Are you tired of your current home screen setup and looking for a fresh, sleek, and functional design? In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create a stunning monochrome minimalist Android home screen using custom widgets, launchers, and icon packs.
Whether you’re an experienced home screen customizer or a beginner intimidated by third-party launchers, this step-by-step tutorial will make the process simple and effortless. By the end, you’ll have a polished, organized, and aesthetically pleasing home screen that enhances your phone’s usability.
Let’s dive in!
Why Customize Your Android Home Screen?
A well-designed home screen isn’t just about aesthetics—it boosts productivity and efficiency by reducing clutter and organizing your most-used apps. Some key benefits of customizing your home screen include:
✅ Faster access to important apps
✅ Minimal distractions and clutter-free design
✅ Better personalization to match your style
✅ Improved phone performance with a lightweight setup
With that in mind, let’s start setting up your minimalist monochrome home screen for 2024!
What You’ll Need
To recreate this home screen setup, you’ll need to download:
📌 4 essential apps
📌 1 wallpaper
📌 1 backup file for easy setup
Here’s everything you need to install:
| App/Asset | Purpose | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| KWGT | Custom widget editor | Download KWGT |
| Koda for KWGT | Widget pack for KWGT | Download Koda for KWGT |
| Yons Icon Pack | White monochrome icon pack | Download Yons Icon Pack |
| Nova Launcher | Custom Android launcher | Download Nova Launcher |
| Wallpaper | Custom monochrome background | Download Wallpaper |
| Nova Launcher Backup File | Pre-configured home screen layout | Download Backup File |
Once you have these downloaded, we’re ready to start customizing!
Step 1: Setting Up Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is the foundation of this home screen setup. If you’ve never used a launcher before, don’t worry—this method makes it incredibly easy.
1️⃣ Open Nova Launcher after installing it.
2️⃣ Download the Nova Launcher Backup File (linked above).
3️⃣ Open Nova Settings (found in the app drawer).
4️⃣ Tap Restore Backup, select the downloaded backup file, and apply it.
5️⃣ Set Nova Launcher as the default launcher:
- Swipe up to open the app drawer.
- Find Nova Settings and tap the red warning that says “Not Set as Default”.
- Select Nova Launcher as the default option.
Now, your home screen should be mostly set up automatically, including the icon pack and app layout.
Step 2: Applying the Wallpaper
1️⃣ Long press on the home screen.
2️⃣ Tap Wallpapers.
3️⃣ Select the image you downloaded or browse for it in your files.
4️⃣ Set it as both home and lock screen wallpaper for a cohesive look.
Step 3: Fixing App Icons & Placeholders
Since the Nova Launcher backup file sets a pre-configured layout, some apps may appear as white circles (placeholders).
✔️ If an app appears with a white circle, it means you don’t have it installed.
✔️ You can either remove the placeholder or tap it to be redirected to the Google Play Store to install the missing app.
✔️ If some app icons didn’t apply the Yons icon pack, you can fix them:
- Long press the icon.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the icon, select Yons, and choose a suitable replacement.
Step 4: Setting Up the Custom Widgets
This home screen uses two custom widgets powered by KWGT and Koda for KWGT.
Widget 1: Bottom Widget (K16)
1️⃣ Tap the bottom widget placeholder to open KWGT.
2️⃣ Select Koda for KWGT and find the widget labeled K16.
3️⃣ Adjust the size and scale (50–60% recommended).
4️⃣ Save and return to the home screen.
Widget 2: Top Widget (K83 – Modified)
1️⃣ Tap the top widget placeholder to open KWGT.
2️⃣ Select Koda for KWGT and find K83.
3️⃣ Modify the widget:
- Remove unnecessary elements (rectangle shape & extra text).
- Rearrange the date format to US format (swap DD and MM).
- Change the widget color to dark gray for better contrast.
4️⃣ Adjust the widget size to fit perfectly.
5️⃣ Save and return to the home screen.
Step 5: Hidden Folder Trick
For a cleaner look, a hidden folder is placed above the app cluster.
📂 To access the hidden folder: Tap the empty space above the apps cluster.
📂 Store extra apps you don’t frequently use here to keep your home screen minimal.
Final Adjustments & Tweaks
✔️ If widgets don’t fit properly, resize them within KWGT.
✔️ If the bottom widget doesn’t open KWGT, open KWGT manually and select it from Available Spaces.
✔️ Explore Nova Settings to tweak animations, gestures, and other features.
Why This Setup Works So Well
This monochrome minimalist home screen setup isn’t just about looks—it improves usability, organization, and speed. Here’s why it stands out:
✔️ Distraction-free design → Focus on essentials only.
✔️ Custom widgets → At-a-glance info without clutter.
✔️ Lightweight launcher → Faster, smoother phone performance.
✔️ Hidden app folder → Store extra apps while keeping the main screen clean.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use this setup on any Android phone?
Yes! This setup works on any Android device as long as you install the required apps.
2. Is Nova Launcher safe to use?
Absolutely! Nova Launcher is one of the most trusted third-party launchers, with millions of downloads and strong user reviews.
3. Can I customize the colors and icons?
Yes! You can swap the wallpaper, widget colors, and icon packs to match your style.
4. Will this setup slow down my phone?
No! Nova Launcher is optimized for performance, and this setup is lightweight.
5. What if my widgets don’t show up correctly?
Double-check that you installed KWGT and Koda for KWGT. Then, manually adjust widget sizes in KWGT.
Final Thoughts
This minimalist home screen setup blends aesthetics and functionality, creating a clean, organized, and efficient experience. If you followed the steps, you now have a beautifully designed home screen that’s easy to navigate and customize.
What do you think of this setup? Drop a comment below and let me know! 🎉
🚀 Want more home screen setups? Stay tuned for more guides on custom Android setups, widgets, and icon packs! 🚀
