How to customize the s*** out of your android

Jan 13, 2017 12:04 PM

AndroidDesignGuru

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So guys, I posted my setup on my phone's desktop and some people wanted to know more about it.

So here it is, the ultimate (not really) tutorial to your personalized phone!

Make sure your phone can handle those launchers. Otherwise, skip the first 2 pics.

Firstly get your launcher. Make sure it's safe and highly rated. No ads and there are a lot of free launchers as well.

Evil is actually beautiful, very fast and easy to use. Plus it takes very little space.

Next, pick your icons. If it's simple or or difficult make sure the ones you get have most of your apps covered, will give a more aesthetic look.

Another one, quite popular and no problems with this one.

Now the fun part. Widgets. Go for simple and easy to configure widgets. Again a lot of the free ones have everything you need to use.

That's the one I used since I went for more minimalist look and feel for my interface.

Next up is everything else. Zedge is one of the apps that have quite a lot of wallpapers and sounds to fully personalize your phone. Ringtones, notification sounds, icons and walls.

For iPhone users, you can personalize your phone by buying a case on ebay or so. That's pretty much it.

wOOOOOOOO FP! Thanks people!! If anyone needs any help just let me know

That's it folks, you like it let me know and I'll post a few more things about it if anyone is interested.
G's out

Launchers are absolute spam and caused my phone to crash so often. I wouldn't ever suggest to get these or anything like Clean Master apps.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As soon as i beat FF7 and Legend of Grimrock on my iPhone I'm switching to android forever.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I love Nova. And Click UI Icons.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is awesome! Love you

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

KLWP and KWGT, too! I know there's a large Zooper community, but I heard support for it died off long ago. I use KWGT to make my own... 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

...widgets, and I like their layout better. Bought KWGT and Nova almost immediately. Solid list. Gif Live Wallpaper is kinda fun too. 2/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And there goes your battery

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Remember to never double clock

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Too many apps

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

So, uh, what's a launcher?

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

You forgot about KLWP, you lemon.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

@RelevantRonSwanson as you asked

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

https://imgur.com/YHREZTO And now I gotta go get them Flight icons

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Original post?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Get Tapet. Brilliant app that provides minimalist wallpapers that a auto-generated by your own phone. Brilliant.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks, trying a few out. Would have liked to see some final results.

9 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

I would.....but I still like my iphone

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 6

I've been using smart launcher for several years. Another one to check out.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Oct 21, 2024 11:33 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Which apps did you use for that?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nova launcher and Shimu icon pack.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Thanks!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey! I can personalize my ringtones, my background screen & change my phone case

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Waiting on fanboys. v

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Changing my wallpaper is good enough for me! Even when I had an Android phone.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nova Launcher is the bees knees! Nice Setup @OP

9 years ago | Likes 74 Dislikes 2

Big fan of Nova Launcher. I've carried it over from my s3 to my s7. I use Cryten for my icons lovely pastels and minimalism.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Big fan of Nova Launcher. I've carried it over from my s3 to my s7. I use Cryten for my icons, lovely pastels and minimalism.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I've used it for a few yrs and it really is a great launcher. Especially the "Prime" version & advanced tweaks. Worth the money IMO.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

I've used it for a few yrs and it really is a great launcher. Especially the "Prime" version & advanced tweaks. Worth the money IMO.

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

Hell yeah only launcher i have felt is actually worth the paid version.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Can't really buy the Prime version (although I have it installed hehe), but it will probably my first purchase, it's 10/10 straight gold

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Google Opinion rewards, answer some easy surveys get Google Play cash for apps.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Haven't gotten a survey in >6 months

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You may have to go back and reactivate the acct. I failed to respond toba few and it went inactive.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

High five fellow Nova user!!!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I've been using it since Android 5 enlarged default icons for no fucking reason. Nova saved the day.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Another really good icon pack is Fresh Icons. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stealthychief.custom.theme.fresh

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks. I just got a new phone and have been hunting for my next icon pack.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No problem. It is truly a beautiful pack

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I was going to DL the one I'd been using, but honestly I don't remember the name and Id have to turn my S6 on haha

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

How do you get your icons to the Play shop? I would want to sell my own icons

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Google it?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Also, KLWP allows you to make pretty neat interactive wallpapers.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Google Pixel launcher is the shit. That is all.

