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How Can You Make Your Android Phone Look and Feel Like an iPhone?

How Can You Make Your Android Phone Look and Feel Like an iPhone?
How Can You Make Your Android Phone Look and Feel Like an iPhone? | Photo: computerworld.com

Google has made sure that Android phones can be changed in ways that no other phone can. Every big update gives you a chance to change the way your phone looks and how it works. Even the colors of app icons on your homescreen can be changed with the Android 12 update. Even though adjustable features are important, they can sometimes be too much.

With Apple, simplicity is key and even if you change to the latest iOS version, most of the iPhone's functions will still look the same. But iPhones are expensive and no one wants to spend a lot of money just to switch from Android to iOS. If you don't want to change, here are some easy ways to make your device look like the iPhone's famous home screen.

Can You Make Your Android Look Like an iPhone?

With third-party apps, icon packs and themes from the Google Play Store, you can make your Android look like an iPhone. At the moment, this is the only way to turn an Android device into an iOS device. Apple's software is made to work with its own devices and the company has a closed environment in which it has full control over the software. So, they don't let other producers get their hands on it. You can't also get the software from websites or install it without permission by jailbreaking.

iPhone screens, on the other hand, can change the way your Android phone looks, but not how it works. Even if the icon for your usual browser changes to Safari, that doesn't mean that Apple's browser is now on your phone. If Chrome is your preferred web browser, you will still see Chrome.

Some apps may ask you to pay or make a gift if you want to get rid of ads or see premium material. Also, launchers only affect your home screen and lock screen. They don't change anything else. Your settings and the choices for your file manager don't change. To change the way your Android looks in a big way, you can download a theme. Here are several tricks you may use to give your phone a more iPhone-like appearance.

Use iPhone Launchers

Launchers let you customize your phone's home screen and app gallery screen. You can, among other things, change the icons, add tools and rearrange the style. Most apps come with customizing options for the lock screen, the Control Center and if you're lucky, the Dynamic Island. You don't have to get another app. If you need advice on what apps to use, Nova and Apex Launcher Pro are two of the best ones for Android.

For third-party apps to work, you have to make them your preferred home screen app. If you don't, your phone will keep asking you to choose your main home screen or go back to the default options. Also, you may need to turn off the Digital Wellbeing app on your phone because on some phones it returns the home screen to the way it was when the phone was first bought. After installation, most apps will ask you to give them rights and agree to the Terms and Conditions. The apps will then open the Default Home app Page so you can choose to make them your main home screen.

Download Themes and Icon Packs

Themes are styles or designs that change your phone's User Interface (UI), which includes the buttons, icons and background. If your phone is in Dark mode, you might not notice the change, so you'll need to turn it off. Launchers, on the other hand, are apps that hold your homescreen and lock screen and come with their own styles. They let you change the style, page movements and quick settings. You can also add apps to customize how the screen works.

If you don't want to completely change your homescreen or user interface, use icon packs slowly. Icon packs let you change the style, shape and color of your basic icons. If you have a new Samsung phone, you can use the Galaxy Themes app to download and change app themes. If you want to download icon packs, themes and wallpapers for other devices, you may need to use their original theme tools or the Google Play Store. Still, no theme can make your main and quick settings choices look like the iPhone.

Install iOS App Lookalikes

Because Apple's environment is closed, you can't add iOS apps without going through a few steps. Even though many websites say they have approved iOS apps for download, we don't suggest downloading them because they contain malware that can harm your device. But there is still hope. There are apps like Apple's on the Play Store that can make you feel like you're using an iPhone and you can make them your preferred apps.

AirMessage is a good option to iMessage and it has many of the same benefits. As for useful apps, the Play Store has a lot of tools and clocks that are very similar to their iOS counterparts. Officially, Apple Music is also on the Play Store and it comes with a cool pink button for your homescreen. But to use the streaming tool, you need an Apple ID.

Get a Lock Screen App

One of the new features in iOS 16 that is similar to Google's Android 13 is the lock screen widgets. You can now add tools to your lock screen, which you can't do on an Android to make things easier to access and control. Google apps can be used as buttons on the iPhone lock screen, but not on Android.

Download an app from the Play Store to add tools to your Android's lock screen. These apps are made for lock screens, so they won't change your homescreen or buttons. Depending on the app you download, you may be able to change your password or pattern, date and time format, writing size, lock sound and other settings to make them look like iPhone features.

Use Control Center and Assistive Touch Apps

By default, Android phones have a Quick settings panel that you can reach by pulling down from the top of the screen. You can't fully replace it with a Control Center app, but you can set up the app to open in the same way. For example, you can swipe in some apps from the bottom, left, right, or upper-right part of your screen. Some Control Centers may have the iPhone's helpful touch button, and you can move it wherever you want.

Most Control Centers have ways to take screenshots and record, but they don't always work and your records can get messed up. Some Control Centers may ask you to download an in-app screen camera or make one if you already have your preferred app in the Center.

Enjoy Free iOS-style Customization on Your Android

Icon packs, apps and launchers are free ways to enjoy iOS features without getting a new iPhone. But there are limits to how you can use them. People might think you're holding an iPhone, but the trick doesn't last long because your phone looks the same, unless you have the Xiaomi 13 series or a similar smartphone. Also, you can't use Siri, Apple Pay and other features because Apple hasn't opened its App Store to the world.

If you've only ever used an Android device, it can be hard to move your files and get used to the iOS style. If you want the full iPhone experience, you should think about getting an iPhone. Then, use Google services to change from Android to iPhone. Also, you can use free iPhone emulators to get used to the new design before making the move.

Emulating the iPhone experience on an Android device isn't just about aesthetics; it's about merging the best of both worlds. By utilizing custom launchers, icons, widgets, and applications, Android users can capture the streamlined elegance of Apple's design without sacrificing the versatility of the Android platform. Such modifications not only rejuvenate the visual appeal of the device but also offer a fresh user experience. However, it's essential to remember that while mirroring the look can be achieved to a significant degree, the deep-rooted system functionalities and ecosystem exclusivities of iOS cannot be fully replicated on Android. Still, for those longing for the iPhone feel without switching devices, these steps provide a convincing and satisfying semblance. Experiment, personalize, and enjoy the blend of Android flexibility with iPhone sophistication!