Google Pixel telephones provide many customization instruments, however up till not too long ago, the Pixel UI house display was extra restrictive. Google solely not too long ago made it attainable to take away the At a Look widget from your own home display, for example. Whereas previous Pixel Drops introduced recent theme packs and elegance selections, the most recent Android 17 replace provides a hidden house display customization choice that may severely simplify your setup.
I hold my house display fundamental, solely together with a number of house display widgets and an important apps. For every part else, I take advantage of the app launcher or search bar. Meaning I do know precisely which apps and icons are on my house display without having to take a look at their names. Lastly, Android 17 lets me take away the redundant app names from my house display for a cleaner look.
Pixel house display customization simply leveled up
The simplest method to change your Pixel house display is to carry down wherever on it that is not lined by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with the Wallpaper & fashion, Widgets, Apps listing, and Residence settings buttons. You’ll be able to even change between default wallpapers straight from this tiny menu on the house display. To customise your telephone’s look, faucet Wallpaper & fashion.
Right here, you’ll decide a Theme pack, change your telephone’s Colours, set a Shade distinction settings, handle your Icons, and select a Format. This is not new, however Android 17 provides a setting on the Icons web page. Beforehand, you might select an app icon Model or change the app icon Form.
There are 5 shapes to select from, and the kinds are considerable. You’ll be able to decide Default or Minimal — the latter forces all of your app icons to match your chosen coloration palette, making a constant look I virtually at all times favor. There’s additionally the Create choice, which helps you to construct customized app icon designs by beginning with one in every of six kinds: Disco, Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust.
Android 17 provides a brand new Names tab to the Icons web page, and it is the place you possibly can select to point out or cover app names on your own home display.
How I cover app names on my Pixel
I modified the look of my house display in seconds by hiding app names. To do it, I merely held down on my house display wallpaper, pressed Wallpaper & fashion, and tapped Icons. Then, I switched to the Names tab and flipped the toggle beside Present app names to the off place.
There is a digital render of your own home display displayed on this web page that adapts as you alter the look of your app icons. So, you possibly can flip the toggle beside Present app names a number of instances, watching how your own home display adjustments. For those who just like the minimalist look of the Pixel house display with out app names, depart the toggle off.
By default, app names are nonetheless proven on the Pixel house display in Android 17. Nothing will change except you need it to — however the choice to take away app names from the Pixel UI house display is one thing Pixel followers have lengthy needed. Remember the fact that should you cover app names out of your Pixel house display, they will nonetheless seem within the app drawer.
My whole house display is lastly as clear because the dock
Android 17 is a neat replace for my Pixel telephones, and I really like that Google continues so as to add new customization options. The earlier app icon customization interface was already top-of-the-line out there on any Android pores and skin, but it surely was lacking one thing fundamental — hiding app names.
Now, my whole house display seems as clear because the app dock. No names, only a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.
The starter Pixel
The Google Pixel 10 is the go-to telephone for the whole Android 17 expertise. It contains all the most recent options, together with app bubbles and residential display customization instruments, whereas providing years of future updates.




