Summary
A cluttered home screen is something almost every smartphone user experiences over time. As you install more apps, your home screen gradually becomes crowded, making it harder to maintain a clean and organized layout. While deleting unused apps or grouping them into folders can help, those solutions only go so far.
With Android 17, Google introduces a feature that has been available on some other smartphones for years: the ability to hide app names. Once your Pixel is updated, you can remove app labels from the home screen, creating a cleaner appearance while freeing up additional screen space.
Update Your Pixel to Android 17
Since this feature is exclusive to Android 17, you’ll first need to update your Pixel.
To check for the update:
- Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Select Software Updates.
- Tap System update.
- If your device is running Android 16 or an earlier version, tap Check for update, even if the screen says your system is up to date.
If you own a Pixel 6 or a newer model, you should be able to download the latest Android 17 update.
Hiding app names is just one of several additions in Android 17. The update also introduces improved multitasking capabilities, enhanced gaming features, a new screen reaction feature, and a range of security improvements and new protections.
How to Hide App Names and Free Up Home Screen Space
App labels may seem insignificant, but they contribute to visual clutter. Even small text occupies space, and when combined with dozens of apps, it can make the home screen feel busy. Even users with relatively few apps may find the labels distracting, especially if they prefer a clean, minimalist interface.
To hide app names:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wallpaper & style.
- Select Home screen.
- Tap Icons.
- Select Names.
- Turn off Show app names.
After disabling the setting, only the app icons will remain visible, leaving your home screen looking cleaner and more spacious.
For most users, app names become unnecessary after using their phone for a short period. Once you’re familiar with your apps, recognizing icons becomes second nature, and navigating between frequently used apps often relies on muscle memory. Removing the labels doesn’t make the phone any more difficult to use.
More Ways to Clean Up Your Pixel Home Screen
If you’d like an even cleaner look, there are several additional customization options available.
Enable Gesture Navigation
By default, Pixel devices display three navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen: Home, Back, and Recents. These buttons permanently occupy part of the display.
Switching to Gesture navigation replaces those buttons with swipe gestures, allowing you to return to the Home screen, go back, and access recent apps using simple swipes. Besides offering a more modern navigation experience—particularly for users coming from an iPhone—it also frees up additional screen space.
To enable Gesture navigation:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & touch.
- Select Navigation mode.
- Choose Gesture navigation.
Choose a Simpler Wallpaper
Your wallpaper also affects how clean your home screen appears. Busy or highly detailed backgrounds can make the interface feel more cluttered.
To change your wallpaper:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wallpaper & style.
- Select Wallpapers.
Choosing a simple wallpaper that complements your app icons can create a more consistent and organized appearance. Android will automatically adjust the system color palette to match the wallpaper, although you can manually customize the colors by selecting Colors within the Wallpaper & style menu.
Switch to Minimal App Icons
Another way to simplify your home screen is by enabling the Minimal icon style.
To change your icons:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wallpaper & style.
- Select Home screen.
- Tap Icons.
- Choose Minimal.
This option changes all app icons to a two-color design that matches your phone’s selected color theme, resulting in a more uniform and streamlined appearance.
Hiding App Names Is the Fastest Way to Declutter Your Pixel
Among all the available customization options, hiding app names is the quickest and easiest way to give your Pixel’s home screen a cleaner look. Once you’re familiar with your apps, their labels offer little practical value, while the extra text only adds unnecessary visual clutter.
Combined with Android 17’s other personalization features, removing app names is a simple adjustment that can make your Pixel feel more organized without changing the way you use your phone.