Customizing your Android device to reflect your personal style is one of the things users love about the platform. Changing app icons is a quick and effective way to give your phone a fresh look. Whether you're aiming for a minimalist design, a vibrant theme, or something completely unique, tweaking your app icons can make all the difference.
However, apps to change app icons are not built into all Android devices. Although some manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus offer this feature natively where most of the phone needs third-party apps to achieve Customization. In this blog, I will walk you through both ways: by using options built-in to supported devices and checking out third-party apps for those missing a native way of customizing their lock screen.
How to change app icons on your Samsung phone
Samsung devices running One UI offer built-in options for customizing app icons, making it easy to give your phone a new look without needing third-party apps. Here’s how you can change app icons on a Samsung phone:
On your home screen, long-press an empty space and tap on Themes, or go to Settings > Themes.
Tap the Icons tab at the bottom. The Featured section displays the app icon packs picked by Samsung, while the Top section shows you the most popular icon packs.
Browse through the available options and select an icon pack that matches your style.
Tap on Download and then select Apply once the download is complete.
Samsung allows additional customization through the Themes app, including wallpapers and full themes that complement your new icons.
Reverting to Default Icons:
If you want to go back to the original icons:
Go to Themes > Icons.
Tap on My Stuff at the top and select Default.
Tap Apply to restore the default Samsung icons.
How to Change App Icons on Xiaomi Phones
The MIUI provides a feature that allows you to change app icons directly without the need for any third-party applications. The Themes app provided in MIUI could be used for changing app icons to give your home screen a fresh look or to match a specific theme. This guide will show you how to change the app icons on Xiaomi phones:
You can find the Themes app on your home screen or access it by going to Settings > Themes.
Once in the Themes app, tap on Icons at the bottom of the screen. Here, you’ll find various free and paid icon packs that you can download.
Browse through the available icon packs until you find one that suits your style.
Tap Download and then select Apply to update your app icons across your home screen and app drawer.
MIUI allows you to mix and match different elements. If you prefer, you can apply only the icons from a theme while keeping your current wallpaper and other settings.
Reverting to Default Icons:
If you wish to go back to the original icons:
Open the Themes app and tap on My Account at the bottom.
Go to Icons and select Default.
Tap Apply to restore the original Xiaomi icons.
How to Change App Icons on OnePlus Phones
OnePlus devices running OxygenOS offer built-in customization options that make it easy to change app icons without requiring third-party apps. Whether you want a modern, minimal, or bold look, OnePlus gives you the flexibility to personalize your home screen. Here’s how to change app icons on OnePlus phones:
Using OxygenOS Customization:
Start by opening the Settings app on your OnePlus phone.
Scroll down and tap on Customization.
Under Customization, tap on Icon Pack. You’ll see several pre-installed options like OnePlus icons, Round icons, and more.
If you don’t like the default choices, tap More to browse additional icon packs on the Google Play Store.
Download an icon pack that fits your style.
Once downloaded, return to the Icon Pack section in Settings, select the newly downloaded icon pack, and tap Apply.
Customizing Icons Through the OnePlus Launcher:
In addition to the system settings, you can also change app icons directly through the OnePlus Launcher:
Long-press an empty space on your home screen and tap Home settings.
In the Home settings menu, tap on Icon Pack.
Select from the available options or tap Get more to download additional packs from the Play Store.
With these built-in options, OnePlus phones offer an easy and flexible way to change app icons and give your device a unique look. Whether using OxygenOS settings or the OnePlus Launcher, you can refresh your phone’s appearance to match your taste.
Change app icons using Third Party Apps
Nova Launcher is one of the most popular third-party launchers available for Android devices. It offers extensive customization options, including the ability to change app icons with ease. Whether your phone doesn’t have native icon customization or you just want more flexibility, Nova Launcher is a great solution. Here’s how to change app icons on any Android phone using Nova Launcher:
Change app icons individually
One of the standout features of Nova Launcher is its ability to let you change app icons individually, giving you granular control over how your home screen looks. If you prefer a mix-and-match approach, where each app icon is uniquely styled, here’s how you can do it in Nova Launcher:
Install Nova Launcher and set it as your default home screen.
Search for “Icon Packs” on the Google Play Store and browse through the available options.
Download and install an icon pack that suits your style.
Long press the app and tap on Edit with the pencil icon.
Tap on the app icon, and you’ll be presented with options to choose from your installed icon packs or even use a custom image from your gallery.
Select your preferred icon and tap Done to apply the change.
Change all of the app icons with an icon pack
Install Icon Pack and Nova Launcher and set it up.
Long-press an empty space on your home screen and select Settings, or open the Nova Settings app from your app drawer.
In the Nova Settings menu, tap on Look & Feel.
Under Icon style, tap on Icon theme.
You’ll see a list of installed icon packs. Select the icon pack you downloaded, and it will be applied across your home screen and app drawer.
Through the utilization of Nova Launcher to modify the icons for apps, you can effectively manage how your Android phone will appear. Since it offers a vast range of icon packs and straightforward customization options, Nova Launcher allows you to personalize your device to your preferences. No matter if you have a desire to maintain a minimalist look or something more extravagant, Nova Launcher is the preferred tool for Android device personalization.
Customizing your app icons on Android is an easy way to give your device a personalized touch. Whether your phone comes with built-in customization features or requires third-party tools, this guide provides you with everything you need to know to make your home screen stand out. So, dive in and explore the endless possibilities of Android customization!
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