Change app icon on iPhone

Brief Summary:

The ability to change the app icon has never been supported by the iPhone Operatiing System (iOS). However, instead of replacing an existing app icon, you will learn how to create a new icon that launches your favorite app.

How does this work?

Many years ago when Apple had introduced the Shortcuts app, they added the ability to customize your iPhone in many powerful ways. This simple shortcut uses one single command to launch your favorite app, set the color and the icon.

In this example, I will be creating an icon for the Camera app. Feel free to substitue the Camera for any other app you desire.

Let's get started:

1. On your iPhone, open the Shortcuts app (You can tell Siri: "Open Shortcuts" if you prefer)
2. Click the plus button ➕ in the upper right corner of the screen
3. Under "Search Actions", simply tap "Open App" or type it into the "Search Actions" field
4. To the right → of "Open", tap "App" and simply search for the app (in this example, search for "Camera") and tap it
5. At the top center of the screen, tap "Open App ˯"
6. From the menu that appears, tap "Rename"
7. Tap "Open App" and enter the name of the app you want (in this example, I entered "Camera")
8. At the top center of the screen, tap the name of the shortcut you just renamed
9. From the menu that appears, tap "Add to Home Screen"
10. You have two choices, you can either select an Image or a Symbol:
    1. Under "Image", simply tap "Choose Photo"
    2. Select a photo and frame it into the box that appears
    3. Select "Choose"
    4. Tap the Add button in the upper-right corner of the screen to complete
11. If you prefer to use a Symbol, then:
    1. Tap a color
    2. Tap "Search Symbols" and type "Camera" or any other app you prefer
    3. Tap on the icon you desire
    4. Tap the Add button in the upper-right corner of the screen to complete

Custom icon

Next step:

1. Switch to the Shortcuts app
2. Tap the left arrow ˂ in the upper-left corner of the screen
3. Now you can simply close the Shortcuts app and you're all done with the custom Shortcut

We're almost done:

Now that you have created a fantastic icon, let's hide the original app icon from the Home Screen.

Hide the app:

1. On the Home Screen, tap on the app you want to replace (in this example, we'll tap and hold the (original) Camera app)
2. Keep holding until a menu appears
3. From the menu, tap "Remove App"
4. From the next menu, select "Remove from Home Screen" and you're all done

Conclusion:

You can learn more about how to → organize the Home Screen and App Library for more details which includes how to unhide an app.

Learn more ▶︎ Shortcuts User Guide. 📖