Customizing the Samsung Galaxy user interface offers extensive flexibility through One UI's built-in features and third-party tools. The most effective approach combines Samsung's native customization options with advanced modules from the Good Lock app suite, alongside strategic third-party launchers for deeper personalization. One UI 7 and 8.5 introduce refined controls for lock screens, home screens, quick settings, and system-wide aesthetics, while tools like KWGT and Action Launcher enable granular adjustments beyond stock capabilities.

Key findings from the sources:

• Good Lock modules (e.g., QuickStar, Nice Shot, Keys Cafe) unlock hidden UI tweaks like animated wallpapers, custom navigation bars, and redesigned quick settings ^[1][5][7]
• Lock screen customization includes widgets, clock styles, and live notifications (e.g., sports updates) via One UI 7’s "Now Bar" feature ^[3][7]
• Home screen organization benefits from enlarged folders, custom icon packs (e.g., Darko), and grid sizing adjustments ^[2][5][9]
• System-level optimizations like gesture navigation, Always-On Display tweaks, and bloatware removal significantly improve usability ^[8][9]

Step-by-Step Customization Guide for Galaxy UI

Core One UI Customizations

Samsung’s One UI provides native tools to personalize nearly every visual and functional element. Start with these foundational adjustments before exploring third-party options.

For lock screen customization, One UI 7 introduces dynamic widgets and clock styles accessible via Settings > Lock Screen. Users can add shortcuts for cameras, flashlights, or custom apps, while the "Now Bar" feature displays live updates (e.g., sports scores) without unlocking ^[3][7]. Advanced options require Good Lock’s "LockStar" module, which enables:

• Animated wallpapers synced with system themes
• Custom font styles for clock/time displays
• Adjustable opacity for notification backgrounds ^[1]

The home screen allows grid resizing (4x5 to 5x6), app label toggles, and folder enlargement for better accessibility. One UI 8.5’s App Screen Settings lets users switch between a traditional app drawer or a continuous scroll layout ^[6]. For icon consistency, apply third-party packs (e.g., Darko) through Action Launcher or Nova Launcher, though Samsung’s native launcher supports limited icon theming ^[2].

System-wide quick settings and notification panels can be restructured using QuickStar (a Good Lock module). This tool enables:

• Separating notifications from quick toggles for cleaner access
• Resizing and recoloring quick setting tiles
• Adding custom toggles (e.g., direct app shortcuts) ^[5][7]
• Hiding seldom-used toggles to reduce clutter ^[4]

Performance tweaks complement visual changes. Enable gesture navigation (*Settings > Display > Navigation Bar) for smoother interactions, and set the highest screen resolution (Settings > Display > Screen Resolution*) to maximize clarity ^[8][9]. Disable pop-up notifications (*Settings > Notifications > Brief Pop-ups) to minimize distractions, and use Always-On Display (Settings > Lock Screen > Always On Display*) for at-a-glance info ^[8].

Advanced Customization with Good Lock and Third-Party Tools

For deeper personalization, Samsung’s Good Lock app suite (available via Galaxy Store) unlocks experimental features not exposed in standard settings. Key modules include:

• Nice Shot: Enhances screenshot editing with markup tools and scroll capture ^[5]
• SoundAssistant: Granular volume controls per app and custom vibration patterns ^[1]
• NavStar: Replaces the navigation bar with gesture hints or a floating bubble ^[1]
• Keys Cafe: Remaps hardware keys (e.g., Bixby button) to launch apps or shortcuts ^[1]
• Home Up: Adjusts home screen transitions, app animations, and folder behaviors ^[7]

Third-party launchers like Action Launcher or Nova Launcher bypass One UI’s limitations. Action Launcher, for example, supports:

• Adaptive icon shapes (e.g., squircle, teardrop) for uniform app icons
• Quicktheme to auto-generate color palettes from wallpapers
• Hidden app drawers for minimalist home screens ^[2]
• Gesture controls (e.g., swipe-up to open camera) ^[9]

For widget customization, KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) creates interactive widgets with real-time data (e.g., weather, battery stats). Pair it with KLWP for dynamic home screen overlays that respond to touch or time-of-day changes ^[1]. Users on Reddit emphasize trial-and-error with these tools to achieve unique layouts, noting that Samsung’s hit-and-trial approach often yields the best results ^[6].

Performance and Usability Optimizations

Customization extends beyond aesthetics to functional improvements. Start by uninstalling bloatware (*Settings > Apps > [Select App] > Uninstall*), focusing on redundant Samsung apps (e.g., Samsung Internet, Bixby) unless actively used ^[8]. For system apps that can’t be removed, disable them via Settings > Apps > [App] > Disable.

• Enable Adaptive Battery (*Settings > Device Care > Battery > More Battery Settings*) to prioritize frequently used apps ^[9].
• Set Dark Mode (*Settings > Display > Dark Mode) to reduce AMOLED burn-in and save power.
• Use Intelligent Wi-Fi (Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Intelligent Wi-Fi*) to auto-switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi for stability ^[5].

For security and privacy, One UI 8 introduces:

• On-device AI processing for photo edits without cloud uploads ^[3]
• Permission controls (*Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager*) to restrict app access to location, camera, or microphone
• Private Share for encrypted file sharing between Galaxy devices ^[3]

Finally, leverage Galaxy AI features for automation:

• AI Photo Editing: Remove objects or adjust lighting in Gallery (*Edit > AI Tools*) ^[3]
• Live Translate: Real-time translation in calls (*Settings > Advanced Features > Live Translate*) ^[9]
• Circle to Search: Hold the home button to search anything on-screen ^[9]