Captions under icons on the Android desktop often take up extra space and spoil the aesthetics of minimalist wallpaper or just annoying. This is especially noticeable on smartphones with small screens, where every pixel counts. Fortunately, manufacturers and third-party developers offer several ways to remove text labels - from built-in launcher functions to using ADB commands.

In this article we will look at all current methods for different versions of Android and shells: from Samsung One UI to Xiaomi MIUI i Huawei EMUI. You will learn how to hide signatures without root access, which launchers support this feature out of the box, and what to do if the standard settings do not work. And for advanced users - instructions for manually editing system parameters.

Why icon labels are annoying and when to remove them

At first glance, the text under application icons seems useful: it helps you quickly find your way, especially if you have many apps installed with similar icons. However, there are several scenarios when it is better to get rid of signatures:

  • 🎨 Minimalistic design: you are using abstract wallpaper or a theme with transparent icons, and the text spoils the overall picture.
  • 📱 Small screen: on devices with a diagonal of less than 5.5 inches, signatures occupy up to 30% of the usable workspace table.
  • 🧩 Non-standard layout: you are used to being guided by the location of icons, and not by their names (as on iOS).
  • 👁️ Vision problems: contrasting text on colored wallpaper can cause discomfort during prolonged use.

It is important to understand that Some system applications (for example, Phone or Messages) may become more difficult to distinguish without signatures. If you often use a voice assistant or gestures, the lack of text is not critical. But for older users or those who share the phone with other family members, it is better to leave labels at least for key apps.

📊 What launcher do you use on Android?
Standard (from the manufacturer)
Nova Launcher
Apex Launcher
Microsoft Launcher
Other

Method 1: Built-in launcher settings (without root)

Many branded Android shells allow you to hide icon signatures through standard settings. Let's look at step-by-step guide for popular brands. If your manufacturer is not in the list, proceed to the next method.

For Samsung (One UI 4.0 and later)

  1. Press an empty space on the desktop → select Desktop settings.
  2. Go to Desktop layout → Application icons.
  3. Activate the option Hide application names.

For Xiaomi (MIUI 12–14)

  1. Press your finger on an empty space on the screen → Desktop settings.
  2. Select Icon style → Icon settings.
  3. Disable the switch Show titles applications.

For Huawei/Honor (EMUI 10+ / Magic UI)

  1. Pinch empty space on the screen → Desktop settings.
  2. Go to Style icons → Label settings.
  3. Select Hide application labels.

On devices Oppo, Realme i Vivo a similar option is usually found in Theme settings → Desktop settings. If you do not find the item in the menu, your version of the shell may not support this function. In this case, use third-party launchers (method 2).

Make a backup copy of the current icon layout|

Check the shell version in the phone settings|

Close all background applications for a stable work|

Make sure that there is enough free space on your phone (minimum 500 MB)-->

Method 2: Third-party launchers that support hiding signatures

If the standard launcher of your smartphone does not know how to hide the names of icons, the best solution is to install an alternative one. We tested 5 popular launchers and identified those that are guaranteed to support this function:

Launcher Support for hiding signatures Additional advantages Cons
Nova Launcher ✅ Yes (in icon settings) Flexible gesture settings, support for icon packs Paid Premium version for some functions
Apex Launcher ✅ Yes (in the "Icon Settings" section) Lightweight, optimized for weak devices Outdated interface design
Microsoft Launcher ❌ No Integration with Windows, file synchronization Limited customization options
Action Launcher ✅ Yes (via "Quickedit" icons) Unique gestures, adaptive icons Difficult for beginners
Lawnchair ✅ Yes (in appearance settings) Open source, minimalistic design Rare updates

We recommend starting with Nova Launcher —it is the most balanced in functionality and stability. To hide signatures:

  1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one.
  2. Press an empty space on the screen → Settings → Appearance.
  3. Select Icons → uncheck Show labels.
💡

If after changing the launcher some system icons (for example, “Settings” or “Camera”) remain with signatures, try updating the launcher cache in its settings or reboot your phone.

Method 3: Using ADB commands (for advanced)

If you do not want to install third-party launchers, but your shell does not support hiding signatures, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method works on most devices running Android 8.0 and later, but requires a connection to a computer.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB may cause the interface to malfunction. Please back up your data before running commands. If you are not sure of your actions, skip this method.

  1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → For developers).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with platform-tools.
  3. Run the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    Make sure that your device is displayed in the list.

  4. Enter the command to hide the signatures: 
    adb shell settings put secure icon_labels 0

    To return the signatures, replace 0 with 1.

