You can change a Samsung Galaxy interface through built-in Settings, One UI Home controls, Galaxy Themes, and—where supported—Good Lock modules. Choose the route by what you want to change: navigation, Home or Lock screen, coordinated colors and icons, or finer layout details. Menu names and availability vary by model, carrier, region, and One UI version.
How do I change the UI on my Samsung phone?
Start with the part of the interface you want to adjust. You usually do not need to install a different launcher for ordinary Home screen changes: One UI Home is preinstalled, and Samsung says it cannot be removed from Galaxy phones and tablets. Optional Samsung tools are useful for broader themes or more detailed controls.
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| What you want to change | Where to start | Scope and availability |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation buttons or gestures | Settings > Display > Navigation bar | Built-in controls; available choices depend on software and device. |
| Wallpaper, widgets, Home or Lock screen | One UI Home and the relevant Home or Lock screen controls | Built-in personalization; exact controls vary by One UI version and model. |
| Coordinated theme or icons | Galaxy Themes | Theme coverage differs; a theme may not change every app or interface area. |
| More detailed Samsung-specific layout and styling | Good Lock modules, if available for your device and region | Optional modules add controls, but availability is not universal. |
Samsung cautions that screens and settings can vary by wireless provider, software version, and device model. The steps below identify common routes, not guaranteed menu labels for every Galaxy device.
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How do I change the navigation bar to gestures?
- Open Settings > Display > Navigation bar.
- Select Swipe gestures to replace the navigation buttons. Select Buttons to return to button navigation; on supported versions, you can also choose the button order.
- Follow any on-screen controls to learn the available gestures. If the menu differs or an option is missing, your device’s One UI version may use a different arrangement.
Gesture behavior has changed across One UI releases. Samsung’s guide describes One UI 6.0 as supporting separate swipe areas along the bottom. For One UI 6.1 and later, it describes side swipes for Back and bottom swipes for Home and Recents; the swipe direction cannot be changed in those versions. These are the behaviors documented in Samsung’s navigation guide, and later software may change the available options.
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How do I customize my Samsung Home screen or Lock screen?
One UI Home is Samsung’s preinstalled launcher: it manages the Home screen and app screen, rather than serving as an optional app you need to replace. Use the controls available on your device to change wallpaper and Lock screen style, add Home screen widgets, and configure Edge panels. Samsung’s One UI Home guide covers these built-in options.
Home screen grids and One UI 7
Home screen layout options depend on software and model. Samsung’s UK One UI 7 guide, updated 19 March 2026, describes changes to grid choices, icon sizes and labels, landscape behavior, and panel controls. It notes that the default grid selection no longer includes 4×5 and 5×5 on One UI 7; this is not a universal statement for every Galaxy model or region. Consult Samsung’s One UI 7 Home Screen and Wallpaper guide and the settings on your device.
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- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Quick settings and notifications
One UI 7 also changes the notification and Quick settings layout. Samsung’s Canada guide describes those panels and notes that options can vary across models and software versions. See its One UI 7 overview for details relevant to that regional guide.
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Galaxy Themes applies coordinated visual designs. Depending on the individual theme, it may include wallpaper, app icons, designs for supported Samsung apps, sounds, some fonts, and an overall layout. A theme does not necessarily cover every category or every app, so check its detail page before applying it. Samsung explains the range of theme elements in its Galaxy Themes guide.
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- Open the Galaxy Themes app or its entry in your device’s settings, then browse themes or icons.
- Open an item’s details and check what it changes and whether it is compatible with your device.
- Apply the theme or icon set and review the result. If some icons remain unchanged, the pack may not include those apps.
Samsung’s US guide says a Samsung account is required for Galaxy Themes and that themes are not supported on Galaxy Tabs. It also says DeX themes are supported only on compatible devices running Android 16 with One UI 8.0, with customization limited to app icons. These compatibility details reflect the scope of that US guide; check current support for your device and region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can Good Lock change?
Good Lock is Samsung’s optional suite of customization apps, organized into modules. Samsung India lists examples such as Home Up for Home screen, app-screen, folder, and Edge panel layouts; Theme Park for themes and icons; NavStar for navigation bar and gesture customization; and Keys Cafe for keyboard styling. Other listed modules address areas such as the Lock screen, wallpapers, and notifications.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Good Lock modules are not guaranteed to be available on every Galaxy device, in every country, or with every One UI version. Check the local Galaxy Store listing and supported software before installing or following module-specific steps. Samsung’s Good Lock overview describes capabilities in the context of its India support page.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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Which customization route should I use?
- For gestures or button behavior: use the built-in Navigation bar settings first.
- For wallpaper, widgets, and ordinary Home or Lock screen changes: use One UI Home’s built-in controls.
- For a coordinated visual treatment: browse Galaxy Themes and inspect what each theme includes.
- For more granular layout or styling controls: check whether the relevant Good Lock module is available for your device and region.
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