topic Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11 in 1 Series

Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

justsonghua — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 09:58:20 GMT

I just brought a second hand HK version Xperia 1 ii. The build number is 58.1.A.1.178. I can't find any setting with theme changing or icon shape changing. Is Xperia 1 ii can't change theme or only on this version? What should i do? Somebody help plz.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

Strampke — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 21:46:19 GMT

Use another home app, other than the Xperia home app.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 10:24:01 GMT

@justsonghua I hate the newer Sony Home screen and the lack of options/settings available to personalise it. As you mentioned there is no option for changing the icons whether it's the design or size plus the fact that Sony has now completely done away with the Themes.

The worst for me however is how my homescreen is cluttered with certain app short cuts and Chrome bookmarks because I don't like having to slide up to access my apps.

I absolutely HATE what they've done which also ruins the look of this phone as far as I'm concerned!!

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

justsonghua — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 13:26:58 GMT

I tried to use NOVA LAUNCHER for a day. But there are also some problems with it. The icons in NOVA, some are too big and some are too tiny. I just want the icons look clear and have same size. I also tried some icon packs. But the icons just can't have a same size and shape. When i uesd round shape icons, somes are square. I have used many andriod phones, like pixel, samsung, oneplus. But i never met this problem before.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 16:09:31 GMT

I have never come across this before either. I've had this phone for a while now and I still hate the home screen/launcher and wish it was like it used to be. I know it's not down to the Android version because I also have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet also on Android 11 and that's not changed.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

Gilgameshuk — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:58:38 GMT

Hello there

Old hand here-Sorry I have been away

This issue has been a problem since the Xperia 1 mark 1 came out and is very frustrating.

You can do very minor changes by enabling developer mode and changing it in the development options,

but that is it.

In addition they have disabled page transitions etc. If you want to use a launcher that is fast and doesn't take up many resources then take a look at the latest POCO launcher. This re-enables page transitions, icon shapes, icon style and much more.

Otherwise there is no alternative.

cheers good bud

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:46:45 GMT

Thank you for your response. I have developer mode activated but can you tell me what I'm able to alter in the development options please? I will definitely have a look at the launcher you suggested too (●’◡’●)ﾉ

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:51:22 GMT

@Strampke What Home app do you recommend?

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

Gilgameshuk — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:53:21 GMT

go into the developer options the icon shape is right at the bottom

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 12:05:11 GMT

@Gilgameshuk Not for me it isn't. I don't appear to have this anywhere under developer options.

Why aren't you able to alter any of the Bluetooth codec options anymore either, do you know? 🤔

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

Strampke — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 17:26:24 GMT

Hi @@1OfAnotherKind

It's difficult to say.

Once it was possible to change the lot but Google crippled it.

So now you are stuck with the Sony home screen.

Even the Xperia themes have disappeared, although some developers still offer some.

What I did is accept it and be happy with it.

You can download a lot of launchers.

If you want to have an overview of what's available then just install Dark Matter Vintage, and icon design I like a lot.

In Dark Matter Vintage click on install and you'll see a lot of launchers.

Choose and test.

What I did by accident is install the Microsoft launcher.

Inside the launcher I chose to have a new background everyday from Microsoft.

Then I went back to the Sony home launcher and still I get a new background in my home screen every day.

I'm quite happy with it.

Last point.

Don't fight new developments Google made, adapt and enjoy, be happy with what you've got and forget about what you've lost.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

NathanielSJ — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 22:10:10 GMT

You can easily resize icons in Nova, I use Nova 7 Beta and it is perfect on the Xperia 1 III. I got rid of all the stock icons and just use Minimal White Rings on a Black 4k HDR Wallpaper, it looks perfect.

The phone itself is just sublime.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 09:56:49 GMT

@NathanielSJ Hi 🙂 to be honest I don't have any issues with the shape or look of the app icons themselves it's the fact that I have to put up with them all being crammed on just the one Home Screen! I always had them sorted into certain groups ie, music apps only on one page and Google apps only on the next and so on. I loved the themes and how much you could personalise the look overall too.

On another note lol, you mentioned that you have the Xperia 1 III so could I ask you what if any improvements it has in comparison with the Xperia 1 II?

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 10:22:13 GMT

@Strampke Hi thanks for the information and suggestions 🙂 Can you explain though why I don't have the same issue with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet (Android 11) if as you say it is down to Google? The disappearance of the themes is the second thing that I really miss with the first still being the disablement of the page transitions where I used to have about three pages with my app icons in specific groups.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

Strampke — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:08:48 GMT

Hi @1OfAnotherKind

You can still create groups.

Move one icon over another and your group is created.

You can give names to these groups.

The screenshot is attached to this post.

If you want to group on different screens side by side you can act as follows.

Move an icon to and over the side of the home screen it will open a new home screen where you can place the icon.

Re: Xperia 1 ii can't change icons shape and theme - andriod 11

1OfAnotherKind — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:04:58 GMT

@Strampke Hi thanks for the quick response. I already have the folders and the groups on different screens. It's the original page transitions that I really miss (along with the themes) where I had an uncluttered Home Screen instead of the cluttered 3 or 4 screen pages I have now... I know you and a couple others on here have suggested trying different launchers but for some reason I can't take to them although I have tried a couple in the past.

You mentioned in one of your recent messages that I shouldn't fight change or future developments and that I should embrace them instead. As a rule I do embrace them and go with it but I don't seem to be able to with the disablement of the page transitions.