On this page
- Where to start
- Quick wins without any app
- Wallpaper apps
- Abstruct
- Wallpapers by Google
- Backdrops
- Muzei Live Wallpaper
- KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker
- Launcher apps
- Nova Launcher
- Niagara Launcher
- Lawnchair
- Smart Launcher
- Action Launcher
- Before Launcher
- Which launcher should you pick?
- Icon packs and icon changers
- Widget apps
- KWGT Kustom Widget Maker
- Overdrop
- Hurry
- Themes without an app
- Keyboard apps
- Gboard
- Lock screen apps
- KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker
- Always On AMOLED
- Putting it together
- Common mistakes
Android still rewards deep customization. Material You on Android 12 and later handles wallpaper-based theming, themed icons, and per-app color palettes without extra apps. For everything beyond that, these apps cover launchers, wallpapers, widgets, keyboards, and lock screens.
- Start with a launcher (Nova or Niagara) and an icon pack if you want a unified look.
- KLWP and KWGT are the power tools for live wallpapers and custom widgets.
- Gboard covers typing, themes, GIFs, and translation in one keyboard.
- Heavy live widgets can drain battery. Keep a few that update often, not a full screen of them.
You can theme wallpapers, launchers, icons, widgets, keyboards, lock screens, and navigation. For wallpaper-only picks, see our best wallpaper apps for Android. For finished setups, browse Android homescreen setups.
- Widgets that refresh often (weather, feeds, live data) use more battery than static ones.
- KLWP and KWGT presets with animations cost more than a plain wallpaper.
- Test one change at a time so you can spot what drains your phone.
Where to start
Change things in this order, one step at a time:
- Wallpaper. On Android 12 and later, Material You pulls colors from it and themes the whole system.
- Launcher. Controls the grid, gestures, drawer and icon size.
- Icon pack. Makes mismatched app icons look like one set. See the best icon packs for Android.
- Widgets. Clock, weather, calendar, or fully custom ones with KWGT.
- Keyboard and lock screen. The last 10 percent that makes it feel personal.
Want a finished look to copy instead? Browse Android homescreen setups and grab the wallpaper from our stock wallpapers hub.
Quick wins without any app
Before installing anything, check what your phone already does:
- Material You (Android 12+): pick a wallpaper and the system builds a color palette for menus, quick settings and supported apps. On Pixel phones, change it in Settings, Wallpaper and style.
- Themed icons (Android 13+): on supported phones, app icons recolor to match your wallpaper.
- Lock screen (Pixel, recent Android versions): change the clock style, shortcuts and color from the wallpaper and style menu.
- Dark theme and font size: both are in Display settings and change how every screen feels.
- Samsung Galaxy: install Good Lock from the Galaxy Store. Its modules restyle the lock screen, quick panel, navigation bar and home screen without a third-party launcher.
- Gestures: switch between gesture and three-button navigation in System settings to find what suits you.
Settings names vary by brand and Android version, so use the search bar in Settings if an option is not where you expect.
Wallpaper apps
Abstruct
Wallpapers from Hampus Olsson, the artist behind many OnePlus stock backgrounds. The app is a curated set of abstract collections in 4K, with new packs added over time.
- What we like: consistent art direction, so every wallpaper you pick works with the rest of your setup. Bold colors also give Material You a strong palette to pull from.
- Watch out: it is a focused, abstract-only library. Look elsewhere for photos or nature. Some packs may sit behind an in-app purchase.
- Best for: people who want a polished, modern look without browsing thousands of uploads.
Wallpapers by Google
Google's own wallpaper picker. Browse categories, pick from curated collections, or set a daily rotation so the background changes on its own.
- What we like: free, ad-light, and made by the same team that ships Pixel wallpapers. The daily rotation is the easiest way to keep a phone feeling fresh.
- Watch out: the library is smaller and safer than community apps. Features differ by phone and Android version.
- Best for: anyone who wants good wallpapers with zero setup.
Backdrops
A large wallpaper library built on community submissions. Each upload is reviewed before it goes live, so quality stays higher than an open upload site.
- What we like: wide range of styles, from minimal to photography, plus a search that surfaces new uploads often.
- Watch out: the free version shows ads, and some premium features need an unlock.
- Best for: browsing art beyond stock phone backgrounds.
