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10 Tech How-To

One UI App & Widget Style Customization Guide

Guide 10-9005 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to customize the look and feel of your apps and widgets on Samsung’s One UI. You’ll learn to change icon shapes, colors, widget styles, and more, giving your phone a personal touch without installing third-party launchers. All you need is a Samsung device running One UI (version 3.0 or later) and a few minutes to explore the settings.

What You’ll Need

  • A Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet with One UI (most models from 2020 onward)
  • Your device unlocked and charged
  • Optional: A downloaded icon pack or theme from the Galaxy Store (if you want more options)

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, then tap the gear icon. Alternatively, find the Settings app in your app drawer.
  2. Go to Wallpaper and style. Scroll down and tap “Wallpaper and style.� This is the main hub for visual customization on One UI.
  3. Change the icon shape. Tap “Icon shapeâ€� (under the wallpaper preview). You’ll see options like Circle, Squircle, Rounded Square, and Square. Select one and tap “Apply.â€� The change applies to all app icons on your home screen and app drawer.
  4. Adjust the color palette. Back in “Wallpaper and style,� tap “Color palette.� You can choose from preset palettes that match your wallpaper, or create a custom one by tapping the “+� icon. This changes the accent color for system UI elements, including some widgets (like the clock and calendar).
  5. Apply a theme (optional). Tap “Themes� at the bottom of the “Wallpaper and style� screen. This opens the Galaxy Themes store. You can browse free and paid themes that change the overall look of icons, menus, and widgets. Download one and tap “Apply� to use it.
  6. Customize individual widgets. Long-press on any widget on your home screen. A menu pops up with options like “Settings� (if the widget supports it), “Remove,� and “Edit.� Tap “Settings� to change widget-specific options like clock style, weather units, or calendar view.
  7. Resize widgets. Long-press a widget, then release. You’ll see a blue outline with handles. Drag the handles to resize the widget. Some widgets have multiple size presets—long-press and tap “Editâ€� to cycle through them if available.
  8. Use icon packs (advanced). If you want a completely different icon style, install an icon pack from the Galaxy Store (search “icon pack�). After installing, go to “Wallpaper and style� > “Themes� > “Icons� tab, and select the icon pack. Note: Not all icon packs work with all launchers; One UI Home supports them natively.
  9. Lock screen widgets. On the lock screen, swipe right to access widgets. Some One UI versions allow you to customize which widgets appear here by going to Settings > Lock screen > Widgets.
  10. Reset to default. If you want to undo everything, go to “Wallpaper and style� > “Themes� and tap “Default� (the first option) to revert to the stock look.

Common Mistakes

  • Changing icon shape but not seeing it immediately. Some launchers (like Nova) override the icon shape. Make sure you’re using the default One UI Home launcher.
  • Applying a theme that changes everything. Themes can override your icon shape and color palette. If you apply a theme, you may need to re-adjust those settings after.
  • Forgetting that some widgets are fixed-size. Not every widget can be resized freely. Samsung’s own widgets (like Weather) have a few set sizes, not unlimited scaling.
  • Using incompatible icon packs. Some icon packs are designed for other launchers and may not appear in One UI’s icon picker. Check the description for “One UIâ€� compatibility.

Tips

  • Use a matching wallpaper. The color palette is derived from your wallpaper, so choosing a wallpaper with colors you like will automatically give you a cohesive look.
  • Create a custom palette. Tap the “+â€� in the color palette section to pick any color from a gradient. This lets you match your brand or mood.
  • Mix and match. You can use a theme for icons but keep the default system look by going to Themes > Icons tab and selecting only the icon pack, not the full theme.
  • Widget settings are per-widget. If a widget looks wrong, long-press it and look for a gear icon. Many widgets have hidden settings for transparency, font, or data source.
  • Backup your setup. Before making major changes, take a screenshot of your home screen so you can recreate it if needed.

Troubleshooting

  • Icon shape doesn’t change. Go to Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Home app, and make sure “One UI Homeâ€� is selected. If you’re using a third-party launcher, you’ll need to customize icons there instead.
  • Color palette is grayed out. This can happen if you have a battery saver mode on, or if you’re using a high-contrast theme. Turn off battery saver or switch to a default theme.
  • Widgets look blurry after resizing. Some widgets are designed for specific sizes. Try resetting to the default size, or use the “Editâ€� option to select a preset size.
  • Theme won’t apply. Restart your device. If that doesn’t help, clear the cache of the Themes app: Settings > Apps > Themes > Storage > Clear cache.
  • Icon pack doesn’t show up. Make sure the icon pack is installed and then go to Themes > Icons tab. If it still doesn’t appear, the icon pack may not support One UI—check the app description.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work on any Samsung phone?

Most steps work on any device running One UI 3.0 or later (Galaxy S10 and newer, Note 10 and newer, and many A-series). Older devices may have slightly different menu names.

Can I use third-party icon packs with One UI?

Yes, but only those that explicitly support One UI. Many icon packs on the Play Store are designed for launchers like Nova, and they won’t appear in One UI’s icon picker.

How do I change the font style?

Go to Settings > Wallpaper and style > Font style. You can download new fonts from the Galaxy Store, but note that some are paid.

Will customizing affect battery life?

No, changing icons, themes, or widget styles has negligible impact on battery life. However, live wallpapers and widgets that update frequently (like weather) can use more battery.

Can I save my custom setup to apply later?

One UI doesn’t have a built-in profile save feature. You can manually recreate your setup by taking screenshots and noting your choices. Some third-party apps like “Good Lockâ€� offer more customization but not full backup.

Why do my widgets look different after a system update?

System updates can change widget default styles. You may need to re-apply your theme or re-add widgets. Check if the widget has new settings in its edit menu.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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