How to customize the menu on Android 10: a complete guide with hidden functions

Android 10, released in 2019, still remains one of the most stable and popular versions of the operating system. Despite the release of newer updates, many devices (especially budget models Samsung Galaxy A, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, Nokia 7.2 and others) continue to work on this version. The menu setup here is radically different from modern ones Android 13/14 there is no default gesture control, a different design for quick settings and unique features like dark theme at the system level.

In this article we will look at not only the basic parameters (changing wallpaper, rearranging icons), but also hidden functions of Android 10 that allow you to finely customize the interface without root access. For example, how to return the classic menu with buttons instead of gestures, configure the display of notifications for each application separately, or activate developer mode for advanced features. If your device has not been updated for a long time, but you do not want to buy a new smartphone, these settings will help make it more convenient.

Before you begin, please note: some menu items may differ depending on shell manufacturer (MIUI, One UI, EMUI, etc.). We will focus on pure Android 10 (as on Google Pixel 3/4 or Android Onedevices), but we will give tips for popular brands.

1. Basic settings of the main screen and application menu

Let's start with the most obvious - changing the appearance of the desktop. In Android 10, this is done by long pressing on an empty area of ​​the screen or through the Settings → Display → Screen stylesection. Here's what you can configure:

• 📱 Change wallpaper: select from the gallery, download from the Internet or use dynamic wallpaper (if supported). On Samsung there is a separate application for this Themes.
• 🔄 Rarrange icons: hold your finger on the icon to drag it or delete it to the trash. On Xiaomi to do this, you need to hold down the icon and select “Delete” in the top panel.
• 📁 Application folders: drag one icon onto another to create a folder. In Android 10 there is no limit on the number of folders on the screen (unlike newer versions).
• ⚙️ Launcher settings: in pure Android this is done by long pressing → “Screen Settings”. Here you can enable automatic rotation, change the size of the icon grid or hide the search bar Google.

Please note: if you have a third-party launcher installed (for example Nova Launcher or Action Launcher), these settings will be in its menu. In this case, the path will be different: usually swipe up → “Launcher Settings.”

⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei with the EMUI 10 shell, some menu items may be hidden in the application Themes or Smart Assistant. If you don’t find the option you need, try searching for it through the search bar in the main settings (magnifying glass icon at the top).

2. Configuring the quick settings panel and notifications

The quick settings panel (aka “curtain”) in Android 10 has become more flexible than in previous versions. Now here you can not only turn on/off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but also change the order of buttons, add new elements (for example, Airplane mode or Hotspot) and even customize the display of notifications for each application separately.

To change the panel:

1. Swipe down twice from the top edge of the screen to fully open the curtain.
2. Tap the pencil icon (✏️) on the right bottom corner (or hold down any icon for 2 seconds).
3. Drag the necessary elements to the active area (top of the screen). Unused buttons will remain at the bottom.
4. Click “Done” or a cross to save changes.

To configure notifications:

• 🔔 Long-press a notification from any application → select “All categories” or “Notification settings.”
• 📵 Here you can turn off sound, vibration or completely block notifications from this application.
• 🔕 On Samsung there is an additional option “Important notifications” - they will be shown even in the “Do not disturb” mode.

Remove unnecessary buttons (for example, NFC, if not are using)

Add frequently used (hot spot, invert colors)

Disable notifications from unnecessary applications

Set up priority notifications (for calls, SMS)

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On some devices (for example, Xiaomi) in the curtain advertisement is displayed. To remove it:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Click on “MIUI Version” several times to activate developer mode.
3. Go back to the main settings, find the new section “For Developers” and disable option Show advertising in system applications.

3. Gestures vs navigation buttons: how to switch and what to select

Android 10 was the first version where Gesture controls was offered by default. However, many users prefer the classic three buttons (Back, Home, Recents). Fortunately, you can easily switch between modes here.

To change the navigation method:

1. Open Settings → System → Gestures.
2. Select one from the options:
   • 🔘 2-button navigation: swipe up to return to the main screen, swipe right to go back.
   • 🔘 3-button navigation: classic buttons at the bottom of the screen.
   • 🔘 Full screen gestures (hides the bottom panel completely, swipe along the edges of the screen).

