Key Highlights
- This was such a significant milestone with many features we’ve heard about for months stepping out of testing and coming to our phones on a stable build.
- Two of these features are centered around icon launcher customization, and as a Pixel Launcher fan, they’re the first two things I immediately checked when I updated. First, Google has brought back icon shape customization, a feature that was available in the default Pixel Launcher up until Android 11, but was removed with Android 12’s Material You.
- Second, Google has finally implemented forced icon theming, which makes any icon adapt to your current Material color and shape choice, even if the developer didn’t implement it. Here’s how to turn on both features and my impressions of how well they work.
- Do you use themed icons on your Pixel phone?6 votesYes, I've been using them for a while (default launcher)50%Yes, I've been using them for a while (third-party launcher)0%No, I tried them, but there were too many un-themed icons.33%I've started using them with Android 16 QPR2.17%How to customize your Pixel’s home screen iconsRita El Khoury / Android AuthorityPrerequisites: A compatible Pixel on the December update Before you do any of this, you need to ensure you have a compatible phone.
- Icon shapes and theming are available on all Pixel phones running the latest QPR2 December update, which includes any Google phone from the Pixel 6 onward.
