How do custom app icons work on iPhone?
iOS doesn't let an app replace another app's icon. Instead, you create a Shortcuts shortcut that opens the app, give it the new icon, and add it to your Home Screen.
That's the only method Apple supports, and every icon app uses it. What DailyThemes adds is the guidance: it prepares each icon image, tells you which app you're on (“3 of 8”), and checks off each one as you go, so a whole Home Screen doesn't feel like a chore.
Step by step: installing an icon from a DailyThemes pack
- In DailyThemes, open an icon pack and choose the apps you want to restyle.
- For each app, DailyThemes prepares the icon and opens Shortcuts. Each icon becomes a shortcut you add yourself: it opens the app, and you add it to your Home Screen with the new icon and the app's name.
- Touch and hold the original app icon and choose Remove App ▸ Remove from Home Screen. Don't tap Delete App: that erases the app and its data, and your new icon would stop working too.
- Repeat for the next app. The checklist shows your progress.
Your apps stay safe. Removing from the Home Screen keeps the app in App Library (swipe left past your last Home Screen page). You can always add the original back.
Custom icons vs the default icons
| Custom icon (Shortcuts) | Default icon | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Matches your wallpaper and theme | Each app's own brand |
| Opens the app | Yes, through a shortcut | Yes |
| Notification badges | Not shown on the shortcut | Shown |
| Setup | One-time, guided | None |
Tip: many people restyle the apps they open often but don't need badges on (camera, maps, music, notes) and keep messaging apps as they are, or move them to the Dock.
Which icon styles are available?
Packs come in a few families: thin line icons on dark tiles, soft filled icons, and seasonal sets like Evergreen and Frost Line for winter. Every pack is designed alongside a wallpaper and widget style, so if you want the complete look, start from a theme pack.
Do custom icons slow down my iPhone?
No. A shortcut icon is a lightweight Home Screen bookmark. Opening an app through it can show a brief Shortcuts banner, and that's it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to change app icons with Shortcuts?
Yes. It uses Apple's own Shortcuts app. Just remember to choose Remove from Home Screen for the original, never Delete App.
Why do I see a banner when I open an app with a custom icon?
iOS may show a short Shortcuts banner when a shortcut runs. It's part of how iOS handles shortcuts; the app still opens as normal.
Can I change icons on iPad?
Yes. The same Shortcuts method works on iPad, and the originals stay in App Library in the Dock.
How do I go back to the original icons?
Delete the shortcut from the Home Screen, then drag the original app back from App Library.
Are icon packs included in Pro?
Yes. Pro unlocks every premium icon pack. Some packs are free.