Instagram is rolling out custom icons… but only for teens

Some Instagram users are feeling cheated by a new feature, as the photo and video sharing app announced Wednesday the launch of custom icons — but only for its teenage users.

Teens can now choose from a range of custom icons that transform the traditional Instagram logo into new shapes that can be used as an app icon on their phone’s home screen. The option is accessed by clicking on the Instagram logo at the top of the home feed after opening the app.

Currently, custom icons include six versions of the Instagram logo in the form of neon, clear glass, fire, flowers, green clay, and more.

And in the responses to it advertisement On the Some have accused Instagram of chasing Snapchat with this feature. (In Snapchat, users need a Snapchat+ paid subscription to change the app icon.) Others said it gave them “MySpace vibes.”

Instagram teen accounts, launching in 2024, adds additional restrictions and built-in protections for minors, including Content limits to PG-13. The company, earlier this year, It began using artificial intelligence technology to identify teenagers Who lied about their ages on the social network and signed them up for more restrictive teen accounts.

With custom icons, the company is trying a different approach: using the carrot rather than the stick, so to speak, to make teen accounts look more attractive. After reaching out for comment, Instagram told TechCrunch that it added the icons because it found that teens like to customize their Instagram experience. The company said it has no plans to expand access to the codes to older users or paid subscribers.

It makes sense that younger users would be the target of customization options, as they have overwhelmingly embraced the iPhone home screen customization trend, which He saw renewed interest When Apple introduced Widgets In 2020 with the launch of iOS 14. Apple has also made it easier to customize icons using it Improvements to app shortcuts. Recently, Apple has simplified the process With colorful icons in iOS 18which was Updated in iOS 26.

Android users have had these types of customization options for a much longer time, though Majority of American teens use iPhones.

Updated to include Instagram caption.