Google delivers an exceptional Android smartphone experience, largely attributed to the Android operating system and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Among its offerings, the Google Pixel stands out for providing the ultimate user experience. It’s always the first to receive updates and boasts the exclusive Google Pixel launcher. For those who don’t own a Pixel but crave a comparable experience, it’s possible to achieve this on any Android device with a few third-party modifications. This guide will lead you through the necessary steps to refine your phone to near Pixel perfection, introducing features not typically found on the Pixel.
Download a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store
The first step to customizing your device and achieving that Pixel smartphone aesthetic is to install a third-party launcher. This approach is one of the simplest ways to personalize your phone. However, it’s advisable to experiment with several launchers over a few days to find the one that suits you best. Performance can vary, and some launchers may have fewer issues than others. Interestingly, you might discover a preference for one over the Google Pixel launcher itself.
Lawnchair Launcher stands out as an exceptional choice for emulating the Google Pixel launcher experience. As an open-source project, it offers the latest Pixel Launcher features from the most recent Android updates, along with enhanced customization options. Nova Launcher is another excellent alternative, providing a similar user experience. Both launchers feature a swipe-up app drawer with vertical scrolling, a Google search bar, and widget panel search functionality – with Lawnchair offering a closer replica of the Pixel’s version. The Google Discover panel is accessible on the left side of the screen, though it requires downloading additional apps – Nova Google Companion for Nova and Lawnfeed for Lawnchair.
One minor drawback of using third-party launchers is the occasional lag in navigation features. This happens because Android relies on the phone’s built-in launcher for navigation and gestures, so third-party launchers must wait for a hand-off from the default launcher to execute these functions. For users with root access, a workaround involves installing a Magisk module named QuickSwitch, which allows third-party launchers to function more seamlessly. However, this solution is not compatible with Nova Launcher.
Lawnchair is the better option for replicating the Pixel Launcher since it is based on the Android open source project, is regularly updated, and offers QuickSwitch support. It also includes the latest Android features, like:
- Experience adaptive-themed icons that seamlessly match your wallpaper’s color scheme. The Lawnicons add-on allows you to theme all your apps, extending beyond just Google’s suite. Ensure you’re running the latest version of Lawnchair to access this feature.
- An At-a-Glance widget, which you can turn off as needed.
- A universal search bar within the app drawer (if you have a rooted Pixel device with Android 12 or higher).
- Dynamic wallpaper-based theming.
To take advantage of Pixel-exclusive features using Lawnchair, watch the video below.
Once you’ve installed your custom launcher, you gain access to an array of widgets, icon packs, and wallpapers, allowing you to transcend the limitations of your device manufacturer’s default settings. A simple search for Android widgets or wallpapers on the Google Play Store unveils a multitude of choices. Explore apps that leverage the Material You theming feature, available in Android 12 and later, for a cohesive system-wide aesthetic. Below, we delve into some exemplary third-party options to kickstart your customization journey.
Google’s widgets are available to use
Starting with widgets, the majority of Google applications available for download from the Play Store, including Gmail, Clock, Google Drive, Google Keep, Maps, and Photos, feature Material You widgets. For instance, the clock widgets offer four unique design choices. The Photos app introduces a visually appealing clover-like layout that highlights moments with your family and friends. Meanwhile, the Gmail widget provides a convenient list of most emails in your inbox.
However, some are absent, such as Weather widgets, conversations, and the Google Search bar, which includes the Google Lens icon, due to the lack of standalone apps for these functions in the Play Store. For these, exploring alternatives is recommended, like our top picks for the best weather apps on Android.
Conversations widget
To enhance your conversation widget experience, download the Notification Widget app. It will need access to notifications for displaying them on widgets and storage permissions to customize wallpaper colors. Once installed, launch the app to choose which app’s notifications you want to appear on the widget. Additionally, you have the flexibility to modify the widget’s shape and color scheme.
New Google search bar
An application can equip your device with the latest Google Search bar. While Nova Launcher and Lawnchair offer this feature, they do not integrate it with wallpapers. To achieve this, you can install the Search Widget (Material You), which seamlessly incorporates the new search bar into your widget panel, functioning flawlessly. Within the app, there’s the flexibility to customize the Google Assistant and Google Lens icons, allowing you to switch their functions to alternatives like Music Search, the Play Store, the Settings app, or the Clock app for setting alarms.
Google Weather widgets
To access Google’s weather widgets, the sole method is to download a KWGT widget pack. These packs, available on the Google Play Store, contain a plethora of custom widgets designed by the community of developers, opening up vast possibilities for customization. Additionally, the installation of KWGT Kustom Widget Maker and the KWGT Kustom Widget Pro Key, priced at approximately $6, is necessary for utilizing certain custom widgets.
The “Android 13 widgets for KWGT Pro” pack features meticulously designed weather widgets in the form of oversized pills, available in both angled and horizontal orientations. These widgets not only offer precise weather updates but also grant direct access to the weather forecast within the Google app. For those seeking an alternative, “Uzuri for KWGT Pro” is an excellent choice. It boasts a weather widget that harmonizes with your dynamic wallpaper while providing essential information like time, date, and battery percentage upon tapping. However, it’s worth noting that its design language diverges from the iconic Google Weather pill’s aesthetic.
Snow Cone for KWGT Pro stands out as the premier choice for Google-like weather widgets styled as cards. It closely mimics the original, with subtle variations in the font and weather icons, yet its execution is impeccable. Additionally, it adapts to your wallpaper’s color scheme, seamlessly integrating with your operating system’s aesthetic.
