Skip to Content

Switch Up Your Instagram Icon With These Tips

In 2020, for its 10th anniversary, Instagram rolled out a couple of fun releases to its app. One of those was the easter egg that allowed users to change the home screen icon—a pretty odd but thoughtful choice for a gift. So how can you do it?

Download and install the Shortcuts app. Open the app and tap on the plus + icon at the top right. Tap Open App and then select App. Scroll down and select Instagram. Tap Menu (three dotted lines) at the top right and select Add to the Home Screen. For Android, use the Shortcuts app.

It even allowed you to use camera designs available more than five years ago. So, two years later, can you still switch up your Instagram icon? Yes, you can, and we’ll show you how. So, let’s dive right in!

Is Instagram’s Icon-Changing Feature Still Available?

Instagram Icon

The easter egg was a one-time fun feature that Instagram rolled out for its 10th anniversary. It has since been removed. However, you can still use third-party apps to achieve the same. Apps like X Icon Changer and Shortcuts will help you change your Instagram icon.

How to Change Your Instagram Icon Using Shortcuts

Shortcuts is an iOS-compatible app that allows you to customize any app on your phone and give it an icon of your choice. But your device must run on iOS 14 or higher for the app to work. You must also have the image you want to use saved in your Photos library.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download and install the Shortcuts app from the App Store.
  1. Open the app and tap on the + icon at the top right.
  1. Tap Open App and then select App.
  1. Scroll down and select Instagram.
  1. Tap Menu (three dotted lines) at the top right and select Add to the Home Screen.
  1. Select the image icon below the Home Screen Name and icon to select your preferred icon.
  1. Select a photo you want to use for the icon.
  1. Now, rename the shortcut Instagram and tap Add.

You can remove the original Instagram icon from the home screen to avoid confusion.

Can You Change Your Instagram Icon on an Android?

Yes, you can change your Instagram icon regardless of the OS you are using (iOS or Android). At first, the feature was only available to iOS devices, but thanks to the X Icon Changer app, you can now do it with your Android.

And not just X Icon Changer; many apps in the Play Store now allow you to customize app icons. Most are free, but you need in-app purchases with others. For this step, we’ll use the X Icon Changer app. It’s free. The Smart Launcher App is also another excellent option.

  1. Download and install the X Icon Changer app from the Play Store.
  1. Press and hold your home screen to open Widgets.
  1. Look for X Icon Changer.
  1. Press and hold the icon so you can be able to move it. Select where you want it to go.
  1. Go through the apps installed on your phone and select Instagram.
  1. Choose the image you want for the icon. Tap Ok.

Using Smart Launcher

You can also use the Smart Launcher app to customize Instagram’s icon. Here’s how.

  1. Download and install the Smart Launcher app from the Play Store.
  1. Launch the app and complete the setup.
    • The app is free, but you can upgrade to its premium version for a few perks.
  1. The app will automatically sort all your apps on its Communication page. Find Instagram.
  1. Tap and hold its icon until a pop-up menu appears. Tap Edit.
  1. Choose an icon you want. You can select a photo from your phone’s gallery or choose one from Launcher’s collection.

How to Change Your Instagram Profile Picture

Instagram Edit Profile

Don’t like how your Instagram profile picture looks? No problem. You can change it in a few steps. Here’s how.

  1. Log in to your Instagram account.
  1. Go to your Profile and tap on Edit Profile, found at the center of the screen.
  1. Select Change Profile Photo.
  1. You can choose a photo from your gallery or take a photo using your camera.
  1. Tap Done.

That’s it. You have successfully changed your profile photo.

You are the Boss

Yay! You are now in total control of your Instagram. You can choose what to post and what the app icon looks like. So give it a try and see how you like it. You can also use it with other apps on your phone.