Nova has a monopoly on quality, nothing even comes half close.
However, a decent FOSS launcher is Lawnchair, use the latest builds from github actions, it works fairly well and can allow for basic home screen customization, folder customization and custom icons
Agree, it’s not particularly customizable, but I’ve been using it for a week now, and it’s been the launcher I’ve been looking for.
Only issue I’ve had with it is that sometimes, the web search tries to search as if the query was a domain and not a question. Though that’s not a deal breaker.
Action Launcher had lots of the good stuff Nova has had first, anyway. Heartily recommend. Tbf as long as the launcher has covers/smart folders/whatever they’re called then I’m happy
I switched to AL from Nova years ago - the cover folders are absolutely one of its best features, followed by custom actions for various tap and swipe gestures.
Niagara Launcher is great. I used to use Nova, but found myself only using one home screen page and only like one widget. Niagara does take some getting used to, but I also suggest giving it a try.
I can echo this. I used Nova for close to a decade, and everybody talked about Niagara so I tried it a couple of times but it didn’t stick. I guess it took three tries for me, because I realized that the one-handed navigation for any app, the ability to easily find things alphabetically, and the fact that I could have my home screen apps pinned to the top of the list all make it way cleaner
Agreed. I’ve been using it for years now, and it just feels like what a launcher should be. I’m surprised it’s not been adopted as the default, or even an available mode, since it’s so intuitive.
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I’m using Action Launcher and despite one or two differences that made it a little difficult at first (folders!) it works for me.
I’m building one right now, which key features/ new feature would you all like to see in a launcher?
For me, I’d like:
Can you elaborate on smart theming for icons?
Like if I choose a particular theme, all of my icons match that theme. I’m not sure if that’s possible or not.
Thanks! By theme you mean color theming right?
Yep!
This is probably unpopular, but I keep coming back to Microsoft launcher. The slide out drawer on the bottom is something I have gotten too used to.
I’ve given Neo a shot. Hasn’t got as many features sadly. The main one I miss is infinite scroll through home screens.
Nova launcher prime lol
Like really, I tried every launcher, but Nova is the best, and I actually used the Prime Hack 7.x not updated since forever.
Make sure to block internet access. If your OS cant do that, maybe switch devices.
Nova has a monopoly on quality, nothing even comes half close.
However, a decent FOSS launcher is Lawnchair, use the latest builds from github actions, it works fairly well and can allow for basic home screen customization, folder customization and custom icons
What’s Prime hack?
I bought Nova Launcher Pro and used to happily donate to them because there really was nothing else that could compare.
It sucks that Branch bought them, and why I stick with the Stock Google launcher now.
Does the Prime hack give you Nova Launcher again without anything going back to Branch?
It just unlocks pro haha. On GrapheneOS I just block internet permission for the app.
Hyperion is what I use and think it’s really close to Nova.
I’ve really enjoyed Smart Launcher. Customization flexibility is on-par or better than Nova, and I really enjoy their app tray
I’ve been using smart launcher for I don’t even know now. A decade. It’s great.
Does it have gesture shortcuts? Like two finger swipe down opens Y app and 2 finger swipe up opens Z?
Yeah, proper customization for one and two finger swipes in each of the four directions
I miss the tap-then-swipe gesture but overall in digging smart!
Highly recommend Kvaesitso!!
Agree, it’s not particularly customizable, but I’ve been using it for a week now, and it’s been the launcher I’ve been looking for.
Only issue I’ve had with it is that sometimes, the web search tries to search as if the query was a domain and not a question. Though that’s not a deal breaker.
+1
I’m using Hyperion now. I don’t know if it’s any better in terms of privacy. I would love to hear people’s thoughts.
I liked it but the lack of fuzzy search is a deal breaker for me.
I tried a handful, but keep going back to Action Launcher
Action Launcher had lots of the good stuff Nova
hashad first, anyway. Heartily recommend. Tbf as long as the launcher has covers/smart folders/whatever they’re called then I’m happyDo any other launchers have that feature?
No idea sorry, but I first learned of it using action launcher and dumped Nova for Action when Nova was sold off. No regrets
I switched to AL from Nova years ago - the cover folders are absolutely one of its best features, followed by custom actions for various tap and swipe gestures.
I like https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher
+1 but not updated since 1 year now 🫤
Unusual advice:
I use Jina app drawer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobeedom.android.jinaFS&hl=en_US&gl=US
It allows you to swipe up from the home button and access a selected grid of apps, and quickly search for any installed apps.
Lets me keep my homescreen pristine, and only display art/widgets.
So it really doesn’t matter what my launcher is.
Just added to pixel 6, but I can’t get the gesture to work.
are you using gestures?
I suspect that might cause a conflict.
I use the 3 button nav on my phone.
you could add a hotspot on the lower left and right sides.
I switched from nova to niagara and I love it. It is very different, but if you give it a shot for a few days you might just fall in love too.
Niagara Launcher is great. I used to use Nova, but found myself only using one home screen page and only like one widget. Niagara does take some getting used to, but I also suggest giving it a try.
Once you figure out how Niagara works and all the little shortcuts you have available, the workflow is so quick and easy to use.
I’ve tried going back to default launchers and they just feel bloated and disorganized by comparison
I can echo this. I used Nova for close to a decade, and everybody talked about Niagara so I tried it a couple of times but it didn’t stick. I guess it took three tries for me, because I realized that the one-handed navigation for any app, the ability to easily find things alphabetically, and the fact that I could have my home screen apps pinned to the top of the list all make it way cleaner
I can echo echo this.
I did the same and fell in love too. Niagara is the best!
Agreed. I’ve been using it for years now, and it just feels like what a launcher should be. I’m surprised it’s not been adopted as the default, or even an available mode, since it’s so intuitive.
I am pretty happy with Hyperion Launcher
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Where can I get this from? Thanks
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.jkuester.unlauncher/