Just got a new work phone: Galaxy S22. Wanted a pixel but it was out of stock in our internal allocation. Already tired of samsung’s UI and interested in something new.
So what do you like? Bonus points if it works with android enterprise’s profile mode dual app drawers.
I’m going to piggy back on this comment for all the people who don’t want to do the research on Nova and their recent acquisition by Branch. You can opt in or out of usage statistics and all permissions in the app. The new mods on their discord have a FAQ that expresses this also. I have no way to prove otherwise but if all we have is their word then you should take all apps usages disclosures with a grain of salt.
Edit: funny enough I just installed and read the first few paragraphs of Niagra’s privacy policy which says it collects and shares user analytics. To each their own I guess.
Protip: If you are somewhat skeptical of the Branch integration, you can disable network permission in Android for the Nova Launcher. It doesn’t need to connect to anything to work fine generally speaking. Without network permisson, the launcher can’t send anything to the internet.
Despite the privacy issues after the buyout, I’m still using Nova Launcher.
On the work phone I’m using the Microsoft one and it’s surprisingly good too. It’s not quite as customisable as Nova but it does a fair amount as well. I like the configurable leftmost screen, it’s like a powered up widget viewer.
Second this. Niagara Launcher allows me so much easier access to apps. Cleaner home page and all apps in an easy to navigate alphabetical list. Super easy
Yeah… What buyout? I have it in Graphene, with no permissions granted and only as a secondary launcher while i was considering my options, since Neo sometimes doesn’t update new installed apps for a while…
You’re on a fediverse app, you should know that Nova was the center of some controversy when they sold to a company that is likely harvesting and selling user data. Many have left Nova.
I’ve been using smart-launcher for years now, and it’s what I’m used to, gestures and a nice app menu that automtically categorises applications is nice.
Seconding Smart Launcher. Automatic categorization beats pretty much every other feature I can think of in a launcher.
I try to treat my devices as commitments as far as spending but disposable as far as usage habits and not having invent my own categories helps me just USE my phone instead of playing with it.
I just replaced Nova with Neo after trying several from this thread. The only bug I’ve seen has been renaming folders. But other than that it has been smooth sailing. Thanks for the recommendation. 👍🏻
No it’s not as polished as Nova and it looks like it hasn’t been updated for a while. Do you know of another launcher that has “Cover mode” where the first app in the folder is displayed and other apps are displayed when you swipe up?
Probably the app drawer is my favorite feature. It automatically sorts your apps into catagories (Contacts, Games, Internet, Media, Communications, Utilities and Settings, although you can change any categories or create your own). In addition to the categories, you can search alphabetically or find apps via a universal search. The widgets and widget stack handling is great, icon Pack Studio to design your own icons if you’re into that sort of thing. Fun little features like blur and parralax 3D if you choose to enable it. Overall, its a really slick launcher and mature product that’s actively developed with devs that interact with the community. I’ve been using the paid version for years and its the best $ value for anything I’ve ever purchased on Android. It’s this very first thing I put on a new phone. I love playing with new launchers and I try out pretty much every launcher I come across, but this is always my daily driver.
I am on GrapheneOS, based on Android 13, on a 64-bit only CPU. It is available. You might need to download it from F-Droid, I have no clue about whether the Play Store version is downloadable, as it isnt too actively maintained.
that went much better, unfortunately it seems it’s not for me. despite my phone having a slide-out keyboard, it is not tenable for me to open either it or the softkeyboard just to open an app. thanks for the suggestion anyway!
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I use ADW because when I switched phones my new version of Android didn’t have the carousel home screen and it was the first one I found 😅
I’ve been using Nova for years and I have no complaints.
I love me some Nova
I’m going to piggy back on this comment for all the people who don’t want to do the research on Nova and their recent acquisition by Branch. You can opt in or out of usage statistics and all permissions in the app. The new mods on their discord have a FAQ that expresses this also. I have no way to prove otherwise but if all we have is their word then you should take all apps usages disclosures with a grain of salt.
Edit: funny enough I just installed and read the first few paragraphs of Niagra’s privacy policy which says it collects and shares user analytics. To each their own I guess.
Wait, what? I didn’t hear about them getting acquired. That sucks.
It literally doesn’t effect anything if you opt out.
Protip: If you are somewhat skeptical of the Branch integration, you can disable network permission in Android for the Nova Launcher. It doesn’t need to connect to anything to work fine generally speaking. Without network permisson, the launcher can’t send anything to the internet.
