Instagram has offered alternate app icons only at certain times, so the reliable way to change the Instagram icon on Android is your launcher or a shortcut, not the app itself. Long-press the icon on your home screen to see if your launcher lets you edit it, or use a theme or icon pack. The app's own settings might hold an icon picker, but don't count on it.
I'd rather tell you that straight than send you hunting for a menu that may not exist on your phone. Android is flexible, though, so you have several good options. This guide goes from the quickest check to the safest workarounds, and ends with how to switch back.
Check inside the Instagram app first
It's free to look. During some anniversary events, Instagram has tucked a choice of app icons away in its settings. It's not there all the time, and it may not be there for you now.
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon, then Settings and activity.
- Use the search box at the top and type 'icon'.
- If an app icon option appears, open it and pick the one you like. If nothing shows, move on to the next method.
If you can't find it, that isn't a fault with your phone or your account. It just means Instagram isn't offering the option right now. Don't install anything to force it, which I'll come back to below.
Method 1: change the icon with your launcher
The launcher is the part of Android that draws your home screen and app icons. Many launchers let you swap an app's icon for any image or icon pack you like. This is the cleanest route because you're only changing how the icon looks on your phone.
Nova Launcher style launchers
If you use a launcher such as Nova Launcher, the steps are simple.
- Long-press the Instagram icon on your home screen.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the icon image. You can pick from an installed icon pack or from your own pictures.
- Choose the icon, give it a name if you want, and save.
Other launchers work in a similar way. If the word Edit isn't there, look for a pencil symbol or a menu with the words icon or customise.
Samsung phones and One UI Themes
On a Samsung phone, you can change icons through the Themes app that comes with One UI. Open Themes, look under Icons, and choose a set. When you apply it, many of your app icons change together, Instagram included. If you don't like the result, go back to Themes and switch to the default.
Phones with themed icons
Some Android phones have a setting that recolours icons to match your wallpaper. You'll usually find it in the wallpaper and style settings. It only works for apps that support it, so Instagram may or may not change. It's worth a look, but I wouldn't rely on it.
Method 2: make a shortcut with your own icon
If your launcher doesn't allow icon editing, a shortcut maker app can do the job. These apps from the Google Play Store let you create a home screen shortcut to Instagram and give it a custom picture and name.
- Install a well-reviewed shortcut maker app from Google Play. Check what permissions it asks for.
- Open it and choose to create a shortcut to an app.
- Pick Instagram from the list.
- Choose a picture from your gallery for the icon and type the name you want.
- Add it to your home screen.
- Remove the original Instagram icon from the home screen if you like. Dragging it off only removes the shortcut. It doesn't uninstall the app.
A square picture works best, because Android crops icons into a shape such as a circle or rounded square. A blurry icon almost always means the image was too small, so start with a larger one.
What you can't change
It helps to know the limits so you don't waste time.
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- The small Instagram symbol in your notification bar usually stays the same.
- The icon in some system menus may stay as the original, even if your home screen looks different.
- The icon that other people see on their phones is not affected. This only changes your own device.
- The name of the app in Settings stays as Instagram.
If your problem is a different one, such as a missing button inside the app, have a look at my fix for the Instagram Reels icon that disappeared, which is a different issue from the app icon on your home screen.
Stay safe: never install a modified Instagram app
When you search for custom Instagram icons, you'll see sites offering modified versions of the app with names like 'Instagram Gold' or 'Insta Pro'. Please stay away from them. They aren't made by Instagram, they ask for your login, and they can get your account locked or hacked.
- Only install apps from Google Play, and only update Instagram from there.
- Never type your Instagram password into a shortcut maker, icon pack or theme app. A good one will never ask.
- If an app promises followers, extra features or a special logo in exchange for logging in, delete it.
- Check an app's reviews and permissions before you install it.
Android's settings can also be confusing in other areas. If you like simple explanations of phone settings, my guide to WhatsApp keyboard settings on Android is written in the same plain style.
How to put the normal Instagram icon back
Changing your mind is easy, and nothing you've done is permanent.
- If you used a launcher, long-press the icon, tap Edit, and choose the default Instagram icon or the reset option.
- If you used a Samsung theme or an icon pack, go back to Themes or the icon pack app and apply the default set.
- If you used a shortcut, long-press it and remove it from the home screen. Then open your app drawer, press and hold the real Instagram icon, and drag it back to your home screen.
- If something looks wrong, restarting your phone often refreshes the icons.
This guide is part of my Instagram Help: 81 Guides to Followers, Hashtags, Money, Accounts and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the Instagram icon on Android without any extra app?
Sometimes. Many launchers let you edit an icon by long-pressing it, and Samsung phones have a Themes app. If your phone's launcher doesn't allow it, you'll need a shortcut maker from Google Play.
Does Instagram have a built-in icon picker?
Instagram has offered alternate app icons at certain times, such as anniversary events. It may not be in your app now. Search Settings for the word 'icon' to see if it's there.
Will changing the icon affect my account?
No. A launcher or shortcut only changes how the icon looks on your own phone. Your account, posts and followers stay exactly the same.
Is it safe to use a modified Instagram app with a different logo?
No. Modified apps aren't made by Instagram, often ask for your login, and can lead to a locked or hacked account. Stick to the official app from Google Play.
