How to change the menu on an Android phone: 7 methods from standard to advanced

The menu on an Android smartphone is not just a list of applications, but a key element of interaction with the device. Its convenience determines how quickly you can find the service you need, switch between tasks, or customize the appearance of the system. However, not all users know that standard menu can not only be customized, but also completely replaced - both visually and functionally.

The problem is that manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi or Google) often impose their shells with fixed settings. Some want to return the classic look Android 10, some lack gestures, and some are simply tired of advertising in branded launchers. In this article we will look at all the methods - from basic settings to installing alternative shells that will turn your smartphone into a unique device.

Important: menu changes do not require root access, but some advanced functions (for example, deep customization of system icons) may require unlocking the bootloader. We will indicate exactly where this is necessary.

1. Standard menu settings: what can be changed without third-party apps

Even in “pure” Android and proprietary shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS) there are hidden options for customizing the menu. They are often ignored, although they allow you to:

• 🔄 Change the order of icons and folders on the home screen
• 📱 Adjust the number of rows/columns in the application menu
• 🎨 Apply a dark/light theme or accent colors
• 🔍 Add/remove a search bar in the application menu

To open these settings, go to Settings → Screen → Home screen (the path may differ depending on the shell). For example, in Samsung One UI you need to go to Settings → Screen → Panel launch, and in MIUI you need to go to Theme → Lock screen settings.

Hidden function: on some smartphones (for example, Google Pixel) you can activate gestures for the application menu. To do this, hold your finger on a free area on the main screen → select Home screen settings → Gestures → enable the option Swipe up for the application menu.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with a shell Flyme (for example Meizu), changing the number of icons in a row may cause animations to fail. Before experiments, make a backup copy of your settings via Settings → Account → Backup.

2. How to change the appearance of the menu using themes and styles

If you don’t like the design of the standard menu, but don’t want to install third-party launchers, use the built-in themes. Most manufacturers offer:

• 🌓 Dark/light mode (automatic switching on a schedule)
• 🎨 Color accents (for example, blue, green, purple)
• 🖼️ Menu backgrounds with blur or gradient
• 📱 Icons in the Material You style (on Android 12+)

On Samsung themes are installed via Settings → Appearance → Themes. In MIUI there is a separate application for this Themes, where you can download both free and paid options. On Google Pixel the menu color scheme automatically adjusts to the wallpaper - this function is called Monet (available from Android 12).

Professional life hack: if you don’t like the icons applications, but you do not want to change the launcher, use icon packs through the app Icon Pack Studio (available in Google Play). After installing the package, the icons will change in the entire menu, including system applications.

⚠️ Attention: on some devices Huawei (with EMUI), installing themes from third-party sources may block access to Huawei AppGallery. Use only official themes from the store. Huawei Themes.

3. Installing a third-party launcher: complete menu replacement

If the built-in settings are not enough, install alternative launcherThis application completely replaces the standard menu, adding new functions:

• 🔧 Flexible gesture settings (for example, swipe down to search)
• 📂 Hidden folders and applications (password or PIN code)
• 🎭 Animations of transitions between screens
• 🔄 Automatic sorting of icons by color/category

Popular launchers:

• Nova Launcher —the best choice for advanced users (gesture support, backup settings).
• Microsoft Launcher —integration with Windows (synchronization of notifications, access to PC files).
• Action Launcher - unique widgets and adaptive icons.
• Lawnchair - lightweight launcher in the style Pixel.

To install the launcher:

1. Download it from Google Play.
2. After installation, press Home and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. Customize the menu via Long press on the screen → Settings launcher.

Important: on devices with EMUI 12+ and ColorOS 13+ some launchers may display system notifications incorrectly. Before installation, check compatibility on the developer's website.

Make a backup copy of your current screen settings|

Check the compatibility of the launcher with the Android version|

Disable battery optimization for the launcher (in application settings)|

Check stability reviews on your smartphone model-->

4. Setting up the menu via Good Lock (only for Samsung)

If you have a smartphone Samsung based on One UI, use the application Good Lock —an official tool for deep customization. With it you can:

• 📱 Change the number of rows/columns in the application menu (up to 7×7).
• 🔄 Customize menu opening/closing animations.
• 🎨 Apply unofficial themes for system icons.
• 🔍 Add a search bar to the bottom of the screen.

How install Good Lock:

1. Download Good Lock from Galaxy Store (not available in Google Play).
2. Install additional modules:
   • Home Up — to customize the home screen.
   • Theme Park — to create custom theme.
   • Nice Catch —for debugging animations.

Hidden feature: in Good Lock you can turn on Mode "Android 12" even on One UI 5/6, so that the application menu opens from the bottom (as in Pixel). To do this, in the module Home Up select Menu style → Bottom menu.

⚠️ Attention: modules Good Lock may conflict with some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or TinkoffIf payment services stop working after installation, disable Good Lock v. security settings (Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings).

5. Changing the menu via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to change system menu settings that are not available through the GUI (for example, disable advertising in MIUI or change the screen density), use ADB commands. This method requires connecting your smartphone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Examples of useful commands:

# Change the number of columns in the application menu (for example, to 5)
adb shell settings put secure home_grid_column_count 5

Disable menu tips (for Android 11+)
adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1
adb shell settings put global show_tips 0

Remove the search bar from the menu (Samsung One UI)
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.sec.android.app.launcher/.activities.SearchActivity

Important: before executing commands, enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).

Critical information: on devices with MIUI 14+ some ADB commands may reset the device region, which will lead to loss of access to Google Play. Before experiments, create a full backup via adb backup.

adb shell pm clear com.android.launcher3

(replace com.android.launcher3 with your launcher package, for example com.sec.android.app.launcher for Samsung).-->

6. Hidden menu functions: what Android can do, but does not show

Android hides a number of functions that can be activated through developer settings or special combinations. Here are the most useful of them:

• 🔍 Search in settings: in the application menu, enter a request. (for example, "Bluetooth"), and the system will show all related settings.
• 📱 One-handed mode: swipe the bottom panel of the screen to the side (works on One UI and MIUI).
• 🔄 Quick switching between applications: swipe twice on the bottom panel (analog Alt+Tab on PC).
• 🎨 Color filters: turn on Settings → Accessibility → Color correction to improve menu visibility.

On devices with Android 13+ there is a hidden function "Instant menu" - hold the application icon in the menu to open the context menu with quick actions (for example, “Send” or “Favorites”). To activate it, run the command:

adb shell settings put secure long_press_timeout 300

This will reduce the long press delay to 300 ms (standard - 500 ms).

⚠️ Attention: on some devices Realme and Oppo activating developer mode may lead to factory reset ColorOS. Before enabling USB debugging, export the settings via Settings → Advanced settings → Backup and reset.

7. Solving problems: the menu does not open or does not work correctly

If after the changes the menu stops responding to clicks, disappears or opens with a delay, use these tips:

If the problem persists, perform reset the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find your launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or One UI Home).
3. Select Storage → Clear data.
4. Reboot your device.

A last resort: if the menu is completely broken, install an alternative launcher via Safe Mode (hold the power button → hold "Turn off" → go to safe mode). In this mode, all third-party applications are disabled, and you can install a new launcher.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about customizing the menu on Android

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution