Hey guys! Are you bored with the same old Instagram icon staring back at you from your phone's home screen? Well, guess what? You're in for a treat! While Instagram doesn't natively support changing the app icon anymore, I'm here to walk you through some super cool workarounds that will let you customize your Instagram experience in 2024. Let's dive in and give your phone a fresh, personalized look!

Why Change Your Instagram Icon?

Before we jump into the "how," let's chat about the "why." Customizing your app icons is a fun way to express your personality and make your phone truly your own. It's like giving your digital space a mini-makeover. Here are a few reasons why you might want to change your Instagram icon:

• Personalization: Stand out from the crowd by giving your Instagram a unique look that reflects your style. Whether you're into minimalist designs, vibrant colors, or quirky images, a custom icon can add a personal touch to your home screen. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to showcase your individuality and creativity every time you reach for your phone.
• Aesthetics: Let's be honest, sometimes the default icons just don't match your carefully curated home screen theme. A custom icon can help you achieve a cohesive and visually appealing look. If you're meticulous about your phone's aesthetics, this is a game-changer. Imagine having all your app icons perfectly aligned with your wallpaper and color scheme—it’s pure visual satisfaction!
• Nostalgia: Remember those classic Instagram icons from the past? Changing your icon can be a fun throwback to the app's earlier days. It's a cool way to celebrate Instagram's history and bring back some fond memories. Who wouldn't want to sport the retro Polaroid camera icon for a touch of nostalgia?
• Fun: Simply put, it's fun! Experimenting with different icons can keep things interesting and add a bit of excitement to your daily routine. Trying out new icons is an easy way to keep your phone feeling fresh and exciting. It’s like giving your phone a little makeover every now and then, just for the fun of it.

In short, changing your Instagram icon is all about making your phone experience more enjoyable and personalized. So, if you’re ready to add a dash of flair to your home screen, let's get started!

Method 1: Using iOS Shortcuts (iPhone)

If you're an iPhone user, the Shortcuts app is your best friend for this task. This method allows you to create a custom icon that opens the Instagram app. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Find or Create Your Custom Icon: First things first, you’ll need an image for your new icon. You can find tons of cool icons online with a quick Google search, or you can get creative and design your own using apps like Canva or Procreate. Just make sure the image is square and visually appealing. A resolution of 1024x1024 pixels is a good standard to aim for, ensuring your icon looks crisp and clear on your home screen. Once you’ve found or created the perfect image, save it to your iPhone's Photos app. This will be the visual representation of your new Instagram icon, so choose something that really reflects your personal style or the aesthetic you're going for.
2. Open the Shortcuts App: The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on most iPhones. If you can't find it, swipe down from your home screen and use the search bar to locate it. The app icon looks like a series of colorful sliders. Tap on the icon to open the app and get ready to create your custom shortcut. This is where the magic happens, allowing you to link your chosen image to the Instagram app, so every time you tap the custom icon, Instagram opens seamlessly.
3. Create a New Shortcut: In the Shortcuts app, tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. This will open a new window where you can define the actions that your shortcut will perform. Think of a shortcut as a mini-program that does something specific when you activate it. In this case, our shortcut will open the Instagram app when we tap the custom icon we're about to create. This is the foundation of our icon customization, turning a simple image into a functional app launcher.
4. Add the "Open App" Action: Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Select the "Open App" action. This action will allow the shortcut to launch an app of your choosing. Once you've added the action, you'll need to specify which app you want it to open. This is where you link the shortcut to Instagram. The "Open App" action is the key to making our custom icon functional, ensuring that tapping the new icon launches Instagram just like the original.
5. Choose Instagram: Tap the word "App" in the shortcut, then search for and select "Instagram" from the list of apps. This tells the shortcut to open Instagram when activated. By selecting Instagram, you're telling the shortcut, "Hey, when I tap this icon, I want you to open Instagram!" This connection is crucial for the custom icon to work as intended.
6. Add to Home Screen: Tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the shortcut settings. Here, you can name your shortcut (e.g., "Instagram Custom") and tap "Add to Home Screen." Naming your shortcut helps you keep track of it in the Shortcuts app, especially if you create multiple custom icons. The "Add to Home Screen" option is what allows you to place your custom icon on your iPhone's home screen, making it easily accessible.
7. Customize the Home Screen Icon: You'll be taken to a preview screen where you can customize the icon and name that will appear on your home screen. Tap the icon to choose your custom image from your Photos app. Crop or resize the image as needed to fit the icon shape. You can also change the name that appears under the icon. Make sure the name is something easily recognizable, like "Instagram" or "IG." This step is all about making your custom icon look perfect on your home screen, ensuring it's visually appealing and easy to identify.
8. Add to Home Screen (Again): Tap "Add" in the top right corner. The custom Instagram icon will now appear on your home screen! You can move it around just like any other app icon. Congratulations, you've successfully created a custom Instagram icon using the Shortcuts app! Now you can enjoy your personalized home screen with a unique Instagram icon that reflects your style.

Important Note: When you open Instagram using the custom icon, you'll briefly see the Shortcuts app open before Instagram launches. This is a minor trade-off for having a custom icon, but it's generally quick and seamless. Over time, you probably won't even notice it! Also, remember not to delete the original Instagram app icon, as this is what the shortcut uses to actually open Instagram.

Method 2: Using App Icon Changer Apps (Android)

Android users have a slightly different route to customization, often relying on third-party app icon changer apps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download an App Icon Changer: Head to the Google Play Store and search for "app icon changer." There are several options available, such as "X Icon Changer" or "Awesome Icons." Read the reviews and choose an app with a good rating and positive feedback. Once you've selected an app, download and install it on your Android device. These apps are designed to make the icon-changing process simple and straightforward.
2. Grant Permissions: Open the app icon changer and grant it the necessary permissions. This usually includes access to your apps and storage. These permissions are required for the app to change the icons of other apps on your device and to access any custom icon images you might want to use. Make sure you trust the app before granting these permissions, and always be mindful of the permissions you grant to third-party apps.
3. Select Instagram: In the app icon changer, find and select "Instagram" from the list of installed apps. The app will then display the current Instagram icon and provide options for changing it. This step is crucial for targeting the specific app you want to customize. By selecting Instagram, you're telling the app icon changer, "This is the app I want to modify."
4. Choose a New Icon: You'll be presented with various options for selecting a new icon. You can choose from pre-installed icon packs, your own photos, or download icons from the internet. Browse through the available options and select the icon that you want to use for Instagram. Make sure the icon is visually appealing and easy to recognize, so you can quickly find and launch Instagram from your home screen.
5. Customize the Icon (Optional): Some app icon changers offer additional customization options, such as adjusting the icon size, adding filters, or changing the icon's background. If your app icon changer has these options, feel free to experiment and create a truly unique icon for Instagram. You can fine-tune the appearance of the icon to match your personal style or the overall aesthetic of your home screen.
6. Apply the Change: Once you've selected and customized your new icon, tap the "Apply" or "Change" button to apply the changes. The app icon changer will then create a shortcut with the new icon on your home screen. This shortcut will launch Instagram when you tap it. Congratulations, you've successfully changed your Instagram icon on your Android device!

Important Notes:

• Third-Party Apps: Be cautious when using third-party app icon changers, as some may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions. Always read the reviews and choose reputable apps. It’s a good idea to check the app's privacy policy and user reviews before installing it to ensure it's safe and reliable.
• Shortcuts: Like the iOS method, these apps typically create a shortcut to open Instagram rather than directly changing the original app icon. This means you'll have two Instagram icons on your home screen – the original and the custom one. You can hide the original icon by placing it in a folder or removing it from your home screen.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Icon Not Changing:
  • iOS: Make sure you've followed all the steps in the Shortcuts app correctly. Double-check that you've selected the "Open App" action and chosen Instagram. Also, ensure that the image you're using for the icon is saved in your Photos app.
  • Android: Ensure that the app icon changer has the necessary permissions. Try clearing the app's cache and data in your device settings. If the issue persists, try a different app icon changer.
• Icon Quality is Poor:
  • Use a high-resolution image for your custom icon. An image with a resolution of 1024x1024 pixels is ideal. Avoid using low-quality or blurry images, as they will look pixelated on your home screen.
• Original Icon Still Visible:
  • As mentioned earlier, the custom icon is usually a shortcut. You can hide the original icon by placing it in a folder or removing it from your home screen. On Android, you can also disable the original app icon in some launchers.
• Shortcuts App Opens Briefly (iOS):
  • Unfortunately, this is a known limitation of using the Shortcuts app for custom icons. There's no way to completely eliminate the brief appearance of the Shortcuts app when opening Instagram. However, it's usually quick and seamless, and you'll likely get used to it over time.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Changing your Instagram icon in 2024 is totally doable with these simple workarounds. Whether you're an iPhone aficionado using the Shortcuts app or an Android enthusiast exploring app icon changers, you can easily customize your home screen to reflect your unique style. Go ahead, give it a try and make your Instagram icon truly yours! Have fun customizing, guys!