Default launchers need ‘covers’ functionality, where a folder is opened via swipe, and tapping just launched the first app in the folder without needing to open it. It’s the main thing keeping me on custom launchers. That and icon packs.
I guess I’m the only one that’s stopped using a third party launcher… After getting an S23 and being on One UI 6 I’m finding I’m not hating the stock launcher anymore. I was using Nova forever.
This made me realize that I have a search bar on my home screen that I literally never use and I do use a third party launcher that it could be turned off. Very funny indeed
I haven’t used anything other than Nova on my Pixel 7 Pro since I almost immediately realized I couldn’t find a way to turn it off in Pixel Launcher. The whole ad campaign that they ran around personalization was a complete joke, feels like an iClone and I hate it.
Agreed - although, just to check you know about Nova being bought out a few months ago by a firm known for data harvesting? If you did and/or are fine with it no worries. If you didn’t, it’s worth looking into (and sorry to be the bearer of bad news).
I used Nova for years, but have switched to Total - less slick and user friendly to set up, but very customisable, even more than Nova.
Sadly yes, I’ve been exploring a few alternatives in case it starts looking like a data mining nightmare but nothing so far, maybe I’ll give total a shot
You may be using the default launcher that came with your phone, but if you don’t have the search bar, then it’s still a 3rd party launcher. Google’s launcher forces an immovable search bar on to your home screen.
-Edit-
It’s possible this has changed in the years I’ve been using an alternate launcher. It’s been several years since I switched and never really checked back to see if it was still true.
I still use version 7 because Nova is the only launcher that gives me tabs and treats icons the right way. No other launcher manages to do it, it’s baffling.
I agree with you. I still use Nova, they had a solid update recently and my phone is feeling snappier than ever. It does concern me, however, that they’re tracking every interaction with my phone now 😮💨
I’m normally very privacy centric - very conflicted about Nova Launcher because I like the launcher so much…
I don’t know if this will fix it for sure, but you could try to download a VPN app with per-app network blocking (like AdGuard) and fully block Nova from accessing the internet
You could download an earlier version from before they were bought, it’s what I’m doing. Still better than every other launcher I’ve tried. I’m also preventing it from accessing the internet via GrapheneOS settings, but I don’t think every OS can do that.
Use nova for years, but never found an of the features beneficial. I’ve been using One UI since moving to the s24u and I have noticed no real difference in functionality.
I don’t know what’s required for KLWP support in a launcher, but KLWP is a live wallpaper with touch interaction. Don’t know if stock support that on my phone. But some cool setup like media player functionality, time and such, in the font and size I want. And some other disguised shortcuts.
But for me in actual Nova, it being able to style app icons individually, swipe actions on app icons, and the dock at the bottom being able to slide to have more apps. And pretty standard now, but swipe up for app drawer and down for notifications. It works especially well with OnePlus gestures that I’m still holding on to.
folders, grid size, customising badge notifications, dock size, multiple docks, multiple tab pages in app drawer, hide icons in app drawer, drawer groups, etc. those are some of the things i like in nova :)
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Yes they are still needed
Question is what data do launchers gather ? ig everything under the screen
Yeah that’s kinda what you want them to do. 😛
Well except maybe device settings, granted.
Default launchers need ‘covers’ functionality, where a folder is opened via swipe, and tapping just launched the first app in the folder without needing to open it. It’s the main thing keeping me on custom launchers. That and icon packs.
Been using Action Launcher since it came out! My phone woukd be a completely different experience without it, and not for the better.
Yes absolutely. Nova forever but the version I used made split screen fail so I am back at the AOSP one which lacks in like everything.
This a questiın that shouldn’t be asked in the first place
I guess I’m the only one that’s stopped using a third party launcher… After getting an S23 and being on One UI 6 I’m finding I’m not hating the stock launcher anymore. I was using Nova forever.
If you want to do something crazy, like not have a search bar on your home screen, then yes.
