One of the best features of the Android ecosystem is the customizability of the OS. You can change everything from the wallpaper, to the widgets and even your home screen launcher. More advanced users of Android use custom launchers to better navigate and design their home screens. This guide will help you choose a launcher, guide you in installing it, and how to modify it.

• 1. Go to Google Play store and choose a launcher.

  There are many launchers in Google Play for downloading. Some of them are free and some need to be purchased. The best ones however, are the ones that will have a free version, which you can upgrade for a small fee if you like it. To learn more about the different kinds of launchers and the features of each, you can check Andy's Guide to Android Launchers where Andy reviews each to help you make a decision.

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• 2. Download the app, install and launch.

  Once you've chosen a launcher app, download it and your phone will autmatically install it for you. After it finishes installing, touch the launcher icon and it will launch a new, blank homescreen. It is important to note that opening the launcher app does not mean it is your permanent home launcher. Quickly go to the settings icon (now in your homescreen). Find the launcher settings menu and set your launcher as your permanent launcher. You can do this to revert back to your default launcher too.

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• 3. Customize your new home screen

  Custom launchers work pretty much like your default launcher, with more features. Some of the great features of custom launchers are customizability of your scren grid, changing icons, changing transition animations, and ability to resize your widgets. Your old widgets will work the same in your new custom launcher but you may need to configure settings if the widget does not render properly. As a tip for using launchers, keep the settings icon close so that you can access it any time you need to change your launcher display.

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