How To Change And Customize App Icons On Mac Iphone

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Changing and Customizing App Icons on Mac and iPhone

Customizing app icons can significantly enhance the aesthetic of your device, allowing you to personalize your Mac or iPhone to better suit your preferences. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change and customize app icons on both Mac and iPhone.

Changing App Icons on Mac

Preparing the New Icon

Before you start, ensure you have the new icon image you want to use. This can be a JPG or PNG file, which you can download from the internet or create using design software like Photoshop.

Steps to Change App Icons on Mac

  1. Navigate to the Application:

    • Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder where the app you want to change the icon for is located.

  2. Open the Info Window:

    • Right-click or control-click on the app, then select Get Info. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut command + I.

  3. Prepare the New Icon:

  • Open the new icon image with the Preview app. Select the entire image by going to Edit > Select All, then copy the image by going to Edit > Copy.

  1. Paste the New Icon:

    • Go back to the Info window of the app, click on the existing icon at the top left, and then go to Edit > Paste to replace it with the new icon.

  2. Enter Password if Required:

    • Depending on the app, you may be prompted to enter your password to make the changes. Enter your password and click OK.

  3. Restart Your Mac:

  • For the changes to take full effect, restart your Mac. After logging back in, you will see the new icon in Launchpad, Dock, and anywhere else you can launch the app from.

Additional Tips for Mac

  • Using Image2icon:

    • If you need to create or adjust the size and format of your icon, consider using Image2icon. This tool allows you to convert images into various icon formats and make necessary adjustments like zooming and resizing.

  • Reverting to Original Icon:

    • To revert back to the original icon, open the Get Info window, click on the icon, and press the delete key.

Changing App Icons on iPhone

Preparing the New Icon

Before you start, ensure you have the new icon image you want to use. This can be a square image (512 x 512 pixels) which you can download from the internet or create using design software.

Steps to Change App Icons on iPhone

  1. Launch the Shortcuts App:

    • Find and tap on the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you can’t see it immediately, swipe left to the App Library and start typing “Shortcuts” into the search bar.

  2. Create a New Shortcut:

    • Tap the + icon in the top-right corner to create a new shortcut. You can rename the shortcut if you prefer.

  3. Add the Open App Action:

  • Tap Add Action, then use the text field to search for Open App. Select Open App and then tap on App to choose the app you want to customize.

  1. Select the App:

    • Use the search field to find the app you want to change the icon for, then select it from the list.

  2. Add to Home Screen:

    • Tap the down-facing chevron next to Open App, then tap Add to Home Screen.

  3. Choose the New Icon:

  • Tap the placeholder picture icon on the left, then select Take Photo, Choose Photo, or Choose File to select your replacement image.

  1. Rename the Shortcut:

    • In the text field, rename the app as you want it to appear on the home screen.

  2. Add the Shortcut:

    • Tap Add to create the shortcut. You will be returned to the home screen where you should see the shortcut in the next available space.

  3. Remove the Original Icon:

  • If you already had the app on your home screen, you will now have two different icons for it. To keep only your newly-created icon, long press on the original icon, tap Remove App, then choose Remove From Home Screen. Note that you must not delete the original app.

Additional Tips for iPhone

  • Finding and Creating Icons:

    • You can find free icons online or create your own. If you need to resize images, consider using tools like PhotoBulk on your Mac to batch resize images before transferring them to your iPhone.

  • Transferring Icons from Mac:

    • If you create or resize icons on your Mac, you can transfer them to your iPhone using tools like AnyTrans for iOS.

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