How to Reset the Android Home Screen to Default Settings

Use the Settings app to reset the launcher and wallpaper, and drag apps into folders or hide them from the home screen

By
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Writer
  • Swansea University, Staffordshire University
Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Updated on January 8, 2024
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
    Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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    What to Know

    • Reset the launcher: Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app > pick the original launcher.
    • Hide or delete apps: Tap-and-hold one, choose Remove to hide, Uninstall to delete. Widgets are similar.
    • Reset the wallpaper: Tap-and-hold the home screen, choose Wallpaper & style or Wallpaper. Pick a new one.

    This article teaches you how to reset your Android home screen to default settings and remove or reset app icons, widgets, and other parts of the home screen. 

    How to Get Your Old Android Theme Back 

    If you've installed a launcher on your Android phone and your home screen is entirely different from how it was before, you may wish to switch back to the stock settings. Here's how to restore the default launcher:

    The instructions on this page might vary slightly depending on the launcher you've installed and the version of Android you're using, but they should still be similar.

    1. Open the Settings app.

    2. Open the launcher settings. Depending on your launcher and phone, it might be called Select default launcher, or you may need to go to Apps > Default apps > Home app.

    3. Choose your default launcher, which might be called Pixel Launcher, System Launcher, or something similar.

      Your phone will instantly revert to the original home screen theme.

      Steps required to change System Launcher on Android

    How to Remove App Icons on Your Android

    If your home screen is messy because there are too many app icons, you've got a few options. Either move the apps into folders for better organization, or delete the apps entirely. The third option, described below, is to remove the apps from the home screen without fully erasing them.

    1. Locate the app you want to hide from the home screen.

    2. Tap-and-hold the app and then choose the Remove option.

      On some phones, this option is visible when you press-and-hold the app. On other phones, drag the app a little to see the remove button.

    3. The app will be deleted from the home screen, but not removed. This means it's still accessible from the app drawer and through a search.

    How to Remove or Reset Widgets on Your Android

    Widgets are an excellent way to personalize your home screen. But it's easy to clutter up your phone if you have too many.

    To erase a widget, simply tap-and-hold it, then choose Remove. Or, on some phones, drag the widget onto the Remove button.

    Steps required to uninstall/remove widgets on Android

    Some widgets are more useful than others. If you still want to utilize this feature once you have a blank slate to work with, you can add widgets to your home screen in just a few taps.

    How to Erase the Wallpaper on Android

    A wallpaper can exist on the lock screen and the home screen. It's a big part of what makes a phone look unique. Fortunately, it's easy to change the Android wallpaper at any time. On most phones, tap-and-hold an empty area of the home screen, then choose Wallpaper & style or Wallpaper.

    How to Keep Your Android Home Screen Cleaner

    There are a few ways to help keep your Android home screen clean and tidier without having to maintain it regularly. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Only install apps you plan on using. It's easy with a new phone to install a lot of different apps at once. Try only to install the ones you really will use. Delete them if they go unused.
    • Tidy up the layout. Drag apps to other home screens to clean up cluttered screens. The Settings app lets you edit how many icons you see on the home screen and prevent newly installed apps from dropping a shortcut on the home screen.
    • Use widgets sparingly. Widgets are great, but they can take up a lot of room. Don't be afraid to resize them or cut back on the number you use. 
    • Create folders. Creating folders for your apps tidies up the screen without removing anything. They're really handy.
    FAQ
    • How do I get my Home screen back on Android?

      If your phone opens to the wrong screen, you likely swiped to another page or the Apps screen. Swipe up or down again on the Apps screen, or swipe left or right on another Home screen. Alternatively, tap the Home or Back button.

    • How do I put a picture on my Android Home screen?

      Press and hold a blank area of the Home screen and select Wallpapers or Add Wallpaper. Then select the location of the photo you want to use, such as Gallery or My Photos. Next, choose the image and tap Done.

    • How do I make a folder on my Android Home screen?

      To make an app folder on Android, press and hold an app, drag it onto another app, and enter a folder name. You can drag a folder from another screen to the Home screen.

    • How do I put an app on my Android Home screen?

      Tap the Apps drawer, drag the app you want to use to the Home screen, and lift your finger when the app is where you want it on the Home screen.

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