faq.md

Can Pixel Launcher Mods work without root?

Unfortunately not. The core features of Pixel Launcher Mods, including changing app icons and labels, requires root access to access and modify the database files for the Pixel Launcher.

Why do the Hide Apps and Widget Replacement options require a Magisk module?

These options use a system feature called Runtime Resource Overlays (RROs), to 'overlay' (replace) resources in the Pixel Launcher. Overlays must be installed as system apps, so a Magisk module is required. Once installed, Pixel Launcher Mods can build and install dynamically generated overlays on top of this system app, without needing to reboot or reinstall a module.

I've uninstalled Pixel Launcher Mods but my custom icons & labels, hidden apps or widget changes persist?

This happens as Pixel Launcher Mods applies changes directly to the Pixel Launcher databases, so even if you uninstall Pixel Launcher Mods, the icons will still remain until the icon cache is reloaded.

The easiest way to fix this is to reinstall Pixel Launcher Mods, and use the reset option in More > Advanced > Reset. After doing this, disable widget replacement, deselect all your hidden apps and apply changes.

You may then uninstall Pixel Launcher Mods again.

If reinstalling Pixel Launcher Mods is not an option, you must reset the changes manually.

Using a terminal, such as Termux, run these commands:

su
cd /data/data/com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher/databases
rm app_icons*
settings delete global SEARCH_PROVIDER_PACKAGE_NAME

On a device that has become unrooted (for example after an update), you must clear the data of the Pixel Launcher. This will reset your home screen layout.

After using the Hide Clock option, the clock does not re-appear, even when the option is disabled!

This is caused by the system not responding correctly to the settings change. To reset it, you must run this command using either a root terminal, or using ADB from a computer, and reboot:

settings delete secure icon_blacklist

After using Pixel Launcher Mods, I see a different search widget on a launcher that isn't the Pixel Launcher!

This is caused by the method used to replace the Search Box. To reset it, you must run this command using either a root terminal, or using ADB from a computer, and reboot:

settings delete global SEARCH_PROVIDER_PACKAGE_NAME

Why can I not use custom themed icons on Android 12?

This is a restriction of Android 12, which does not actually support themed icons, but uses a hardcoded list of icons in the Pixel Launcher. There are some mods available to add more icons to this list, please see the XDA thread for more details.

Why can I not edit the labels of app shortcuts?

This is a restriction in the Pixel Launcher, and cannot be bypassed. App shortcut labels are reloaded with the launcher, and therefore changes do not persist.

Why can I not edit dynamic icons?

Dynamic icons are shown dynamically, loaded directly from the apps that use them. This makes it impossible to change the icons.

Why do not all widgets work in the Search Box replacement option?

This is a restriction of the method used to replace Search Box, it does support some features modern widgets use. As a result, some widgets will fail to load or show as blank spaces.

Can I remove the search box or At a Glance entirely?

Unfortunately not. The space is always shown, regardless of the height of a widget, or the size of the underlying layout. You can replace the Search Box with Pixel Launcher Mods' Blank Widget, and hide At a Glance, but the space will remain.

The widget I am using to replace the Search Box is frozen

This occasionally happens when the connection between the replacement widget and the chosen app widget is broken. Rebooting will fix it.