Google Wallpapers
To find the wallpapers you seek, consider conducting a Google search. However, for optimal results, refine your search to focus on high-resolution images specifically crafted for phones, utilizing the portrait aspect ratio. Alternatively, explore the Exclusive Pixel Superfans wallpapers released in March 2024 for unique options.
Other options that aren’t replications but follow the Material You theming include Team Pixel Wallpapers, Wallfever, and Pix Wallpapers.
Team Pixel Wallpapers illuminate your home screen with Google Pixel-inspired designs. These wallpapers feature vibrant, abstract shapes and sleek, flat elements, perfectly complementing Google widgets. With each Google Feature Drop, the developer unveils fresh wallpapers reflecting the latest update.
Wallfever offers a diverse collection of backgrounds that, while not strictly adhering to the Google aesthetic, incorporate the distinctive Material You style elements. Created by the same talent behind Team Pixel wallpapers, Wallfever ensures a steady flow of new additions to its already extensive selection.
Pix Wallpapers presents a cost-free option that elevates Pixel-inspired designs to new levels of attractiveness. It includes seasonally themed wallpapers that embrace the Material You design language. However, its infrequent updates are a minor drawback. Given its free status, Pix Wallpapers stands out as a commendable choice.
Doodle: Live Wallpapers brings your home screen to life with Pixel’s interactive live wallpapers. Featuring the complete Doodle Collection from Pixel 4, alongside designs inspired by Pixel 6, each wallpaper animates with movement as you unlock your phone, launch apps, or swipe between pages, and seamlessly transitions to a dark mode with your system settings.
Enhance your experience by customizing the wallpapers to your liking. Adjust the zoom on the shapes, change their size, or add a dynamic tilt effect that responds to the movement of your hand. The best part? It’s completely free, with no ads or in-app purchases to distract from your enjoyment.
Explore custom icon packs
Google has redesigned its home screen icons to align with the Material You design principles. These icons feature a flat, circular design and adapt to the Monet theming and the system’s light/dark mode—a feature that evolved with Android 13. Lawnchair extends the reach of these themed icons to older devices. By installing the Lawnicons add-on, users can apply Monet theming to a broader array of third-party apps, which also respond to the system’s dark mode toggle.
Download the PixelExperience custom ROM
Upgrade your Android device to mimic a Google Pixel phone with the PixelExperience custom ROM. This premium upgrade offers a taste of the latest Pixel features without the need to purchase a new phone. It revolutionizes the experience for older Pixel models as well, providing updates long after the official support ends. With compatibility up to the beta AOSP release of Android 14, it’s worth noting that this will be the final version of this custom ROM—making it a timely opportunity to adopt.
Before installing PixelExperience, make sure your device’s bootloader is unlocked and you’re comfortable using ADB and Fastboot commands via a command line interface. Check your phone against the list of supported devices to ensure compatibility. While installing a custom ROM can be complex, it’s the closest you can get to the Google Pixel experience on non-Pixel devices.
Replicate features exclusive to Pixel devices
Google Pixel smartphones boast unique features not available on other Android devices, such as Call Screen and Now Playing. These exclusive attributes contribute significantly to why consumers choose Pixel phones. While replicating these features on non-Pixel devices is difficult, there are methods to approximate them.
Call Screen
To replicate the Pixel’s call screening feature, download KONTXT Voice from the Google Play Store for a similar experience. When a call comes in and you choose to decline it, Kontxt prompts the caller to state their reason for calling. You can then read the transcript to understand the caller’s intent and decide whether to accept or decline the call. This app is compatible with most mobile carriers and boasts an easy setup process. Additionally, you have the flexibility to personalize the greeting via the app’s settings, enhancing your control over the screening process.
Quick Tap
Pixel phones feature a Quick Tap gesture, enabling users to initiate tasks or applications by double-tapping the phone’s back. For those seeking similar functionality on other Android devices, TapTap offers an excellent solution. Available for download on GitHub, TapTap not only replicates Google’s feature but enhances it with triple tap capabilities, the ability to restrict gestures during certain tasks, and more, broadening the scope of what your device can do with a simple tap.
Now Playing
Shazam features an Auto Shazam function, mirroring the Now Playing feature found on Android devices, but with a longer history. This feature actively listens for music, identifying tracks and alerting users with a notification once a match is found. By tapping on this notification, users can view the recognized songs. Impressively, Auto Shazam functions even with the screen turned off, ensuring no song goes unidentified.
Google Camera
Google’s camera app, specifically designed for Pixel phones, plays a pivotal role in producing the remarkable images these devices are celebrated for. Over time, developers have modified the app, known as GCam, making it accessible for various other devices. An XDA article offers a comprehensive list of devices compatible with GCam. However, since these adaptations are community-driven, the performance of GCam apps can vary significantly. It’s advisable to experiment with several versions to determine the most suitable one for your needs.
Rules
Pixel devices feature a straightforward automation tool within the Settings app, known as Rules. This tool provides useful features such as custom ringer profiles and Wi-Fi settings that adjust based on your location. Imagine wanting your phone to automatically switch to silent mode at the cinema or to vibrate mode when it connects to your home Wi-Fi. To achieve this level of automation, consider using an app like MacroDroid. It simplifies the process of creating automated tasks, making your digital life more convenient.
Enjoy your new Pixel-like phone
Upgrading an Android device with the Google Pixel experience infuses it with a touch of Google’s magic, even without owning a Pixel. While third-party apps have their limits, installing a custom ROM presents a viable solution for tech-savvy users. With a bit of expertise, emulating the coveted Pixel smartphone experience is within reach. For those not keen on the Pixel Experience, exploring open-source alternatives to Google apps is a worthwhile consideration.
