Samsung smartphones offer an excellent level of customization, allowing users to personalize the appearance of their home screens. One way to achieve this is by changing the default icons of apps to different icon packs or images. By doing so, you can give your device a more distinct look that fits your style. However, if you ever decide to switch back to the original default designs of the app icons, Samsung also provides a simple way to do so. This can be particularly useful if you prefer the original icons or are experiencing any issues with the new ones. With Samsung’s flexibility, you can easily switch between different icon designs and enjoy a fully customized home screen that suits your preferences. Here are some tips on how to change app icons back to standard samsung.
Why Custom Icons Revert to Defaults
There are a few reasons why customized app icons may go back to the original default icons, including:
- Updating or Reinstalling the App: When an app updates or you reinstall it, the icon often reverts to the default the developer provided. This is because the update installs new app files and overwrites any customizations.
- Switching Launchers: Using a third-party launcher and changing back to the default Samsung launcher can remove any custom icons from the previous launcher. The Samsung launcher will display the original icons.
- System Glitches: Sometimes a minor software glitch causes custom icons to revert to defaults. This is not very common, but it can happen. A simple reboot should fix it.
- Icon Pack Issues: If the custom icon pack has bugs or compatibility issues, the icons can revert until the bag is updated. Using icon packs directly from the Galaxy Themes store reduces this risk.
So, in most cases, customized icons return to their originals due to new app installs or system/software updates. Knowing why it happens can help you avoid or fix the issue.
Method 1: Reapply Custom Icon Packs
If your custom icons reverted due to an app update or system glitch, the easiest way to restore them is to reapply the icon pack simply:
- Open the Galaxy Themes app on your Samsung device. Here, you can browse and apply custom themes and icons.
- Tap the “Icons” tab at the bottom of the app window.
- Locate the icon pack you previously used to customize your icons. It will usually show as “Applied” if you used it before.
- Tap the icon pack again to reactivate it. This will reapply the custom icons.
- Tap “Apply” to confirm and activate the icon pack.
This quick reactivation should restore all your custom icons that reverted to default. The process is the same if you use the Google Play Store icon packs – open the pack and “Reapply” it. Using reputable icon packs reduces the risk of bugs causing reverted icons.
Method 2: Manually Change Individual Icons
If you only need to fix a few icons that reverted to defaults, you can manually change each icon back:
- Long press on the default app icon you want to change. This opens the popup edit menu.
- Tap the icon image in the center of the popup. This opens icon options.
- Tap the “Gallery” tab at the bottom.
- Browse and select the custom icon image you want to use.
- Tap “Apply” to set the custom icon.
Repeat this for any default icons you want to switch back to custom images manually. It takes more time than reapplying the full icon pack, but it works if you only need to change a few icons back.
Method 3: Use the Default Samsung Icon Changer
All Samsung devices include a built-in icon customization feature that can revert individual icons. Here’s how to use it:
- Long press on a default app icon to open the popup edit menu.
- Tap the icon image in the center.
- Tap “Icon changer” at the top.
- Select one of the alternative icon designs in the Samsung icon changer.
- Tap “Apply” to change the icon.
While limited compared to downloaded icon packs, the Galaxy Icon Changer does provide some variations to switch individual icons that reverted to defaults. It’s convenient if you want quick icon changes without finding custom images.
Method 4: Roll Back System Updates
If your custom icons changed after a significant system update like Android OS or One UI, rolling back the update can restore your icons:
- Go to Settings > System updates.
- Tap the Three Dots menu in the top right corner.
- Select “Uninstall updates.”
- Tap “Uninstall” on the popup message.
- Restart your device when prompted.
Your system will roll back to the previous version before the update that changed your icons. Make sure to backup data first, as a system rollback can cause issues in rare cases. Only use this method if a system update was the likely cause of reverted icons.
Method 5: Perform a Factory Reset
If all else fails and you still can’t change icons back, a factory reset will wipe your device and restore all original default settings:
- Back up essential data from your device. A factory reset will erase everything.
- Go to Settings > General Management.
- Tap “Reset” and tap “Factory data reset.”
- Tap “Reset” on the warning popup.
- Tap “Delete all” to confirm the reset.
Once your device resets to factory settings, you must set it up from scratch and reapply your custom icon packs. This should resolve any issues causing icons to remain on default. It’s an involved process, so only try it if nothing else works.
Troubleshooting Reverted Icons
Here are some troubleshooting tips if your customized icons keep reverting to defaults:
- After applying icon packs, restart your device. This completes the icon change process.
- Make sure icon packs are designed for your specific Samsung device model. Packs for other models can cause issues.
- Try applying icon packs directly from the Galaxy Themes store, as they are optimized for Samsung.
- Check icon pack reviews and confirm the app has been recently updated and is actively supported. Outdated or buggy icon packs cause problems.
- Disable battery optimization for the Galaxy Themes app so it does not get killed in the background by your phone’s battery manager.
- As a last resort, perform a factory reset on your device to eliminate any software issues causing icon problems.
FAQs
Q: Why did my custom app icons change after an app update?
A: When an app updates, it often resets the icon back to the default provided by the developer in the new app files. You’ll need to reapply your custom icon pack to change the icons again.
Q: How can I stop custom icons from reverting after significant system updates?
A: Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent icons from changing during primary OS or firmware updates. Your best option is to back up your icon pack and reapply it after updating your device.
Q: What causes only some custom icons to revert but not others?
A: If only some revert, it is likely an issue with the individual icons in the icon pack you applied. Try manually changing those icons using another custom image from your gallery.
Q: I reapplied my icon pack but some icons still show as default, why?
A: A few icons may be incompatible with the icon pack. Try manually changing those icons using the Samsung Icon Changer or your custom images instead.
Q: How do I eliminate icon customizations and return to 100% default icons?
A: Open Galaxy Themes, tap Icons, tap View All, and then tap the “Remove” button to delete all applied icon packs and customizations.
In Summary,
Customizing your Samsung device with cool new icons can be fun and add flair to your home screen. However, icons occasionally reverting to defaults can be annoying. To seamlessly download the Spectrum app on your Firestick and enjoy a wide range of entertainment options, it’s crucial to maintain your device’s aesthetic appeal. Using reliable icon packs, reapplying packs after system changes, manually changing icons, and troubleshooting icon issues can help prevent customization problems, ensuring your Samsung device retains its personalized look while you enjoy Spectrum’s offerings.