Hey guys! Ever wondered how to change the Instagram icon on your phone? Well, you're in the right place! In this article, we're diving deep into the methods you can use to customize your Instagram app icon in 2024. Whether you're using an Android or iOS device, I've got you covered with simple, easy-to-follow steps. Let's get started and give your home screen a fresh new look!

Why Change Your Instagram Icon?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's quickly talk about why you might want to change your Instagram icon. Customizing your app icons is a fun way to personalize your phone and make it stand out. Maybe you're bored with the default icon, or perhaps you want to pay homage to a classic Instagram logo. Whatever your reason, changing the icon is a cool way to express your individuality.

Plus, let's be real, who doesn't love a little bit of nostalgia? For many long-time Instagram users, the old-school Polaroid-style icon brings back memories of simpler times when Instagram was just a photo-sharing app. Changing your icon can be a fun way to relive those memories and add a touch of retro charm to your smartphone.

Changing your Instagram icon is also about keeping things fresh. We use our phones every day, and seeing the same icons over and over can get a bit stale. By changing the Instagram icon, you're giving your home screen a mini-makeover, which can make your phone feel new and exciting again. It's a small change that can make a big difference in your daily tech experience.

Moreover, a custom Instagram icon can help you quickly identify the app among a sea of other icons, especially if you use custom icon packs for all your apps. This can be particularly useful if you have a lot of apps on your phone and want to easily find Instagram without having to read the app labels each time. This little tweak can streamline your phone usage and save you precious seconds in your busy day.

In summary, whether it's for personal expression, nostalgia, keeping things fresh, or improving app recognition, there are plenty of good reasons to change your Instagram icon. So, let’s get into the how!

Method 1: Using App Customization Apps (Android)

Android users, you're in luck! Android's open nature makes it super easy to customize your app icons. There are tons of app customization apps on the Google Play Store that can help you with this. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download an App Customization App: Head over to the Google Play Store and search for apps like "Icon Changer," "Awesome Icons," or "X Icon Changer." These apps are designed to let you change the icons and names of your apps.
2. Install and Open the App: Once you've found a suitable app, download and install it. Open the app and grant it the necessary permissions.
3. Find Instagram: In the app, you'll see a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list or use the search function to find Instagram.
4. Select a New Icon: Tap on the Instagram icon, and you'll be given options to choose a new icon. Some apps come with built-in icon packs, while others allow you to use images from your gallery.
5. Choose Your New Icon: Select the icon you want to use. You can choose from the app's built-in library, download icon packs from the Play Store, or even use a photo from your own gallery.
6. Customize the Name (Optional): Most icon changer apps also allow you to change the name of the app. If you want, you can give your Instagram app a different name.
7. Create a Shortcut: The app will create a shortcut on your home screen with the new icon and name. Note that this is a shortcut, not a replacement of the original app icon.
8. Move the Original Icon: To avoid confusion, you might want to move the original Instagram icon to a folder or hide it altogether.

Using app customization apps is a straightforward way to personalize your Instagram icon on Android. These apps offer a wide range of options, allowing you to choose from thousands of pre-made icons or create your own using your favorite images. This level of customization makes it easy to create a truly unique look for your home screen.

Furthermore, many of these apps come with additional features that enhance your customization experience. For example, some apps allow you to change the shape and size of the icons, while others offer widgets that you can add to your home screen for quick access to your favorite apps. These extra features can help you create a truly personalized and functional home screen that reflects your individual style and preferences.

In addition to being easy to use, app customization apps are also relatively lightweight and don't consume a lot of system resources. This means that you can customize your Instagram icon without slowing down your phone or draining your battery. However, it's important to choose a reputable app from the Google Play Store to ensure that it is safe and doesn't contain any malicious code. Always read the reviews and check the app's permissions before installing it on your device.

With the help of app customization apps, you can easily transform the look of your Instagram icon and give your Android phone a fresh, new appearance. So, go ahead and explore the different options available and find the perfect icon that suits your style!

Method 2: Using Shortcuts (iOS)

Okay, iOS users, listen up! Apple is a bit stricter when it comes to customization, but there’s still a way to change your Instagram icon using the Shortcuts app. This method involves creating a custom shortcut that opens Instagram with a new icon.

