Nothing Phone: 17 Android Settings to Change First

When you unbox a Nothing Phone, the first 17 Android settings you should change are: enable the Glyph interface, set the always-on display to a schedule, turn off Nothing Launcher’s app suggestions, disable the Google feed, adjust the refresh rate to 120Hz, enable “Flip to Glyph,” and turn on “Quick Settings” for the Glyph. These tweaks unlock the phone’s distinctive hardware and fix common annoyances out of the box. The rest of this guide walks through each setting, why it matters, and how to find it in Nothing OS.

Why Nothing OS Is Different

Nothing OS is a near-stock Android skin built on top of Android 14 (and now 15 on newer models). It keeps the clean, Pixel-like look but adds a few custom touches: the Glyph light strip on the back, a unique monochrome icon pack, and a launcher that mimics the classic Android UI. Because it’s so close to stock, most settings are where you’d expect them, but the Glyph and display options are unique to Nothing. The phone also ships with some defaults that aren’t ideal—like the launcher’s app suggestions and the Google Discover feed—so changing those first makes the phone feel more personal.

Glyph Interface Settings

The Glyph is Nothing’s signature LED light strip on the back. It’s more than a flashlight; it can flash for notifications, show volume levels, and even act as a timer. To get the most out of it, go to Settings > Glyph Interface. Here you’ll find:

Flip to Glyph: When enabled, placing the phone face-down silences calls and notifications, but the Glyph lights up for incoming alerts. This is a must-have for meetings or when you want to avoid screen distractions.
Glyph Music Visualizer: This makes the lights pulse with whatever music is playing. It’s a fun party trick, but it drains battery, so turn it off if you don’t use it.
Glyph Timer: A visual countdown using the light ring. You can set it from the quick settings, which is handy for cooking or workouts.
Lighting on notifications: Choose which apps trigger the Glyph. By default, all apps can, which can be overwhelming. Limit it to important apps like messages and calls.

One common misconception is that the Glyph is always on. It’s not—it only activates for notifications, calls, or when you manually trigger it. The brightness of the Glyph can also be adjusted in the same menu, so you can tone it down for nighttime.

Display and Refresh Rate

Nothing Phones (Phone 1, 2, and 2a) have OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. Out of the box, the phone might be set to “Auto” refresh rate, which drops to 60Hz to save battery. For a smoother experience, go to Settings > Display > Refresh rate and select “High” (120Hz). You’ll notice the difference immediately when scrolling through apps or the home screen. The battery hit is minor—maybe 5-10% less screen-on time—but it’s worth it for the fluidity.

Also, consider the Always-on display. Nothing’s version shows a minimal clock and notification icons. By default, it’s set to “Always on,” which can drain battery. Instead, set it to “Scheduled” (e.g., 8 AM to 10 PM) or “Tap to show” to save power. You can find this under Settings > Display > Always-on display.

Launcher and Home Screen

Nothing Launcher is clean but has a few defaults that annoy many users. To customize it:

Remove app suggestions: On the home screen, swipe right to the Google Discover feed. If you don’t use it, you can turn it off. Long-press on the home screen, tap “Settings,” and toggle off “Show Google App.” This gives you a blank page to the left of the main screen.
Change icon shape: Nothing’s default icons are round. If you prefer squircle or classic, long-press the home screen, tap “Settings,” then “Icon shape.” You can choose from several options.
Enable app drawer labels: By default, the app drawer shows only icons. To see names, go to the app drawer, tap the three-dot menu, and select “Layout.” Toggle on “Show labels.”

These small tweaks make the phone feel less cluttered and more like your own. The launcher is also available on other Android phones, but on Nothing hardware it’s integrated with the Glyph, so settings are more cohesive.

Battery and Charging

Nothing Phones support fast charging (up to 45W on Phone 2, 33W on Phone 1 and 2a). To protect battery health, consider enabling Adaptive Charging under Settings > Battery > Battery Health. This learns your sleep schedule and delays the final 20% of charging until just before you wake up. It reduces battery wear over time.

Also, check the Battery percentage display. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery percentage and toggle it on. It’s a small thing, but knowing the exact percentage is useful for planning your day. If you’re worried about battery drain from the Glyph, remember that the Glyph uses very little power—LEDs are efficient—so you don’t need to disable it for battery reasons.

Notifications and Quick Settings

Nothing OS handles notifications well, but you might want to fine-tune them. Go to Settings > Notifications and enable “Notification history” so you can see any missed alerts. Also, under Settings > Sound & vibration, you can set the “Default notification sound”—Nothing includes a few unique sounds that match the Glyph flashes.

For quick access, customize the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down twice to see the full panel, tap the pencil icon, and add toggles you use often, like “Flip to Glyph” or “Screenshot.” You can also reorder them. One useful toggle is “Live Caption” for accessibility, but it’s not essential for most.

Privacy and Security

Nothing Phones run near-stock Android, so you get all the standard privacy tools. Go to Settings > Security & privacy and enable “Google Play Protect” (it’s on by default). Also, under Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy, you can set up the fingerprint sensor and face unlock. The fingerprint sensor is on the screen (under-display) on Phone 1 and 2, but on the side on Phone 2a. Register your fingerprints early to avoid frustration.

One Nothing-specific feature is the Glyph for notifications—you can set it so that the Glyph flashes only for specific contacts. This is a privacy feature: you can see who’s calling without looking at the screen. To set this, go to Settings > Glyph Interface > Notifications and assign contacts to specific Glyph patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Glyph drain battery a lot?

No. The Glyph uses LED lights, which are very power-efficient. Even with frequent notifications, it consumes less than 1% of battery per day. The main battery drains are the screen and mobile network, not the Glyph.

Can I turn off the Google feed on the home screen?

Yes. Long-press on the home screen, tap “Settings,” and toggle off “Show Google App.” This removes the Discover feed from the leftmost page, leaving a blank screen you can customize with widgets.

Why is my refresh rate stuck at 60Hz?

If you’ve set it to “High” but still see 60Hz, check if “Battery Saver” is on. Battery Saver automatically drops the refresh rate to 60Hz to save power. Turn off Battery Saver, and the 120Hz will work again.

How do I change the Glyph brightness?

Go to Settings > Glyph Interface > Brightness. You can slide the bar to adjust the maximum brightness of the lights. Note that this affects all Glyph uses—notifications, timer, and music visualizer.

Can I use a different launcher on Nothing Phone?

Yes, you can install any launcher from the Play Store, like Nova or Lawnchair. However, the Glyph interface only works with the default Nothing Launcher. If you switch, you lose the Glyph notification integration, but the lights still work for calls and alarms.

Is Nothing OS the same as stock Android?

It’s very close, but not identical. Nothing adds the Glyph settings, a unique launcher, and a few custom widgets. The core Android experience—settings menu, notification shade, and app management—is essentially the same as on a Pixel.

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

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