Simplify a Google Pixel: Simple View or BIG Launcher?

Which one helps depends on the difficulty. If text is simply too small, changing a Pixel setting may be enough. If finding the same contact or app means searching through screens every time, a prepared set of large, labelled buttons addresses that task directly.

Put frequent actions where you expect them

In BIG Launcher, each home-screen button has an assigned destination. It can open an app, show a contact, offer a call or SMS to a selected number, or open another prepared screen.

For example, keep Phone, Messages, Camera and Photos on the first screen. Add a button called Family that opens a screen of photo contacts. You can navigate with Go to screen buttons, swipes between screens, or both. Apps you do not use can be hidden from BIG Launcher’s application list without uninstalling them.

Pixel also supports home-screen customisation and shortcuts. The reason to choose BIG Launcher is the combination of large assigned buttons, selected app visibility and configuration kept separate from ordinary use. Holding and dragging a normal BIG Launcher icon does not move it or open layout editing.

What Pixel Simple View already offers

On a supported Pixel, open Settings → Accessibility, find Simple View in the Quick Access section, and choose Use Simple View. Google’s documented changes include larger text and icons, a simplified home screen, three-button navigation and higher touch sensitivity.

Enabling Simple View during initial phone setup adds a longer preset list, including Contact, Clock and Weather shortcuts, high-contrast wallpaper and a 4×4 app grid. Google’s after-setup instructions do not list all of those initial-setup changes. Turning Simple View off restores the original font, display and layout settings.

If you only need larger text or an alternative to system navigation gestures, Pixel also lets you adjust font/display size and choose three-button navigation separately. Font scaling does not affect every app, so check your everyday phone and messaging screens as well.

Need bigger icons, not just bigger text? Check Simple View and the home-screen layout rather than changing only the font size.

Build a smaller daily menu with BIG Launcher

1. Install BIG Launcher and select it as the Android home app. Open ⋮ → Set buttons, choose a button and assign an app or contact. The free edition allows changes to right-column buttons; editing all buttons requires the full version.
2. For another screen, use Preferences → Customise buttons and screens → Add screen. Assign a Go to screen button so you can reach it without a swipe. Swipe navigation is optional under Preferences → Screens’ options.
3. To shorten the application list, open Preferences → Applications → Allowed applications and hide the apps you do not want listed. This changes BIG Launcher’s list, not access through all of Android.
4. To protect the finished arrangement, enable Preferences → Preferences menu → Protect menu and set Password. Password protection is a full-version feature and covers BIG Launcher configuration.

Keep calls and messages simple too

If the difficulty continues inside the calling or SMS app, BIG Phone and BIG SMS provide their own large controls. Install them separately and set the relevant default phone or SMS role in Android. BIG Launcher alone does not replace Google’s Phone or Messages interface.