Instagram Introduces New Custom App Icons Exclusively For Teen Users

Instagram has introduced a new feature allowing teenagers to personalise their app icons, sparking discontent among other users. The platform announced on Wednesday that teens can now select from a variety of custom icons, transforming the traditional Instagram logo into unique designs for their phone's home screen. This option is available by tapping the Instagram logo at the top of the home feed.

Currently, there are six different styles available for these custom icons. They include designs such as neon, clear glass, fire, flowers, and green slime. This update is exclusive to teen accounts, which were launched in 2024 with additional restrictions and protections for minors. These accounts limit content to PG-13 material and use AI technology to identify teens who may have lied about their age.

Customisation Trend Among Teens

The decision to target younger users with this feature aligns with their enthusiasm for personalising their devices. The trend gained momentum when Apple introduced widgets in iOS 14 in 2020, making it easier to customise icons through app shortcuts. Apple's recent updates in iOS 18 and iOS 26 further simplified this process with tinted icons.

Android users have long enjoyed similar customisation options, but most U.S. teens prefer iPhones. Instagram's move aims to make teen accounts more appealing by offering these customisation features as an incentive rather than imposing restrictions.

User Reactions and Comparisons

Many users expressed dissatisfaction with the age restriction on this feature. Some compared it to Snapchat's paid subscription model for icon changes, while others felt it was reminiscent of MySpace. Despite the backlash, Instagram stated that they have no plans to extend this feature to older users or paid subscribers.

Instagram explained that the addition of custom icons was driven by teens' love for personalising their experience on the platform. By offering this feature exclusively to teenagers, Instagram hopes to enhance the appeal of its teen accounts without expanding access beyond this demographic.

This new feature reflects Instagram's ongoing efforts to cater specifically to its younger audience while maintaining a safe environment through its teen account restrictions and protections.