This made me realize that I have a search bar on my home screen that I literally never use and I do use a third party launcher that it could be turned off. Very funny indeed
What does this mean? I don’t have a search bar on my home screen, and I’m not using a third-party launcher.
Depends what phone you have - Pixels have a search bar on the home screen by default (not sure if they can be turned off on later models, maybe?)
I haven’t used anything other than Nova on my Pixel 7 Pro since I almost immediately realized I couldn’t find a way to turn it off in Pixel Launcher. The whole ad campaign that they ran around personalization was a complete joke, feels like an iClone and I hate it.
Agreed - although, just to check you know about Nova being bought out a few months ago by a firm known for data harvesting? If you did and/or are fine with it no worries. If you didn’t, it’s worth looking into (and sorry to be the bearer of bad news).
I used Nova for years, but have switched to Total - less slick and user friendly to set up, but very customisable, even more than Nova.
Sadly yes, I’ve been exploring a few alternatives in case it starts looking like a data mining nightmare but nothing so far, maybe I’ll give total a shot
That’s a pixel problem, not an Android problem.
That’s my point.
You may be using the default launcher that came with your phone, but if you don’t have the search bar, then it’s still a 3rd party launcher. Google’s launcher forces an immovable search bar on to your home screen.
-Edit-
It’s possible this has changed in the years I’ve been using an alternate launcher. It’s been several years since I switched and never really checked back to see if it was still true.
My Nova Launcher-config has survived in one form or another for 8+ years on multiple phones, so yes?
Too bad they sold out to a data analytics company
I still use version 7 because Nova is the only launcher that gives me tabs and treats icons the right way. No other launcher manages to do it, it’s baffling.
I really wish there was another launcher that allowed all of
•Multiple pages for widgets and things
•Empty pages
•Scrolling wallpapers
•A totally transparent home page
Every other launcher I’ve tried allows for maybe one of those.
I agree with you. I still use Nova, they had a solid update recently and my phone is feeling snappier than ever. It does concern me, however, that they’re tracking every interaction with my phone now 😮💨
I’m normally very privacy centric - very conflicted about Nova Launcher because I like the launcher so much…
I don’t know if this will fix it for sure, but you could try to download a VPN app with per-app network blocking (like AdGuard) and fully block Nova from accessing the internet
try neo launcher
Neo Launcher is decent, but it’s definitely not in the same league as Nova yet in customizability.
I’m not sure why it’s just about the only classic style FOSS launcher though. Everything else is some sorta search or widget based thing.
Neo kinda sucks, and looks like it’s abandoned so no hope in f it ever getting better.
You could download an earlier version from before they were bought, it’s what I’m doing. Still better than every other launcher I’ve tried. I’m also preventing it from accessing the internet via GrapheneOS settings, but I don’t think every OS can do that.
I use Netguard to block internet access for half of my apps - the ones that shouldn’t be using my mobile data anyway
I mean no, I don’t need a third party launcher, but I really don’t want to use the stock one.
Yes and KISS
Need? No. Need? Yes!
Yes!
Ya. Cheaper androids come with annoying launchers, like no app drawer so all your apps are on your home screen.
unless you want android to turn into ios then yes
there’s so much i can do in nova that i can’t do in one ui or the pixel launcher
Use nova for years, but never found an of the features beneficial. I’ve been using One UI since moving to the s24u and I have noticed no real difference in functionality.
I don’t know what’s required for KLWP support in a launcher, but KLWP is a live wallpaper with touch interaction. Don’t know if stock support that on my phone. But some cool setup like media player functionality, time and such, in the font and size I want. And some other disguised shortcuts.
But for me in actual Nova, it being able to style app icons individually, swipe actions on app icons, and the dock at the bottom being able to slide to have more apps. And pretty standard now, but swipe up for app drawer and down for notifications. It works especially well with OnePlus gestures that I’m still holding on to.
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folders, grid size, customising badge notifications, dock size, multiple docks, multiple tab pages in app drawer, hide icons in app drawer, drawer groups, etc. those are some of the things i like in nova :)
Grid size is the big one for me, it’s so nice