WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. The default WhatsApp icon is a white telephone receiver inside a green chat bubble. While this default icon is instantly recognizable, you may want to customize your WhatsApp icon to be more unique or match other icons on your home screen.
Can you change the WhatsApp icon?
Yes, it is possible to change or customize the default WhatsApp icon on both Android and iOS devices. However, the process is slightly different on each platform.
Changing the WhatsApp Icon on Android
There are a few different methods you can use to change the WhatsApp icon on Android devices:
- Download a custom icon pack – Many free icon packs are available on the Google Play Store that allow you to customize all the icons on your home screen, including WhatsApp.
- Use a launcher – Android launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher let you change individual app icons, including WhatsApp.
- Use an icon changer app – Some apps like Zedge specifically provide custom icons that can override the WhatsApp icon.
Here is a step-by-step guide on changing the WhatsApp icon using an icon pack from the Google Play Store:
- Download and install a free icon pack from the Play Store – there are many options available. Look for an icon pack that provides a custom WhatsApp icon.
- Open the icon pack app and browse for the custom WhatsApp icon you want to use. Tap on the icon to select it.
- The icon pack app will ask you to select which app you want to change. Choose WhatsApp from the list.
- The custom WhatsApp icon should now replace the default icon on your home screen. You may need to press and hold on the original icon to refresh the home screen.
Changing the WhatsApp Icon on iPhone
On iOS devices, the process involves these general steps:
- Find a custom WhatsApp icon and save the image to your iPhone’s Photos app.
- Use the Shortcuts app to create a new shortcut to open WhatsApp.
- Add the shortcut to your home screen and select the custom icon image.
Here are more detailed steps on changing the WhatsApp icon on iPhone:
- Find and save a custom WhatsApp icon image to your iPhone’s Photos app. You can search Google Images, Pinterest, or app icon sites.
- Open the Shortcuts app (comes pre-installed on iOS). Tap the + button to create a new shortcut.
- Search for and select the “Open App” action. Tap on the App field and select WhatsApp from your apps list.
- Tap the 3 dots in the top right corner and select “Add to Home Screen.” This will save the shortcut as an icon on your home screen.
- On the Add to Home Screen page, tap the icon to change it. Select the Photos app and choose your custom WhatsApp icon image.
- Give the shortcut a name like “WhatsApp Custom” and tap “Add.” Your custom icon will now appear on your iPhone’s home screen.
Tapping this new icon will open the WhatsApp app with your customized icon!
Custom WhatsApp Icon Ideas
Here are some popular ideas and styles for customizing your WhatsApp icon:
- Use your own photo – Set a family photo, pet photo, or selfie as the icon for a personal touch.
- Favorite cartoon or movie characters – Icons featuring your favorite fictional characters can liven up your home screen.
- Colorful abstract designs – Vibrant graphic icons in cool shapes and patterns stand out.
- Minimalist icons – Simple, clean icon designs aligned to other minimalist apps.
- Holiday themes – Seasonal icons like Santa hats, fireworks, etc. for Christmas, New Year’s, July 4th.
- Creative text icons – Icons with stylized initials, your name, or words like “Chat”.
There are endless possibilities for custom WhatsApp icons. Get creative and have fun designing an icon that speaks to your personality!
Important Things to Keep in Mind
When changing the default WhatsApp icon to a custom icon, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Make sure the new icon still resembles the WhatsApp logo or colors in some way, so it remains easily recognizable.
- If using an iPhone shortcut, the original WhatsApp app will need to remain installed for the shortcut to work.
- The customized icon may revert back to default after WhatsApp app updates. You may need to redo the steps to change it back.
- Use high resolution icon images for the best visual quality on your device’s screen.
- Some launchers and themes only allow changing the icon shape or color, not using completely custom images.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Icon Issues
If you are having issues changing or reverting the WhatsApp icon, try these troubleshooting tips:
- On Android, check icon pack or launcher app settings for WhatsApp icon options.
- For iPhone shortcuts, delete the custom shortcut and recreate it with the proper WhatsApp icon image selected.
- Restart your iPhone or Android device to refresh the home screen icons.
- Clear the cache and data for the WhatsApp app and re-open it to reset icons.
- Make sure you have the latest versions of iOS, Android, the WhatsApp app, and any icon apps.
- Check that the custom WhatsApp icon image file is not corrupted or too large.
- Contact the icon pack developer or launcher app support for help reverting or fixing the icon issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the WhatsApp icon affect notifications?
No, changing the WhatsApp app icon does not affect your notifications in any way. WhatsApp notifications will still come through normally with the customized icon.
Can I backup my custom WhatsApp icon?
On Android, icon pack apps typically let you export the current icon selections. On iPhone, you should save your custom WhatsApp icon image to your camera roll or computer as a backup.
Is changing the WhatsApp icon risky?
Changing the icon is generally safe and does not pose any major risks. Just be sure to use reputable apps and image files to avoid malware or other issues.
Why does my custom icon keep reverting to default?
This is usually caused by updates to the WhatsApp app itself. The developers likely hard-code the default icon with updates. You’ll need to reapply your custom icon after major WhatsApp updates.
Can I use animated icons for WhatsApp?
Some Android launchers and icon packs do support simple animated icon effects. But iOS does not allow animated icons due to system limitations.
Conclusion
Customizing the default WhatsApp icon is easy to do on both iPhone and Android devices. With just a few steps, you can give WhatsApp a fun new look with an icon that suits your personal style. There are endless possibilities for cool and creative custom icons. Just be sure to use high-quality icon images, keep important app updates in mind, and enjoy your fresh new WhatsApp identity!