How to Change iPhone App Icons with Shortcuts

An it8.art icon download includes PNG icon files and a product-specific setup guide inside the ZIP. Save the icons to Photos, create an Open App shortcut for each app, then use Add to Home Screen and select the matching icon image.

Quick answer

What you need to know

  • The ZIP includes PNG icon files and a product-specific setup guide; save the icons to Photos before creating the shortcuts.
  • Each custom icon is created manually with Shortcuts using Open App and Add to Home Screen. The product does not include a bulk installer or configuration profile.
  • A custom Home Screen icon is a shortcut that opens the original app. It does not replace the app itself, and notification badges remain on the original app icon.

What is included with an it8.art icon product

An it8.art icon product includes PNG icon files inside the downloaded ZIP and a product-specific icon setup guide. The guide helps you match the supplied images to the intended layout shown in the product demo.

Icon count, color variants, matching wallpapers, and other included files vary by product. Check the individual product page and included setup guide for the exact contents of your download.

Before creating the custom icons

  1. Download and extract the product ZIP on your iPhone.
  2. Open the included icon setup guide and keep it available during the setup.
  3. Save the PNG icon images you want to use to the Photos app.
  4. Confirm that the original apps are installed on the iPhone.
  5. Plan to create each shortcut manually; the download does not include a bulk installer or configuration profile.

How to create a custom app icon with Shortcuts

  1. Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.
  2. Add the Open App action.
  3. Choose the original app that this shortcut should open.
  4. Open the shortcut details and choose Add to Home Screen.
  5. Tap the Home Screen icon, choose a photo, and select the matching PNG icon saved in Photos.
  6. Enter the app name you want to display, then tap Add.
  7. Test the new Home Screen icon and confirm that it opens the correct original app.
  8. Repeat the process manually for each additional app icon you want to use.

What the custom icon changes—and what it does not

The new Home Screen item is a shortcut that runs the Open App action and then opens the original app. It changes the appearance of the Home Screen entry you created, but it does not replace or modify the original app or its built-in icon.

Keep the original app installed. Notification badges remain associated with the original app icon and do not move to the custom shortcut icon. Because of this iPhone system limitation, the setup should be understood as a visual Home Screen shortcut rather than a complete app-icon replacement.

it8.art does not recommend moving the original app icon to the App Library when you need to see its notification badge on the Home Screen. The shortcut depends on the original app remaining installed and cannot carry that badge itself.

Why each icon is installed manually

The setup uses Apple’s Shortcuts app and requires you to select the destination app, icon image, and displayed name for each Home Screen shortcut. This product does not install a configuration profile, alter iOS system files, or replace multiple app icons automatically.

The manual process gives you control over which supplied icons appear on your Home Screen. Use the included product guide to keep the selected icon style and layout consistent.

Custom App Icon Troubleshooting

Test each shortcut immediately after adding it. This makes it easier to correct the selected app, icon image, or displayed name before creating the next one.

Common iPhone custom app icon problems and solutions
ProblemLikely causeWhat to try
The icon opens the wrong app The Open App action was assigned to a different app. Edit or recreate the shortcut and select the correct original app in Open App.
The icon image looks soft or incorrect A preview, screenshot, or wrong icon variant may have been selected. Use the original PNG from the extracted ZIP, save it to Photos, and select it again.
The custom icon has no notification badge Notification badges belong to the original app icon, not the Home Screen shortcut. Check the original app for its badge and notifications; the shortcut icon cannot fully replace that system behavior.
Both the original and custom icons are visible The shortcut adds a new Home Screen entry and does not replace the original app icon. Treat the custom item as a separate visual shortcut. Keep the original icon visible if you rely on its Home Screen notification badge.
Removing the custom icon did not delete the app Only the Home Screen shortcut was removed. This is expected. The original app remains installed and can still be opened normally.
The icons do not match the product demo A different color variant, name, or layout may have been used. Return to the included product-specific setup guide and match the selected PNG files and arrangement to the demo.

Shortcuts and Home Screen controls can change between iOS versions. Use the included it8.art guide for the product-specific images and layout, and Apple’s current Shortcuts screens for the live system controls.

Keep the included icon setup guide

The setup guide is part of the purchased product. Keep it with the PNG files until the icon selection, shortcut destinations, displayed names, and Home Screen arrangement have all been checked.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an it8.art icon pack include a setup guide?

Yes. The ZIP includes a product-specific icon setup guide together with the PNG icon files. Use it to match the icons and layout shown in that product’s demo.

Do I need to save the icon images to Photos first?

Yes. For this setup workflow, extract the ZIP and save the PNG icon images to Photos before choosing a custom image in Add to Home Screen.

Can the entire icon pack be installed at once?

No. The icons are created individually with Shortcuts using Open App and Add to Home Screen. The product does not include a bulk installer or configuration profile.

Do custom shortcut icons replace the original app icons?

No. Each custom icon is a Home Screen shortcut that opens the original app. It does not modify or replace the app itself, so the original app must remain installed.

Why does the custom icon not show notification badges?

Notification badges remain associated with the original app icon. A custom Shortcuts icon is a separate Home Screen shortcut and cannot fully replace that system behavior.

Should I move the original app icon to the App Library?

it8.art does not recommend doing this when you need to see the app’s notification badge on the Home Screen. The badge remains on the original app icon and does not move to the custom shortcut icon.

What happens if I remove the custom icon?

Removing the custom Home Screen shortcut does not remove the original app. The app remains installed and can still be opened from its original icon or other iPhone interfaces.

Sources and verification

This guide is reviewed against Apple’s current Shortcuts documentation and the product-specific it8.art workflow. Shortcuts controls and Home Screen behavior can change with iOS versions.