How to edit app icons on iPhone, iPad, and Mac (2026)

Want to revert to the original icon designs of your favorite apps for a better aesthetic? Or just want to customize your desktop? Fortunately, Apple platforms offer methods to change app icons.

This guide explains how to edit app icons on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. You'll learn how to create custom icons, convert images to the right format, transfer icons between devices, and manage your icons efficiently — all using up-to-date workflows for macOS Tahoe and iOS/iPadOS 26.

Best methods to change app icons on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Editing app icons can improve both your workflow and device aesthetics. Below, you'll find clear, actionable instructions for each Apple platform. Pick the one that matches your device and skill level, then jump to the full guide for detailed steps.

Platform	Method	Brief steps	Notes / Limitations
Mac	Replace via Get Info	1. Right-click app → Get Info. 2. Click top icon 3. Cmd+V .icns	Native & instant (refresh Dock if needed)
Mac	Create .icns Manually	1. Preview: resize 1024×1024 PNG. 2. Build Icon.iconset folder. 3. Terminal: iconutil -c	Best Retina quality, slightly technical
Mac	Asset Catalog Creator Pro	1. Drag image into app. 2. Select app icon + device. 3. Click Create.	Fastest for all sizes/devices
iPhone/iPad	Shortcuts Custom Icon	1. New Shortcut → Open App. 2. Add to Home Screen. 3. Choose photo.	One extra tap to launch
iPhone/iPad	Native Home Screen Styles	1. Long-press Home → Edit → Customize. 2. Pick Tint/Dark/Clear/Large.	Changes all icons at once, fully reversible

How to edit app icons on Mac

macOS Tahoe allows users to customize app icons directly in Finder. Basically, if you just want a quick way to customize an app icon, you can simply replace it with any custom image you like right in Finder. Just locate the app you need, press Command + I (Get Info), and drag and drop your image onto the current app icon at the top of the window.

However, if you want it to look more professional and create your own icon, you’ll need to follow a few guidelines. Most app icon customization problems arise when you have to pick the right icon format and size. According to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, Mac icons must be in .icns format and include multiple resolutions.

When converting an existing image or screenshot into an app icon, you'll need to address format conversion from PNG or JPG to icon format, along with adjustments to size, resolution, and other specifications. This technical conversion process presents the primary challenge in icon customization.

Below, I’ll show you both manual and automatic ways to edit Mac app icons.

How to create icon sets for multiple devices

Asset Catalog Creator Pro solves this complexity by generating ready-to-use icon collections for all your devices. This works well if you create your own app without professional design resources. It also helps users who want a consistent app appearance without spending days customizing icons.

To generate icons with Asset Catalog Creator Pro:

1. Open Asset Catalog Creator Pro.
2. Drag your image (PNG, JPG, or PDF) onto the main screen.
3. Ensure the “app icon” option is selected.
4. Select the device you need an icon for.
5. Click Create Asset Catalog.

The process is complete. All generated icons will be saved in one icon pack in your selected output directory. 

How to create a custom icon for Mac manually

To create your own icons, you can also use Apple’s built-in tools. It’s a bit more complicated, but these step-by-step instructions will help you.

Here’s how to create a custom icon using Mac built-in tools:

1. Open the built-in Preview app for basic editing and export. For more creative control, use Apple’s Icon Composer (developer tool) or a dedicated design app.
2. Create a new document or import your image and resize to 2048 × 2048 pixels (or at least 1024 × 1024) with a transparent background.
3. Edit your design using Markup tools, then go to File > Export.
4. Save as PNG.
5. To make a full .icns file (recommended for best results):
   • Create a new folder named “Icon.iconset”.
   • Place resized copies of your PNG inside (named icon_16x16.png, icon_32x32.png, up to icon_1024x1024.png).
   • Open Terminal, navigate to the folder containing “Icon.iconset”, and type: iconutil -c Icon.iconset
   • Your finished .icns file appears in the same folder.

Design tips for creating custom app icons

Creating high-quality custom icons manually is also possible. Follow these guidelines and your icons will feel native and professional every time.

• Design at 1024 × 1024 pixels minimum (2048 × 2048 recommended scaling). For perfect integration with Liquid Glass in macOS Tahoe and iOS 26, design with the system’s variants in mind. Developers can use Apple’s Icon Composer tool to create layered icons with automatic dark/clear/tinted variants. For personal customization of existing apps, use standard PNG or .icns files — the system automatically applies the precise squircle mask and chosen style.
• Export as PNG with a completely transparent background — no white boxes or colored borders.
• Design your content within a full square canvas (no pre-rounded corners or borders). The system automatically applies the precise squircle mask for a native look in every appearance mode.
• Keep designs bold and simple with high contrast. Tiny details disappear when the icon shrinks on the Home Screen or Dock.
• Create both Light and Dark versions of every icon so they adapt automatically to your device’s appearance settings.
• Always test your icon at small sizes (60 px and 120 px) to make sure it stays clear and readable.

