Carrier replaced stock icons with ugly versions, any way to restore?

[jpfranco]

So I just got myself a Galaxy SIII and noticed that my carrier took the liberty to replace the default android icons for Phone, Messaging, Camera, Settings, etc. (all of the most common features) with their tasteless, cheap looking icons. They even changed the Email app's name to reflect their own email service.

I got the 4.1.2 update from Samsung (through the phone) and the ugly icons are still there. I did get back my Email app though. Is there a way to revert the icons to their original state? Better yet, is there perhaps a way to remove all carrier customizations? I fear that I will need to download one of the icon changer apps and replace each icon individually. If that is the case, does anyone where I can get the default icon set? Thanks.

 

[ExtremeNerd]

So I just got myself a Galaxy SIII and noticed that my carrier took the liberty to replace the default android icons for Phone, Messaging, Camera, Settings, etc. (all of the most common features) with their tasteless, cheap looking icons. They even changed the Email app's name to reflect their own email service.

I got the 4.1.2 update from Samsung (through the phone) and the ugly icons are still there. I did get back my Email app though. Is there a way to revert the icons to their original state? Better yet, is there perhaps a way to remove all carrier customizations? I fear that I will need to download one of the icon changer apps and replace each icon individually. If that is the case, does anyone where I can get the default icon set? Thanks.

That's called touchwiz. It's a skin Samsung puts on their phones to add value to users. Many of us think stock android is very plain and boring. There are a few steps you can take.

1) Download a custom Launcher (Apex, Nova) and apply a theme
2) Root and flash an AOSP/AOKP ROM.

 

[Granite1]

That's called touchwiz. It's a skin Samsung puts on their phones to add value to users. Many of us think stock android is very plain and boring. There are a few steps you can take.

1) Download a custom Launcher (Apex, Nova) and apply a theme
2) Root and flash an AOSP/AOKP ROM.

Option 1 above is easier in the short term.

Option 2 in the long run is a little better, because you can flash customized themes, and a lot of Roms are themed from the get go. Also you will have the ability to actually theme any Rom you are running any way you like.

The best part of rooting is you have control of the device you paid a lot of money for. But with great power comes great responsibility, read, ask questions before you head down the rabbit hole.