9 Ways to Customize Your Android Device Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Android 90 90 people found this article helpful

9 Ways to Customize Your Android Device

How to customize your Android lock screen, wallpaper, apps, and more

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 21, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS There are many ways to make an Android smartphone or tablet your own, from transferring contacts and apps to installing widgets and downloading fun wallpaper. Once you dig in, you'll be surprised at the ways that you can customize your Android device, even without rooting it. After you transfer your data, wipe the old phone and sell your old device or donate or repurpose it. Here are nine ways to make your Android device all about you. The directions below should apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, or other manufacturers. Need more help with your Android? Check out our list of helpful Android tips. 01 of 09

Transfer Your Contacts Apps and Other Data

When you get a new Android, transfer the data from a previous device by syncing with your Google account or by making a manual backup and restoring it to your new phone. If you have your old phone, this is a painless way to go. There are other apps you can use to back up data on one device and transfer that data to another device. If you're coming from iOS, you can transfer most of your data to an Android. Download the Google Drive app on your iPhone.Launch the app and sign in.Go to Menu > Settings > Backup.Tap Start Backup to choose what to back up or back up everything.Sign in to your Android device using the same Google account. Turn off iMessage on your iPhone to avoid issues with text messages getting to your new Android. Tap Settings > Messages and then turn off the iMessage toggle switch. 02 of 09

Replace Your Home Screen With a Launcher

You don't have to use the home screen and app manager that comes with your phone. Without rooting, you can download and install a third-party Android launcher that cleans up the interface and customizes your home screens beyond app shortcuts. Additional features include resizing icons, setting up personalized gesture controls, and changing the color scheme. 03 of 09

Install a Better Keyboard

Smartphones running stock Android (or close to stock) default to GBoard, Google's well-regarded keyboard. Devices that run a custom version of Android may default to the manufacturer's keyboard, such as Samsung. If you're not happy with your built-in keyboard, try another one. There are many third-party keyboards available on Google Play, including the top-rated Swype and Swiftkey, as well as GIF keyboards and other specialty apps. Whether you keep the stock keyboard or install a new one, customize the autocorrect settings to match your lingo to avoid awkward interactions and general frustration. 04 of 09

Add Widgets to Your Home Screens

A favorite Android feature is the large selection of widgets that can be added to the home screen. The options are endless: weather, time and date, calendar, sports scores, music controls, alarms, note-takers, fitness trackers, social media, and more. Plus, many widgets come in multiple sizes so that you can make the most of your screen real estate. 05 of 09

Download Wallpaper

Most of the wallpaper options on smartphones and tablets are boring, not to mention that thousands are walking around with the same designs. Have a little fun. Spice up your screen with your favorite photos or download a wallpaper app and find something that fits your preferences. You can even cycle through your favorites, so you're not stuck with one background. There are also apps you can use to design wallpapers with your favorite colors and patterns. Best of all, most of these apps are free or inexpensive. 06 of 09

Set Up Default Apps

Ever clicked a link in an email and your smartphone launched an app instead of a browser? Or tried to view a tweet only to have it open the browser instead of the Twitter app? Set up default apps and clear any defaults that you set and no longer work for you. It's straightforward to do if you're running Lollipop 5.0 or later or have a stock Android device. 07 of 09

Customize Your Lock Screen

Like everything else in Android, you don't have to stick with the out-of-the-box lock screen on your Android device. In addition to choosing the unlock method, you can also show notifications and designate how much information you want to display to protect your privacy. Use third-party apps to add widgets to the lock screen and add to the variety of unlocking options. If you set up Google Find My Device (previously Android Device Manager), add a message and a button that calls a specified number when someone finds your lost phone. 08 of 09

Root Your Device

Rooting an Android smartphone opens up a host of options. When you root the device, you gain access to the latest Android features first and can update your OS whenever you want—not when your carrier and manufacturer provide the update. That also means you can use stock Android without any skins the manufacturer might build in or annoying bloatware. Rooting can be intimidating, but if you follow the instructions carefully, the good outweighs any drawbacks. 09 of 09

Flash a Custom ROM

When you root an Android smartphone, you can opt to install (flash) a custom ROM, although it's not required. Custom ROMs are modified versions of Android. The most popular ROMs are LineageOS (formerly CyanogenMod) and Paranoid Android. Both offer added features beyond stock Android such as custom button configuration and the ability to hide screen elements. Each tends to offer bug fixes faster than Google, and sometimes the best features show up in official versions of Android. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Change Phones Without Losing WhatsApp How to Root Kindle Fire How to Root Your Android Phone How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Flash Custom ROMs on Android With TWRP The Official Android Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know How to Set Up a New Android From an Old Phone How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC How to Install Magisk and Safely Root Your Android How to Turn Safe Mode On and Off on Android How to Change the Color of Your Apps on Android How to Change the Color of Text Bubbles on Android How to Get iPhone Emojis for Your Android How to Switch From iPhone to Android 10 Tips to Improve Your Android's Performance How to Take a Screenshot on Android Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies