Recommended Free Tools
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
On supported Pixel software, you can remove Google’s At a Glance widget from the home screen by turning off Show on home screen. That frees the space at the top of the first home-screen page without necessarily disabling At a Glance on the lock screen or always-on display.
What “this feature” means
At a Glance is the contextual information block at the top of the Pixel home screen. Depending on your device, software, region and settings, it can show items such as the date, weather, calendar reminders, travel updates or other information. It is not the Google Search bar, which is a separate Pixel Launcher element usually found near the bottom of the screen.
For people who prefer a minimalist layout, the problem has been its fixed position and footprint: unlike an ordinary widget, it has not offered the same freedom to resize or move it. Google has promoted other Pixel personalization options, making that fixed block more noticeable to users who want to arrange the home screen their own way.
What changed, and when
A separate Show on home screen switch was first reported in Android 16 QPR3 beta testing on December 17, 2025. The reported control lets users hide At a Glance from the home screen while keeping the broader feature enabled. The setting is associated with the Pixel Launcher and relevant Android software, so it should not be assumed to be present on every Pixel simply because a beta report showed it.
#1 Best Overall
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
Google’s March 2026 Pixel feature-drop announcement continued to describe At a Glance as an actively developed feature, including additional types of information. It does not clearly document the home-screen removal switch. Availability and exact menu wording can therefore depend on the Pixel model, installed Android and Pixel Launcher versions, and staged rollout status. Some individual At a Glance features also have their own device, account, language or regional limits; those are separate from whether the home-screen switch appears.
How to remove At a Glance from the home screen
- Go to the first page of your Pixel home screen.
- Long-press the At a Glance area at the top of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Find Show on home screen.
- Turn the switch off.
On supported builds, the At a Glance block should disappear from the home screen, leaving the area available for other widgets or app icons. The reported path is based on the Android 16 QPR3 beta-era interface; labels or placement may vary by build.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
“Show on home screen” is not “Use At a Glance”
These controls have different jobs. Show on home screen is the targeted option for removing the home-screen block. Use At a Glance, where available, controls the feature more broadly. If you want the information gone only from the home screen but still want it on other surfaces, switch off the former and leave the latter on.
At a Glance may remain on the lock screen or always-on display when only its home-screen display is disabled. If you want to reduce it more broadly, look for Use At a Glance and turn it off as well, if your build offers that option. The precise result can vary. Also, the date may remain visible: disabling contextual information is not necessarily the same as removing every item in the top row.
If the setting is missing
- Check for updates. Install the latest Android update offered for your phone, and check for Pixel Launcher updates through the Play Store.
- Restart after updating. A restart can help the launcher load its updated controls.
- Long-press the right place. Press the At a Glance area itself, rather than an empty part of the wallpaper, and then inspect its settings.
- Check Home settings. If the long-press menu does not expose the control, look through the home-screen settings for At a Glance or Pixel Launcher options.
- Consider device and rollout limits. The switch may not have reached your device yet, or your model or launcher environment may differ. Pixel Tablet behavior should not be assumed to match phone behavior; Google documents some At a Glance capabilities with separate tablet limitations.
- Give a staged rollout time. If the phone and launcher are current but the switch is absent, it may not yet be available on that device. A factory reset is not a reasonable first step for a missing launcher setting.
At a Glance is part of the launcher experience, not an ordinary app that can simply be uninstalled. Google’s general guidance on preinstalled apps explains that system-app controls differ from removing a normal app, but uninstalling or disabling an app is not the same as hiding this widget.
Not the same as removing the Search bar
The At a Glance setting does not remove the Google Search bar. That bar is a separate Pixel Launcher component with a separate customization story. Android 17 reporting has discussed possible Search-bar changes, while Google’s cited Android 17 announcement documents other home-screen options, such as hiding app names—not universal Search-bar removal. Do not follow At a Glance instructions expecting the Search bar to disappear.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
Which option fits your preference?
- Want more home-screen space, but still value At a Glance elsewhere? Turn off Show on home screen only.
- Want less contextual information across the Pixel interface? Also turn off Use At a Glance, if available, and check the result on your lock screen and always-on display.
- Want to redesign more than this one area? A third-party launcher may offer more control over layout, but it changes more of the interface and may affect gestures or Pixel-specific features. It is an alternative, not a requirement for this setting.
Sources: 9to5Google’s report on the Android 16 QPR3 beta switch; Google’s March 2026 Pixel feature drop; Google Pixel Help on preinstalled apps; Google’s Android 17 announcement.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
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.
