With the newest software update to Oreo, most Google applications (not all) including Maps, Photos, Chrome etc. now have permanent Icon frames that could previously have turned off. Despite the default settings of icons, icon frames do not go away. The issue is being faced by many Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 Plus users and is being discussed on various forums. When users try to remove these icon frames, under Display settings it is greyed out. Moreover, enabling developer mode does not help. People have suggested several remedies to get rid of this issue. Here are listed a few:
- According to some users, icon frames issue is controlled by the themes one applies. It is on for one theme and not for the next, while the option in Settings is greyed out. Returning to the default theme gives one the option again to turn icon frames ON and OFF.
- Some users say that with the new Oreo update, all Google apps are setup to match the Samsung apps. Therefore, they are with icon frames as default and this is not a frames issue anymore.
- Using another icon pack with Nova can fix the Icons Frames issue. Moonshine icon pack has been designed to be free form because not all the icons are supposed to look alike. Furthermore, there is an option in Nova: “Prefer legacy icons”, to ignore framing of icons.
- Issue can be solved by getting different icon pack from the Samsung theme app.
- Themes or launchers installed have nothing to do with the icon frames. It depends on whether Easy Mode is enabled or disabled. By switching to Easy Mode, it enables one to change to icons only.
- Using the stock (Samsung) theme fixes the issue of Icon frames. Some custom themes are designed to use icon frames by default and nothing can be done about them.
- Changing back to TouchWiz / Samsung Experience theme, you can make the change and then switch back to the preferred launcher. To change to TouchWiz / Samsung Experience, go to Settings > Apps > three dots in the corner > Default apps > Homescreen.
- US unlocked models of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 phones have the option of setting icons with or without frames.
- Some users fixed the issue by following steps: Tap on the blank spot on Homepage. Options: Wallpapers, Themes, Icons and Add, will be seen at the bottom of screen from left to right respectively. Tap on “Icons” and it will restore it to the format without any frames. The reason behind icon frames is that themes or wallpapers change it. (Doing this only restores icons to their previous format and do not change the wallpaper or theme.)
