When it comes to personalizing your smartphone, the way your home screen looks plays a pivotal role. For Samsung Galaxy S20 users, the options for customizing your home screen are varied and exciting. Whether you’re looking to tweak the layout, add widgets, or change the wallpaper, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to have a home screen that truly reflects your style.
Understanding Your Home Screen on Samsung S20
Before diving into the customization process, it’s essential to understand the components of your Samsung S20 home screen:
Components of the Home Screen
- App Icons: These are the shortcuts to your frequently used apps that reside on your home screen or app drawer.
- Widgets: Widgets allow you to have live information readily available, like weather updates, calendars, and music players.
- Wallpaper: The background image that sets the tone for your home screen.
- Folders: You can group similar apps into folders, which help in organizing your home screen.
- Dock: The area at the bottom of the screen that can hold your favorite apps for easy access.
With these components in mind, let’s begin with changing the appearance of your home screen.
Changing the Wallpaper on Your Samsung S20
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to change your home screen is by updating your wallpaper. Here’s how:
Steps to Change Wallpaper
- Access the Home Screen: Unlock your Samsung Galaxy S20 and go to the home screen.
- Long Press on the Home Screen: Tap and hold on an empty area of your home screen until options appear.
- Select ‘Wallpapers’: In the menu that pops up, tap on ‘Wallpapers’ to explore your options.
- Choose from Options: You will have the choice to select ‘Gallery’ to use a photo you’ve taken, ‘Wallpapers’ for pre-installed images, or ‘Themes’ for complete packages.
- Preview and Set: After choosing your preferred wallpaper, tap on it to see a preview. If you like it, select ‘Set wallpaper’ and choose whether to apply it to the home screen, lock screen, or both.
Tip: Use high-resolution images to ensure your wallpaper looks crisp and clean.
Customizing App Icons and Layouts
Customizing your app icons and layouts allows for a more organized and aesthetically pleasing home screen. Here’s how to do it:
Changing App Icons
- Download Icon Packs: You can find thousands of icon packs on the Google Play Store or Samsung’s themes store. Search for one that fits your style.
- Apply Icons: After downloading, go to your home screen’s settings.
- Long press on the home screen and tap on ‘Themes.’
- Choose ‘Icons’ to see your downloaded icon packs.
- Select your preferred icon pack and apply it.
Arranging Apps on Home Screen
This allows you to position certain apps for easy access.
- Long Press on an App Icon: Find the app you want to move and hold it until the screen changes.
- Drag the App Icon: Move it to your desired location on the home screen. You can also drag it to another page if needed.
- Creating Folders: To create a new folder, drag one app icon over another. A folder will automatically be created, and you can rename it by tapping on the folder name.
Adding and Customizing Widgets
Widgets are one of the most appealing features of Android devices, offering functionality right on your home screen.
Adding Widgets
- Long Press on the Home Screen: Again, tap and hold on an empty area of your home screen.
- Select ‘Widgets’: From the menu that appears, tap on ‘Widgets.’
- Choose Your Widget: Browse through the available widgets from various apps. Tap and hold the desired widget, then drag it to your home screen.
- Customize the Widget: Depending on the widget, you may have options to customize it further. Tap on the widget itself to see if you can adjust settings like size or information displayed.
Popular Widgets to Consider
While there are many options to choose from, two popular widgets worth considering for customization are:
- Google Search Widget: Access Google’s search engine directly from your home screen.
- Weather Widget: Displays real-time weather updates at a glance.
Organizing Your Home Screen with Folders
Folders are an excellent way to declutter your home screen.
Creating and Managing Folders
- Creating a New Folder: Long press on an app icon and drag it over another app icon. A folder will automatically be created.
- Naming Your Folder: Tap on the folder to expand it, then select the folder name at the top to rename it.
- Adding More Apps: To add more apps to an existing folder, simply drag them into the folder.
Pro Tip: Manage your apps by grouping them by categories such as Social Media, Productivity, or Entertainment for easy reference.
Using the Samsung One UI Features
Samsung’s One UI comes with specific features and settings that enhance the home screen experience.
Enabling Dark Mode
Dark mode not only provides a visually pleasing aesthetic, but it also saves battery life. To enable dark mode:
- Go to Settings: Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the gear icon.
- Select ‘Display’: Find ‘Dark mode’ and toggle it on.
- Customize Dark Mode Settings: You can adjust further settings like scheduling dark mode for specific times.
Using App Drawer Settings
The app drawer is another area you can customize.
- Access Settings: Go to your home screen, then tap on the ‘Settings’ icon.
- Choose ‘Home Screen’: Scroll to find the ‘Home Screen’ settings.
- Select ‘App Drawer’: You can choose to have the app drawer visible on the home screen or not.
Storing Old Apps and Cleanup
After customizing your home screen, you may find unused apps cluttering it up. Here’s how to manage them:
Uninstalling or Disabling Apps
- Go to Settings: Open Settings from the home screen or app drawer.
