Ever feel like your computer or phone screen looks a bit, well, plain? It's almost like everyone's device has the same look, isn't it? Changing how your app icons appear can really make your digital space feel like your own, a place that shows off your unique style.

You know, personalizing your tech isn't just about making things look pretty. It's about making your everyday interactions with your devices more enjoyable, more 'you.' A familiar or pleasing icon can actually make finding your favorite apps a little easier, too. It's a small change, but it really can make a big difference in how you feel about your screen, you know?

This guide will walk you through how to change app icons across different systems, from your computer to your phone. We'll cover ways to adjust those little pictures that launch your programs, helping you get the look you want. So, let's get into it.

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Table of Contents

• Why Change App Icons?
• Understanding Icon Types
  • Shortcuts vs. Actual Applications
  • Folder Icons
• Changing Icons on Windows
  • For Desktop Shortcuts
  • For Folders
  • For Taskbar Icons
  • The Xbox App Icon
• Changing Icons on macOS
  • For Applications and Folders
• Changing Icons on Android
  • Using Launchers
  • Specific App Settings
  • Outlook App Icons on Android
• Changing Icons on iOS
  • Using the Shortcuts App
  • Outlook App Icons on iPhone
• Where to Find New Icons
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Make Your Device Yours

Why Change App Icons?

You might be wondering, "Why bother with this at all?" Well, it's pretty simple, actually. Default icons can sometimes feel a bit generic, you know? Changing them lets you put your own stamp on your computer or phone. It's like decorating your room, but for your digital world, so.

A fresh set of icons can also make your desktop or home screen feel less cluttered, or perhaps more organized. If you're someone who likes a clean, consistent look, changing icons to match a theme can be really satisfying. It's a way to make your tech truly reflect your tastes, which is that.

Plus, sometimes an app's default icon just doesn't quite fit the vibe you're going for. Maybe you're theming your taskbar, and one icon just sticks out like a sore thumb, like the Xbox app icon, for instance. Customizing it helps everything blend together nicely, or at least makes it less jarring.

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Understanding Icon Types

Before we get into the how-to, it's helpful to know that not all icons are made the same, apparently. There are a few different kinds, and each might have a slightly different way to be changed. This is that, kind of, what makes it a bit tricky sometimes.

Shortcuts vs. Actual Applications

On systems like Windows, you'll often find two main types of icons: shortcuts and the actual application files. A shortcut is just a quick link to open a program, while the application file itself is the program. Windows generally only allows modification of icons for shortcuts, so you might see that limitation. This is a common point of confusion, you know, for many people.

If you change a shortcut's icon, the original program's icon stays the same. This means if you open the program from its main file, it'll still have its default look. It's just a little thing to remember, but it can be important, really, when you're trying to get a consistent look across your system.

Folder Icons

Folders also have icons, and you can often change these to help organize your files visually. On Windows, for example, changing folder icons sometimes involves a bit of a workaround, like using specific system files such as `shell32.dll` to pick new looks. This can be a bit more involved than changing a shortcut icon, honestly.

For some, changing folder icons is a way to make important folders stand out, or perhaps to group similar folders visually. It's a subtle touch, but it can make your file explorer feel a lot more personal and, you know, easier to navigate at a glance.

Changing Icons on Windows

Windows offers some ways to change icons, but it's often more about shortcuts and folders than the core application files themselves. It's not always as straightforward as you might hope, but there are definitely methods that might be a workaround for what you want to do. So, let's look at a few common ways.

For Desktop Shortcuts

This is probably the easiest icon to change on Windows. If you have a shortcut to an app on your desktop, you can give it a new look pretty quickly. It's a good starting point for customizing your setup, apparently.

1. Right-click the shortcut you want to change on your desktop.

2. Choose "Properties" from the menu that appears.

3. In the Properties window, select the "Shortcut" tab.

4. Click the "Change Icon..." button. You'll see a selection of built-in icons, or you can "Browse..." to find an icon file (usually a .ico file) on your computer. You might find some in system folders, too, like `C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll`, which has many icons.

5. Pick your new icon, click "OK," then "Apply," and finally "OK" again. Your shortcut should now have its new appearance. It's usually that simple.

For Folders

Changing folder icons is a bit different from shortcuts, and as "My text" suggests, sometimes you're working with system files. This method lets you pick a custom image for your folders, which is kind of neat.

1. Right-click the folder you wish to customize.

2. Select "Properties."

3. Go to the "Customize" tab.

4. Under "Folder icons," click "Change Icon..."

5. Similar to shortcuts, you can choose from existing icons or "Browse..." for a .ico file. As "My text" mentions, you might use files like `shell32.dll` for options. This is where you might find some interesting default choices, you know.

6. Once you've picked your icon, click "OK," then "Apply," and "OK" again. Your folder should now display its new icon, usually right away.

For Taskbar Icons

If you've pinned an app to your taskbar, it's actually a shortcut, so changing its icon works much like a desktop shortcut. You'll need to locate the original shortcut file, change its icon, and then re-pin it to the taskbar. It's a little bit of a process, but it works, you know?

