How to Use Custom Fonts in Android Phones?

Fonts are different text styles we use on computers and in various other programs. Windows and other such operating systems provide a variety of font styles to use. Moreover, we can install a wide array of custom fonts in Windows. However, Android has never been that generous to provide this much-desired feature to its users. Some phone models have implemented this feature on their Android phones with a limited variety of font styles. This feature could be present at different locations but usually in “Settings > Display > Font size and style”. Some brands’ phones give an option to download and install custom fonts. If you are not lucky enough to have the built-in feature to change the font style, continue reading this article and learn how to use custom fonts on Android phones.

Using Apps and Launchers for Custom Fonts

There are two main options to use custom fonts in Android – apps and launchers.

• Apps don’t work on all the phones unless they have root access. Android may behave weirdly when something tries to change its fonts. Hence, using apps is not recommended.
• Launchers are programs that can replace the home screen of your mobile phone. Once the launcher gets its home screen on your Android phone, it is easy to do anything because it is an external home screen. There is no chance of a clash with the Android. Hence, this is a highly recommended method to use custom fonts in your Android phone.

We present here two powerful launchers for using custom fonts.

Custom Fonts with GO Launcher

“GO Launcher” is a versatile home screen replacement launcher that you can use for changing the fonts as well. Here are the steps to do that.

• Install “GO Launcher” from Google Play.

• Find the app in the programs and launch it.
• It will first ask for permission to use external storage and then for accessing photos, media, and files on your device. Provide the necessary permissions to allow the app access.
• You can select your favorite wallpaper on the next screen.
• Now, you can see the “Go Launcher” home screen appears instead of the Android home screen. Long press the empty area of the home screen.
• “Go Launcher” menu will pop up and choose “GO Settings”.
• At the top of the settings menu, you can set “GO Launcher” as your default launcher. This will provide you a seamless experience when using the phone.
• Tap on “Font” in the menu list and press “Select Font” menu item.

• A pop-up “Select font” message will show up displaying a limited list of fonts. You can select the font you like and go back to the home screen.
• If you don’t like any of those fonts, then tap the “Scan font” hyperlink. It will scan the Android system and display an extended list of fonts. Scroll through the list and choose the font of your choice.
• Go back to the home screen, and you will find the icons showing with the font you have selected.
• You can also build your home screen just like the Android home screen. The only thing is that you may need to provide the necessary permissions occasionally.

Related: How to record your screen in Android phone?

Using Third-Party Fonts with Smart Launcher

Sometimes, your desired font is not available in the list of the launcher app, or you are not happy with those fonts. Alternatively, you can save the font file (.otf or .ttf) of your favorite font and keep it on your Android phone. “Smart Launcher” gives the option to locate the font file and use it for your home screen.

Find and Save the Font File

There are numerous free and paid font repositories where you can find your favorite fonts. We will present one of them.  

• Open the Free Fonts Pro site in your mobile phone browser
• It displays a list of fonts with preview and find your desired font.

• Click the ‘DOWNLOAD’ button and download the zip file of your font. Remember the location where you save the font file on your phone.
• Unzip the file using any unzipping app on your mobile phone. Check out our article to know how to zip or unzip a file on Android.
• In the unzipped folder, you will find your font file (.otf or .ttf).

Alternatively, you can open the website on your desktop computer and download the file. Unzip it and then transfer the unzipped folder to your Android phone.

Setup Custom Fonts with Smart Launcher

Now that you have your favorite font file, it’s time to install using “Smart Launcher” app.

• Install the “Smart Launcher” from Google Play store and launch the app after installation is completed.

• Press “Get started” and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Give the required permissions to “Smart Launcher” and choose a wallpaper to continue further.
• The next screen will show you an offer to purchase the premium features. Select your subscription plan and press “Continue” to finish the rest of the steps. After that you will see the “Smart Launcher” home screen.
• If you don’t want to buy a subscription, press your mobile phone’s back button. It will either exit or restart the launcher. Upon restart, it will ask you to make “Smart Launcher” your default home. Do it for an uninterrupted experience. If not, press the cross sign in the upper right corner.
• Now, the “Smart Launcher” home screen will appear on your phone.
• Long press in an empty area of the screen to open “Settings” menu.
• Pull it up again if it is not fully open and press “Global appearance” in the menu.
• Choose “Font” from the following menu to see two options – Title font and Body font.
• Select “Title font” to see an extended list of fonts to choose from. Tap the font you like and go back to see the effect on the home screen.

Using Font from File

If you want to use your custom font, click the folder icon at the top beside the search box. It will open the various locations of your phone memory. Locate your font file and select it to use a title font.

You can use the same procedure for “Body font” and go back home and see the font. Now, enjoy your favorite font.