The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On a Pixel, start by touching and holding an empty part of the Home screen, then tap Wallpaper & style. Use the Home screen panel for wallpaper, colors, icons and layout; swipe to Lock screen for the clock, shortcuts, notifications and lock-screen behavior. Add apps, folders and widgets directly from the Home screen with drag-and-drop gestures. The exact controls depend on your Android version, Pixel model and region.
Home screen and Lock screen: what each control changes
Pixel separates visual styling from the information and actions available at a glance. The same Wallpaper & style editor is the starting point, but Home screen and Lock screen have different panels and options.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Area | What you can change | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Home screen | Wallpaper target, color palette, icon appearance, grid/layout, apps, shortcuts, folders and widgets | Touch and hold empty Home-screen space, then tap Wallpaper & style; use the normal Home-screen gestures for apps and widgets |
| Lock screen | Clock style and size (on supported Android versions), left and right shortcuts, notification presentation, lock-screen text, device controls, Dynamic clock, Now Playing and wake/check behavior | Touch and hold empty Home-screen space, tap Wallpaper & style, choose Lock screen, then swipe up |
| Clock app | Analog or digital clock, seconds, 24-hour format and screen-saver clock | Clock app display settings; these do not control the Lock-screen clock |
Google’s procedures are documented in Change wallpaper on your Pixel phone, Customize the lock screen on your Pixel phone and Add apps, shortcuts & widgets to your Home screens. Options can move or appear only after a software rollout.
Before you customize: check what your Pixel supports
Pixel menus are not identical across every generation. Android version, phone model and regional availability can determine whether a control appears. For example, Google labels the newer Lock-screen clock controls for Android 16 and higher, while some app, shortcut and widget steps are documented for Android 14 and later. Theme packs may not be offered in every location.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
That means a missing button is not automatically a fault. First install available Android and Google component updates, then reopen Wallpaper & style. If the control is still absent, compare your model and Android version with the requirement for that feature. Do not assume that a setting shown on a newer Pixel belongs on an older one.
Change the wallpaper on one screen or both
Open the wallpaper picker
- Go to the Home screen.
- Touch and hold an empty area.
- Tap Wallpaper & style.
- Tap More wallpapers or Change wallpaper, depending on the wording shown on your Pixel.
Choose a personal photo or a preset category. Preview it, then select Lock screen, Home screen or both when those targets are offered. Apply the selection only after checking the preview, because choosing one target lets you keep a different image on the other.
Use a personal photo, preset or supported effects
Your own photos and the phone’s preset categories use the same picker. Current Google help also describes wallpaper effects, AI-assisted options and emoji-based customization where supported. Their appearance is not universal: the control can depend on the Pixel model and installed software. If an effect or category is not shown, use the ordinary photo or preset workflow instead of treating its absence as an error.
Previewing is useful when a photograph has an important subject near an edge. The Home and Lock screens may frame the same image differently, so check each target before tapping apply. When you want separate images, apply the first target, return to the picker and apply the second rather than selecting both.
Turn on daily wallpaper
A wallpaper category can offer a daily wallpaper option. Google states that daily wallpaper does not work with personal photos or live wallpapers, so choose a supported preset category if you want automatic rotation. A personal photo remains a manual choice; it will not become a daily rotation source through this setting.
Know the Always-on display limitation
The Lock-screen wallpaper option for the Always-on display is documented only for Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. Do not assume that toggle exists on other Pixel models; its absence can be a model limitation rather than a fault.
Adjust the Home screen’s look
Choose colors and a theme
In Wallpaper & style, choose a color style or other available colors. The palette changes the visual treatment of supported interface elements and icons without requiring a separate paid app. Try the palette after choosing the wallpaper, since the wallpaper and selected colors are presented together in this editor.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Change icon appearance
Current Pixel guidance includes icon-style and shape choices, with custom icon creation where the phone offers it. The shape setting does not restyle the icons in the all-apps list, so a differently shaped Home-screen icon should not be expected to change that drawer. If you are comparing the Home screen with the app drawer, this difference is expected.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Set the Home-screen layout or grid
Use the Home-screen layout or grid control to decide how many positions are available across and down the page. A denser grid fits more apps and widgets; a more open grid leaves larger gaps around them. The exact grid choices are device- and software-dependent, so use the choices shown on your Pixel rather than expecting a particular set of sizes.
Choose the grid before placing many widgets. Changing it later can alter how much room remains on a page, forcing you to move items. A spacious grid suits a small number of large widgets, while a denser arrangement is practical when you want several app icons visible without adding more pages.
Use theme packs when available
Theme packs can combine wallpaper, icons, GIFs and sounds. Google advises using the latest Android operating system and keeping the Theme pack updated. Theme-pack availability varies by location, so a missing pack may simply not be offered in your region. Theme packs are optional; the built-in color, wallpaper and icon controls cover the basic customization tasks without one.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Place apps, shortcuts, folders and widgets
Add an app to a Home-screen page
- From the Home screen, swipe up to open all apps.
