Google Pixel phones offer plenty of customization tools, but until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google recently made it possible remove the At a Glance widget from your home screenFor example. While previous Pixel Drops brought new theme packs and styling options, the latest Android 17 update adds a hidden home screen customization option that can seriously simplify your setup.
I keep my home screen basic, including just a few home screen widgets and the most important apps. For everything else, I use the app launcher or search bar. That means I know exactly which apps and icons are on my home screen without needing to look at their names. Finally, Android 17 allows me to remove redundant app names from my home screen for a cleaner look.
Pixel home screen customization just leveled up
The easiest way to change your Pixel’s home screen is to long-press any part that isn’t covered by an app or widget. This opens a small menu with the Wallpaper and style, widgets, Application Listand Startup Settings buttons. You can even switch between default wallpapers right from this small menu on the home screen. To customize the appearance of your phone, tap Wallpaper and style.
Here you can choose a Theme packagechange the one on your phone Flagset a Color contrast configuration, manage your Iconsand choose a Provision. This is not new, but Android 17 adds a setting in the Icons page. Previously, you can choose an app icon Style or change the app icon Shape.
There are five shapes to choose from and the styles are plentiful. you can choose Default either Minimum – the latter forces all your app icons to match the selected color palette, creating a consistent look that I almost always prefer. There is also the Create option, which allows you to create custom app icon layouts starting with one of six styles: Disk, Scrawl, Cookies, Easel, Treasureand star dust.
Android 17 adds a new Names to the Icons page, and is where you can choose to show or hide app names on your home screen.
How do I hide app names on my Pixel?
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I changed the look of my home screen in seconds by hiding app names. To do so, I simply long-pressed my home screen wallpaper, pressed Wallpaper and styleand touched Icons. Then I switched to Names tab and turned the lever to the side Show application names to the off position.
This page displays a virtual representation of your home screen that adapts as the appearance of your app icons changes. So, you can flip the switch next to Show app names a few times and watch your home screen change. If you like the minimalist look of the Pixel home screen without app names, leave the option disabled.
By default, app names are still displayed on the Pixel home screen in Android 17. Nothing will change unless you want it to, but the option to remove app names from the Pixel UI home screen is something Pixel fans have wanted for a long time. Note that if you hide app names on your Pixel’s home screen, they will still appear in the app drawer.
My entire home screen is finally as clean as the base
Android 17 is a nice update for my Pixel phonesAnd I love that Google continues to add new personalization features. The previous app icon customization interface was already one of the best available on any Android skin, but it was missing something basic: hiding app names.
Now my entire home screen looks as clean as the app dock. No names, just a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.
The initial pixel
The Google Pixel 10 is the ideal phone to get the full Android 17 experience. It includes all the latest features, including app bubbles and home screen customization tools, while offering years of future updates.
