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You'll ultimately want to modify the app icons on your device as you start learning about Android's plethora of customization possibilities. Thankfully, this is a straightforward change, and there are numerous icon options.
We'll show you how to alter the app icons on Android so you may design your phone anyway you like.
An Overview of Customizing Android App Icons Before you begin modifying your
icons, there are a few crucial things you should understand about how Android app icon modification functions.
It's also important to note that, similar to other Android instructions, the steps may vary depending on your device. The primary determinant is your phone's default launcher because many Android phones do not come with one that supports custom icons. For instance, the Pixel Launcher on Google's first-party smartphones exhibits this.
Installing and utilising a new launcher that supports this is the simplest approach to modify your app icons. We'll concentrate on one approach, but we'll also mention a few alternative possibilities.
Download Android icon packs first.
Downloading an icon pack is the first step in personalising your Android icons. Many of them can be found on Google Play for no cost or for a modest fee, and they come with hundreds of icons that you can use for your apps.
Open the Play Store and type "icon pack" or "icons" into the search bar to see them. Select one or more of your favourite packs, keeping in mind that some cost a few bucks. These download similarly to other apps.
If the number of choices is overwhelming you, get some inspiration from our list of the best free Android icon sets. A terrific all-around choice is moonshine.
Although you can create your own icons, this is more complicated and is best saved for when you've learned the fundamentals.
Making Icons for Your Launcher Available
The majority of Android icon pack apps include a number of useful features. These consist of providing wallpapers that go with the theming, requesting new icons for your apps that don't already have any, and previewing the icons by category.
The programme that automatically adds app icons to your current launcher, however, is the most beneficial. For instance, the Apply tab is included in both Moonshine and Juno. The icon pack will be applied after you tap the launcher you use there. You'll be given the option to download the launcher if you select one that isn't already installed.
Install a launcher that allows custom icons right now if you don't already have one. We've looked at the finest Android launchers; if you're not sure, try Nova Launcher, which is generally a terrific all-around choice.
Open the app and go through the initial setup once Nova (or another compatible launcher) has been installed. The new launcher should then be set as your default so that it always displays as your home screen. You can change your default app by navigating to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app and selecting your new one, or you can do it by accessing Nova's settings and pressing the Not set as default text at the top.
The time has come for you to set your icon pack. Navigate to Apply and select Nova in the icons app you downloaded. By doing this, Nova's user interface ought to open and prompt you to install the icon pack. If you confirm, they'll be used.
A different approach is to enter your launcher's settings, navigate to the Look & feel section, and select Icons or Icon style. You can choose from any icon pack that is installed on your device there.
How to Change the App Icons on a Samsung Device for Android
The majority of icon packs you get for a Samsung device using this method will only include fresh icons for Samsung's apps and stock apps. Use a technique like the one described above to get unique icons for every other app on your phone.
If you're intrigued, look into additional Samsung Galaxy customization options.
Change Android App Icons Without Installing a New Launcher
As we've seen, it's simple to download a launcher of your choosing and add hundreds of fresh Android icons. There is another option to replace your icons if you don't want to quit using your current launcher, though.
Installing an app that allows you to set custom Android app icons is required in order to use this method. Since Shortcut Maker is one of the top Android shortcut apps, it works well for this. Another choice is X Icon Changer, although it features obtrusive advertisements and is less user-friendly.
To create a new shortcut for an app, open Shortcut Changer and select Apps. On the following page, select Icon to change the appearance of the selected app's icon. You'll find matching icons for the app in any icon packs you've installed under Icons. To select another icon pack from the library, tap the name of an icon pack. Try the Style or Themed tabs for something different to change the icon in other ways.
To continue, tap the check symbol when you are satisfied. Alternate any further settings as you see fit, then select Create shortcut. The icon may be moved to any area on the home screen by touching and holding it there, or it can be added to the home screen to do it for you automatically.
You can find a shortcut icon on the newly created item on Android 8 and later. Instead, you can build a widget shortcut to the app; follow the steps by tapping Remove on the Shortcut Maker screen.
While the main app symbol won't change with this technique, you can edit the icons that show up on your home screen.
Android App Icon Changes Made Simple
You now know how to update those outdated Android phone icons. Your phone may require a new design to feel fresh again, and you may even have a cool new launcher to personalise.
More good news: if you're in the mood for personalization, there are a tonne of different options to tweak your Android phone.