1. Install the Shortcuts App: If you don't already have it, download the Shortcuts app from the App Store. It's a free app made by Apple, so it's safe and reliable.
2. Find or Create an Icon: Find an image you want to use as your new Instagram icon. You can search online for icon packs or create your own using a photo editing app. Save the image to your Photos app.
3. Open the Shortcuts App: Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
4. Create a New Shortcut: Tap the "+" button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
5. Add an Action: Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Select the "Open App" action.
6. Choose Instagram: Tap the "App" field in the action and select Instagram from the list of apps.
7. Add to Home Screen: Tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the shortcut settings. Tap "Add to Home Screen."
8. Customize the Icon and Name: On the Add to Home Screen page, tap the icon to choose a new photo. Select the image you saved earlier as your new icon. You can also change the name of the shortcut to "Instagram" or any other name you prefer.
9. Add the Shortcut: Tap "Add" in the top right corner to add the shortcut to your home screen.
10. Move the Original Icon: Like with the Android method, you might want to move the original Instagram icon to a folder to avoid confusion.

Using the Shortcuts app on iOS provides a workaround for customizing your Instagram icon, even though Apple's ecosystem is generally more restrictive. This method allows you to create a personalized icon that reflects your style, adding a touch of uniqueness to your iPhone's home screen. While it's not a direct replacement of the original app icon, it serves as a functional and aesthetically pleasing alternative.

Moreover, the Shortcuts app is a powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of automation tasks, making it a valuable addition to your iOS device. By creating custom shortcuts, you can streamline your daily routines, automate repetitive tasks, and customize your phone to better suit your needs. Changing the Instagram icon is just one small example of the many possibilities that the Shortcuts app offers.

It's worth noting that using the Shortcuts app to change your Instagram icon may result in a slight delay when opening the app, as the shortcut needs to run before Instagram is launched. However, this delay is usually minimal and shouldn't significantly impact your user experience. Additionally, you may receive a notification each time you open Instagram via the shortcut, but you can disable these notifications in the Settings app if you find them annoying.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Shortcuts app provides a simple and effective way to customize your Instagram icon on iOS. It's a great option for users who want to add a personal touch to their iPhones without jailbreaking or using third-party apps. So, go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy your new, customized Instagram icon!

Important Considerations

Before you go wild with changing your Instagram icon, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Shortcuts Aren't the Real Deal: On both Android and iOS, the new icon is essentially a shortcut. The original app icon is still there. Don't delete the original app!
• Icon Quality: Make sure the image you use for your new icon is high quality. A low-resolution image will look blurry and pixelated.
• Updates: Sometimes, Instagram updates can mess with your custom icons, especially on Android. You might need to reapply the changes after an update.
• Permissions: When using app customization apps, be mindful of the permissions you grant. Only download apps from reputable developers and avoid granting unnecessary permissions.

Keeping these considerations in mind will help you avoid potential issues and ensure a smooth and enjoyable icon customization experience. Remember, the goal is to personalize your phone and make it more visually appealing, so take your time, experiment with different icons, and have fun!

Additionally, it's always a good idea to back up your phone before making any significant changes, such as installing new apps or customizing your icons. This will ensure that you can easily restore your phone to its previous state if something goes wrong. You can back up your phone to your computer or to a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive.

Furthermore, be aware that some app customization apps may display ads or offer in-app purchases. If you don't want to see ads or spend money on in-app purchases, look for apps that offer a premium version or that don't display ads at all. You can also use an ad blocker to block ads in app customization apps.

Finally, remember that changing your Instagram icon is a purely cosmetic change and doesn't affect the functionality of the app. You'll still be able to use Instagram as usual, with all the same features and capabilities. So, go ahead and customize your Instagram icon to your heart's content, and enjoy your new, personalized home screen!

Conclusion

And there you have it! Changing your Instagram icon in 2024 is totally doable, whether you're on Android or iOS. For Android, app customization apps are your best friend, offering a wide range of options and flexibility. For iOS, the Shortcuts app provides a handy workaround to achieve a similar effect.

So, go ahead and give your Instagram icon a makeover and add a personal touch to your phone's home screen. Whether you choose to go retro with the classic Polaroid icon or create a completely custom design, the possibilities are endless. Have fun experimenting with different icons and finding the perfect look that suits your style!

Just remember to keep the important considerations in mind, such as the fact that the new icon is essentially a shortcut and that Instagram updates may sometimes mess with your custom icons. By following the steps outlined in this guide and being mindful of these considerations, you can easily change your Instagram icon and enjoy a fresh, new look for your favorite social media app.

Happy customizing, and enjoy your personalized Instagram icon! I hope this guide helped you out. Now go show off your cool new icon to your friends!