Are you tired of cluttered home screens and unwanted Google shortcuts? Do you want to learn how to remove them and customize your Android device to your liking? Look no further! In this article, we will walk you through the process of removing Google shortcuts from your home screen, providing you with a cleaner and more personalized user experience.
Understanding Google Shortcuts
Before we dive into the removal process, let’s first understand what Google shortcuts are and why they’re on your home screen in the first place. Google shortcuts are small icons that provide quick access to various Google services, such as Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Play Music. They’re designed to make it easier for you to access your favorite Google apps and services.
However, not everyone finds these shortcuts useful, and some may even consider them clutter. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry – removing them is a straightforward process.
Removing Google Shortcuts from Your Home Screen
The process of removing Google shortcuts from your home screen varies depending on the type of device you’re using and the version of Android it’s running. Here are the steps for different devices and Android versions:
For Devices Running Android 11 and Later
If your device is running Android 11 or later, you can remove Google shortcuts from your home screen by following these steps:
- Long-press on the Google shortcut you want to remove.
- Tap on the “Remove” or “Unpin” option.
- Confirm that you want to remove the shortcut.
Alternatively, you can also remove Google shortcuts from your home screen by going to the “Settings” app and following these steps:
- Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Find the Google app that corresponds to the shortcut you want to remove (e.g., Google Search, Google Maps, etc.).
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to the app’s name.
- Select “Uninstall updates” or “Remove updates.”
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the updates.
Note that uninstalling updates will not completely remove the app from your device, but it will remove the shortcut from your home screen.
For Devices Running Android 10 and Earlier
If your device is running Android 10 or earlier, you can remove Google shortcuts from your home screen by following these steps:
- Long-press on the Google shortcut you want to remove.
- Drag the shortcut to the “Remove” or “Trash” icon at the top of the screen.
- Release the shortcut, and it will be removed from your home screen.
Alternatively, you can also remove Google shortcuts from your home screen by going to the “Settings” app and following these steps:
- Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Find the Google app that corresponds to the shortcut you want to remove (e.g., Google Search, Google Maps, etc.).
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to the app’s name.
- Select “Clear defaults” or “Clear launcher defaults.”
- Confirm that you want to clear the defaults.
Clearing defaults will remove the shortcut from your home screen, but it will not uninstall the app from your device.
Disabling Google Shortcuts
If you don’t want to completely remove Google shortcuts from your home screen, you can disable them instead. Disabling Google shortcuts will remove them from your home screen, but you can still access them through the app drawer.
To disable Google shortcuts, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Settings” app.
- Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Find the Google app that corresponds to the shortcut you want to disable (e.g., Google Search, Google Maps, etc.).
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to the app’s name.
- Select “Disable” or “Turn off.”
- Confirm that you want to disable the app.
Note that disabling Google shortcuts will not uninstall the app from your device, but it will remove the shortcut from your home screen.
Customizing Your Home Screen
Now that you’ve removed or disabled Google shortcuts from your home screen, it’s time to customize it to your liking. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Adding Custom Shortcuts
You can add custom shortcuts to your home screen by following these steps:
- Long-press on an empty area of your home screen.
- Tap on the “Widgets” or “Shortcuts” option.
- Select the type of shortcut you want to add (e.g., app shortcut, contact shortcut, etc.).
- Choose the app or contact you want to add as a shortcut.
- Tap on the “Add” or “Create” option.
Changing Your Launcher
If you want to completely change the look and feel of your home screen, you can change your launcher. A launcher is an app that allows you to customize your home screen and app drawer.
To change your launcher, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Settings” app.
- Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Find the launcher app you want to use (e.g., Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, etc.).
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to the app’s name.
- Select “Set as default” or “Set as launcher.”
- Confirm that you want to set the app as your default launcher.
Conclusion
Removing Google shortcuts from your home screen is a straightforward process that can help you declutter your device and customize it to your liking. Whether you’re running Android 11 or an earlier version, we’ve provided you with the steps to remove Google shortcuts from your home screen.
Remember, you can always add custom shortcuts to your home screen or change your launcher to completely change the look and feel of your device. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a home screen that’s tailored to your needs and preferences.
| Android Version | Removal Method |
|---|---|
| Android 11 and later | Long-press on the shortcut and tap “Remove” or “Unpin” |
| Android 10 and earlier | Long-press on the shortcut and drag it to the “Remove” or “Trash” icon |
By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to take control of your home screen and create a more personalized user experience.