Despite the privacy issues after the buyout, I’m still using Nova Launcher.
On the work phone I’m using the Microsoft one and it’s surprisingly good too. It’s not quite as customisable as Nova but it does a fair amount as well. I like the configurable leftmost screen, it’s like a powered up widget viewer.
What happened to Nova? I didn’t see anything
It was bought by an analytics company.
Since i bought Niagara Launcher my phone(s) feel very fluent and contemporary. I’d say the best piece of software I bought for Android.
Second this. Niagara Launcher allows me so much easier access to apps. Cleaner home page and all apps in an easy to navigate alphabetical list. Super easy
Niagara is the best! Never needed any other launcher
Neo launcher for me. it’s on fdroid.
it’s not perfect and can get buggy, but once you set it up, and don’t mess with the settings too much. it’s acceptable replacement for Nova launcher.
Had nova prime, but switched after the buyout
Yeah… What buyout? I have it in Graphene, with no permissions granted and only as a secondary launcher while i was considering my options, since Neo sometimes doesn’t update new installed apps for a while…
https://www.androidpolice.com/nova-launcher-acquired-by-branch/
It was bought by a data analytics company last summer, unfortunately.
… what buyout?
Nova launcher, made this with it
Nova too, nice homepage, I have the same icon pack but on a boring 4x4 grid :)
You’re on a fediverse app, you should know that Nova was the center of some controversy when they sold to a company that is likely harvesting and selling user data. Many have left Nova.
OLauncher, it’s FOSS, minimalist, simple and available on F-Droid.
I’ve been using smart-launcher for years now, and it’s what I’m used to, gestures and a nice app menu that automtically categorises applications is nice.
Seconding Smart Launcher. Automatic categorization beats pretty much every other feature I can think of in a launcher.
I try to treat my devices as commitments as far as spending but disposable as far as usage habits and not having invent my own categories helps me just USE my phone instead of playing with it.
AIO launcher.
Looks nothing like a regular launcher, but works great for me, can have calendar, news, tasks etc all in one convenient scrolling home screen
Neo Launcher, it’s the closest think to Nova, but there is still a lot of bugs.
I just replaced Nova with Neo after trying several from this thread. The only bug I’ve seen has been renaming folders. But other than that it has been smooth sailing. Thanks for the recommendation. 👍🏻
I still have the app icon disappearing when you update it bug. Plus the in general unpolished feel of the app.
For free I can’t complain, but it’s not as smooth or as polished as Nova… Yet
No it’s not as polished as Nova and it looks like it hasn’t been updated for a while. Do you know of another launcher that has “Cover mode” where the first app in the folder is displayed and other apps are displayed when you swipe up?
I loved using Nova, but they got bought by a data mining company. I’m using Active Launcher now.
Oh what? Damn I’ve been using only Nova for years and years. Who bought them?
According to this article, an analytical giant by the name of Branch last year?
https://www.makeuseof.com/nova-launcher-branch-is-it-still-safe-to-use/
None since Nova went and got telemetry’d up.
Wait, what now? Nova’a been my go-to, what happened?
Last year they got acquired by Branch, an analytics company. Android Police article about it here.
SmartLauncher, no contest.
Tell us why. I’ve never used it. What’s the feature that keeps you there?
Probably the app drawer is my favorite feature. It automatically sorts your apps into catagories (Contacts, Games, Internet, Media, Communications, Utilities and Settings, although you can change any categories or create your own). In addition to the categories, you can search alphabetically or find apps via a universal search. The widgets and widget stack handling is great, icon Pack Studio to design your own icons if you’re into that sort of thing. Fun little features like blur and parralax 3D if you choose to enable it. Overall, its a really slick launcher and mature product that’s actively developed with devs that interact with the community. I’ve been using the paid version for years and its the best $ value for anything I’ve ever purchased on Android. It’s this very first thing I put on a new phone. I love playing with new launchers and I try out pretty much every launcher I come across, but this is always my daily driver.
T-UI. Probably not everyones cup of tea, but its hard to go back.
Not available on Android 13 :(
I am on GrapheneOS, based on Android 13, on a 64-bit only CPU. It is available. You might need to download it from F-Droid, I have no clue about whether the Play Store version is downloadable, as it isnt too actively maintained.
that went much better, unfortunately it seems it’s not for me. despite my phone having a slide-out keyboard, it is not tenable for me to open either it or the softkeyboard just to open an app. thanks for the suggestion anyway!