How to Remove Circular Icons on Your Android Phone?

When you’re using your Android phone, encountering circular icons can be quite distracting, whether they are app shortcuts, overlay icons, or system notifications. If you’re looking to declutter your screen and get rid of these circular icons, this guide will help you step-by-step.

What Are Circle Icons?

Circular icons can take various forms, such as:

  • Chat Heads from messaging apps like Facebook Messenger.
  • Floating Action Buttons that apps may use for quick access.
  • App Shortcuts that can sometimes appear as overlays.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Circular Icons

1. Removing Chat Heads

If you’re using apps with chat heads:

  • Open the Messenger app.
  • Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
  • Scroll down to find Chat Heads and toggle it off.

2. Disabling Overlay Icons

For other apps that are displaying floating icons:

  • Go to Settings on your Android phone.
  • Navigate to Apps & Notifications.
  • Find the app that is causing the floating icon and select it.
  • Tap on Advanced or the three-dots menu (depending on your Android version) and select Draw Over Other Apps.
  • Disable the option for drawing over other apps.

3. Removing App Shortcuts

To remove shortcuts on your home screen:

  • Press and hold the circular icon until options appear.
  • Drag it to the Remove option at the top or bottom of the screen.

4. Resetting to Default

If you’re still having trouble:

  • Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps.
  • Find the app that you suspect is creating the overlay and select it.
  • Tap on Storage and then select Clear Cache and Clear Data. Note: Clearing data may remove any saved settings in that app.

Conclusion

If you follow these steps, you should be able to easily remove unwanted circular icons from your Android phone. Remember, the steps can vary based on the phone model and the Android version, so make sure to navigate accordingly. If you have further questions or need more assistance, feel free to ask here!

Happy decluttering!

Circular icons on Android are often used for shortcuts, notifications, or widgets. They help streamline the user interface by providing quick access to frequently used apps or features.

That’s true! I always thought they just took up space, but knowing they serve a purpose makes it more interesting!

These icons can appear due to apps you install that create shortcuts. They’re designed to enhance functionality, allowing quicker access to tools you use often. But would you really miss them if you removed them?

I think they’re annoying sometimes! Especially the notification icons that seem to multiply overnight!

Understanding these icons is crucial. They often indicate new messages or updates in your apps. Ignoring them might mean missing out on important info.

2 Likes

Exactly! I realized I was dismissing important messages just because I found the icons cluttered.

3 Likes

It’s interesting how these circular icons blend form and function. They can be styled differently but ultimately aim to keep your home screen organized. Anyone else notice the design variations?

2 Likes

For sure! I often switch up my launcher just to change the look of these icons. Makes it feel fresh!

Sometimes these icons can be a bit overwhelming especially when notifications pile up. A clean interface is much nicer to navigate. Any tips on decluttering?

I’d suggest checking your notification settings or removing less-used shortcuts. It’s a game-changer!

I like the idea of circular icons. They feel modern and give a nice look to the interface. But, I agree that sometimes they can dominate the screen. Balance is key!

Why do some apps insist on adding circular icons by default? Can’t they just ask if we want them?

3 Likes

I feel like these icons can sometimes be a distraction. They’d be better tucked away rather than always glaring at you. Has anyone faced this?

3 Likes

Totally get that! It’s like they want to remind you every second that something needs attention. Calm down, icons!

In reflection, getting rid of these icons can give you a fresh start with your phone’s layout. It’s worth trying if you find them annoying.

Removing circular icons can be quite a hassle! To start, go to your home screen settings and look for the option to change the icon shape. Different devices have different paths, but it usually is under ‘Display’ or ‘Home screen’.

Thanks for the tip, Kristin! I had no idea there were settings directly for that. Is it the same for all Android versions?

You’re right, the steps might vary a bit! For example, Samsung has a different interface than Google Pixel. It’s good to check device-specific settings!

That’s true! I have a Pixel and changing the icon shape is under ‘Launcher settings’. Are there any apps that can help with this?