We spend a lot time customizing our Google Pixel wallpapers, widgets, and residential screens, but most of us ignore the 2 most seen components of your complete UI: the default lock display screen shortcuts.
For the longest time, I simply accepted the usual Digicam and Residence Management buttons as immovable fixtures.
Nonetheless, I just lately dove deep into the settings and found a easy, often-overlooked customization possibility that means that you can swap these two icons for something you need.
This isn’t a flashy new function, however a easy, refined UI tweak that has modified my muscle reminiscence.
Altering my present lock display screen setup
For months, my Pixel’s lock display screen was outlined by two icons I virtually by no means wanted: the Flashlight and the Nonetheless Digicam. Sure, the flashlight is beneficial at instances once I’m looking for my seat in a darkish theater.
And the default digicam shortcut? I rely virtually solely on the facility button double-tap, which is quicker and works when the cellphone is locked.
However my life proper now revolves round two particular wants: sustaining focus and capturing fleeting moments of toddler magic.
My first, and most necessary, change was ditching the Flashlight for Do Not Disturb. As a dad or mum or somebody attempting to satisfy a deadline, being immediately obtainable is commonly counterproductive.
I wanted a option to drop into focus mode the second I picked up my cellphone, or immediately silence it once I walked into a gathering or a quiet zone.
In any case, the Pixel collection doesn’t have an motion button or a bodily toggle slider to silence the cellphone rapidly. Earlier than, silencing my cellphone meant waking the display screen, swiping down, discovering the DND tile, and tapping it.
Now, I faucet the lower-left nook of the lock display screen, and the cellphone is immediately silenced. I’m not fumbling with menus.
My second frustration was the default Digicam shortcut.
When my infant all of the sudden begins dancing or does one thing hilarious, pace is all the things. Tapping the default Digicam icon opened the nonetheless picture mode, which meant I needed to look ahead to it to load, then swipe over to Video Mode, then lastly press report.
By altering the default lower-right icon to the devoted Video Digicam shortcut, I now have an instantaneous video seize machine. One faucet on the lock display screen, and I’m immediately in recording mode, able to go.
There are a few methods to alter these settings. You may both long-tap on the lock display screen and alter toggles or head to Settings > Wallpaper & model > Lock display screen > Shortcuts and decide left and proper shortcuts from the next menu.
These are simply two of my most popular shortcuts on the backside. You may place Mute, QR Code Scanner, Google Pockets, Residence, and even preserve it empty.
Different lock display screen tweaks to contemplate
The Pixel UI’s lock display screen goes past simply altering the underside shortcuts. I’ve additionally enabled the dynamic clock in order that the massive clock dominates the display screen when there are not any notifications.
When a notification is available in, the clock easily shrinks and strikes to the upper-left nook. It provides me a clear, minimalist lock display screen more often than not however ensures that when new data arrives, the UI fluidly makes room for it.
I’ve additionally added emergency textual content on the lock display screen. It’s a important one for peace of thoughts.
One other neat Pixel UI function is Now Taking part in. It exhibits the precise observe once I hear an incredible track in a café or retailer, however I can’t pull out the Shazam app quick sufficient.
Once I allow it, my Pixel is consistently, quietly listening for music, figuring out the track on-device with out sending audio to Google’s servers.
And since I’ve switched from an iPhone to a Pixel machine, I enabled the Wake for brand new notifications toggle for the lock display screen.
Adjustments I want to see sooner or later
Whereas I’ve genuinely beloved the impression of swapping the default Flashlight and Digicam for DND and Video Digicam, the personalization choices nonetheless depart lots to be desired.
For instance, the iPhone provides an extended checklist of choices to position totally different toggles on the lock display screen. Compared, Google has carried out a mean job with obtainable choices.
I would like the liberty to pull any of the toggles obtainable in my Fast Settings panel (the one I pull down from the highest) and pin it as one in every of my two lock display screen shortcuts. Think about putting Microsoft To Do (new process) or VPN connection choices proper on the lock display screen.
From annoying to superior
Typically, we overlook the small optimizations, considering they gained’t make a significant distinction.
Altering these two static lock display screen icons from defaults I by no means touched to direct hyperlinks for DND and Video Digicam has shaved seconds off numerous each day transactions.
Nonetheless, the present choices are restricted, and I’d like to see extra customization choices sooner or later.
You probably have been residing with the default shortcuts, take 5 minutes proper now to reclaim that display screen actual property. In case you are new to Pixel, take a look at these digicam suggestions and tips to get the very best out of it.