If you've been watching for a while free icon packs for a limited time and you still haven't gotten around to it, this is your sign: changing the icons is one of the fastest and most effective ways to refresh the interface from your mobile without complicating your life.
On Android, icons are anything but uniform: round, square, with more or less curved corners, different sizes, even unusual geometric shapes. If what you fancy is put some order and style, installing an icon pack is the perfect shortcut.
What exactly is an icon pack?
An icon pack is an application that Replace your app icons with custom designs. It installs like any other app on Google Play and is generally very easy to use. To easily try out different styles, it's ideal to have a compatible launcher (for example, Nova or Apex Launcher), although you can always change launchers whenever you want without losing your favorite icons.
Before you start: it all depends on the pitcher
Although icon pack support has improved a lot, it is still a feature that depends on launcher you useMany phones include a pre-installed launcher capable of changing icons: go into its settings (usually with a long press on the desktop) and look for options related to icons or themeIf your launcher doesn't offer this option, you'll need to install one that does.
The quickest solution when the stock launcher doesn't help is switch to a third-party launcherThere are excellent and very complete options with icon pack support. Below you'll see the steps for the most popular ones, and in all cases, remember that the first step is download and install the icon pack that you want to use.
Method 1: Change icons with the manufacturer's native themes
Some Android layers allow a change complete and system level from the phone's own settings or an app called Themes. This happens, for example, on Huawei phones with EMUI or Samsung phones with One UI. This approach has a major advantage: the new icons will be visible throughout the entire system, not just on the home screen.
The less positive point is that, often, these theme apps They only accept icons from their own stores (Galaxy Store, AppGallery), with a smaller free catalog than Google Play. The process, however, is usually very similar for all brands: open Themes, look for an icon pack that you like, download it and apply it.
- Open the System Themes section (in Settings, sometimes under Display).
- Go to the Icons section and find a pack that suits you.
- Download and apply it to see system-wide changes.
If your mobile does not have this function as standard or you prefer to access a wider and more varied catalogue, you can use the following method with a compatible launcher.
Method 2: Use a launcher that supports icon packs
The most flexible option is a third-party launcher with icon pack support. In this case, the changes affect the launcher itself (home screen, app drawer), but not to certain system menus. The advantage is that you'll find thousands of packs on Google Play and can combine them with appearance settings very powerful.
To get icon packs, go to Google Play and search for "icon pack." After downloading one, you usually won't need to open the app: you'll just apply it. from the launcher settings, in sections such as Appearance or Theme. If the pack is compatible (it almost always is), it will appear in the list for selection.
A useful detail: some launchers, like Nova, can generate icons for unsupported apps so that everything looks consistent. And if you regret it, just reselect the system icons in the same launcher menu.
- Install a compatible launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher or Action Launcher).
- Download an icon pack from Google Play.
- In the launcher settings, go to Appearance/Themes and select the downloaded pack.
How to apply icon packs to popular launchers
The steps change slightly from pitcher to pitcher, but the pattern repeats: enter the launcher settings and choose your package. Here's the route in five of the most popular ones.
Nova Launcher
- Long press on the desktop to open the Nova Settings.
- Enter Appearance.
- Tap Icon Theme.
- Choose the installed pack you want to apply.
Action Launcher
- Long press to access Settings.
- Go to Screen.
- Enter Icon Pack.
- Select one of the installed packs.
aviate
- Long press to open Settings.
- Tap Define Icon Pack.
- Choose the pack you prefer from those installed.
Apex Launcher
- Open Apex Settings.
- Go to Theme Settings.
- Select the theme (icon pack) that interests you.
- press Apply.
Smart Launcher
- Long press and enter Configuration.
- Open the Theme section.
- Choose one of the installed packs to use.
As you can see, the process is direct and in all cases is based on the launcher settingsRemember that it's a good idea to have the pack installed before choosing it.
Install icon packs on Samsung phones with One UI
Samsung has gone from receiving criticism for its old layers to offering a very complete customization with One UI, to the point of competing head-to-head with pure Android on many fronts. One UI 4, in particular, brings very powerful options and allows for even better system appearance. applying custom icons.
To change icons on Samsung with One UI using Theme Park, first install the app Theme Park from the Galaxy Store. Then, download the icon pack you want from Google Play.
- Open Theme Park and click on the fourth icon in the bottom bar, called Icon.
- Go to +Create New.
- At the top, tap the icon called “Iconpack.”
- Select the pack you installed from the Play Store (e.g., Saturate).
- Install it by clicking on the arrow and tray icon in the top right corner.
- Give a name to the design you are going to save.
- On the main Theme Park screen, choose your newly saved design.
- Click Apply.
- Wait for the installation to finish.
- Go back to your desks and check the change.
From the Theme Park interface itself you can open Google Play to download icon packs when you enter the "Iconpack" window and tap on Download. Combine a pack with a matching wallpaper provides a more polished result.
A practical detail: check that no apps without icons in the chosen package; this may occur in some packages. This feature debuted in One UI 3.1.1 (released for foldables), and is required for most mainstream models. OneUI 4 (Android 12) to take advantage of it.
Where to find icon packs and how to choose them
There is no exclusive category for icon packs on Google Play; they coexist within Personalization with backgrounds and themesThe most effective way to locate them is to search for "icon pack." When you open their tab, you'll see screenshots, a description, and sometimes a tool to request icons missing and, sometimes, a small notice of other packs from the same author.
Downloading them is easy: click Install and, when finished, the pack will be ready to be applied from the launcher or theme tool. Many icon apps also include built-in wallpapers that match your style.
Recommended and compatible icon packs
Below you have a varied selection with distinct styles and details. All include compatibility with multiple launchers, sizes, and approximate prices based on their specifications.
Pix UI Icon Pack 2 – Free Pixel Icon Pack
If you love the Pixel aesthetic, this pack brings you its modern design to almost any Android without paying. It brings together nearly 7.000 icons covering the most popular apps and works especially well with Nova LauncherRegarding advertising, the author only links to other packs from the settings: it doesn't interfere with daily use.
- Compatible launchers: Several; Recommended Nova Launcher.
- Size: 51 MB
- Price: free of charge
Click UI
One of the pioneers in the long and subtle shadows that provide a sensation of volume without going overboard. It comes with a simple tool icon request in case you miss any, and it allows you to configure backgrounds, although there are more specialized apps for that.
- Compatible launchers: Nova, Apex, Action, Go, Solo, Trebuchet, Smart, Aviate, Next, KK, Nine, Blur, Unicon, ADW, among others.
- Size: 12,55 MB
- Price: € 0,99
retrorika
Vector graphics with retro aesthetics that reinterpret the Material Design with a vintage feelEach icon offers a unique take on the original, with great attention to detail. It also allows for the application of chord wallpapers from the app, which helps round out the look.
- Compatible launchers: More than 29; some features vary by launcher.
- Size: 29 MB
- Price: € 0,59
CandyCons
Material Icons with a handcrafted touch and alternative color options for popular apps. It includes around 1.127 icons, 20 wallpapers and support for Muzei. If you want to stay true to Google's palette with a personal twist, this is a great option.
- Compatible launchers: Nova, Apex, Action, ADW, and others; requires a launcher to run.
- Size: 17 MB
- Price: free of charge
Atran
For lovers of retro-inspired circular vehicles, Atran offers more than 4.000 icons and adds new ones periodically, as well as 30 HD backgrounds. It has icon request to complete the ones you are missing.
- Compatible launchers: Action, ADW/ADWEX, Apex, Atom, Aviate, Everything.me, GO, Inspire, KK, Lucid, Next, Nine, Nova, Smart, Solo, TSF, CM Theme Engine, Bubble Cloud Widgets and more.
- Size: 63 MB
- Price: € 0,89
Tigad Pro
If you like 3D, this pack bets on you icons with depth and a highly polished finish. It brings together more than 13.000 custom-made icons, including wallpapers that match your style and can be applied directly or through most popular launchers.
- Compatible launchers: L, Lucid, GO, Next, Apex, Action Pro, Nova, ADW, Holo/Holo HD, Aviate, Smart, Mini, KK, Solo, Epic, Inspire, Nine, Atom, Nemus, S, TSF Shell, LG Home (with some issues), Themer, CM Theme Engine, Launchy Widget, Trebuchet, Unicon.
- Size: 74,79 MB
- Price: € 1,79
Tips and considerations when applying icon packs
Before deciding on a pack, check screenshots and compatibility: it is common for them to include thousands of icons, but there can always be exceptions. Launchers with icon generators (like Nova) help maintain visual consistency when one is missing.
Combine the pack with a matching wallpaper makes a difference. Many include built-in galleries for you to choose from. If you use Samsung with Theme Park, you have direct access to the download from the "Iconpack" window using the Download option.
If you notice that any application appears with its original unadapted icon, open the app pack and use the icon request feature. Developers typically prioritize frequently requested apps in future updates.
Do you fancy returning to the same old icons? Enter the launcher settings and choose the “system” icons or disable the theme you applied from the manufacturer’s Themes app.
Personalization is one of Android's great strengths: you can change themes, fonts, backgrounds and, of course, iconsWith native theme options and compatible launchers, plus tools like Theme Park in One UI, you have everything you need to give your phone a a consistent, updated look to your liking effortlessly. Share this tutorial and more users will know how to customize Android with these icon packs.
