GoKawiilRita El Khoury / Android Authority
A decade ago, I couldn’t imagine using an Android phone without installing a custom launcher to transform my home screen setup into exactly what I wanted it to be. Bit by bit, though, my reasons to use a custom launcher have disappeared.
There are apps now, like Shortcut Maker, that let me create any action shortcuts I want — a feature I used to rely on Nova Launcher for. I can hide unwanted apps in Private Space, change the shape of all my icons, or cram 5×5 icons on the home screen, and even apply funky theme packs. And, if I wanted, I could completely remove At a Glance or use SmartSpacer to stack widgets behind it, and customize the Google Search widget bar.
But there’s one feature I keep envying custom launchers for, and it’s the ability to use custom icon packs. As much as I enjoy the good ol’ default app icons, I still like to go crazy with a funky design every now and then. And for that, I had to switch my entire launcher. Not anymore. Pixel Launcher’s new custom icon feature is now scratching this itch for me.
Custom icon packs on Pixel Launcher, yay or nay? 1101 votes Yay! 43 % Good start, but I need more options. 44 % Just Nay. 13 %
Pixel Launcher creates its own custom icon packs now
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Among all of the cool features added in Android 16 QPR3 and the March Pixel Drop, one feature has gone a bit under the radar. It’s the option to make your own icon pack directly on the phone. The feature uses local AI, because obviously it does, and works very similarly to the Pixel’s AI-generated wallpapers. There are only five template styles, but some of them allow for further customization by picking different colors or themes.
Go to Wallpaper & styles Choose Icons Tap the new Create button This is the new Custom Icons page
To get started, you tap and hold on your home screen, choose Wallpaper & style then the Icons menu, and look for the new Create icon. This opens a Custom icons page with five different styles to pick from: Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust.
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