Changing your Instagram "stories icon" can refer to two different things: the icon that appears around your profile picture when you have an active story, or the cover images for your Instagram Story Highlights on your profile. This guide will clarify both and focus primarily on changing Story Highlight covers, as this is the more common use case for custom icons.
Understanding the Instagram Stories Icon
When you post an active story on Instagram, your profile picture gains a colorful ring around it. This serves as the visual indicator that you have a new story to view. You cannot change this specific icon independently. The "stories icon" in this context is simply your profile picture highlighted with a ring. To change this visual, you would need to change your Instagram profile picture.
Changing Your Instagram Story Highlight Covers
The term "stories icon" is much more commonly associated with the custom images you can set for your Instagram Story Highlights. These are the curated collections of past stories that appear on your profile page below your bio. Changing these covers allows you to create a visually cohesive look for your profile.
You have two main ways to change your highlight covers: using a frame from within the highlight itself or uploading a custom image or icon.
1. Changing a Highlight Cover within Instagram
This method uses content already saved within the highlight.
- Step 1: Go to your Instagram profile.
- Step 2: Tap and hold the Highlight you want to edit.
- Step 3: Select "Edit Highlight".
- Step 4: Tap "Edit Cover".
- Step 5: Scroll through the photos/videos within the highlight at the bottom and select one to use as the cover. You can zoom and position it.
- Step 6: Tap "Done" to save the changes.
2. Creating and Uploading Custom Icon Covers
For a more branded or specific look, you can create custom icons or images outside of Instagram and upload them as highlight covers. This is where you can design unique covers.
Design tools allow you to create graphics specifically sized for Instagram Highlight covers. Many platforms offer libraries of design elements, including icons.
Finding Icons for Your Covers:
When using design software, you can easily find suitable icons. As referenced, in many design platforms:
Choose “ELEMENTS” from the sidebar and then click “GRAPHICS”. Now you'll be able to search through different illustrations to choose icons for your Instagram Story highlight covers. There are plenty of options including free icons and paid icons.
This process helps you find visual assets like simple icons, illustrations, or graphics that fit your theme.
Here's a general process for using custom icons:
- Step 1: Design your icon cover.
- Use a design app (like Canva, Adobe Express, etc.) or software.
- Create a square canvas (e.g., 1080x1080 pixels).
- Choose a background color or image.
- Add your desired icon or graphic (found using the "ELEMENTS" > "GRAPHICS" method described above, or from other sources).
- Ensure the icon is centered and easily visible when scaled down.
- Save the image to your phone's camera roll.
- Step 2: Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Step 3: Tap and hold the Highlight you want to update. If it's a new highlight, create it first.
- Step 4: Select "Edit Highlight".
- Step 5: Tap "Edit Cover".
- Step 6: Tap the gallery icon (usually a mountain/sun picture) on the far left.
- Step 7: Select your custom icon image from your camera roll.
- Step 8: Adjust the positioning if needed.
- Step 9: Tap "Done" to set the custom cover.
Using custom icons allows for significant creative control over your profile's appearance. Remember that design platforms offer a wide variety of graphics, including both free and paid options, giving you flexibility in choosing the perfect icon for each highlight.
Types of Icons Available for Covers:
When searching for icons in design tools, you'll encounter various styles and types, typically categorized by cost:
| Icon Type | Description | Cost Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Basic graphics often included with free accounts. | No direct cost, but variety might be limited. |
| Paid | Premium, unique, or exclusive designs. | Requires subscription or one-time purchase. |
Choosing between free and paid options depends on your budget and desire for unique aesthetics.
By following these steps, you can effectively change the cover icons for your Instagram Story Highlights, enhancing the visual appeal of your profile.