Reboot the device if the changes are not applied immediately.

Comparison of navigation modes:

Mode	Pros	Cons	Best for
3-button	Usual, no random swipes	Takes up space on the screen	Beginners, users with thumbs
2-button	More space for content	Requires getting used to swipe	Users who want a modern interface
Full-screen gestures	Maximum screen space	Difficult to go back in some applications	Fans minimalism, owners of devices with a cutout

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung with the One UI shell, the path to the gesture settings is different: Settings → Screen → Navigation bar. A unique “Gestures with Hints” mode is also available here - a hybrid option for a smooth transition from buttons to swipes.

4. Dark theme and other hidden display functions

One ​​of the most popular features of Android 10 is system dark theme, which automatically recolors not only the settings, but also supported applications (for example, Google Chrome, YouTube, Gmail). It is turned on in two ways:

• 🌙 Through quick settings: swipe the curtain down → find the “Dark theme” icon (if it is not there, add it through editing, as described above).
• ⚙️ Via settings: Settings → Display → Themes → select “Dark”.

Additional dark theme options:

• ⏰ Automatic activation according to schedule: in the theme settings you can set the time (for example, from 21:00 to 7:00).
• 🔄 Force activation for all applications: activate developer mode (more on this below) and enable the option Force use dark theme. Does not work in all applications!
• 🎨 Customizing accent colors: on Pixel and some other devices, you can change the highlight color in the menu (blue, green, purple, etc.).

In addition to the dark theme, Android 10 has other useful display features:

• 👁️ Text enlargement: Settings → Accessibility → Font size. You can set the value up to 130% of the standard.
• 📱 Mode for visually impaired: Here you can also enable high-contrast themes or invert colors.
• 🔍 Color correction: for people with color blindness (settings in the same "Accessibility" section).

5. Developer mode: hidden features of Android 10

Developer mode gives access to dozens of additional settings that are hidden by default. For example, here you can speed up interface animation, enable USB debugging (for connecting to a PC) or even simulate a secondary display (useful for presentations).

To activate developer mode:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Find "Build number" (or "MIUI version" on Xiaomi).
3. Click on it 7 times in a row. A notification “You have become a developer!” will appear.
4. Go back to the main settings - a new section “For Developers” will appear there (usually at the bottom of the list).

Useful options in developer mode:

Option	What it does	Recommendation
Window animation, Transition animation	Controls the speed of opening applications	Set the value 0.5x to speed up work
Keep the screen on	The screen remains on when charging	Useful for viewing recipes or instructions
Force GPU acceleration to be enabled	Uses the GPU for 2D rendering	Can speed up the interface, but increases battery consumption
USB debugging	Allows you to connect to a PC for debugging	Enable only when necessary (risk security)

⚠️ Attention: Changing some parameters (for example, Minimum. width in the “Scaling” section) can lead to application failures. If after the changes the interface begins to glitch, reset the developer settings to standard or disable the mode completely.

What happens if you reset the developer settings?

All changes made in this section will return to default values. The developer mode itself will not be disabled - you need to deactivate it manually in the settings (or reset all phone settings).

6. Optimizing performance and battery

Android 10 offers several tools to extend battery life and speed up the system. Here are the key settings:

• 🔋 Adaptive battery: analyzes your habits and limits the background activity of rarely used applications. Included in Settings → Battery → Adaptive. battery.
• 📉 Background limitation: in the same section, you can manually prevent applications from running in the background (for example, for Facebook or TikTokthat drain the battery heavily).
• 🌐 Traffic saving mode: limits background use mobile data. Useful if you have a small Internet package. Path: Settings → Network and Internet → Traffic saving.
• 🔄 Memory optimization: in the “Memory” section you can see which applications take up the most space and clear the cache.

For additional system speed:

• 🗑️ Clear the cache regularly (but do not delete application data if you are not sure!).
• 🔄 Disable animation in developer mode (as described above).
• 📵 Remove or freeze unnecessary system applications (this will require root access or ADB).

7. Setting up security and privacy

In Android 10, control over application permissions has been significantly strengthened. Now you can not only deny access to the camera or microphone, but also restrict access only while using the application (for example, allow Instagram to use the location only while the application is open).

