![]() Also, know that they're disproportionately buggy. You're not going to get a ton of new functionality out of a lock screen app you're mostly going for the look here. Practically speaking, it gives you the option to hide what's in your texts from your lock screen, generally a good call if you live with or adjacent to snoopers.īut why stop there? Have a little fun! (Note: "Fun" here is extremely relative). From there, you can decide which apps are allowed to bug you-we recommend "none" if possible-and how much content they're allowed to show. Go to Settings, tap Lock screen and security, and head to Notifications on lock screen (these might have slightly different names depending on your specific device and Android version, but it'll be pretty clear where to go). You can fine-tune your privacy a little further, though. You've already got a PIN or a pattern protecting your device ( a PIN is safer, for whatever it's worth). A more user-friendly spin on the same idea is HD Widgets, which lets you swipe and tap your way to your preferred set-up.įirst, some basic housekeeping. It lets you either build your own from scratch, or use a separately downloaded skin to give you just the right look without quite as much hassle. Want the time, weather, and battery life but not messages or calendar? Sure! Want battery life and calendar but not anything else? Why not! UCCW is the standard-bearer here. If you're looking for something a little more involved, some Android apps let you build your own custom widgets. To install them, just hold down on your home screen again, tap Widgets, scroll until you see one that looks useful, and find a chunk of real estate on your display. A basic rule of thumb: If you find yourself opening the same two or three apps a few times a day, looking for quick-hit info, go ahead and use a widget to save yourself some time.įor most people, that's going to mean weather, sports scores, and calendars. I don't want to spend too much time on widgets, both because you probably already use them, and because you tend to need them less than ever these days thanks to the Google app and persistent notifications and such. And the same security cautions mentioned for wallpapers apply here as well. You may not get the level of fit and polish you'd expect from, say, a Netflix or a Robinhood. Which brings us to the last point: A lot of developers in the icon/wallpaper world are part-timers and hobbyists. Brace yourself for some funky results if you opt for less fully developed versions of either. Better still, some icon packs slap an icon mask on top of every single app, regardless of if it specifically designed a replacement, giving everything at least a somewhat similar vibe.Īlong those same lines, after you download your icon pack of choice, you'll need to install it through your launcher, which may not be fully compatible. You can always either just hide those outliers in the app drawer, or collect them on their own screen so that they at least have common company. If you have less popular downloads installed and on your home screen, you may be stuck using the default icon. First, not every pack has an icon for every app. There are a few important things to note before you venture into icon customization. Unfortunately, you mostly have to go by downloads and reviews, which obviously aren't foolproof. ![]() That's not to scare you off of wallpapers altogether just try to stick to reputable vendors as best you can. In some cases, developers have even used wallpaper apps to sneak malware past Google Play's defenses. There are countless apps to choose from, but not all of them are entirely reputable. In fact, be careful with wallpapers generally. ![]() ( MLB At Bat, for instance, offers team-based wallpapers, while Shadow Galaxy puts your apps in front of a swirling nebula.) Be careful with live wallpapers, though they can be hell on your battery. Tap on Wallpapers, and from there you'll have the option to sift through My photos, or choose from your apps that provide "live wallpapers," animated backgrounds that liven up your screen time. From there, a bottom row of options will appear: Wallpapers, Widgets, and Settings. fine? But you can do better! And it takes no time at all.Īll you need to do to rotate in a new display background is tap and hold a blank spot on your homescreen. It's been so long since I've looked at the stock Android wallpaper, I don't even remember what it looks like.
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