How to Change Your Instagram App Icon (New Guide)

Hey there! Have you noticed that default blue Instagram icon on your home screen is looking a little stale? Maybe you want to spice up your app layout with something more stylish. Or perhaps you want to theme your icons to match your brand colors and aesthetics.

Well my friend, I have great news! Instagram recently launched a hidden feature that lets you easily customize your app icon within the app itself. No sketchy third-party apps, no jailbreaking required.

In this jam-packed guide, I‘ll show you step-by-step how to change your Instagram icon on both iPhones and Androids. Trust me, it‘s a total game changer for personalizing your device. Let‘s get started!

Why Would You Want to Change Your Instagram Icon?

Before we get into the how-to, let‘s chat about why you‘d want to change your Instagram icon in the first place. Here are some of the top reasons:

1. Customize Your Home Screen

The standard Instagram icon has looked pretty much the same since day one. If you‘re bored of the classic blue gradient, changing it up gives your home screen a fresh new look.

You can match other app icons, coordinate with your wallpaper, or just find something more aesthetically pleasing. Figuring out your new layout is half the fun!

2. Branding Purposes

Do you run an Instagram business account? Having a customized icon that matches your brand colors and logo is a great way to stay consistent and stand out.

Research shows that color increases brand recognition by up to 80% [1]. And a uniform icon style helps users instantly know your content when they see your icon.

3. Enhanced Privacy

With an altered Instagram icon, fewer people will be able to recognize the app at a glance when looking at your phone. This is especially helpful if you prefer keeping your Instagram use more private.

In a survey, 93% of respondents said they actively take measures to keep their mobile activity private from those around them [2]. A different icon adds an extra layer of subtle privacy.

4. Join the Icon Customization Trend

iOS 14 made major waves by finally allowing home screen customization with customized app layouts, widgets, smart stacks and more. Changing your icons is a huge part of that trend.

72% of iPhone users have customized their home screen thanks to the iOS 14 update [3]. Don‘t miss out on the fun!

5. Make Your Home Screen Aesthetically Pleasing

Some of the alternative icon options are downright adorable. Who wouldn‘t want a heart or a cute animal face icon livening up their layout?

Plus, switching up your icon color palette can make your home screen pop. Contrasting or complementary colors are visually satisfying.

There are so many creative reasons to change up your Instagram icon! Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Update to the Latest Instagram Version

The Instagram icon changer was released on October 6th, 2020 as part of Instagram‘s 10th birthday celebrations. To access the hidden feature, you‘ll need the latest app version:

iOS: Update to version 162.0 or higher
Android: Update to version 116.0 or higher

Without the update, the icon customization won‘t be available. Here‘s how to update on both iPhone and Android devices:

Update Instagram on iPhone

Open the App Store
Tap your profile picture in the top right corner
Scroll down and tap the Instagram app listing
If the "Update" button is visible, tap it to update to the latest iOS version
The update will begin installing

Once complete, you‘ll have the new icon changer!

Update Instagram on Android

Open the Google Play Store
Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner
Select "My apps & games"
Find the Instagram app listing
If an "Update" button is shown, tap it to update to the newest Android version
Wait for the update to download and install

Now your Android Instagram app will include the custom icon feature too.

Step 2: Open Instagram and Go to Settings

With your app updated, now it‘s time to access the secret icon customization screen:

Launch the Instagram app as usual
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner
Tap the 3 line menu icon in the top right
Select "Settings" from the menu

This will open the main Instagram settings page. Now comes the fun part!

Step 3: Activate the Hidden Icon Changer Easter Egg

Brace yourself…the icon changer isn‘t immediately visible. Instead, it‘s tucked away behind a secret emoji Easter egg animation!

Here‘s how to access the hidden feature:

On the settings screen, use two thumbs to pull down and hold about halfway. The settings will become blurred.
Keep holding with both thumbs until the blur fills the screen. This takes around 2-3 seconds.
Swiftly pull all the way down with both thumbs in one smooth motion.
Let go once you see the celebratory emoji face appear.

If done correctly, the settings will flip into the icon customization page! It may take a few tries to get the timing right. Essentially you need to:

Hold halfway until blurry
Then quickly pull down all the way

It‘s like refreshing your feed but longer. Got it? Good! Now let‘s pick your new icon.

Step 4: Select Your Custom Instagram Icon

On the icon customization screen, you‘ll see rows of different Instagram icon options. Tap any icon to preview it on your home screen.

Once you‘ve picked your favorite, tap "OK" to set your new Instagram icon. Then close and re-open the app to see it applied!

Here are all the different Instagram icon variations you can choose from:

Original Instagram logo in blue
Color variations of the Instagram logo
Geometric shapes like circles, squares, triangles
Emojis like hearts, smiley faces, celebratory emojis
Cute illustrations like a cactus, rocket ship and more

I recommend picking something that fits your vibe or color scheme. A bright red or pink heart icon would look so cute! Or match your other app icons with a geometric shape like a triangle or circle.

Get creative with it! This is your chance to finally customize Instagram your way.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you‘re having trouble getting the icon changer to work, here are some tips to troubleshoot:

Double and triple check that your Instagram app is fully updated. The feature only works in version 162.0+ on iOS and 116.0+ on Android.
When activating the emoji Easter egg, wait until the settings blur before swiftly pulling down in one smooth motion. The timing is tricky but keep trying!
Make sure you‘re pulling down from the very top of the settings screen until you see the celebratory emoji face appear.
If it‘s still not working, try force quitting the Instagram app and restarting your phone. Then give it another shot.
If the icon changer is still broken, the Easter egg unfortunately may have been removed in a newer update. You‘ll have to wait and see if Instagram brings it back. Such a bummer!

Hopefully these tips help get the icon changer working for you. Now let‘s cover some frequently asked questions.

FAQs: Instagram Icon Changer

Here are answers to some of the most common questions around customizing your Instagram icon:

How do I switch my icon back to the original Instagram logo?

No problem! Just re-open the icon changer Easter egg and select the classic blue Instagram icon in the top left corner.

Can I use my own custom photo as the Instagram icon?

Unfortunately no – the icon changer only allows you to pick from the predefined options provided. There‘s no way to upload your own custom image.

Does changing my icon also change it for people who follow me?

Nope! The icon change only applies to Instagram on your own device. It will still show up as the normal icon for all your followers.

Will I get banned from Instagram if I change my icon?

Not at all! Since this icon changer is an official feature, changing your icon via the app is perfectly fine according to Instagram‘s policies.

What happens if I update Instagram after changing my icon?

Good question. There‘s a chance your icon could revert back to the original when updating. The Easter egg might get removed someday. To be safe, avoid updating until a major new update is released.

And there you have it – everything you need to know about the Instagram icon changer! Let‘s wrap this up.

Final Thoughts

Being able to customize your Instagram icon is so much fun and adds personality to your phone. Thanks to this hidden Easter egg, you can easily modify the Instagram icon without any third-party apps or hacking.

Just make sure to update Instagram, activate the emoji animation, and pick your favorite icon. It‘s a great way to refresh your home screen – and bonus points if you match other app icons or your wallpaper‘s color scheme.

Change up your Instagram icon and impress your friends with your tricked out home screen! Let me know which new icon you chose down below. I want to see your new customized layout.

Thanks for reading! Talk soon,

[Your Name]