A method and device for operating an application icon are provided, so as to prompt a user where a currently operated application icon is located. The method includes: displaying a first screen page of a desktop, wherein the first screen page comprises N application icons, the N application icons comprise a first application icon and at least one first-layer application icon, and the first-layer application icon is located around the first application icon and adjacent to the first application icon; and the first-layer application icon comprises a foreground layer and a background layer; and receiving an operation of a user related to the first application icon; and in response to the operation, displaying the at least one first-layer application icon in a first display manner, wherein the first display manner comprises that a foreground layer of the at least one first-layer application icon moves relative to the first application icon.