9 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

FU and your happiness!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's my secret Meximgurian... I'm never happy.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Pixel XL. Can confirm is indeed the shit and not shitty.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You switch from a Note 7? When I got my XL i was initially disappointed with the lack of flair but the launcher makes it the best phone ever

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Switch from Samsung Galaxy S5. You can make it yours if you use the UI Turner and unlock developer options.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have a note 4, would you recommend?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

i love the Note. Use it as long as it makes you happy. But since there is no decent Note upgrade available, i'd go pixel xl hands down

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I loved Pixel Launcher but not the device design itself. Hardware and software was great but design killed it for me. Sold now.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

+1 for deadpool

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thanks for this post! I've just modified my phone and finally got a clean minimal layout =D

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I use the rss feed from /r/wallpapers to set my desktop and android backgrounds to change every 30m

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Don't forget klwp

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

https://imgur.com/SId49Kf KLWP is still the best thing for customization

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I just used a certain clock widget, and a selfmade Android Theme for this:

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

how much battery does this kill? and space?!

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Like... Hardly any? I use ZenUI as my launcher. I'll upload a pic of my battery usage in a sec here.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Nova user here, very little strain on battery and memory usage because it's quite clean and simple

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

None, I have nova and a few of those apps and my battery is just fine!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Like... Hardly any? I use ZenUI as my launcher. I'll upload a pic of my battery usage in a sec here.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I actually get better battery life with nova. To really customize an Android, root it and become god

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've always wondered what exactly I could do with a rooted phone. And what exactly I personally would do with it

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not even enough today to show up in my battery usage.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm using ZenUI for reference.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

113 mb for the launcher itself.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

no way, that's awesome! I have the galaxy edge and it loses battery existing. was scared this would ruin it

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nope!! I've used Nova as a launcher and it's great, but I personally prefer ZenUI. Not a huge difference, but if you try them both you'll -

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Figure out whether you have a preference. My SO prefers Nova Launcher. Really it's personal preference. :) Launchers are the best part-

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

of the Android experience, IMO. Enjoy! The customization is so much fun once you figure out all the things you can do.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

None, personally I use Apex Launcher because that's what I started with. the battery use change is negligible

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Can you tell my friend what a Launcher is? He doesn't think he has one, and doesn't know if he needs one.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Think of a launcher as the thing you interact with -- the home screen, icons, etc. All phones have one of these, it's just that they 1/?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

often suck. The launcher that Samsung provides is absolute trash. 3rd party launchers give android users an incredible amount of freedom.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is my Samsung S10.5 tablet's homescreen:

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This was my S6's home screen. 3 docks, only one home screen needed.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I obviously know all this, but my friend was wondering why the Samsung launcher was bad?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have an exploding watermelon gif as my lockscreen...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Now your turn Apple

9 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 6

All I need is ringtones and changing my wallpaper... anything else isn't needed in my case

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

And I can change both!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

As a fan of varied mobile OS, you can customize apple. And jailbraking is much easier than rooting. I've bricked a phone by no fault of mine

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

that said, I'll stick with my blackberry q10 that feels like heaven. Everything is 2 finger swipes away.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

most rooting is connect phone to pc. double click on exe.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It is unless something go wrong. And plenty can.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Had a Droid and did nothing like this. Though I knew how to do it. Just using my phone for what I need it. No games, no fuzz, no muzz.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

As OP said, the only legal way to customize your apple is buying a case, or if you're artsy and brave, painting the back.

