If you’re bored of seeing the same old icons on your phone screen and you also love capybaras, you’re going to like this. You can be the most fun person at work with a change that has nothing to do with Meta, but you can replace the WhatsApp logo with a capybara, all cute!
Yes, the most relaxed and adorable animal on the internet can now be on your home screen, and the best part is that activating it is no mystery.
And no, relax, it doesn’t change WhatsApp’s functions, it only changes the app icon. And no, seeing that friendly creature every time you unlock your phone is priceless! Plus, you can do it with any image you like, whether it’s a photo you find online or one you generate yourself with AI. Want to know how?
Activate capybara mode
It’s simple: the idea is to replace WhatsApp’s green icon with an image of a capybara. You know, that huge rodent with a face that’s in no rush for anything. It became famous for its zen attitude, for memes, and for its ability to transmit peace just by existing. Now you can set it as the logo of the app you use most every day. Why not?
However, WhatsApp doesn’t offer this option by default. To do it, you’ll need a launcher, and the most popular one for this is Nova Launcher, which lets you change the appearance of your home screen without touching anything inside the phone.
What is Nova Launcher and why do you need it?
Nova Launcher is a free app you can find on Google Play that lets you deeply customize the system’s appearance. It doesn’t modify the apps, just how they look. You can change icons, animations, widgets, wallpapers… everything.
And most importantly here: you can replace the WhatsApp icon with any image from your gallery. You download a funny image, or you generate one yourself, and use it as the icon. Done. Capybara installed.
Is it safe to do this?
Yes. Nova Launcher has been on Google Play for years, with millions of downloads and positive ratings. As long as you install it from the official store and don’t start messing with weird stuff outside of it, there’s no risk. WhatsApp will still work the same, your chats will be safe, and no one is going to ban you for having a capybara as your logo.
That said, it’s important to know that Meta doesn’t endorse these kinds of modifications. But since you’re not touching the inside of the app, there’s nothing to worry about.
How do you activate it?
- Go to Google Play, search for Nova Launcher and install it.
- Once installed, set it as your default launcher.
- Now, press and hold the WhatsApp icon and select the “Edit” option.
- There, choose an image from your gallery: the capybara you like the most.
- Save… and that’s it. Capybara on screen every time you open your phone.
You can use a meme, a downloaded photo, an AI-generated image, or whatever comes to mind. Anything goes as long as it has that peaceful little face we all love.
What if I get tired of it and want to go back to the normal icon?
No problem. If you want to remove Nova Launcher, just uninstall it and everything goes back to normal. You can also edit the icon again and use another one if you feel like switching up the look without deleting anything. Axolotls are also trending and look just as cute!
Why did it go viral?
Because we all like our phones to feel a little more like us. In a world where almost everyone uses the same devices and apps, any detail that reflects some personality is appreciated. And let’s be honest: seeing a capybara on your screen every time you’re about to message on WhatsApp can brighten your day more than a lot of stickers!