Set Icon for Application

Published: 2023-04-03
Updated: 2023-11-08

Source: https://www.solvetechnow.com/post/how-to-change-app-icon-in-ubuntu

1. Get a preferably square image with a transparent background.Save it somewhere to be used. NB: png supports transparent backgrounds. See instructions if you need to make one from a screen shot.

2. Check if the .desktop file already exists

   ll /usr/share/applications | grep <program-name>
   

3. Create or edit the file (requires root)

   1. If the file does not exist the copy one of the other files in that folder to create it (will need to edit more than just the icon in this case).
   2. Open file in for editing

      sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/<program-name>.desktop
      

4. Edit that line that starts with Icon= to point to the file you saved