Muzei Live Wallpaper
Open-source live wallpaper that refreshes your background with artwork from sources you pick. It can blur or dim the image so icons stay readable.
- What we like: the background changes by itself, and it stays calmer and lighter than an animated live wallpaper.
- Watch out: it works through a live wallpaper service, and you choose the art source yourself, so setup takes a minute.
- Best for: people who like art on the homescreen and hate picking a new wallpaper every week.
KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker
The most flexible live wallpaper tool on Android (jump here from our wallpaper apps list). Build your own layouts from scratch, or import presets from theme packs on the Play Store.
- What we like: wallpapers can react to time, weather, battery and scrolling, so the homescreen can act as a dashboard.
- Watch out: a steep learning curve, and animated presets cost more battery than a static image. Creating your own presets works in the free version; importing from other KLWP theme apps needs the pro unlock.
- Best for: power users who want a one-of-a-kind homescreen and enjoy tinkering.
Launcher apps
Nova Launcher
Long the default recommendation for grid control, gesture shortcuts, icon sizing and drawer layout. Almost every layout choice has a setting.
- What we like: deep customization, full icon pack support, and gestures for swipes and double taps. The free tier covers most needs, and Nova Prime is a one-time unlock.
- Watch out: check the Play listing for its latest update before you buy Prime. Lawnchair and Smart Launcher below are alternatives if you want an open-source or more actively updated option.
- Best for: people who want control over every detail of the homescreen.
Niagara Launcher
A vertical, alphabetized app list instead of a traditional grid. Everything sits within thumb reach, and a few widgets can sit at the top.
- What we like: very fast for one-handed use, and it makes a busy phone feel calm.
- Watch out: it is not a grid launcher, so skip it if you want icons everywhere. Some features need the paid plan.
- Best for: minimalists and big-screen phone users.
Lawnchair
Open-source Pixel-style launcher with Material You theming, icon pack support and optional recents integration via QuickSwitch. Lawnchair 15 Beta 3 is the current Play Store release as of 2026. It is labeled beta but actively maintained.
- What we like: the Pixel look on any phone, free and open source, with a clean settings menu.
- Watch out: beta status means occasional rough edges, and recents integration takes extra setup.
- Best for: getting a Pixel-style homescreen on a Samsung, Xiaomi or other phone.
Smart Launcher
Sorts your apps into categories automatically, supports icon packs, and has an adaptive theme that follows your wallpaper.
- What we like: the drawer stays tidy with no manual folders, and it runs light on older phones.
- Watch out: the free version is enough for most people, but some features sit behind a paid tier.
- Best for: a tidy drawer without setting it up by hand.
Action Launcher
Pixel-inspired launcher with Quickedit, Quickdrawer and Covers folders. It pairs well with icon packs and adaptive wallpaper colors.
- What we like: gesture shortcuts that open app actions from a swipe, and folders that show a cover app.
- Watch out: several features are locked behind a paid upgrade, and the free version shows an upgrade prompt.
- Best for: Pixel fans who want more features than the stock Pixel launcher.
Before Launcher
Shows only the apps you whitelist. The rest of the phone stays out of sight until you look for it. Basic layout tweaks are built in.
- What we like: a text-based homescreen with little to tap, so it helps you spend less time on the phone.
- Watch out: it is intentionally plain, so it will not suit anyone who wants icons, widgets and effects.
- Best for: a calmer phone without deleting apps.
Which launcher should you pick?
| Launcher | Best for | Icon packs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Grid, gestures, deep control | Yes | Free, Prime is a one-time unlock |
| Niagara Launcher | Minimal one-handed use | Limited | Free with paid extras |
| Lawnchair | Pixel look, open source | Yes | Free |
| Smart Launcher | Auto-sorted app drawer | Yes | Free with paid extras |
| Action Launcher | Pixel-inspired features | Yes | Free with paid extras |
| Before Launcher | Distraction-free phone | Limited | Free with paid extras |
Check each app's Play listing for current pricing, because plans and unlocks change.
Icon packs and icon changers
Most third-party launchers support icon packs. They unify mismatched app icons into one style (line art, rounded squares, iOS-like glyphs). On Android 13 and later, phones that support themed icons can also recolor supported app icons to match your wallpaper without a pack.
