After months of intensive use, or perhaps simply for the desire of a fresh air vent, the main screen of your devices may appear chaotic, monotonous or simply uninspired. Whether it’s the smartphone you always bring with you or the computer you work on and enjoy, the interface that welcomes you every day deserves to reflect your style and your needs.
Do not worry: giving a “refresh” to the Home screen or desktop is easier than images and, in most cases, does not require the installation of complex software or any cost. From icons to backgrounds, through the practical widgets, you will discover how to transform the appearance and functionality of your Android devices, iPhone, iPad, Windows and macOS, freeing your creativity and making the user experience more pleasant and personalized. Prepare to dedicate a few minutes to this guide: the result will surprise you.
Customize the Home Screen on Android
Android devices are renowned for their flexibility and wide range of customization options. Although the menus may vary slightly between different brands or versions of the operating system, the basics remain the same, allowing you to model your Home screen at your liking.
Management and Organization of Icons
App icons are the most basic and visible elements of your Home screen. Organizing them best can make the difference between an ordered interface and a bulk.
- Move icons: If an icon is already on the Home screen, just hold on it and drag it to the desired location. If the app is only in drawer (the app drawer, often accessible with a swipe from the bottom to the Home), hold on the icon in the drawer and drag it directly to the main screen.
- Remove icons from Home: To delete an icon from the main screen without uninstalling the corresponding app, hold on the icon and, from the context menu that appears, look for an option like “Remove” or a basket icon or a dash. The app will remain installed but will no longer be visible on the Home.
- Create and manage folders: An excellent method to keep in order is to group similar apps into folders. To create one, simply drag one icon over another. The system will automatically create a new folder. To rename it, open the folder and tap the displayed name. Some manufacturers, such as Samsung or Huawei, also offer a “Add Applications” button within folders to facilitate the insertion of new apps directly from the drawer. To remove an icon from a folder, open it, hold on the icon and drag it out.
- Edit the style of icons: Customization goes beyond simple positioning. Many Android launchers (apps that manage the Home interface) offer the possibility to completely change the appearance of icons, applying packages of icons downloaded from the Play Store or via integrated options. There are specific guides to deepen the infinite possibilities offered by the different launchers.
Using Widgets
The widgets are small interactive panels that you can add to the Home screen, offering up-to-date information or quick features without having to open the full app. Think about a weather widget, a calendar summary, or a quick music check.
- Add a widget: To insert one, make a prolonged touch on a blank point of the Home screen. From the menu that appears, select the “Widget” option. It will open a list of all available widgets from your installed apps. Choose what you prefer, tap and hold, then drag it into a free space on the Home screen.
- Resize and remove widgets: Once positioned, most widgets can be resized holding on it and then dragging the edges appearing (often blue or white lines). To remove a widget, hold on it and select the “Remove” option from the context menu.
- Considerations on use: Although widgets are very useful, an excessive number of them, especially those requiring constant updates, can negatively affect the battery autonomy of your device. Use them with patrimony to balance functionality and charge duration.
- Create custom widgets: For those who want more control, there are third-party apps such as KWGT Kustom Widget Maker that allow you to create fully customized widgets, from design to displayed information.
Backgrounds: The Artistic Touch
The background is the visual soul of your Home screen, able to completely change the atmosphere.
- Change static background: Press and hold on a blank point of the Home screen, then select “Back and Style” (or similar items as “Customization”). From here, you can choose from default wallpapers, images from your gallery or online collections. Once you select the image, decide whether to apply it only to the Home screen or even to the lock screen.
- Animated backgrounds: Android also offers the possibility to use animated backgrounds. These can be fascinating and dynamic, but it is important to know that they tend to consume much more battery than static backgrounds. You can find them in the device settings or through dedicated apps available in stores.
- Video as background: Some apps even allow you to set short videos as animated background, adding a truly unique customization level.
Refresh Interface on iPhone and iPad (iOS)
Although traditionally iOS has been perceived as less “open” to customization than Android, in recent years Apple has introduced numerous features that allow users to express their creativity and organize the Home screen in increasingly innovative ways, starting from iOS 14.
Organize and Stilize Icons
The management of icons on iPhone is intuitive and offers different options to keep order and improve aesthetics.
- Move icons: To move an icon, hold on it until all icons start vibrating. At this point, drag the icon to the desired location. If the app you are looking for is not on the Home, you can find it in the “Book App”, accessible by scrolling right from the last page of the Home screen. From there, you can drag any icon on your favorite home.
- Remove icons from Home: If you want to remove an icon from the Home screen without uninstalling the app (by placing it in the App Library), press the icon, select “Remove App” and then “Remove from the Home screen”. The app will remain available in the App Library.
