Are you looking to customize your Samsung S21 Ultra home screen to reflect your style and preferences? This powerful device offers a plethora of options for personalization that can enhance your user experience and make your smartphone truly yours. In this article, we will explore how to change your home screen on the Samsung S21 Ultra, diving into various customization options that are not only easy but also incredibly efficient.
Understanding the Samsung S21 Ultra Home Screen
Before we delve into the customization options, let’s take a moment to understand the components of the home screen on your Samsung S21 Ultra. The home screen primarily consists of:
- App Icons: These icons represent your applications and allow you to access them with a tap.
- Widgets: Widgets are mini-applications that display information like weather, calendars, and more.
- Wallpaper: The background image that adorns your home screen adds a personal touch.
- Folders: Folders help organize your apps by grouping them together.
Now that you have an understanding of the components let’s explore how to change your home screen step by step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Home Screen
1. Accessing Home Screen Settings
To start changing your home screen, you need to access the settings. Here’s how:
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Pinch the Home Screen: Place two fingers on your home screen and pinch them together. This action will zoom out and allow you to see more than one home screen page.
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Home Screen Settings: From this view, tap the “Home screen settings” icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen. Alternatively, you can access the settings by long-pressing an empty space on the home screen and tapping the “Home screen settings” option.
2. Changing Your Wallpaper
Your home screen wallpaper is one of the first things that capture your attention, and changing it is a straightforward process:
- Select Wallpaper: In the home screen settings menu, tap on “Wallpaper.” Here you’ll have options to choose from:
- Gallery: Use a photo from your gallery.
- Live Wallpapers: Select dynamic wallpapers that change over time.
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Default Wallpapers: Choose from Samsung’s default options.
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Choose and Set Wallpaper: Once you have selected the category, browse through the available wallpapers, and tap on the one you like. Then, select whether you want it as your home screen wallpaper, lock screen wallpaper, or both.
3. Adding and Organizing Apps
Customizing your app icons and organizing them is crucial to a personalized home screen experience.
Adding Apps
To add apps to your home screen, follow these steps:
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App Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to access the app drawer where all your apps are listed.
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Long Press: Find the app you want to add, long-press its icon, and drag it to your desired location on the home screen. Release the icon to drop it in place.
Creating Folders
To keep your applications organized and accessible, you can create folders:
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Long Press One Icon: Choose an app icon, long-press it, and then drag it over another app icon you want in the same folder.
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Name the Folder: Once dropped, a new folder will be created. A pop-up will prompt you to name the folder; input a suitable name and press ‘Done’.
4. Integrating Widgets
Widgets add interactive features and can display vital information at a glance. To add widgets:
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Long Press an Empty Space: On the home screen, long-press on an empty space to access the “Widgets” option.
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Select and Add Widget: Browse through the available widgets, select the one you want, and drag it to your desired location on the home screen.
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Adjust Widget Size: After you place the widget, you can resize it by selecting it and dragging the corners to the preferred size.
Exploring Advanced Customization Options
Now that you have a basic understanding of changing wallpapers, adding apps, and arranging widgets, let’s look at some advanced customization techniques.
1. Utilizing Themes
Samsung’s One UI offers a Themes Store where you can download various themes that alter the appearance of your entire device, including icons, wallpapers, and menus.
- To access themes:
- Open the Settings app and tap on “Themes.”
- Browse through the available themes and download one that appeals to you.
- Once installed, apply the theme to your home screen for an entirely new look.
2. Adjusting Grid Size
Adjusting the grid size on your home screen allows for a more tailored arrangement of app icons and widgets. To adjust grid size:
- Open the home screen settings as before.
- Tap on “Home screen grid” and choose your preferred layout, such as 4×5, 5×5, or 6×6.
This adjustment will change how many apps can fit on your home screen, enhancing your organization.
3. Changing Icon Shapes
If you desire a uniform look for your app icons, consider changing their shapes. This feature is available in the settings:
- Find the “Icon shapes” option in the home screen settings.
- Select the preferred shape from options like rounded square, teardrop, or circle.
Utilizing Additional Features on the Samsung S21 Ultra
The Samsung S21 Ultra comes equipped with additional features that help you personalize your home screen even further.
1. Edge Panels
The Edge Panels on Samsung devices provide quick access to apps and features. To enable and customize Edge Panels:
- Open the settings app and tap “Display.”
- Select “Edge panels” and toggle it on. You can choose which panels to add, such as apps, tools, or news.
2. Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls
If you’re concerned about screen time, you can use the Digital Wellbeing feature. This allows you to track app usage and set timers for specific apps to promote healthier device habits.
Final Touches to Your Home Screen
Once you have customized your home screen, it’s essential to maintain and refine it regularly. This may include deleting unused apps, adjusting widget sizes, or even changing wallpapers seasonally. Personalization is an ongoing journey that enhances your mobile experience.
1. Benching Unused Apps
To declutter your home screen, delete applications that you no longer use or need. To do so, long-press the app icon and select “Remove” or drag it to the remove/remove icon at the top of the screen.
