How To: Custom Icons For Your Droid X

[Airmaxx23]

This is the first time I've written up any type of "instructions" for anything so any suggestions for improvement would be appreciated.

It's broken up into 3 Parts: Dock Icons; Home Screen Icons and Label/Group Home Screen Icons. You can find the instructions for Home Screen Icons and Label/Group Icons further down the page.

Here is the link to download the little droid icons, I take no credit for them.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zhc04xe04ziihkq

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W66MHK0J

Custom Icons


Below you will find instructions on how to get custom icons onto your Droid X using LauncherPro. There is a different method depending on where or how the icon will be used.

There are 3 different classes of Icons: Dock Icons; Home Screen Icons and Label/Group Home Screen Icons. There are some apps that will be needed, I'm sure there are other apps that will work but I will be using these for the instructions: ASTRO File Manager; AppsOrganizer; and BetterCut.

See the bottom of each section for corresponding pics. The letter in brackets goes with the pic with the same letter.


Dock Icons


There are 2 methods for getting custom icons onto your Droid X dock depending on how you get the icons. The trick is getting the photo Gallery to see the icons. If you are downloading and installing an icon pack app from the Market continue to section 1. If you downloaded the icons to a computer and you're going to install them on the sdcard continue to section 2.

Section 1 - Installing Market Icon Packs to Your Phone

1: Download and install the icon pack as you would any other app.
2: Open ASTRO and open the "dcim" folder(A) that is in the sdcard folder.
3: Press the "menu" button, "new folder"(B), "directory"(C) then enter a name (I'm using ICONZ) then press "create"(D). You should then see an ICONZ folder below the camera folder.
4: Press the menu button again and select "tools"(E), "Application Manager/Backup"(F), then select the app that contains your icons and press "backup"(G).
5: Press the "back" button twice and you should see a "backups" folder(H), open it, then select "apps", select your icon pack, then "browse file"(I), then the "assets" folder, then long press on the "icons" folder, select "edit"(J), then "copy"(K).
6: Press the "back" button 4 times (or press "home"(L) once on the top of ASTRO) and you should be back at the screen containing the backups, dcim and several other folders that are on the sdcard. Open the "dcim"(M) folder, then open your "ICONZ" folder, press the "menu" button, "edit"(N) then "paste"(O). You should then have an "icons" folder which is in your "ICONZ" folder. Press "home" and continue to section 3.

Section 2. - Installing Icons From a Computer to a Phone
(This is pretty basic so I won't be posting pics)

1: Download the icon pack to your computer.
2: Plug your Droid X into the computer with the USB cable.
3: Select "USB Mass Storage" on your phone when USB connection pops up, press "OK".
4: When the "AutoPlay" pops up on your computer select "open folder to view files", then open the "dcim" folder and create an "ICONZ" folder.
5: Copy your downloaded icons from the computer to the "ICONZ" folder, then "safely remove hardware". You can now unplug your phone.

Section 3. - Placing Icons in The Dock

1. Long press on the dock icon that you want to change(P) and select one of the Shortcuts listed or press Applications and choose from one of your Apps, I'll use "Dialer" or phone as an example.(Q)
2. Once you've selected the app or shortcut press "Custom Icon"(R), then the Gallery should open. Select "folders(S)" and then select your "icons" folder(T). Next you will see all of your icons listed, select the icon you want (U) and it should appear on the dock..
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to change the rest of the dock icons.

 

[Vihzel]

Thank you my lord! Now... time to wait for the device to be released. lol

 

[Airmaxx23]

Thank you for your instructions. (fyi, it is the first and best post in the X tips folder )

I have it stickied probably until August'ish. Please do include pictures. Thanks!

Steven

It may take me a while but I'll get some pics to go along with some of the longer sections.

 

[kheovnien]

this is a very helpful thread. thanks so much. switching from an iphone i mainly jailbroke to have custom icons and this is great for android especially if root isn't needed! one question: will updating to froyo affect custom icons? more specifically, will i have to re-do this process after updating to froyo or will it be unaffected? thanks again!

 

[jimbo1mcm]

Thank you so much for the OP!!! We really need more posts like this from all forum members who can do it. There is a vast talent pool out there. It is one of the reasons I am getting a Droid X in roughly 8 days, 4 hours and 27 minutes!!!

 

[Airmaxx23]

I'm unable to add more than 30 pics to the post, is there a way around this?

Edit: I'll just separate each type of icon into a different post then hopefully a mod can list the posts in succession.

 

[Airmaxx23]

Home Screen Icons

You will need the "BetterCut" app (or something similar) to put custom icons on the Home Screen. You do not need to backup and move the icon pack to the "dcim" folder (Dock Icons - Section 1) to get them to work for the Home Screen but if you've already moved them you can do it either way. Section 1 will cover placing icons that have been moved to the "dcim" folder. Section 2 will cover placing icons from Icon Pack Apps that have been downloaded and installed through the Market. Once you have downloaded and installed "BetterCut" continue to the section you need.

