You're staring at a grid of colorful squares and wondering why on earth the "apple" icon looks like a cartoon from 1994. It happens. Whether you are a parent, a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or an AAC user yourself, there comes a moment where the default symbols in Proloquo2Go just don't cut it. Maybe the user needs a photo of their actual dog, Buster, instead of a generic brown blob. Or maybe the "bathroom" sign needs to look exactly like the one at their school to reduce cognitive load. Learning how to edit pictos in Proloquo2Go isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about making communication functional and personal.
AAC isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. It's a voice.
If you've spent more than five minutes in the app, you know it’s powerful but occasionally clunky if you don't know the shortcuts. Proloquo2Go uses SymbolStix by default. They're fine. They're recognizable. But they aren't everything. Sometimes a kid needs a picture of their favorite specific brand of chicken nuggets because, let’s be real, the generic "nugget" picto looks like a golden sponge.
Getting Into the Edit Screen Without Losing Your Mind
First things first. You can't change anything if you're in user mode. Look for the little gear icon or the pencil icon at the bottom of the screen. If you don't see it, someone probably turned on "Restrictions" in the iOS settings or the app's internal settings to prevent "accidental" deletions. We’ve all been there—one minute you’re teaching "I want," and the next minute the "I" button is in the trash and the "Want" button is neon purple.
Tap that pencil. The screen shifts. Now you're in the creator's seat.
To change a specific picto, you need to tap the button you want to modify. A pop-up menu appears. This is your command center. You'll see options for "Label," "Action," and most importantly, the image itself. If you want to change the symbol, tap "Edit" right under the current picture. It’s usually a small blue link.
Don't overthink the label yet. Focus on the visual.
The Secret to Better Symbols: Photos vs. Pictograms
Here is where people usually mess up. They think every button needs a real photo. Wrong. If you use a photo for everything, the screen becomes a visual mess. It's hard for the brain to scan quickly. Real photos are best for specific people, unique places (like "Grandma’s House"), or highly specific items. For abstract concepts like "more," "stop," or "go," stick with the pictos.
But let's say you do want a photo. After tapping "Edit" on the image, you get a few choices:
- Choose a Symbol: This searches the SymbolStix library.
- Choose a Picture: This opens your iPad’s camera roll.
- Take a Picture: This launches the camera right now.
Honestly, taking a photo right in the app is the fastest way to customize. If you’re at the park and want to add "Swings," take a photo of the actual swings. It creates an instant connection between the device and the real world.
If you are choosing from the library, try searching for synonyms. If "Toilet" doesn't give you the icon you want, try "Bathroom" or "Restroom." SymbolStix is vast, but the search engine can be a bit picky about exact wording.
Beyond the Basics: Making Pictos Pop
Did you know you can change the background color of the picto itself? This is huge for users with visual impairments or those who rely on the Fitzgerald Key—a color-coding system where verbs are green, nouns are orange, and adjectives are blue.
While you’re in the edit menu for a button, scroll down. You’ll see "Background Color." Most people leave it on "Auto," which is fine, but if you want to highlight a "Core Word," giving it a distinct border or a slightly different hue can help it stand out in a sea of buttons.
Why You Should Probably Stop Using "Search" for Everything
I've seen SLPs spend twenty minutes looking for the perfect "Cookie" icon. Stop. If the first three results aren't perfect, just use the camera. Your time is better spent modeling language than scrolling through 400 variations of a circular biscuit.
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Also, consider the "Skin Tone" settings. Proloquo2Go allows you to change the default skin tone for all symbols in the library. This is vital for representation. Go to Options > Appearance > SymbolStix Skin Tone. You can set it to a specific tone or "Randomize" it. It's a small change that makes a massive difference in how a user identifies with their device.
Troubleshooting the "Invisible" Picto
Sometimes you’ll edit a picto, hit "Done," and... nothing. The button is blank. This usually happens because of a sync error or because the image file you tried to upload from your camera roll was too large or in a weird format (like an iCloud "Live Photo" that hasn't fully downloaded).
If a picto disappears:
- Check your internet connection if you're using iCloud photos.
- Try taking a fresh photo with the "Take a Picture" option.
- Restart the app. (The old "turn it off and on again" trick still works in 2026).
Another common gripe? The picto looks tiny. This is usually because the "Button Label" is too long. If the label is "I really want to go to the park now please," the app shrinks the image to make room for the text. Keep labels short. "Park" is enough. The picto should be the star of the show.
Advanced Customization: The "Hidden" Edit Features
Most people don't realize you can actually edit the content of the SymbolStix images to a degree. While you can't redraw them inside Proloquo2Go, you can use the "Zoom" feature. When you select an image, use two fingers to pinch and zoom. You can crop out extra white space or focus on one specific part of a symbol. This is great if a symbol has too much "noise" and you just want the central object to be visible.
Also, think about "Button Visibility." If you're introducing a new picto but don't want the user to get overwhelmed, you can set the button to "Hidden" or "Dimmed." This keeps the picto in its place (preserving the motor plan) without it being a distraction.
Practical Steps for a Better AAC Layout
Don't just edit for the sake of editing. Have a plan. A disorganized device is a silent device.
- Audit the Home Screen: Only use real photos for things that must be specific.
- Consistency is King: If you change the "Drink" icon on one page, try to keep it consistent across the whole device.
- Involve the User: Ask them! "Do you like this picture of the park, or this one?" Ownership over the pictos leads to higher usage rates.
- Backup Often: Before you do a massive editing session, go to Options > Backup > Export Backup. If you accidentally delete a folder of custom pictos, you’ll want to cry if you don't have a backup.
Editing pictos in Proloquo2Go is about removing barriers. If a user doesn't recognize a symbol, they won't use it. By taking five minutes to swap a generic icon for a meaningful photo, you're not just "fixing an app"—you're giving someone a clearer way to speak their mind.
Start with the three most-used buttons. Change them today. See if the user notices. Usually, they do, and the smile on their face when they see their favorite toy or their mom's face on the screen is worth every second of menu-diving.
Next Steps for Success
To ensure your edits stick and actually help, perform a "Visibility Check" by standing three feet away from the iPad. If you can't tell what the picto is, it's too busy—re-edit it and zoom in on the main subject. Once you've updated your top buttons, immediately create a manual backup to Dropbox or Google Drive within the app's settings so you never lose your custom work during an iOS update.