What Is a Favicon on Shopify (and How to Add or Change Your Store Icon)
In this post you'll learn what a favicon does, why it matters for your Shopify store, how to add or change it step‑by‑step, and some practical tips to make it look great on every device.
## Why a favicon matters for your store
Favicons are small, but they punch above their weight in real-world benefits. They help returning customers spot your tab quickly and make bookmarks look professional, which builds trust over time. For merchants who run multiple stores or ad campaigns, a distinct favicon reduces confusion and improves click-through when users have several tabs open.
Favicons also cost almost nothing to implement and have essentially zero performance impact when you use the right file size and format. That makes them a high-return, low-effort branding improvement.
## What you’ll gain by the end of this article
- A clear understanding of what a Shopify favicon is and why it matters.
- A simple, tested step-by-step process to upload or change your favicon.
- Practical tips for image size, file type, and troubleshooting.
- Quick alternatives if you prefer editing code or using an app.
If you want visuals or a step-by-step guide with screenshots, check [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com)/blog/shopify-favicon-setup-guide or browse design examples at [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com).
## Quick step-by-step: add or change your Shopify favicon
Follow these steps in your Shopify admin to update the favicon on your published theme:
1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
2. In the left sidebar click Online Store, then Themes.
3. Next to your live theme click Customize.
4. In the theme editor open Theme settings (usually bottom left or right).
5. Click Favicon.
6. Click Select image and upload your favicon file (recommended: 32 x 32 px, PNG).
7. Crop or adjust if the editor offers the option, then click Save inside the editor.
8. Return to the Themes page and ensure the theme is published (only published theme’s favicon shows to customers).
9. Refresh your storefront and your browser tab. If it doesn’t appear, clear your browser cache.
If you manage multiple themes, repeat these steps for each theme you might publish later.
## Best practices for favicons (quick checklist)
- Use a square image, ideally 32 x 32 pixels for consistency across browsers.
- Save as PNG for transparency and crisp edges; ICO works too but is less common on Shopify.
- Keep the design simple — initials, a simplified logo mark, or a single strong shape works best.
- Test on desktop and mobile; some mobile browsers show different sizes.
- Clear your browser cache if the new icon doesn’t appear immediately.
## Alternatives: custom code and apps
If you prefer more control or want animated badges, there are two alternate approaches:
- Custom code: Advanced users can upload a GIF or other formats and add a <link rel="icon"> tag in theme.liquid. This requires editing theme files and is not recommended unless you’re comfortable with code.
- Apps: Some Shopify apps add dynamic favicon features like notification badges or animated icons. These are useful if you want real-time alerts visible in the tab, but they can add overhead — review app performance before installing.
For a practical roundup and more Shopify tips, see [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com)/blog.
## Troubleshooting common problems
- New favicon not showing: Clear your browser cache, try an incognito window, or wait a few minutes. Browser caching often delays updates.
- Blurry icon: Start with a crisp 32 x 32 PNG. If your logo is complex, create a simplified version just for the favicon.
- Only some browsers show it: Make sure your theme is published and the favicon was uploaded to that theme. Different browsers handle favicon formats differently; stick to PNG or ICO for best compatibility.
## Small examples that work well
- Single letter: Use the first letter of your brand in a bold color for instant recognition.
- Logo mark only: A simplified logo mark without text is readable at tiny sizes.
- Color contrast: High contrast between the icon and background improves visibility on browser tabs.
Keep the shapes simple — tiny details disappear at 16–32 px.
## Conclusion: a tiny change with a big payoff
Adding or updating your Shopify favicon takes only a few minutes and strengthens your brand presence across browsers and bookmarks. If you run multiple themes, make the update in each one so future publishes don’t revert the icon.
Want help tuning your favicon and overall site presentation? Browse practical resources at [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com) or read the detailed setup guide at [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com)/blog/shopify-favicon-setup-guide. If you prefer hands-off help, contact a designer or developer through the resources on [https://prateeksha.com](https://prateeksha.com)/blog to upgrade your site quickly.
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