Google Pixel telephones provide many customization instruments, however up till not too long ago, the Pixel UI residence display screen was extra restrictive. Google solely not too long ago made it potential to take away the At a Look widget from your own home display screen, as an example. Whereas previous Pixel Drops introduced recent theme packs and magnificence decisions, the newest Android 17 replace provides a hidden residence display screen customization possibility that may critically simplify your setup.
I preserve my residence display screen fundamental, solely together with a couple of residence display screen widgets and an important apps. For the whole lot else, I exploit the app launcher or search bar. Which means I do know precisely which apps and icons are on my residence display screen while not having to have a look at their names. Lastly, Android 17 lets me take away the redundant app names from my residence display screen for a cleaner look.
Pixel residence display screen customization simply leveled up
The simplest technique to change your Pixel residence display screen is to carry down anyplace on it that is not lined by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with the Wallpaper & fashion, Widgets, Apps checklist, and Dwelling settings buttons. You may even change between default wallpapers straight from this tiny menu on the house display screen. To customise your telephone’s look, faucet Wallpaper & fashion.
Right here, you can decide a Theme pack, change your telephone’s Colours, set a Colour distinction settings, handle your Icons, and select a Structure. This is not new, however Android 17 provides a setting on the Icons web page. Beforehand, you possibly can select an app icon Fashion or change the app icon Form.
There are 5 shapes to select from, and the types are considerable. You may decide Default or Minimal — the latter forces all of your app icons to match your chosen shade palette, making a constant look I virtually all the time choose. There’s additionally the Create possibility, which helps you to construct customized app icon designs by beginning with one in every of six types: 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 indicate or conceal app names on your own home display screen.
How I conceal app names on my Pixel
I modified the look of my residence display screen in seconds by hiding app names. To do it, I merely held down on my residence display screen 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 screen displayed on this web page that adapts as you modify the look of your app icons. So, you possibly can flip the toggle beside Present app names a couple of occasions, watching how your own home display screen adjustments. When you just like the minimalist look of the Pixel residence display screen with out app names, depart the toggle off.
By default, app names are nonetheless proven on the Pixel residence display screen in Android 17. Nothing will change except you need it to — however the choice to take away app names from the Pixel UI residence display screen is one thing Pixel followers have lengthy wished. Remember the fact that in the event you conceal app names out of your Pixel residence display screen, they will nonetheless seem within the app drawer.
My complete residence display screen 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 the most effective obtainable on any Android pores and skin, however it was lacking one thing fundamental — hiding app names.
Now, my complete residence display screen appears 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 newest options, together with app bubbles and residential display screen customization instruments, whereas providing years of future updates.



