Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Make icons shape up with this new setting on the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge

A new setting provides a unified look for all app icons.

Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
samsung-galaxy-s7-rounded-icons.jpg
Enlarge Image
samsung-galaxy-s7-rounded-icons.jpg
Jason Cipriani/CNET
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

Depending on your preference, the fact that Android app icons can all come in various shapes and sizescan be one of its benefits over iOS.

For some, however, uniform app icons provides a cleaner look and experience.

Samsung has added a new option with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge that places app icons atop the same background, making all of them the same size.

To enable "Icons with backgrounds," open the Settings app. Then tap on Display and wallpaper, followed by Icon backgrounds.

samsung-rounded-icons-1.jpg
Enlarge Image
samsung-rounded-icons-1.jpg
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

A preview of your current setting will show up in the box below the two options on this page. Switch between the two to get a better idea of what app icons will look like with each respective setting, then tap Done after selecting your preferred look.

samsung-rounded-icons-2.jpg
Enlarge Image
samsung-rounded-icons-2.jpg

Left: Standard icon look. Right: Icons with backgrounds.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

When you go back to your home screen or app drawer you'll notice most apps have a new background. The only exception is Samsung's own apps, which are the same size and shape as the new icon background.