As the title states, I have used Nova launcher for years. As it is the most feature rich, most customizable launcher that supports basically everything I could need from it. However I am looking to switch away from it.
What launchers are you all using?
I have tried a handful of them and none quite fit the bill. And one feature nova has but no other launcher seems to is invaluable to me; that feature being able to swipe up or down on an app on the home screen to launch another app or task. It’s how I keep my main page from being cluttered.
I have tried Neo Launcher which I love, but it doesn’t seem to be updated anymore.
I always go back to Kiss Launcher after trying other launchers. With a huge amount of apps, there is no point trying to organise the icons. Nothing beats typing the first letter and launch.
Haven’t investigated what data they may or may not be taking but they were acquired by Branch (https://novalauncher.com/branch) and with that being said, use your judgement to decide if a company like branch is one you’d want to have data of yours.
Branch is an analytics company, so I would argue that yes, yes they are obtaining your data.
Reasonably safe I would imagine since it can’t phone home. Similar approach I took, but I’m using LineageOS and AFWall+ to explicitly block internet connectivity.
OK cool. I’ve played around with blocking net permission for other apps on Graphene and confirmed it really kills Internet access. I’ve been on Nova since I started on Android many years ago. Old habits are hard to give up. I’m in the same boat and haven’t found a replacement launcher either.
I use the paid version of Niagara. It’s going well for me but I get that paying 30$ lifetime for a launcher isn’t for everyone. The free version is ok but it lacks several very nice features like your music app automatically being hoisted when you connect earphones.
I used it in the past. I really did like the idea of it, but I can’t see myself going back. And 30$ is steep, I’d rather donate to an open source project anyways.
So fun fact about that I know a bit about Android apps so I tried cracking it myself, and when I couldn’t I looked at the difference between the vanilla app and the cracked one to see how they did it. All the cracked copies I could find were not simply cracked but also had additional code behind some kind of DRM, so I’m gonna go with “please do not install malware as your Android launcher”.
This isnt fear mongering, this is based on actual evidence of said malware being distributed.
Same + AFAIK Nova nicked all the good stuff from action anyway
It’s great! Specifically, the feature I’m thinking of was the swipe on an icon functionality (not sure if that’s what OP means). I have my most used apps set to the tap, and then the lesser used ones in the swipe action, and I love it
Project has been slow is an understatement. Lawn chair was definitely a contender but with complete lack of updates over SEVERAL years - it’s abandonware and should be treated as such.
I don’t think devs or users really care about launchers in 2024. I still use Nova but only because there is nothing better.
The dev versions of Lawnchair have been pretty decent to me. You can grab them straight from the CI build jobs in the repo. You might need a GitHub login.
I’m a Nova user also. I stopped updating before the buy out but this version is still working great and no issues. I would love for there to be an open source alternative with the same features but I need the same things you do.
I am on a beta, and I love it. However, I am also using AFWall+ to block internet access to that app completely.
Neo Launcher is the closest I have found to Nova, but it’s missing the alternate app launches
If I had the time, the motivation, and the knowledge id jump in to try to create an open source solution. I don’t know any Java (as far as Android development goes anyways) and I don’t know any Kotlin. So it’s safe to say id I did go down this rabbit hole it would be a long ways out.
If I find anything remotely similar, I’ll share with everyone.
I’m not sure if privacy respecting means the same thing here but step one of the setup for Smart Launcher is “agree to send us your app list so we can categorize it”.
Thanks for the recommendation but it doesn’t sound like what I’m looking for.
I went from Nova > Lawnchair Beta > Smart Launcher and its been amazing. Subscription based but I bought the lifetime version for $20 cause its that good. Lawnchair is basically MIA and Nova sold out to advertising/tracking.
Not sure if Smart Launcher is okay in that aspect but it is packed with features and still being updated. All the options outside of these three arent good imo and I would rather use stock.
I still use Nova, but I block Internet to it completely. Lawnchair I didn’t try because of lack of updates. And I’m trying to lean towards open source. Thanks for the suggestion
I selfishly hope someone comes through for you, OP, because that feature is the exact reason I’m still on Nova. I love having only 8 icons on my home screen.
I also really like the same feature for folders (tap to open first app, swipe up to open folder) when I had a bunch of work stuff on my phone
I checked it out but the reviews have me questioning it…I don’t mind paying for apps but the free version of this pops up full screen ads when you switch apps?? But more importantly, it hasn’t been updated since last year and Pixel users are reporting a ton of really bad bugs (I use a pixel)
I might download it tonight and see if I experience them before I commit
You could try Niagara Launcher. I’m using it and it’s got that decluttered home screen but it’s fairly minimal. It’s worth mentioning you do get most relevant features in the free version.
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Niagara.
Cool disclosure: I haven’t tried any others. I was really impressed by Niagara and just paid the asking price.
Neo Launcher, available in the IzzyOnDroid F-Droid Repo, has been my solid go-to for replacing Nova.
https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher
I prefer a ton of icons/folders/widgets on my home screen, and it supports that dense layout.