  5. Reboot the device.

This method works on pure Android (Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) and some custom firmwares. On devices with heavily modified shells (for example, ColorOS or Funtouch OS) may not work. work.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed (download them from the manufacturer's official website). Try using a different USB cable (preferably the original one). In the developer settings, enable the "Allow USB debugging" option. (safe mode). devices.

Method 4: Editing system files (root only)

If you have root access, you can manually edit the system files responsible for displaying signatures. This method is the most risky, but gives 100% results on any device.

⚠️ Attention: Changing system files can lead to inability to boot the phoneBefore you start, create a full backup via TWRP or another custom recovery.

  1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to the path /system/usr/idc/ and find the file Launcher.idc (the name may vary depending on from the shell).
  3. Open the file in a text editor and find the line: 
    label.visible = true

    Replace true with false.

  4. Save changes, set permissions 644 (rw-r--r--) and reboot device.

On some firmware (for example, LineageOS), the path may differ: /system/vendor/overlay/. If you do not find the file you need, use the keyword search label in the system section.

Method 5: Special themes and icon packs

Some themes for Android offer not only changing the appearance of icons, but also the ability to hide their names. This method works on devices that support themes (for example, Samsung Themes, Xiaomi Themes, Huawei Themes).

Where to look for suitable themes:

  • 🛍️ Official theme stores: in the shell settings there is usually a "Themes" section with a catalog.
  • 🌐 Third-party resources: XDA Developers, APKMirror or specialized forums (for example, for MIUI — miuithemes.com).
  • 🎨 Iconpacks: some icon packs (for example, Whicons or Minimal O) include an option to hide text.

Example of theme installation on Xiaomi:

  1. Open the application Themes → Online.
  2. Enter the query in the search no label or hide text.
  3. Select the theme you like and apply it.
  4. If the signatures remain, check the additional settings of the theme (usually there is a separate switch for labels).
💡

Themes and icon packs are the safest way to hide signatures, but it does not work on all skins. Before purchasing a paid theme, check the reviews about compatibility with your smartphone model.

Frequent problems and theirs. solutions

Even after successfully hiding signatures, you may encounter unexpected bugs. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
The signatures disappeared, but returned after a reboot The launcher resets its settings Clear the launcher cache in the application settings or secure the settings via ADB
Gestures on icons without signatures do not work Shell system bug Return signatures for key applications or use another launcher
Icons moved after hiding the text Wrong desktop grid Change the grid size in the launcher settings (for example, 5x6 instead of 4x5)
ADB command is not used The shell is blocking changes Try an alternative command: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER_HINTS -e no_labels true

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • 🔄 System updates: some manufacturers add the function of hiding signatures in new versions of shells.
  • 📱 Device model: on budget smartphones (for example, Redmi 5A or Samsung Galaxy A03) may not have enough resources for third-party launchers to work correctly.
  • 🛠️ Availability of modifications: if you use custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), look for a solution on the forum of its developers.
Is it possible to hide signatures only for individual icons?

Yes, but not on all launchers. In Nova Launcher press the icon → Edit → Edit → uncheck Show label. In standard shells, this option is usually not available.

Why did the signatures appear again after updating Android?

Updating the system may reset the launcher settings or overwrite system files. Try repeating the steps you selected. method. If you use ADB, apply the command again after each major update.

Is it safe to use ADB to hide signatures?

The command itself is safe - it only changes the display setting. The risk arises if you enter other commands or edit system files without. understand the consequences. Always check the commands on reliable sources (for example, adb shell settings put secure icon_labels 0 is safe - it only changes the display setting. The risk occurs if you enter other commands or edit system files without understanding the consequences. Always check commands with reliable sources (for example, XDA Developers).

How to return signatures if the launcher stops working?

If after the changes the launcher starts to freeze or does not open, try:

  1. Clear the cache and launcher data in Settings → Applications.
  2. Install another launcher (for example, Lawnchair) via Safe Mode.
  3. Reset the launcher settings to factory settings (the option is usually in its menu).

As a last resort, return standard launcher via Settings → Applications → Default.

Are there applications for hiding signatures without root and ADB?

There are no direct applications for this task, but you can use:

  • Icon Changer (allows you to replace icons to transparent, but does not remove the text).
  • Desktop VisualizeR (creates widgets instead of icons, but requires manual configuration).
  • KWGT Kustom Widget Maker (advanced tool for creating custom widgets without captions).

These methods are more labor-intensive than launchers, but provide more opportunities for customization.