Section 1.

1. Long press on the Home Screen, select "Shortcuts"(A), then "Better Cut"(B), then select "Activity"(C) (a complete list of available apps and functions).
2. Scroll through the list until you find the app you would like to put on the Home Screen (I'll use "camera" as an example) and then press it(D). At this point you can change the name of the icon to whatever you would like by replacing the text that is in the box. Once you're done changing the name or leaving it stock press "Change Icon"(E), then "Pic Picture"(F).
3. You should now be in the photo Gallery. Press "folders"(G) and then press your "ICONZ or Icons" folder(H), press on the icon that you would like to use(I), you will then be back to the screen where you can change the icon name and you should see the icon you selected next to the "change icon" text. Press "create"(J) and you're done. Press the "Home" button to return to the home screen to see your new icon(K). Repeat as needed.

Section 2. (Please note that there is no picture (H) used in this section)

1. Long press on the Home Screen, select "Shortcuts"(A), then "Better Cut"(B), then select "Activity"(C) (a complete list of available apps and functions).
2. Scroll through the list until you find the app you would like to put on the Home Screen(I'll use "camera" as an example) and then press it(D). At this point you can change the name of the icon to whatever you would like by replacing the text that is in the box. Once you're done changing the name or leaving it stock press "Change Icon"(E), then "Pick from Icon Pack"(F).
3. Next you will see your Icon Pack(s) listed, press on the icon pack you would like to use(G). Once the icon pack opens press on the icon that you would like to use(I), you will then be back to the screen where you can change the icon name and you should see the icon you selected next to the "change icon" text. Press "create"(J) and you're done. Press the "Home" button to return to the home screen to see your new icon(K). Repeat as needed.

 

[dima]

This is absolutely one of the best written and clearly illustrated how-to guides i've seen on the web, million thanks to you airmaxx23.

 

[jreed2560]

This would work for any device that runs launcher pro would it not?

 

[drpotter2807]

Airmaxx you rock! Thanks!

 

[btizzle]

This would work for any device that runs launcher pro would it not?

yes.

 

[Airmaxx23]

This would work for any device that runs launcher pro would it not?

yes.

Yes, but with some phones you would need the 2.1 Gallery .apk to be able to browse to the icon pics through it.

 

[facedown41]

Anyone tell me what icon pack this guy is using? the lil android holding ones..its awesome.

 

[Airmaxx23]

Anyone tell me what icon pack this guy is using? the lil android holding ones..its awesome.

He's using the same ones I'm using on other parts of my Home screen (I keep switching my dock icons), they are not on the Market. If you go to the Launcher Pro w/ Custom Icons thread someone posted the link to them, here is a screen of my phone with them in use.

 

[skmiller]

I am a newbie and the Droid X will be my first Android phone. (So excited, btw!) This may be a very stupid question, but I was wondering if you have to have Launcher Pro to change the icons or can use change them out of the box? This may end up being a useless question if I end up using Launcher Pro anyways, but I don't know how important resizing the widgets is going to be as I am coming from a BB Curve and honestly, I don't even really understand what a widget does. Thanks for the info! I have been reading on the forum for about a week now and have learned so much from all the super smart people on here!

P.S. @Airmaxx I think your instructions are awesome! I read through them and I think even a newbie like me could follow them. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

 

[Airmaxx23]

I am a newbie and the Droid X will be my first Android phone. (So excited, btw!) This may be a very stupid question, but I was wondering if you have to have Launcher Pro to change the icons or can use change them out of the box? This may end up being a useless question if I end up using Launcher Pro anyways, but I don't know how important resizing the widgets is going to be as I am coming from a BB Curve and honestly, I don't even really understand what a widget does. Thanks for the info! I have been reading on the forum for about a week now and have learned so much from all the super smart people on here!

P.S. @Airmaxx I think your instructions are awesome! I read through them and I think even a newbie like me could follow them. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

Thanks, I got my first "smart phone" at the end of May this year so I'm pretty new also. You do have to use Launcher Pro to be able to use custom icons.

 

[skmiller]

Thanks, I got my first "smart phone" at the end of May this year so I'm pretty new also. You do have to use Launcher Pro to be able to use custom icons.

Thanks so much! I love the icons so I think they will be more important to me than being able to resize the widgets so I'm sure I will go with Launcher Pro and use your instructions.

 

[Scuba Steve]

When adding custom icons outside of using the marketplace...what format do the icons need to be in? .PNG or .ICO??? I've created many custom icons for the iphone so just wondering if I will need to convert my icons to another format once I get my droid x.

 

[Airmaxx23]

When adding custom icons outside of using the marketplace...what format do the icons need to be in? .PNG or .ICO??? I've created many custom icons for the iphone so just wondering if I will need to convert my icons to another format once I get my droid x.

