[How-To] Make your phone look like a Pixel

The stock Pixel Launcher is a clean and simple design with its round icons and minimalistic look. Here are two ways to get your device to look as close to a Pixel without custom ROMs.

Google Wallpapers

Before going into the methods, I want to suggest downloading the Google Wallpapers app. You may already have it, but for those who don’t, it provides Pixel Phone wallpapers for your device at an easy reach.

You can download it for free from the Play Store here.

Method 1: Pixel Launcher via APK (easy way)

Of course, the easiest method to getting the Pixel Launcher on your device is to just sideload the APK. You won’t be getting any of the round icons and whatnot, but you still have access to the swipe-up app drawer, circular folders, and the weather widget.

You can easily download it from APKMirror here.

Method 2: Pixel Launcher via Nova Launcher (harder way)

Customizing Nova Launcher to look like the stock Pixel Launcher will take a little bit more time, but in the end, will leave you with a much better experience.

If you haven’t done so already, download Nova Launcher from the Play Store here. Also, download one of the two Pixel icon packs below:

Pixel Icon Pack (Free): Play Store

Dives – Icon Pack ($0.99): Play Store

  1. Open Nova Settings.
  2. Tap Desktop.
  3. Tap Desktop grid.

  4. Set the desktop grid to 4 rows by 5 columns. Tap Done to return to Desktop settings.
  5. Tap Width Padding and select Medium.
  6. Tap Height padding and select Large.

  7. Tap Persistent search bar to turn it on.
  8. Tap Search bar style.
  9. Tap the pill-shaped Pixel Bar style.

  10. Tap Bar color
  11. Set it to white.
  12. Scroll down to Logo style and select the colorful G.

  13. Scroll down and tap Weather to turn on weather content in the search bar. NOTE: Nova has since moved this to Nova Settings > Labs.
  14. Tap the back button twice to return to the main menu in Nova Settings.
  15. Tap App & widget drawers.

  16. Tap Drawer App Grid.
  17. Set to 6 rows by 5 columns.
  18. Tap Done to return to App & widget drawer settings.

  19. Tap Frequently used apps to turn it on.
  20. Tap App drawer style.
  21. Tap to select Vertical.

  22. Make sure Card background is turned off.
  23. Tap Swipe to open to turn it on.
  24. Tap Background.

  25. Select White and set Transparency to 0%.
  26. Tap Enable fast scrollbar to turn it on.
  27. Tap Scroll accent color

  28. Select Teal (fourth row, first column).
  29. Tap Search bar to turn it on.
  30. Tap the back button to return to the main menu in Nova Settings.

  31. Tap Dock.
  32. Tap Dock Background
  33. Select Rectangle.

  34. Tap Color.
  35. Select White.
  36. Drag Transparency to 70%

  37. Tap Draw behind navigation bar to turn it on if you have on-screen navigation buttons.
  38. Tap the back button to return to Dock settings.
  39. Tap Dock icons.

  40. Set to 5. Tap Done to return to Dock settings.
  41. Tap Width padding and select Medium.
  42. Tap Height padding and select Large.

  43. Tap the back button to return to the main menu in Nova Settings.
  44. Tap Folders.
  45. Tap Folder Preview.

  46. Select Grid.
  47. Tap Folder Background.
  48. Select N Preview.

  49. Tap Background.
  50. Select White and set Transparency to 0%.
  51. Tap the back button to return to the main menu in Nova Settings.

  52. Tap Look & feel.
  53. Tap Icon theme.
  54. Select Dives or Pixel Icon Pack.

  55. If you want an extra way to swipe open your app drawer, tap Gestures & inputs.
  56. Tap Swipe up.
  57. Tap app drawer.

Source: Android Central, Droid Life (featured image)