9 Ways to Customize Your Android Device

Transfer Your Contacts, Apps, and Other Data

When you get a new Android, transfer the data from a previous device by syncing with your Google account or by making a manual backup and restoring it to your new phone. If you have your old phone, this is a painless way to go. There are other apps you can use to back up data on one device and transfer that data to another device.

If you're coming from iOS, you can transfer most of your data to an Android.

1. Download the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
2. Launch the app and sign in.
3. Go to Menu > Settings > Backup.
4. Tap Start Backup to choose what to back up or back up everything.
5. Sign in to your Android device using the same Google account.

Replace Your Home Screen With a Launcher

You don't have to use the home screen and app manager that comes with your phone. Without rooting, you can download and install a third-party Android launcher that cleans up the interface and customizes your home screens beyond app shortcuts. Additional features include resizing icons, setting up personalized gesture controls, and changing the color scheme.

Install a Better Keyboard

Smartphones running stock Android (or close to stock) default to GBoard, Google's well-regarded keyboard. Devices that run a custom version of Android may default to the manufacturer's keyboard, such as Samsung.

If you're not happy with your built-in keyboard, try another one. There are many third-party keyboards available on Google Play, including the top-rated Swype and Swiftkey, as well as GIF keyboards and other specialty apps.

Whether you keep the stock keyboard or install a new one, customize the autocorrect settings to match your lingo to avoid awkward interactions and general frustration.

Add Widgets to Your Home Screens

A favorite Android feature is the large selection of widgets that can be added to the home screen. The options are endless: weather, time and date, calendar, sports scores, music controls, alarms, note-takers, fitness trackers, social media, and more. Plus, many widgets come in multiple sizes so that you can make the most of your screen real estate.

Download Wallpaper

Most of the wallpaper options on smartphones and tablets are boring, not to mention that thousands are walking around with the same designs. Have a little fun. Spice up your screen with your favorite photos or download a wallpaper app and find something that fits your preferences. You can even cycle through your favorites, so you're not stuck with one background.

There are also apps you can use to design wallpapers with your favorite colors and patterns. Best of all, most of these apps are free or inexpensive.

Set Up Default Apps

Ever clicked a link in an email and your smartphone launched an app instead of a browser? Or tried to view a post only to have it open the browser instead of the X (formerly Twitter) app? Set up default apps and clear any defaults that you set and no longer work for you. It's straightforward to do if you're running Lollipop 5.0 or later or have a stock Android device.

Customize Your Lock Screen

Like everything else in Android, you don't have to stick with the out-of-the-box lock screen on your Android device. In addition to choosing the unlock method, you can also show notifications and designate how much information you want to display to protect your privacy. Use third-party apps to add widgets to the lock screen and add to the variety of unlocking options.

If you set up Google Find My Device (previously Android Device Manager), add a message and a button that calls a specified number when someone finds your lost phone.

Root Your Device

Rooting an Android smartphone opens up a host of options. When you root the device, you gain access to the latest Android features first and can update your OS whenever you want—not when your carrier and manufacturer provide the update. That also means you can use stock Android without any skins the manufacturer might build in or annoying bloatware.

Rooting can be intimidating, but if you follow the instructions carefully, the good outweighs any drawbacks.