2. Regularly Update Widgets
Widgets can become outdated over time, so consider updating them to reflect current events or essential information. Check the settings for each widget to see what adjustments can be made.
Conclusion
Customizing your home screen on the Samsung S21 Ultra can significantly enhance your smartphone experience. With numerous options ranging from changing wallpapers and adding apps to utilizing themes and widgets, your device can become a true extension of yourself. By following this comprehensive guide, you are now equipped to transform your home screen into a personal haven that fits your life and style. Enjoy creating your unique space, and embrace the flexibility that your Samsung S21 Ultra offers!
What customization options are available for my Samsung S21 Ultra home screen?
The Samsung S21 Ultra offers a variety of customization options to enhance your home screen’s appearance and functionality. You can change the wallpaper to personalize the background, select different themes from the Samsung Theme Store, and adjust icon sizes to create a layout that feels comfortable for you. Additionally, you can add widgets, which provide at-a-glance information and quick access to apps, making your home screen not only more visually appealing but also more efficient.
Moreover, you have the option to create app folders for better organization, enabling you to group similar apps together for easy access. The ability to adjust grid sizes allows you to fit more icons on your home screen or create more empty space, depending on your preference. These customization features collectively empower you to tailor your home screen to suit your personal style and usage patterns.
How do I change the wallpaper on my Samsung S21 Ultra home screen?
Changing the wallpaper on your Samsung S21 Ultra home screen is a straightforward process. First, long-press on an empty area of your home screen to bring up the home screen settings menu. From there, tap on “Wallpapers,” and you will be presented with various options, including pre-loaded images, your own photos, and categories from the Samsung Gallery. Once you find an image you like, you can select it as your home screen wallpaper or even set it as both the home screen and lock screen wallpaper.
Additionally, you can also explore the Samsung Themes Store directly through this menu to find unique wallpapers and themes that can completely transform the look of your device. The store regularly updates with new designs, allowing you to keep things fresh and personalized according to your mood or season. After selecting your desired wallpaper, simply apply it, and your home screen will instantly reflect your choice.
Can I add widgets to my home screen on the Samsung S21 Ultra?
Yes, you can easily add widgets to your Samsung S21 Ultra home screen to enhance its functionality. To do this, long-press on an empty space on your home screen and tap on “Widgets” from the menu that appears. You will then be presented with a list of available widgets that correspond to your installed apps, including weather widgets, calendar events, and music controls. Simply drag and drop your selected widget onto the home screen, where you can position it as desired.
Widgets can be resized or removed according to your preferences. If you find that a widget takes up too much space, you can tap and hold the widget to enter resizing mode. By dragging the corners, you can make it smaller or larger, depending on your needs. This flexibility allows you to create a home screen that is not only visually pleasing but also personalized to your specific use and shortcuts.
How can I change the layout of the app icons on my home screen?
To change the layout of app icons on your Samsung S21 Ultra home screen, start by long-pressing an empty area of the home screen to open the menu. From there, tap on “Home screen settings,” where you will find options for changing the grid size, such as selecting a 4×5, 4×6, or even a 5×6 grid. This adjustment changes how many app icons you can fit on the screen or increases the spacing between them, allowing you to customize the layout to your liking.
Additionally, you can rearrange icons by tapping and holding on to any app icon until it becomes movable, then dragging it to your desired position on the screen. If you’re looking to organize your apps better, you can also create folders by dragging one icon over another. This way, you can keep your favorite apps accessible while reducing clutter, ultimately resulting in a more organized and visually pleasing home screen.
What are the benefits of using themes on my Samsung S21 Ultra?
Using themes on your Samsung S21 Ultra offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your device experience. Themes allow you to change the entire aesthetic of your phone, including wallpapers, icons, and even system menus. By personalizing the appearance of your device, you can express your individuality and maintain a cohesive visual style that matches your personality or mood. Selecting a theme can also refresh your device’s look, making it feel new and exciting.
Additionally, themes can improve usability by choosing designs that enhance legibility and accessibility. Some themes come with optimized color combinations that make icons and text more visible under various lighting conditions, which can be especially helpful in bright environments. The bulk of themes in the Samsung Themes Store are created by designers who consider user preferences for an optimal aesthetic and functional experience, giving you extensive choices to find the perfect fit for your style.
How do I reset my home screen layout if I don’t like the changes I made?
If you find that you dislike the changes made to your home screen layout on the Samsung S21 Ultra, you can easily reset it back to the original layout. Begin by navigating to the home screen settings by long-pressing on an empty area of the home screen and selecting “Home screen settings.” Once in the settings, scroll down to find the option labeled “Reset Home screen layout.” Tapping this will prompt a confirmation message, informing you that all app icons, folders, and home screen settings will be reverted to the default values.
Keep in mind that resetting your home screen layout will not delete any apps; it simply reorganizes them to their original positions. After confirming, your home screen will revert to its factory settings, allowing you to start fresh. This feature is particularly useful if you experiment with different layouts and find that none of them suit your taste, giving you the freedom to explore without the fear of permanently altering your setup.