How to set permissions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications and notifications → Permissions.
2. Select a permission type (for example, “Camera” or “Location”).
3. Tap on the application and select one of the options:
   • 🚫 Deny —access is completely denied.
   • ☑️ Allow only during use —access is available only while the application is open.
   • 🔓 Allow always —full access (not recommended for most applications).

Other important security settings:

• 🔒 Application blocking: on Xiaomi and Samsung you can set a password for individual applications (for example, gallery or instant messengers).
• 📱 Google Play Protect: checks applications for viruses. Enabled in Settings → Security → Google Play Protect.
• 🔑 Encryption devices: if not enabled by default, activate in Settings → Security → Encryption. The process can take up to an hour!

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Huawei Mobile Services (instead of Google Play) some security features (for example, Play Protect) may be missing. In this case, install an antivirus from AppGallery (for example, Dr.Web or Avast).

8. Personalizing sounds and vibrations

In Android 10, it became possible to fine-tune sound signals and vibration - from standard ringtones to notifications for individual contacts. Here's what you can do:

• 🔔 Change sound notifications: Settings → Sound → Default notification sound. Here you can select a melody from the list or add your own (the file must be in the format .mp3, .wav or .ogg).
• 📞 Custom ringtones for contacts:
  1. Open the Contacts application.
  2. Select a contact → "Edit" → "Call sound by by default."
  3. Upload your own melody or select from the standard ones.

📳 Settings vibration: in the "Sound" section you can change the vibration intensity for calls, notifications and touches. Samsung there is a separate section "Vibration and tactile sensations."

🔕 Do not disturb mode:

• 🕒 According to a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 8:00).
• 📵 Completely muting sounds or only for notifications (bells will ring).
• 👤 Exceptions for important contacts (“Calls from favorites”)

For devices with stereo speakers (for example, Pixel 4 or OnePlus 7T) in the sound settings there is an additional option “Stereo Sound” - it allows you to adjust the balance between left and right speaker.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up Android 10

Is it possible to install gestures on Android 10, like in new versions of Android?

Yes, but not on all devices. On Google Pixel and some other smartphones with pure Android there is an option “Full screen gestures” in settings (System → Gestures). On Samsung and Xiaomi such gestures appeared only in newer versions of shells (One UI 3.0+ and MIUI 12+, respectively).

If your device does not support modern gestures, you can install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) with support for swipes.

How to return the old style of notifications (as in Android 9)?

Unfortunately, the notification system has been completely redesigned in Android 10, and you cannot return the old look. You can customize the current one a little:

• Disable “Notification Grouping” in application settings.
• In developer mode, enable the option Show full notification settings (not on all devices).
• Use alternative launchers like Lawnchairthat offer their own notification styles.

Why did some settings disappear after updating to Android 10?

This is due to the fact that shell manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Huawei) often remove or move menu items during major updates. Here's what to do:

1. Use search by settings (magnifying glass icon at the top).
2. Check the “Advanced” or “More” section - rarely used options are often moved there.
3. If you do not find a specific function (for example, setting an LED indicator), it may have been removed from your model. Try installing a third-party application for control (for example Light Manager for LED).

How to disable advertising in system applications on Xiaomi/Redmi?

Advertising in MIUI 10/11 is disabled like this:

1. Activate developer mode (click on “MIUI version” 7 times in “About phone”)
2. Go back to settings and open the “For developers” section.
3. Find the option Show advertising in system applications and disable it.
4. Restart the device.

If advertising remains, check the settings of individual applications (for example, Mi Video or Topics) - there may be additional switches there.

Is it possible to install Android 11/12 on Android 10 without an official update?

Technically yes, but this requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery (for example TWRP) and flashing an unofficial build (for example LineageOS or Pixel Experience). This process:

• 🔓 Resets all data on the device.
• ⚠️ May lead to loss of warranty.
• 🔧 Required technical skills (risk of “bricking” the device).

If you are a beginner, it is better to wait for the official update or buy a new smartphone. For experienced users, instructions on the firmware are available on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA (look for a topic for your model).