All of the icons that I have are .png so I'm not sure about the .ico format.

 

[Airmaxx23]

Label/Group Icons


You will need the "Apps Organizer" app (or something similar) to put custom icons on the Home Screen as a Group/Folder Icon. You do not need to backup and move the icon pack to the "dcim" folder (Dock Icons - Section 1) to get them to work for the Group/Folder Icons but if you've already moved them you can do it either way.

Section 1 will cover deleting "Labels", creating new "Labels" and changing the "Label" name.
Section 2 will cover changing "Label" Icons using icons that are in the dcim folder.
Section 3 will cover changing "Label" Icons using Icon Pack Apps that were downloaded from the Market.
Section 4 will cover grouping your icons together under each "Label".
Section 5 will cover placing the Groups or "Labels" onto your Home Screen.

Before starting "Apps Organizer" you need to think of the types of groups that you will want to use for your respective apps (such as Games, News, Internet, Tools, Navigation, etc) and what you want to use for their corresponding icons. Once you have some or all of your groups figured out continue to section 1.

Section 1.

When you open "Apps Organizer" the first thing you will want to do is create some or all of your "labels" or groups by first pressing the "Labels" tab at the top of the screen. Here you will see a list of the stock "Labels" for your "groups", you can change the existing Label names and Icons or delete them and start with a clean slate.
1. To delete existing Labels long press on the "Label"(A), select "delete"(B) and press "OK".
2. To create a new Label press the "Menu" button and select "New label"(C), enter the name of the "Label" in the text box(D) and press "OK".
3. To change the name of a Label long press on the "Label" you'd like to change(E), select "Rename"(F), then change the Label name in the text box(G) and press "OK".
4. Continue using steps 1-3 to delete, create or change "Labels" and "label" names.

Changing Label Icons

If your icons were downloaded with a computer and moved to the "dcim" folder on the sdcard (Dock Icons - Section 1) continue to Section 2.

If your icons were downloaded directly to your phone as an Icon Pack through the Market continue to Section 3.

Section 2.

1. Long press on the "Label" that you would like to change(A), press "Change icon"(B) then select "Android Image Gallery"(C) and press "OK".
2. You should now be in the photo Gallery. Press "folders"(D) and then press your "ICONZ or Icons" folder(E), now scroll through your icons and select the one that you would like to use(F). You should now see the new icon next to the "Label"(G).
3. Continue using steps 1 and 2 to change the rest of your "Label" icons then continue to Section 4.

Section 3.

1. Long press on the "Label" that you would like to change(A), press "Change icon"(B) then select "Icon Packs"(C) and press "OK".
2. You will now see a list of apps, just scroll down to the icon pack that you are going to pick your icon(s) from and select it(D). Next you will see you icons in that pack, just press the icon you want to use(E). You should now see the new icon next to the "Label"(F).
3. Continue using steps 1 and 2 to change the rest of your "Label" icons then continue to section 4.

Section 4.

Now it's time to use your "Labels" to group Apps together so they can be placed on the Home Screen. Press the "Apps" tab at the top of "Apps Organizer", you will now see a complete list of your available apps. You do not need to "Label" each app, only the ones that you want to group together need to "Labeled" accordingly. (Example: All of the games that you want to appear in your "Games Label" need to be labeled "Games", and so on.)

1. Press on the App you want to "Label" and a list of available "Labels" will appear(A).
2. Select the "Label" for the app and press "OK"(B). You should now see the "Label" under the apps name.
3. Continue using steps 1 and 2 to "Label" the rest of your apps then continue to section 5.

Section 5.

Now it's time to place your "Labeled" or grouped icons onto the Home Screen.
1. Long press on the area of the Home Screen where you want your "Label" to appear and select "Shortcuts"(A) then "Apps Organizer"(B).
2. You will now see a list of your "Labels" or groups, select the one that you want to place on the Home Screen(C) and it should then be there(D).
3. Continue using steps 1 and 2 to place additional "Labels" or groups onto your Home Screen.
4. When you open any of the "labels", once they are placed on the Home Screen, you should see all of the apps with the corresponding "Label" there(E).

 

[JrzDroid]

someone really should tell us where we can get those little android dudes.
I require them asap

 

[Airmaxx23]

Edit: Here is a direct link to down the icons, I take no credit for them at all.

http://www.androidspin.com/downloads.php?dir=manup456/THEMES/&file=105-Droids_v1.zip

 

[Iambambam]

what is launcher pro? sorry newby here....

 

[Airmaxx23]

what is launcher pro? sorry newby here....

Read THIS article, it really does a good job of explaining things.

 

[RadYOacTiVe]

The download link in that thread does not work, can anyone else that has it host it?

Thanks!

Here is the link to the little Droid Icons.

[ICON_PACK] The DROID Collection_v1.0 - xda-developers