Applications. If this does not help, return the original APK.

6. Creating adaptive icons for new versions of Android

Starting from Android 8.0 Oreo, Google has introduced the concept adaptive icons. They automatically adjust to the shape of the launcher mask (circle, square, rounded square, etc.). In order for your custom icon to be displayed correctly, it must meet several requirements:

  • 📏 Size: 108×108 pixels (for foreground) and 108×108 pixels (for background).
  • 🎭 Two layers: main image (foreground) and background (background).
  • 🖼️ Format: PNG with transparency.

How to create a adaptive icon:

  1. Download the adaptive icon template (available on the website Android Developers).
  2. Open it in Photoshop or GIMP i place your image in the layer foreground.
  3. Export both layers separately in format PNG.
  4. Use Android Studio or APKToolto integrate icons into APK (in folders drawable-adaptive).

If you don't want to mess with editing APK, some launchers (for example Nova Launcher) support adaptive icons for shortcuts. To do this:

  1. Create a shortcut through the launcher.
  2. In the shortcut settings, select the option Adaptive icon.
  3. Download foreground and background separately.
Android version Support for adaptive icons Maximum icon size
7.1 Nougat and below ❌ No 192×192 px
8.0 Oreo ✅ Yes (optional) 108×108 px (foreground + background)
9.0 Pie and higher ✅ Yes (recommended) 108×108 px (with animation support)
💡

Adaptive icons guarantee correct display on all devices, but require more effort to create. If you need a simple replacement, use the methods from sections 1–2.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing icons, users often encounter common errors. Here are the most common of them and how to fix them:

  • 🔄 The icon was reset after updating the application

    This is normal behavior - the update overwrites the APK. Solution: use icon packs or launchers with customization support.

  • 🚫 It is impossible to change the system application icon

    This is impossible without root access. Alternative: create a shortcut with a custom icon via Nova Launcher or Shortcut Maker.

  • 🖼️ The icon is displayed blurry

    Check the image resolution - it must be at least 192×192 pixels. Also make sure that the format PNG is transparent.

  • ⚠️ The launcher does not save changes

    Update the launcher to the latest version or try another (for example, Apex Launcher).

  • 🔒 You cannot change the banking application icon

    This is a security limitation. It is not recommended to bypass it - there is a risk of account blocking.

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • 📱 Compatibility of your device with the selected method (for example, Xiaomi can block icon changes at the MIUI level).
  • 🔧 Security settings in Settings → Accessibility → Battery optimization (some launchers require optimization to be disabled).
  • 📲 Android version (additional restrictions may apply). Android 12+ Additional restrictions may apply).
Is it possible to change the icon without installing additional apps?

Yes, but the possibilities are limited. The standard launcher on most devices (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) allows you to change icons by long pressing → Change → Icon. However, system applications and some games may not support this function.

Why did it become square after replacing the icon, although the original was round?

This is due to icon maskwhich applies the launcher. For example, Pixel Launcher from Google crops all icons to a circle, and Nova Launcher allows you to select a shape. Go to the launcher settings and find the option Icon shape or Icon Shape.

How to return the standard icon if I changed it?

The method depends from the change method:

  • If you used the launcher: long press on the icon → Change → Default icon.
  • If you used Icon Pack: disable the package in the settings launcher.
  • If you edited the APK: reinstall the original application from Google Play.
Is it possible to change the icon for all users on the device (for example, in a family phone)?

No, icon changes only apply to the current user. If you have multiple profiles on your device, each one must configure their own icons. The exception is manual editing of the APK (section 3), but this affects all users and requires root access.

Are there applications for automatically creating icons using templates?

Yes, for example:

  • Icon Maker - allows you to create icons from photos using filters.
  • Iconoid — icon generator with customizable shape, color and shadows.
  • Canva (web/mobile application)—templates for icon design.

Ready-made icons can be downloaded from sites like Flaticon or IconFinder (make sure the license allows commercial use, if necessary).