1. Find the original shortcut for the app (it might be on your desktop, in the Start Menu, or in a program folder). If it's on your taskbar, right-click it, then right-click the app name, and choose "Properties."

2. Follow the steps for "For Desktop Shortcuts" above to change the icon of that original shortcut file. Make sure you use an accepted icon format, usually .ico.

3. Once the shortcut's icon is changed, unpin the old icon from your taskbar (right-click, "Unpin from taskbar").

4. Then, drag your newly-iconed shortcut from its location (like the desktop) onto the taskbar to pin it again. It should now show the new icon. This is a common way to deal with it, you know.

The Xbox App Icon

"My text" brings up a common complaint: "the Xbox app icon sticks out like a sore thumb." Changing icons for apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, like the Xbox app, can be a bit trickier because they aren't traditional shortcuts in the same way. There isn't a direct "Change Icon" option for these apps within Windows settings. So, you know, it's a bit of a challenge.

People often resort to third-party tools or more advanced system tweaks to change these. Sometimes, it involves replacing the icon file within the app's package, which can be risky if not done correctly. For most users, it's often easier to just create a custom shortcut to the app and change that shortcut's icon, then pin that shortcut to the taskbar instead of the original app. This is more or less a workaround, but it's effective for many.

Changing Icons on macOS

macOS is pretty good about letting you customize icons, and it's often a simpler process than on Windows. You can change icons for individual applications, folders, and even disks. It's a rather intuitive process, actually.

For Applications and Folders

This method works for almost any application or folder on your Mac. You just need a new icon image, which can be in various formats like .icns (macOS icon format), .png, or .jpg. So, you know, it's quite flexible.

1. First, find the image you want to use as your new icon. Open this image in Preview (or any image editor), select the entire image (Command + A), and copy it (Command + C).

2. Now, locate the application or folder whose icon you want to change. It could be in your Applications folder, on your Desktop, or anywhere else. It's pretty straightforward.

3. Click on the application or folder once to select it, then press Command + I (or go to File > Get Info) to open its Info window.

4. In the Info window, look for the small icon at the very top left corner. This is the current icon. Click on this small icon once to select it. You should see a blue outline around it, which is that.

5. With the icon selected, paste your copied image (Command + V). The icon should instantly change to your new image. It's usually that simple, really.

6. To revert to the original icon, select the icon in the Info window and press the Delete key. This is a neat trick, you know, if you ever change your mind.

Changing Icons on Android

Android is known for its flexibility, and changing app icons is definitely something you can do. The exact method can vary a bit depending on your phone's manufacturer and the version of Android you're running, but there are some common approaches. You know, it's pretty open-ended.

Using Launchers

The most popular way to change app icons on Android is by using a custom launcher. A launcher is an app that replaces your phone's home screen and app drawer, giving you a lot more control over the look and feel of your device. Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Action Launcher are some popular choices, you know. They offer many customization options.

1. Download and install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store. You'll find many options, so take your pick, really.

2. Set the new launcher as your default. You can usually do this in your phone's settings under "Apps" or "Default apps." This is a pretty common step.

3. Once the launcher is active, you can typically long-press an app icon on your home screen or in the app drawer. A menu will pop up, and you'll often see an "Edit" or "Icon Options" choice. This is where the magic happens, so to speak.

4. From there, you can usually choose an icon from an icon pack you've downloaded (also from the Play Store), or sometimes even pick an image from your gallery. It's quite versatile, you know.

Specific App Settings

Some apps, like certain email clients or social media apps, might have built-in options to change their icon within their own settings. This is less common for general apps, but it's worth checking if you're only looking to change one specific app's look. It's a bit of a niche feature, but it exists, apparently.

Outlook App Icons on Android

"My text" mentions figuring out how to do this for Android Outlook: "Go into outlook settings & in the description of each email account you can put the." This implies that within Outlook's settings, you might be able to change something related to how the account appears, which could influence its icon or identifier. While it might not change the main app icon, it could affect how individual accounts are represented within the app itself, which is kind of interesting.

For example, some email apps allow you to set a custom profile picture or color for each account, which then appears as a small circle or initial next to emails. This isn't exactly changing the app's main icon, but it's a way to personalize the in-app experience. It's a subtle but useful feature, really, for distinguishing between accounts.

Changing Icons on iOS

For a long time, iOS was pretty locked down when it came to icon customization. You couldn't easily change app icons without jailbreaking your device. However, with recent iOS updates, Apple introduced a feature in the Shortcuts app that allows for a clever workaround. It's a pretty neat development, you know.

Using the Shortcuts App

This method doesn't actually change the original app's icon, but rather creates a custom shortcut on your home screen that looks like a new app icon. When you tap it, it launches the original app. It's a bit of a trick, but it works really well for personalization, so.

1. Open the "Shortcuts" app on your iPhone or iPad. If you don't have it, you can download it from the App Store. It's a pretty standard app, you know.

