The beauty of Android’s operating system lies in its ability to be customized and tailored to your preferences. You can switch your default launcher and change how the icon appears on your Android device.
When you need to freshen up the look of any good budget phone, a new icon pack can be what you need.
Whether you’re looking for a simplistic style, like Minimal O, or prefer something 3D and flashy, like Tigad Pro, today’s best icon packs on Android roundup have you covered, whether you’re running the latest Android version or an older one.
To use most custom icon packs on Android, you must install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, or Niagara). Stock launchers from manufacturers (such as Samsung One UI Home or Pixel Launcher) often have limited or no support for external icon packs.
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We included a brief list of compatible third-party launchers for each icon pack found on this list. We recommend checking the developer’s website or the icon pack’s Google Play Store listing for an exhaustive list.
How do icon packs work?
Icon packs utilize masking to provide your app icons with a uniform appearance across your home screen, app folders, and app drawer. It’s an effective way to theme your device and provide a visual effect to your Android’s UI.
Icon masking is the process of using a mask to create a specific shape or visual effect for an icon, often controlled by the operating system or web application.
In the case of icon packs used by launchers, icon masking is employed when an icon pack lacks a specific icon for a particular app. Icon masking fixes this by providing a default mask to make the app icon blend in with the rest of the pack.
While many icon packs boast thousands of icons, it’s rare for a pack to cover every app on your device. Unthemed apps are typically handled by “icon masking” (applying a consistent shape or background) or by showing their original icon.
Some icon packs leverage dynamic icon theming instead. You see this with the Pix Material You pack. It works fundamentally similarly to how Google’s Material You theming works.
Material You uses dynamic theming. It does this by extracting colors from the device’s wallpaper and applying them to the system and apps.
The extracted colors are then used to generate an extensive palette that works well with multiple tonal variations for darker/lighter color schemes (displayed on your device, including dark and light modes).
When you apply the Pix Material You icon pack, the icons dynamically change their colors to match the dominant colors of your wallpaper.
When searching for new icon packs, look for ones that receive regular updates, ensuring they remain compatible with your preferred Android launcher. Plus, new icon packs ensure that new apps receive themed icons over time.
How to apply an icon pack
The steps to apply icon packs depend on whether you use the stock launcher or a third-party Android launcher.
If you use a stock launcher like the Pixel Launcher or One UI, you can only change to custom icons via a third-party icon changer app, such as Shortcut Maker.
Otherwise, you can change your icon themes by downloading a trusted third-party launcher that supports custom icon theming.
If you use Shortcut Maker to apply a custom icon to an app, follow these steps:
- Download and open Shortcut Maker.
- Select Apps.
- Choose an app to change its icon (tap on the icon).
- In the Edit icon section, select the Icons tab.
- Select the custom icon pack under Available icons.
- Tap the checkmark icon in the upper-right corner to confirm.
This method isn’t perfect. Shortcut Maker creates a new app shortcut with the app icon, and its changes are limited to that shortcut. This means you may continue seeing the original app shortcut with its original logo in your phone’s app drawer.
You can also apply to only one icon at a time (no bulk creation option). If you’re short on time, the best way to apply a custom icon pack for multiple apps is to use a third-party launcher.
1
Minimal O – Icon Pack
We’re big fans of circular icons, especially when there’s a minimal design on the table.
Since most stock Google icons are encircled in white, Minimal O is the perfect choice for a paid pack to replace those unsightly icons with something more fitting that keeps with the circular stock theme Android is known for.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- OnePlus Launcher
- Microsoft Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Smart Launcher
There’s no shortage of choices within the pack, seeing as there are 6,450+ icons available.
If you run across an app that doesn’t have an icon in this pack, there are many choices, and you can find something close that’s just as fitting.
2
Borealis – Icon Pack
Something about square icons with rounded corners is appealing, as is evident with Borealis and its 50k installs.
While this isn’t the most popular paid icon pack on the Play Store, it’s still one of the best, thanks to icons that look unique yet uniform, offering a consistent design language.
Plus, there’s a huge selection of icons, so you should be able to theme most, if not all, of your apps.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- GO Launcher
- Evie Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Smart Launcher
Comprehensive is putting it lightly. If you’re tired of packs that don’t contain all the icons you need, give Borealis a spin.
3
Tigad Pro Icon Pack
There are plenty of minimal and dark icon packs on the Play Store. But what about 3D-styled icons?
Tigad Pro is an excellent paid option if you’re looking for something striking that doesn’t look like any other icon pack.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- GO Launcher
- Microsoft Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Smart Launcher
Each icon is displayed on a slight slant to the right, providing a unique look, and the icons are large, filling the screen, which could be ideal for those sick of smaller icons that are hard to tap.