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 4

If you're artsy and broke just use a sharpie

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I only have a sticker on the back. I'm not really one for crazy personalization

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I wouldn't be surprised if apple would void a warranty for a sticker

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I've had phones returned under warranty with stickers on them

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Or you can make a song you like into a ringtone...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

You can jailbreak it, harmless and legal.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Legal, but it violates the terms of usage, does it not? Hence voiding any support and warranty.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Sure, you can't send it in to their shitty customer support, but if you need it that bad, reset the device. Deleting data = no jailbreak.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

perhaps in america, but in most of europe those terms of useage are void anyways

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And really, there's nothing in their TOS that's against jail breaking, according to my friend who had to read the TOS.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And wayyyyyy better than android.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 13

This guy.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Honestly, I don't think I'd do this even if Apple had customization.

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 8

Same. I was just thinking my Android would be so boring if I ever had one.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

What are the RAM on iPhones anyway? I don't think the phones would be able to handle much customization either way.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

iPhone 3GS 256 MB, iPhone 4 512 MB, iPhones 4S, 5, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus 1GB. iPhones SE, 6S, 6S Plus and 7 2GB RAM, 7 Plus 3 GB RAM.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And they can take it quite well. I did JB and lots of customization on some older iPod Touch long while ago.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Had a Droid and did nothing like this. Though I knew how to do it. Just using my phone for what I need it. No games, no fuzz, no muzz.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

No Jailbreak required would be nice.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My dude, I currently have an s6 edge and it's so slow and buggy after 2 years I'm thinking of replacing it. Any suggestions?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

get dat Pixel phone, it's reeeeal tite

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

give the asus zenfone 3 deluxe a shot

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

newer galaxy devices are good (s7 is great & samsung allows expanded memory again), i really like the huawei 6p (it's the phone I have).

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

source: I work in mobile app dev for a major video game company; i have several test devices, 6P and samsung S7 are my favorites though-

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

the htc we have isn't bad either. but I am a slut for the expandable storage of the s7 which is where the 6p loses points for me.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Why use zedge instead of just using Google for wallpapers, or making your own ringtones..? Is the convenience worth it?

9 years ago | Likes 164 Dislikes 7

Sometimes I don't know what I want. Zedge is pretty cool in that you can just search 'chiptunes' and get some great stuff you forgot about.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Good way to get short notification tones from random stuff where you'd have to rip the audio track from a video and cut it yourself.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I actually use muzei wallpapers and have it set to pull photos from r/earthporn and r/spaceporn every 2hours

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Zedge has so many minion wallpapers. You will love it.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah, it's easier to Google 2560 x 2880 wallpapers (for scrolling wallpapers) to get the max use of resolution. Most Zedge are only 1080p.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I use Zedge occasionally because sometimes there are ringtones or notifications, etc that I'd never thought of before

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Why use Nova when you can code your own launcher?

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 3

Because some people can't code or don't want to learn but want the android system for free shit.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

That's like saying. "Why take your car to the garage when you can just weld it yourself" not everyone has the skills.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

some of those guys didn't read your humor. but I did. +1

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Why buy a phone when you can build your own using a 3D printer and electronic components?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think so, but if you're looking for something really specific you may have to just use google or something

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

For my wallpapers I actually google "imgur mobile wallpaper dump" and dig for something interesting through the literal thousands of pics

9 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 1

You know imgur actually has a search function, right?

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

The more you know

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Zedge has some good ones sometimes but as with anything you wade thru 75% crap and copies to find the few good ones.

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Best places for wallpapers are on here or Reddit, always find something you like.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Reddit is where the EarthPorn images I referenced are located. The IFTTT just automates the multuple daily changes.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think thats more for those that just want a one stop shop for everything. Not really needed if you are capable/willing to make your own

9 years ago | Likes 56 Dislikes 0

Exactly. I don't know how to make my own ringtones, and even if I did I wouldn't know what to make

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

there's an app for it, like if you want a specific part of a song or record something cool. I used it for my wife's ringtone on mine.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Ringtone Maker by Big Bang Inc isn't pretty but it is really simple and does exactly what I need it for. Of course there's prob. others.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thats exactly the one I used

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Doesn't Android let you do that already?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0