To change a single app icon, long-press it in Nova, Lawnchair or Smart Launcher and edit the shortcut icon. Browse our full best icon packs for Android roundup for CandyCons, RedLine, Lotus, Gladient, and more.
Widget apps
KWGT Kustom Widget Maker
Pair with preset packs (Shadow KWGT, Flow KWGT and others) or build widgets from scratch. Widgets can show time, weather, battery, music and calendar data in any layout you design.
- What we like: near-unlimited design freedom, and a huge library of community presets.
- Watch out: same pro rule as KLWP: your own designs are free, and importing third-party presets needs the pro unlock. Presets with heavy formulas can use extra battery.
- Best for: matching widgets to your icon pack and wallpaper colors exactly.
Overdrop
Polished weather widgets with radar, alerts and multiple layout styles.
- What we like: widgets look better than most stock weather widgets, and the animated backgrounds are easy on the eye.
- Watch out: the free tier is usable but includes ads. Pro unlocks extra widget skins and data sources.
- Best for: a good-looking weather widget without building one in KWGT.
Hurry
Clean countdown widgets for launches, trips, deadlines or events. Multiple sizes and color themes.
- What we like: simple to set up, and readable at a glance on the homescreen.
- Watch out: it does one job. Extra themes and features may need an in-app purchase.
- Best for: counting down to a trip, release or exam.
Themes without an app
Android 12 and later builds a color theme from your wallpaper and applies it to system UI, supported apps and widgets. Pixel phones offer the most options. Other brands add their own theme stores, such as Samsung Good Lock, so check your phone's Settings before installing anything extra.
Keyboard apps
Gboard
Google's keyboard with glide typing, GIF and sticker search, clipboard history, inline translation and theme customization. Preinstalled on many phones.
- What we like: fast, reliable and free, with themes that follow your wallpaper colors on supported Android versions.
- Watch out: it sends typing suggestions through Google services if you turn those features on, so review the privacy settings.
- Best for: most people. Set it as default even if you use a different launcher.
Microsoft SwiftKey is the main alternative. Strong predictive text and bilingual typing, with its own theme store.
Lock screen apps
KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker
Build a custom lock screen with the same Kustom engine family as KLWP and KWGT. Match your home screen style, without news feeds or ads on the lock screen.
- What we like: the lock screen can match your KLWP and KWGT designs exactly.
- Watch out: it sits in front of your normal lock screen and can behave differently across phone brands. See the safety note below.
- Best for: Kustom users who want the whole phone to match.
Always On AMOLED
Adds always-on display options on phones that lack a native AOD or have limited settings. Shows the clock, date and notification icons while the phone is idle.
- What we like: many clock styles, and it gives older AMOLED phones a feature they never had.
- Watch out: always-on features cost battery, and the free version includes ads. Pixel and Samsung phones already have a native AOD, so try that first.
- Best for: AMOLED phones with no built-in always-on display.
- Avoid lock screen apps from unknown developers. They sit on top of your PIN or biometric screen.
- Skip apps that push news, ads, or recommendations on the lock screen.
Putting it together
A simple build that works on almost any phone:
- Set a wallpaper you like from our stock wallpapers or a wallpaper app.
- Install a launcher (Lawnchair for a Pixel look, Nova for control) and set it as default in Settings, Apps, Default apps, Home app.
- Apply an icon pack from the launcher settings.
- Add two or three widgets. A clock and weather widget go a long way.
- Match the lock screen and keyboard theme to the same colors.
Need ideas? Copy a complete look from our Android homescreen setups, where every build lists its wallpaper, icon pack and widgets.
Common mistakes
- Too many widgets. They crowd the screen and cost battery. Two or three is enough.
- Mixing icon styles. One icon pack across the whole launcher looks more polished than a mix.
- Low-resolution wallpapers. Stretched images look soft. Use a full-resolution file that matches your screen.
- Unknown lock screen apps. They sit in front of your PIN screen, so install only trusted ones.
- Changing everything at once. Change one thing, live with it a day, then move on.
After theming, check our lists of top paid Android apps and best free Android apps worth installing next.
What is the best Android launcher in 2026?
Do I need root to customize Android?
What are KLWP and KWGT?
Will customization apps drain my battery?
What are the best Android customization apps?
How do I change app icons on Android?
How do I make all my app icons match?
Amit loves new tech and apps that make life easier, he writes about apps, games and useful websites on TheTechBasket.