Plus, the developer is fairly active, so updates are frequent, bringing new icons to the app to ensure you can theme every app in your drawer.
4
Icon Pack Studio
If you want more control over your icons than a standard pack, perhaps the free Icon Pack Studio app will float your boat.
This is an icon creation app, and it can import other packs for editing. So, you can easily create your own designs or tweak the packs you love to ensure they are perfected for your theming needs.
This one is for all of you control freaks out there.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
- Microsoft Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Smart Launcher
It’s also a robust app, and it’s easy to use, which is why it’s a perfect icon app for today’s list.
5
Moonshine – Icon Pack
This free icon pack (with ads) dates to 2014, with over 1 million installations since its release. To say this is a popular pack is an understatement, which is why it’s in today’s roundup.
This popularity is driven by the fact that the pack offers a pleasing design, with sharp edges and bright colors that allow the icons to pop on the screen.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Action Launcher
- GO Launcher
- Apex Launcher
- Smart Launcher
Despite its age, the Moonshine pack is still actively supported with updates and works with a wide range of third-party launchers, so the majority of your apps and launchers should be covered.
While this release contains ads, it is free. If you don’t want advertisements in your apps, a premium pack is available for $2 that excludes those annoying ads.
6
Ombre – Icon Pack
If you prefer dark themes or icons that offer exuberant colors, you’ll get a kick out of Ombre.
This lively paid pack offers deep colors that pop off an OLED screen, with more than 4,400 icons. Variants for app icons are included, so you can drill down the theme to your preference.
The icon pack also includes a bunch of wallpapers to get you started on your latest theming attempt.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
- Evie Launcher
Ombre comes from DrumDestroyer Themes, one of the bigger names in the Android icon pack game, so you know you’ll be in good hands if you go with it.
7
Flat Square – Icon Pack
If you’re into Material Design icons and searching for a flat pack with no shadows or other distractions, Flat Square is a standout from FL Design that offers more than 2,900 icons.
A slew of launchers are supported, and alternative looks are available for the most popular apps.
All the icons in this paid pack are flat squares that fit in great with any Material Design theme, and support is frequent, with new icons added all the time.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- OnePlus Launcher
- GO Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
Flat Square is a somewhat minimally designed icon pack that stands out from the crowd with its flat Material Design look, which is precisely why this pack is highly rated.
For a four-year-old collection, Flat Square is still kicking with gusto.
8
Pix Material You Icons
Don’t settle for Material Design icons when you can move up to something designed around Material You, the latest and greatest design language Google introduced with Android 12.
Pix Material You Icons offers exactly that: Material You icons for all your favorite apps. Various background colors are supported, along with multiple shapes for the icons.
These icons adjust to your wallpaper, just as any Material You pack should (as long as you’re on Android 12).
This is a paid pack, but $2 is money well spent.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
- One UI Home Launcher (Theme Park)
- Action Launcher
- Hyperion Launcher
While the Pix Material You Icons pack is a newer release, app coverage and support are pretty good, as updates are frequent.
If you’re shooting for an Android 12+ theme that offers Material You for many app icons while Google is still dragging its feet, Pix Material You Icons is a fresh up-and-comer that’s easily worth a look.
9
Outline Icons – Icon Pack
Several icon packs offer neon outlines, but Outline Icons is the standout thanks to its gigantic app support with more than 8,400 icons and because its icons look awesome.
There’s a consistent design language for all the neon-outlined icons, and since 32+ launchers are supported, this pack has some legs as well as longevity, seeing that it’s four years old and receives updates every month.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
- Microsoft Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Smart Launcher
Alternate colors are available, so you can easily theme to your heart’s content without worrying about dark or light wallpaper support.
You can also request icons if something is missing, with a fast track available if you’re willing to pay a little extra.
10
7-Bit – Retro Theme
If you’re a gamer or love gamer aesthetics, the 7-Bit – Retro Theme may interest you.
This icon pack offers pixilated icons, and each one is hand-crafted. So if you’re shooting for an 80s theme, there’s a lot here to like, with more than 2,500 icons and a wallpaper picker.
The developer includes HDPI icons for large Android screens. Heck, there’s even a clock widget, along with Muzei support.
Launcher compatibility
- Nova Launcher
- Lawnchair Launcher
- Microsoft Launcher
What’s great is that 7-Bit – Retro Theme is free, with ads, which means you can see what this pack is all about while diving into app support to guarantee the apps you use are covered.
However, if you’d like to remove those ads, a premium version on the Play Store for $2 excludes all advertisements.