- Select ‘Apps’: Here, you’ll see a list of all installed apps.
- Find the App: Search for the app you want to uninstall.
- Uninstall/Disable: Tap on the app, and then select ‘Uninstall’ (for downloadable apps) or ‘Disable’ (for pre-installed apps).
Resetting Home Screen Layout
If you feel that you’ve strayed too far from your original layout, you can reset your home screen.
- Open Settings: Go to Settings.
- Select ‘Home Screen’: Scroll to find ‘Reset Home Screen Layout.’
- Confirm Reset: This will return your home screen back to its factory settings, removing all customizations.
Conclusion: Your Unique Samsung S20 Experience
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can transform your Samsung Galaxy S20 home screen into an organized, personalized, and aesthetically pleasing space that represents your style.
From changing wallpapers and customizing app icons to organizing with folders and utilizing widgets, these features allow you to tailor your phone to suit your needs seamlessly.
Your home screen is often the first thing you see when you pick up your phone, so why not make it an expression of who you are? Dive into the world of customization and enjoy the process of crafting your perfect mobile experience today!
What steps do I need to follow to change my Samsung S20 home screen wallpaper?
To change your home screen wallpaper on a Samsung S20, start by tapping and holding on an empty space on your home screen. A menu will pop up, giving you options to customize your layout. Select ‘Wallpapers’ from the options presented. You can choose from the pre-installed wallpapers, your gallery photos, or downloaded images.
Once you’ve selected your desired wallpaper, tap on it, and you will see a preview. You can set it as your home screen wallpaper, lock screen wallpaper, or both. After making your selection, confirm by tapping ‘Set Wallpaper,’ and your Samsung S20 home screen will be updated with the new design you chose.
Can I add widgets to my Samsung S20 home screen?
Yes, adding widgets to your Samsung S20 home screen is a straightforward process that enhances functionality. To start, tap and hold an empty area on your home screen. In the options that appear, select ‘Widgets’. You’ll see a list of available widgets categorized by app. Browse through and choose the widget you’d like to add.
After selecting a widget, press and hold it, then drag it to your desired home screen location. You can then resize the widget by dragging the corners. Once you’re satisfied with its placement and size, simply release it to lock it in, allowing you to access useful information or functions directly from your home screen.
How can I create a folder on my Samsung S20 home screen?
Creating a folder on your Samsung S20 home screen can help you organize your apps efficiently. To make a folder, start by selecting an app that you wish to include in the folder. Tap and hold the app icon until it becomes movable, then drag it over another app icon you want to combine it with.
Once the two app icons overlap, a folder will automatically be created. You can then name this new folder by tapping on ‘Unnamed Folder’ at the top and entering your desired name. Afterward, you can add more apps to the folder by dragging them into it just like you did with the first two.
How do I change the layout of my app icons on the home screen?
To change the layout of your app icons on the Samsung S20 home screen, go to ‘Settings’ by swiping down the notification bar and tapping the gear icon. From there, navigate to ‘Display’ and then select ‘Home Screen.’ You will find options to change the home screen layout, including the grid size for your app icons.
You can select a grid size that suits your preferences, such as 4×4, 4×5, or 5×5. After making your selection, tap ‘Apply’ to see the changes reflected on your home screen. The new layout will allow you to fit more apps or create a spacious arrangement depending on the grid size you choose.
Can I customize the app icons on my Samsung S20 home screen?
Yes, customizing app icons is possible on the Samsung S20, allowing for a personalized look and feel. To change an app icon, tap and hold the icon you want to modify, and then select ‘Edit.’ Here, you will find options to change the icon shape and color if supported by the app.
Depending on the version of One UI that you are using, you may also be able to select an icon from a built-in gallery or download a custom icon pack from the theme store. After selecting your new icon, simply tap ‘Apply’ or ‘Done’ to save the changes, instantly giving your home screen a unique appearance.
How can I remove apps from my home screen without uninstalling them?
Removing apps from your Samsung S20 home screen without uninstalling them is simple. Start by tapping and holding the app icon you wish to remove. A menu will appear offering several options, including ‘Remove.’ Simply select ‘Remove’ to delete the app icon from your home screen.
Do note that this action only removes the icon from the home screen, and the app will still remain installed on your phone. You can find the app in your app drawer anytime you want by swiping up from the home screen to access it. This method allows you to declutter your home screen while retaining access to all your apps.
Is it possible to restore the default home screen settings on my Samsung S20?
Yes, restoring the default home screen settings on your Samsung S20 is an easy process if you want to revert to the original setup. To begin, go to ‘Settings’ by pulling down the notification panel and tapping the gear icon. Next, navigate to ‘Home Screen’ under the display category.
Once in the home screen settings, you will find an option labeled ‘Reset Home Screen Layout.’ Tap on this option, and you will be prompted to confirm your choice. After confirming, your home screen layout will revert to the factory default, and all custom settings and arrangements will be lost, giving you a fresh start.