How to customise your Pixel 9a's home screen and settings

Google's Pixel 9a comes packed with intuitive features and customisation options that let you tailor your phone exactly how you like it. Whether you're aiming for a cleaner layout, improved accessibility, or smarter usage habits, tweaking your home screen and settings can significantly enhance your smartphone experience.

Gadinsider has got you a simple guide to help you make your Pixel 9a more user-friendly and efficient.

Customise your home screen

1. Long-press an empty area on the home screen.
2. Tap Widgets.
3. Scroll through available widgets and drag your desired one to the home screen.
4. To remove, long-press the widget and drag it to Remove.
5. Long-press the home screen and select Wallpaper & style.
6. Choose between Themed icons or standard icons.
7. Adjust grid size (e.g., 5x5 or 4x4) to fit more or fewer apps.
8. Go to Settings > Wallpaper & style.
9. Choose from default options or tap My photos to select your own.
10. Drag apps around to reorganise.
11. Drag one app over another to create a folder.

Make your phone easier to use with accessibility features

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Tap Accessibility Menu and turn it on for easier navigation with large buttons.
3. Under Accessibility, tap Display size and text.
4. Adjust sliders to make content easier to see.
5. Enable TalkBack under Accessibility to get spoken feedback for navigation—ideal for users with low vision.

In Accessibility, you can also turn on Colour correction for color blindness or Magnification for zoomed-in views.

Use modes to limit screen time

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Bedtime mode.
2. Schedule quiet hours, grayscale display, and Do Not Disturb to reduce distractions at night.
3. In Digital Wellbeing, tap Focus mode.
4. Select distracting apps to pause and schedule focused periods.
5. Digital Wellbeing shows daily device usage, notifications, and unlocks to help you monitor habits.