Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but until recently the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google made this possible only recently Remove the One View widget from your home screenfor example. While past Pixel Drops have brought fresh theme packs and styling options latest Android 17 update adds a hidden home screen customization option that can seriously simplify your setup.
I keep my home screen basic with only a few home screen widgets and the most important apps. For everything else, I use the app launcher or the search bar. This means I know exactly which apps and icons are on my home screen without having to look up their names. Finally, Android 17 allowing me to remove unnecessary app names from my home screen for a cleaner look.
Pixel home screen customization has just gone up a notch
The easiest way to change your Pixel home screen is to press and hold anywhere on it that isn’t covered by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with Wallpaper and style, Widgets, List of programsand Home settings buttons. You can even switch between default wallpapers from this small menu on the home screen. Tap to customize the look of your phone Wallpaper and style.
Here you will be able to choose a Theme packchange your phone Colorsappointment a Color contrast manage your settings Badgesand select a Layout. It’s not new, but it adds a setting to Android 17 Badges page. Previously, you can choose a program icon Style or change the application icon Form.
There are five shapes to choose from and styles galore. you can choose Default or Minimal — the latter forces all your app icons to match your chosen color palette, creating a consistent look that I almost always prefer. There is also one Create option that allows you to create custom app icon designs starting from one of six styles: Discotheque, scribble, Cookies, Easel, Treasureand Stardust.
Android 17 adds a new Names icon to go to the icons page and 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 this, I just tap and hold on my home screen wallpaper Wallpaper and styleand touched Badges. Then, I switch Names tab and toggle the switch next to it Show program names to the off position.
This page contains a virtual rendering of your home screen that adapts as you change the appearance of your app icons. That way, you can toggle the toggle next to Show app names a few times, watching how your home screen changes. If you like the minimalistic look of the Pixel home screen without app titles, turn off the switch.
By default, app names are still displayed on the Pixel home screen 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 been asking for for a long time. Note that if you hide app names from your Pixel home screen, they will still appear in the app drawer.
My entire home screen is finally as clean as the dock
It’s Android 17 Neat update for my Pixel phonesand I love that Google keeps adding new customization features. The previous app icon customization interface was already one of the best available in any Android skin, but it was missing one key thing – hiding app names.
Now my entire home screen looks clean like the app dock. No names, just a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.
Home Pixel
The Google Pixel 10 is the flagship phone for 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.