How to replace an app icon on Mac

Once you have your preferred icon for a Mac app, follow these steps:

1. Open Finder and navigate to Applications.
2. Locate your app, right-click it, and select Get Info (or press Command + I).
3. Copy your new icon (.icns file or image).
4. In the Info panel, click the small icon at the top left.
5. Press Command + V to paste the new icon.
6. Enter your Mac password (or Touch ID) if required. 

   

This completes the process. After reopening the app, the icon will be updated throughout the system, including in your Dock.

How to use custom app icons on iPhone and iPad

Unlike macOS, iOS and iPadOS do not offer a native feature for direct app icon replacement. However, you can accomplish this using Shortcuts, a native iOS app for visual scripting. This method works on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 or newer (and is fully compatible with the current iOS 26/iPadOS 26).

Step 1. Create your iOS icon files

First, prepare replacement icons. You can create icons on your Mac and transfer them, or design them directly on your iOS device. For best results, use a square image at 1024 × 1024 pixels (or at least 512 × 512), PNG preferred.

Tip: To batch-resize images on Mac, use PhotoBulk. Drag and drop your images, set the desired dimensions, and export.

Step 2. Transfer icons from Mac to your iPhone or iPad

Use AirDrop, email, or an app like AnyTrans for iOS.

Step 3. Use Shortcuts to apply new icons on iOS

With your custom icons prepared, you can begin the replacement process:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to the My Shortcuts tab. 

   

3. Tap the + button to add a new shortcut.
4. Tap Add Action.
5. Select Scripting, then Open App.
6. Tap Choose and select the app you want to customize. 

   

7. Tap the three dots (...) in the upper right to open Details.
8. Name your shortcut for easy identification.
9. Tap Add to Home Screen.
10. Under Home Screen Name and Icon, tap the icon and select Choose Photo. 

    

11. Select your custom icon image.
12. Enter the app name as you want it to appear.
13. Tap Add to place the shortcut (with new icon) on your Home Screen.

Note: You will now see two icons for the same app — the original and your custom shortcut. Move the original to the App Library or a folder, but do not delete it.

The Shortcuts method has limitations. This approach opens your app through the Shortcuts app, which adds an additional step to your workflow. Unfortunately, this is currently the only method available for replacing icons on iPhone and iPad.

Read also:

• Different ways to hide apps on iPhone
• Mission Control Plus walkthrough
• How to turn off the dictionary on a Mac
• Remove Mac screenshot shadow

How to customize app icons on iPhone and iPad natively

Instead of replacing app icons with Shortcuts, you can try Apple’s built-in Home Screen tools first. These native options (introduced in iOS 18/iPadOS 18 and enhanced with Liquid Glass in iOS 26/iPadOS 26) give you a fast aesthetic refresh without any extra apps or steps.

To customize your Home Screen appearance:

1. Touch and hold an empty area on your Home Screen until the icons begin to jiggle.
2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then tap Customize at the bottom.
3. Choose from the available styles:
   • Tint: Apply a single color overlay to all icons and widgets.
   • Dark: Switch every icon to a dark appearance.
   • Clear: Make icons translucent so your wallpaper shows through (Liquid Glass look in iOS 26+).
   • Large: Increase icon size and hide app labels for a cleaner look.

You can also mix these with Light or Automatic modes. These changes happen instantly, work perfectly with notifications and badges, and are fully reversible. For many people, this built-in customization is exactly the fresh look they were after.

How to organize app icons on iPhone and iPad

Before proceeding with icon changes, consider whether organizing existing icons might meet your needs. Alternative management approaches can be equally effective.

To organize your app icons:

• Create folders: Drag one app onto another, then add more apps to the folder.
• Remove apps from Home Screen: Tap and hold any app, then tap Remove App.
• Delete folders: Drag all apps out of a folder; the folder will disappear.
• Use App Library (iOS 14+): Move apps to the App Library by holding the app and selecting Remove App > Move to App Library.
• Set new apps to appear in App Library only: Go to Settings > Home Screen > App Library Only. 

  

Improve your workflows on Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Changing app icons on iPhone and iPad is a bit cumbersome, but I totally encourage you to do that on a Mac. First, your Mac has a great native feature for icon replacement. Second, you probably spend more time working on your computer, so there’s a greater chance that bad icons are going to annoy you. 

Last but not least, there’s Setapp — a productivity suite with all the apps you need to personalize your Mac experience. Apps like Asset Catalog Creator Pro and 260+ more are available for 7 days free, then $9.99 + tax per month.