What are Google shortcuts and why are they on my home screen?
Google shortcuts are small icons that provide quick access to various Google services, such as Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Play Store. They are usually added to your home screen when you set up a new Android device or update your Google app. These shortcuts are designed to make it easier for you to access frequently used Google services.
However, some users may find these shortcuts cluttering their home screen or may not use them frequently. In such cases, removing them can help declutter the home screen and make it more organized. Additionally, removing unnecessary shortcuts can also help improve the overall performance of your device by reducing the number of icons that need to be loaded.
How do I remove Google shortcuts from my home screen?
To remove Google shortcuts from your home screen, you can follow a few simple steps. First, long-press on the shortcut icon you want to remove until a menu appears. Then, tap on the “Remove” or “Uninstall” option, depending on your device’s Android version. Alternatively, you can also drag the shortcut icon to the “Remove” or “Uninstall” option at the top of the screen.
If you are unable to remove the shortcut using the above method, you can try going to your device’s Settings app and looking for the “Apps” or “Application manager” option. From there, you can select the Google app and then tap on the “Storage” option to clear the app’s data and cache. This should remove the shortcut from your home screen.
Will removing Google shortcuts affect my device’s functionality?
Removing Google shortcuts from your home screen will not affect your device’s functionality in any significant way. The shortcuts are simply a convenient way to access Google services, and removing them will not impact the performance or functionality of your device. You can still access Google services by opening the Google app or searching for them in your device’s app drawer.
However, if you have set up custom shortcuts or widgets that rely on the Google shortcuts, removing them may affect the functionality of those custom shortcuts or widgets. In such cases, you may need to recreate the custom shortcuts or widgets after removing the Google shortcuts.
Can I reinstall Google shortcuts if I need them later?
Yes, you can reinstall Google shortcuts if you need them later. To do this, you can go to the Google Play Store and search for the Google app. Then, tap on the “Install” or “Update” button to reinstall the app and its associated shortcuts. Alternatively, you can also go to your device’s Settings app and look for the “Apps” or “Application manager” option to reinstall the Google app.
Once you reinstall the Google app, the shortcuts should reappear on your home screen. If they do not, you can try restarting your device or going to the Google app’s settings to re-enable the shortcuts. Keep in mind that reinstalling the Google app may also restore any custom shortcuts or widgets that you had previously set up.
How do I prevent Google shortcuts from being added to my home screen in the future?
To prevent Google shortcuts from being added to your home screen in the future, you can go to your device’s Settings app and look for the “Apps” or “Application manager” option. From there, you can select the Google app and then tap on the “Permissions” option to disable the app’s ability to add shortcuts to your home screen.
Alternatively, you can also go to the Google app’s settings and look for the “Shortcuts” or “Add icons to home screen” option. From there, you can toggle off the switch to prevent the app from adding shortcuts to your home screen. Keep in mind that disabling this feature may also prevent other apps from adding shortcuts to your home screen.
Can I customize the Google shortcuts on my home screen?
Yes, you can customize the Google shortcuts on your home screen to some extent. For example, you can long-press on a shortcut icon and then tap on the “Edit” option to change the icon’s label or move it to a different location on your home screen. You can also use third-party launchers or icon packs to customize the appearance of the shortcut icons.
However, the customization options for Google shortcuts are limited compared to other apps or widgets. You cannot change the icon’s design or functionality, and you cannot add custom shortcuts to the Google app. If you want more customization options, you may need to consider using third-party apps or widgets instead of the Google shortcuts.
Are Google shortcuts available on non-Android devices?
Google shortcuts are primarily designed for Android devices, and they are not available on non-Android devices such as iOS devices or desktop computers. However, Google does offer some similar features on other platforms, such as the Google app on iOS devices or the Google Chrome browser on desktop computers.
On iOS devices, you can use the Google app to access various Google services, but you will not be able to add shortcuts to your home screen like you can on Android devices. On desktop computers, you can use the Google Chrome browser to access Google services and add bookmarks or shortcuts to your browser’s toolbar. However, these features are not exactly the same as the Google shortcuts on Android devices.