- Create folders: As on Android, you can group apps into folders by dragging one icon over another. To rename a folder, open it and tap its name.
- Customize icons: From iOS 16, you can customize the style of icons on the Home screen. Holding pressed on a blank point of the Home, when icons vibrate, tap the “+” button on the top left, then “Personality” and choose among the styles available as “Default”, “Scuro”, “Vetro” (on recent versions of iOS) or “Tonality”. For more advanced customization, you can use the “Quick Commands” app to create custom shortcuts with different icons, hiding the original icon in the App Library.
I Widgets on iOS: Information to Eyedrop
The introduction of widgets directly on the Home screen has revolutionized iOS customization, offering immediate access to crucial information.
- Add a widget: Hold on a blank point on the Home screen, then tap the “+” button on the top left. From the list you open, search for the widget of your interest, select the desired format and tap “Add widget”. You can then drag it to the location you prefer.
- Smart Collection (Smart Stacks): A particularly ingenious function is the ability to create “Smart Polish”. By dragging a widget over another, you can group them into one space and browse them with a swipe, optimizing the space on the Home while keeping access to more information.
- The “Today” screen: If you prefer not to clutter the Home screen, you can still access different default widgets by scrolling right from the first Home panel to reach the “Today” screen.
- Custom Widget: Also on iOS, third-party apps like Widgetsmith allow you to create widgets with a totally customizable design and content, to fit perfectly to your style.
IPhone wallpapers: A New Look
Changing the background is one of the most effective ways to give a new identity to your iPhone.
- Set the background: Access the “Settings” of your iPhone (the gear icon), then select “Back” and then “Add a new background”. Here you will find a wide selection of native Apple wallpapers, your photos and other collections. Choose the image, adjust the location and zoom and decide whether to apply effects like the “Live Photo” (if available). Finally, press “Add” and choose whether to set it as “Couple of wallpapers” (Home and Block) or “Personalize Home Screen”.
- From the Foto app: You can also set a photo as a background directly from the “Photo” app. Select the desired image, tap the share icon (bottom left) and scroll until you find “Use as background”.
- Video as background: For more dynamic options, some apps allow you to use short videos as animated background, offering a truly unique touch.
Customize your Desktop on PC (Windows and macOS)
Your computer’s desktop environment also deserves attention. A well-organized and visually pleasing desktop can improve productivity and general mood.
Windows: Your Workspace
Windows offers intuitive tools to customize your desktop, from background images to icon organization.
- Change the desktop background: On Windows 11 (and previous versions with similar procedures), right click at a desktop blank point and select “Personality”. From here, click on “Back” in the side menu. You can choose from the default images of Windows or upload your photo by clicking on “Browse Photos”.
- Manage icons:
- Create links: To have quick access to specific programs, folders or files, you can create desktop links. Find the desired item in the Start menu or File Explorer, right click on it and select “Show other options” (if necessary), then “Send to” > “Desktop (create link)”.
- Organize in folders: To keep your desktop clean, group related icons into folders. Right-click in a blank desktop point, select “New” > “Cartella” and then drag the icons into it.
- Delete icons: To remove a link from the desktop, right click the icon and select “Delete”. Remember that this only deletes the link, not the program or the original file.
macOS: Elegance and Order
macOS is known for its clean and elegant interface, but still offers ample customization possibilities.
- Edit the background: Open the “System Settings” (the gear icon in the Dock or Launchpad), then select “Back” from the side menu. Choose from a wide selection of dynamic backgrounds, colors or images from your library. For a quick alternative, you can right-click any image in the Finder and choose “Services” > “Imposed desk image”.
- Manage the Dock: The Dock, the bottom or side application bar, is the core of the most used items.
- Add icons: To add an application or file to the Dock, just drag it on it.
- Remove icons: To remove an item, right click on it in the Dock, then select “Options” > “Remove from the Dock”.
- Widget on macOS: Starting with the latest versions, macOS integrates widgets that can be recalled by clicking on the time in the menu bar (top right). Here you can add, remove or change them to keep important information such as weather, calendar or reminder under control.
- Customization of app icons: For more advanced changes to individual application icons, there are specific procedures that involve the use of app information and manual replacement of icons, detailed in dedicated guides.
Conclusion
Whether you want to reorder a chaotic digital environment, express your personality through colors and images, or simply make access to your favorite apps and information more efficient, customizing your home screen or desktop is a key step. We have explored the many opportunities offered by Android, iOS, Windows and macOS systems, demonstrating how easy and fun it is to give a new face to your devices. Do not hesitate to experience the various options: every little change can make a big difference in your everyday experience with technology.