2. Tap the "+" icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.

3. Tap "Add Action."

4. Search for "Open App" and select it.

5. Tap "App" and choose the application you want to create a custom icon for. This is where you pick your target app.

6. Tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner of the New Shortcut screen. This opens the details for your shortcut.

7. Tap "Add to Home Screen."

8. Here, you can name your shortcut (this will be the label under the icon) and, most importantly, tap the icon next to the name to choose a photo from your camera roll to be the new icon. You can pick any image you like, which is pretty cool, you know.

9. Tap "Add" in the top right corner, then "Done." Your new custom icon will appear on your home screen. It's a fairly simple process, you know, once you get the hang of it.

Keep in mind that when you tap this custom icon, it will briefly open the Shortcuts app before launching the actual app. This is just how the workaround functions, apparently.

Outlook App Icons on iPhone

"My text" mentions: "How do i change the color of mailbox icons in outlook on my iphone,The colors seems to be assigned randomly by the app,I would like to custo,mize them." This suggests that within the Outlook app on iPhone, the mailbox colors are automatically assigned, and users want more control. Unfortunately, if the app assigns them randomly, there might not be a direct setting within Outlook itself to change these specific mailbox colors or icons for individual accounts. It's a common desire for more customization, but not always an available feature, you know.

For this kind of in-app visual customization, you'd typically need the app developer to add such a feature. So, if it's not there, you might be out of luck for now. You could try using the Shortcuts app method mentioned above to create a custom home screen icon for Outlook itself, but that won't change the internal mailbox colors. It's a bit of a limitation, really.

Where to Find New Icons

Once you know how to change app icons, you'll need some new icons! There are many places to find them, both free and paid. It's kind of like finding new wallpaper, you know?

• Icon Packs: For Android, the Google Play Store is full of icon packs that work with custom launchers. For iOS, you can find image sets designed for the Shortcuts app on websites or design platforms. These are usually pretty comprehensive.

• Image Search: You can use a search engine to look for "app icons" or "custom icons" along with the app name. Just make sure you're using images that are free to use or that you have permission for. This is important, you know, for respecting creators.

• DIY: If you're a bit creative, you can design your own icons using image editing software. You'll need to save them in the correct format (.ico for Windows, .icns for macOS, or .png/.jpg for mobile shortcuts). This is a really personal way to do it.

• Developer Resources: Sometimes, app developers provide alternative icons or assets on their websites. It's not common, but worth a quick check, you know, if you're looking for something official.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned when you try to change app icons. It's pretty normal, actually. Here are a few common hiccups and what to do about them, so.

• Icon Not Changing: After applying a new icon, sometimes it doesn't update right away. Try refreshing your desktop (right-click on desktop, select "Refresh"), restarting your computer, or restarting your phone. For taskbar icons on Windows, you might need to unpin and re-pin the shortcut, as mentioned earlier. It's often just a matter of the system catching up, you know?

• Wrong File Type: Windows icons usually need to be in the .ico format. macOS uses .icns, though it can convert some other image types. Make sure your icon file is the correct type for your system. If it's not, you might need an online converter. This is a pretty common mistake, honestly.

• Permissions Issues: On Windows 10, "My text" mentions "Can't change icons windows 10 i have no problem changing the icons for shortcuts and on the desktop but i can only change the icons on folders using the shell32.dll file." This hints at permission issues or system limitations for certain types of icons. Make sure you have administrator rights if you're trying to modify system files or protected folders. Sometimes, it's just how the system is set up, you know?

• iOS Shortcut Delay: As noted, iOS custom icons through Shortcuts will briefly open the Shortcuts app before the target app. This is expected behavior and can't be avoided with this method. It's just how it works, apparently.

• App Updates: Sometimes, an app update might revert your custom icon to the default one, especially for system apps or those downloaded from app stores. You might need to reapply your custom icon after an update. It's a bit annoying, but it happens, you know?

Frequently Asked Questions

People often have similar questions when they're looking to personalize their app icons. Here are some common ones, you know, that might help you out.

Q: Can I change the icon for every single app on my computer or phone?

A: Not always directly. On Windows, it's usually easy for shortcuts and folders, but harder for core application files, especially those from the Microsoft Store. Android allows extensive changes with launchers. iOS uses a workaround with the Shortcuts app, creating a new icon that launches the original app. So, it really depends on the system and the app, you know.

Q: Will changing an app's icon affect how the app works?

A: No, changing an app's icon is purely cosmetic. It won't affect the app's functionality, performance, or data. It's just a visual tweak, so you don't have to worry about breaking anything. It's pretty safe, actually.

Q: Where can I find good quality icon files to use?

A: You can find icon packs on app stores (especially for Android launchers), websites dedicated to icon downloads (just search for "free app icons" or "custom icon packs"), or even create your own. Make sure the icons are in the correct format for your operating system (.ico for Windows, .icns for macOS, or image files like .png for mobile shortcuts). It's a bit like searching for art, you know?