- Touch and hold the app.
- Drag it to the Home-screen page and position where you want it.
- Lift your finger to place it. Drag toward an edge if you need to move to another page before releasing.
You can place a frequently used app on the first page and move less-used apps to another page. Dragging toward a screen edge while holding the icon lets you reach a different page before you release it.
Add an app shortcut
Touch and hold an app icon to reveal its available shortcuts. Press and hold the shortcut you want, then drag it onto the Home screen. Shortcut names and actions are supplied by the app, so not every app offers them. A shortcut is an action supplied by that app, not a second copy of the entire app; if no shortcut menu appears, that app has not provided one.
Add and resize a widget
- Touch and hold an empty Home-screen area.
- Tap Widgets.
- Choose an app to see its widgets.
- Touch and hold a widget, then drag it to the desired page and release.
If that widget supports resizing, select it to show an outline with handles and drag the handles to adjust its width or height. Some widgets have a fixed size and will not show handles. Resize after placing the widget, then check that nearby icons and widgets still have room; moving an item to another page can be easier than compressing everything on one page.
Create a folder
Drag one app or shortcut on top of another. Pixel creates a folder containing both; tap the folder to open it and use its name field if you want to label it. Drag additional apps or shortcuts into the folder, or pull one out to return it to the page. Folders are useful for keeping a clean first page while retaining access to groups of related apps.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGoogle notes that some steps in this app, shortcut and widget flow work only on Android 14 and later. If a control is missing, check the Android version before troubleshooting the gesture.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
Customize the Lock screen
Open the Lock-screen editor
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home screen.
- Tap Wallpaper & style.
- Move to Lock screen.
- Swipe up to reveal the Lock-screen settings.
The Lock-screen panel is separate from the Home-screen panel even though both are inside the same editor. If you only see wallpaper and color controls, move to the Lock screen tab and swipe up; the additional settings are lower in that panel.
Change the clock (Android 16 and higher)
On Android 16 and higher, Google documents controls for clock style, width, color and size. Pick the style first, then adjust those controls until the time remains legible against your wallpaper. Earlier Android versions may show a different, smaller set of controls or none of these newer controls. A clock control in this panel changes the Lock-screen clock, not the appearance of the Clock app.
Assign the left and right shortcuts
The Lock screen has separate left and right shortcut slots. Available examples include Do Not Disturb, Home, QR code scanner, Wallet, Camera, Flashlight, Mute and Video camera. Select each side in the Lock-screen editor and choose an action from the list shown on your phone. These shortcuts are intended for quick access without first opening the Home screen.
Choose actions you actually use from the displayed list rather than expecting every example to be present. The left and right choices are independent, so you can assign two different actions or use only the one that is useful to you.
Choose how notifications appear
Lock-screen notification controls let you show or hide notifications and choose Compact View or Full list. You can also control viewed and silent notification icons and whether sensitive content is shown. Full list exposes more notification detail at a glance; Compact View reduces the amount of visible information while preserving a notification indication.
If you want to check the privacy setting from the main Settings app, Google documents Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen. Review the result after locking the phone, because the practical difference between hidden, compact and full notifications is easiest to judge on the actual Lock screen.
Configure information and wake behavior
Additional Lock-screen settings can include a line of text, device controls while locked, Dynamic clock, Now Playing, tap-to-check, lift-to-check and waking the display when notifications arrive. Enable only the information and wake actions that fit how you use the phone: more visible data is convenient, while fewer previews and wake events reduce what appears before unlocking.
For example, Now Playing can be useful when you want music identification visible at a glance, while a line of text can display a short personal note. Device controls, tap-to-check and lift-to-check are convenience choices; review them together with notification visibility if other people may see the phone while it is locked.
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
Make the Home screen useful without clutter
Separate appearance from utility
| If your goal is… | Use these controls |
|---|---|
| A different visual mood | Wallpaper, color style, icon style or shape, supported effects and theme packs |
| Faster access to an action | App shortcuts, Lock-screen shortcuts and widgets |
| More information before opening an app | Widgets, At a Glance and Lock-screen notification settings |
| A cleaner first page | Folders, a less dense grid and moving less-used apps to another Home-screen page |
At a Glance and widgets can surface information, but they also consume grid space. Place the items you check most often on the first page and group occasional apps in folders rather than shrinking every icon or widget to fit. A widget is worthwhile when it replaces a repeated app-opening task; otherwise, an icon or folder usually uses less space.
Keep appearance decisions separate from access decisions. A new wallpaper or icon shape changes the look, while a widget, shortcut or notification setting changes what you can do or see. This makes it easier to undo one choice without rebuilding the rest of the layout.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compatibility, privacy and troubleshooting
The option is missing
- Check the Android version. Newer Lock-screen clock controls are labeled for Android 16 and higher, and some app/widget steps are documented for Android 14 and later.
- Check the Pixel model. Lock-screen wallpaper on the Always-on display is limited to Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL in Google’s current help.
- Check your region. Theme packs can vary by location.
- Install available system and component updates, then reopen Wallpaper & style; Google’s theme-pack guidance specifically calls for the latest Android OS and an updated pack.
The wrong screen changed
Return to the wallpaper preview and verify the target before applying. Choose Home screen or Lock screen separately when you want different images, or choose both when you want one image everywhere the picker permits it.
Recommended Free Tools
A widget will not resize
Touch the widget once after placing it. Resizable widgets show an outline with handles; fixed-size widgets do not. Try another size of the same widget or a different widget from that app if no handles appear.
The Lock-screen clock did not change
Make sure you edited Wallpaper & style > Lock screen, not the Clock app. The Clock app controls analog/digital appearance, seconds, 24-hour time and its screen-saver clock; those settings are separate from the Lock-screen clock.
Notifications reveal too much
In the Lock-screen notification settings, hide notifications, switch from Full list to Compact View, or turn off sensitive content. The same sensitive-content control is also available through Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen.
A shortcut or app will not stay where you drop it
Release the icon only when the destination page or folder is visible. To move to another page, continue dragging toward the edge before lifting your finger. To add a shortcut, begin with the app’s long-press menu and then press and hold the specific shortcut; dragging the ordinary app icon creates an app placement instead.
Which setup should you choose?
| Priority | Recommended setup | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Fast access while locked | Assign Camera, Flashlight, Wallet or another frequently used action to the two Lock-screen shortcuts | Shortcuts are visible on the Lock screen and may be reachable before full unlocking |
| Privacy in public | Use Compact View or hide notifications and disable sensitive content | You will need to unlock more often to read message details |
| Maximum information at a glance | Use Full list notifications, Now Playing, Dynamic clock and selected widgets | More visual and potentially private information remains visible |
| Minimalist appearance | Use one wallpaper, a simple clock, a spacious grid and folders for secondary apps | Less information and fewer one-tap actions are immediately available |
There is no separate paid product requirement for these changes. The documented workflow uses Pixel settings, built-in wallpaper choices and your own photos.
Keep the Clock app and Lock screen settings separate
If you want seconds, 24-hour time or an analog clock in the Clock app, use its display settings. If you want to change the clock shown when the phone is locked, return to Wallpaper & style and open Lock screen. Changing one does not automatically change the other. Google’s Clock guidance is available at Change your clock’s display.
A practical setup sequence
- Choose whether Home and Lock screens should share a wallpaper.
- Set the Home-screen color style, icon treatment and grid.
- Place your most-used apps, then create folders for the rest.
- Add only widgets that replace a repeated app-opening task.
- Open the Lock-screen panel, select a readable clock and configure both shortcuts.
- Choose Compact View or Full list and decide whether sensitive content should appear.
- Review Dynamic clock, Now Playing, device controls and wake options for privacy and battery preferences.
- Lock the phone and test every shortcut, notification preview and widget-sized layout from the way you actually use the device.
These controls are software- and model-dependent. If your menus differ, use the labels and options currently displayed on your Pixel rather than assuming another model’s layout applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I customize my Pixel home screen?
Touch and hold an empty Home-screen area, tap Wallpaper & style, and use the Home-screen controls for wallpaper, colors, icons and grid. Add apps, shortcuts, folders and widgets with the Home screen’s drag-and-drop gestures.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How do I change my Pixel wallpaper?
Open Wallpaper & style, tap More wallpapers or Change wallpaper, choose a photo or preset, preview it and select Home screen, Lock screen or both when offered. Daily wallpaper works with supported preset categories, not personal photos or live wallpapers.
How do I add widgets to my Pixel?
Touch and hold empty Home-screen space, tap Widgets, choose an app, then touch and hold a widget and drag it onto a page. Resizable widgets show an outline with handles; fixed-size widgets do not.
How do I change my Pixel Lock screen?
Touch and hold an empty Home-screen area, tap Wallpaper & style, choose Lock screen and swipe up. You can configure the clock on supported versions, left and right shortcuts, notification presentation, lock-screen text, device controls, Dynamic clock, Now Playing and wake/check behavior.
Why can’t I find the new Lock-screen clock controls?
Google documents the newer clock style, width, color and size controls for Android 16 and higher. Earlier versions may have fewer controls. Check your Android version and Pixel model, then install available updates.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Can I use different wallpapers on the Home and Lock screens?
Yes. In the wallpaper preview, target Home screen or Lock screen independently when those choices are offered. Select both only when you want one image on both screens.
How do I hide private notifications on the Lock screen?
In the Lock-screen notification settings, hide notifications, choose Compact View instead of Full list, or turn off sensitive content. Google also lists the sensitive-content setting under Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen.
Does customizing a Pixel require a paid app or accessory?
No. The documented controls are built into Pixel and Android settings and can use preset wallpapers or your own photos. A case, screen protector or other accessory is not required.
The Bottom Line
Start with Wallpaper & style, then treat Home-screen appearance, Home-screen organization and Lock-screen information as separate decisions. Check your Android version, Pixel model and region whenever a control is missing, and test the result from the locked phone before you finish.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