I used it for a while, but it wasn’t get as many frequent updates as I would have hoped. I get it straight from the GitHub with Obtainium
Not seen Lynx Launcher mentioned, free version is OK but the majority of features are for premium version.
I always go back to Kiss Launcher after trying other launchers. With a huge amount of apps, there is no point trying to organise the icons. Nothing beats typing the first letter and launch.
I like Kiss a lot too.
Very different than Nova but simple and powerful.
Is Nova Launcher stealing data?
Ever since Nova Launcher was acquired by Branch, many users have had privacy concerns.
I just blocked it’s Internet access
Haven’t investigated what data they may or may not be taking but they were acquired by Branch (https://novalauncher.com/branch) and with that being said, use your judgement to decide if a company like branch is one you’d want to have data of yours.
Branch is an analytics company, so I would argue that yes, yes they are obtaining your data.
Nova still currently shows zero network usage.
I’m still running Nova on Graphene. I revoked the network permission. That should mean I’m safe from spying, right?
Reasonably safe I would imagine since it can’t phone home. Similar approach I took, but I’m using LineageOS and AFWall+ to explicitly block internet connectivity.
OK cool. I’ve played around with blocking net permission for other apps on Graphene and confirmed it really kills Internet access. I’ve been on Nova since I started on Android many years ago. Old habits are hard to give up. I’m in the same boat and haven’t found a replacement launcher either.
Same here. I looked for alternatives but nothing worked as well.
I use the paid version of Niagara. It’s going well for me but I get that paying 30$ lifetime for a launcher isn’t for everyone. The free version is ok but it lacks several very nice features like your music app automatically being hoisted when you connect earphones.
I used it in the past. I really did like the idea of it, but I can’t see myself going back. And 30$ is steep, I’d rather donate to an open source project anyways.
You can just download the cracked version. Its on some popular mod site that now I can not remember.
So fun fact about that I know a bit about Android apps so I tried cracking it myself, and when I couldn’t I looked at the difference between the vanilla app and the cracked one to see how they did it. All the cracked copies I could find were not simply cracked but also had additional code behind some kind of DRM, so I’m gonna go with “please do not install malware as your Android launcher”.
This isnt fear mongering, this is based on actual evidence of said malware being distributed.
I’m currently using Action Launcher. It’s a pretty good replacement for Nova.
Same + AFAIK Nova nicked all the good stuff from action anyway
It’s great! Specifically, the feature I’m thinking of was the swipe on an icon functionality (not sure if that’s what OP means). I have my most used apps set to the tap, and then the lesser used ones in the swipe action, and I love it
This was the closest for me, but the project has been slow for some time as the devs are busy with other things
https://github.com/LawnchairLauncher/lawnchair
Project has been slow is an understatement. Lawn chair was definitely a contender but with complete lack of updates over SEVERAL years - it’s abandonware and should be treated as such.
I don’t think devs or users really care about launchers in 2024. I still use Nova but only because there is nothing better.
One of the devs releases current builds of Lawnchair 14. Apart from a few bugs here and there, they work great
https://github.com/Goooler/LawnchairRelease/releases
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
The problem for me was that I got tired of tracking the team’s organizational changes and busy periods.
The fact that this is not even official but a fork for builds is just frustrating.
Does it let you severely reduce padding and let you wrap around home screens?
I tried that one too. I couldn’t stick with it. I don’t remember why now.
The dev versions of Lawnchair have been pretty decent to me. You can grab them straight from the CI build jobs in the repo. You might need a GitHub login.
Are they recent builds, as in the project isn’t dead?
Yes, look at the commit history.
Awesome, thank you
I’m a Nova user also. I stopped updating before the buy out but this version is still working great and no issues. I would love for there to be an open source alternative with the same features but I need the same things you do.
I am on a beta, and I love it. However, I am also using AFWall+ to block internet access to that app completely.
Neo Launcher is the closest I have found to Nova, but it’s missing the alternate app launches
If I had the time, the motivation, and the knowledge id jump in to try to create an open source solution. I don’t know any Java (as far as Android development goes anyways) and I don’t know any Kotlin. So it’s safe to say id I did go down this rabbit hole it would be a long ways out.
If I find anything remotely similar, I’ll share with everyone.
I mentioned smart launcher in another comment. It has all the features you mention. Not open source but privacy respecting
I’m not sure if privacy respecting means the same thing here but step one of the setup for Smart Launcher is “agree to send us your app list so we can categorize it”.
Thanks for the recommendation but it doesn’t sound like what I’m looking for.
I kinda expect my launcher to have access my app list, considering its main job is to launch apps
Me too. Locally. Not transmitted back to a server somewhere.
I went from Nova > Lawnchair Beta > Smart Launcher and its been amazing. Subscription based but I bought the lifetime version for $20 cause its that good. Lawnchair is basically MIA and Nova sold out to advertising/tracking.
Not sure if Smart Launcher is okay in that aspect but it is packed with features and still being updated. All the options outside of these three arent good imo and I would rather use stock.
I still use Nova, but I block Internet to it completely. Lawnchair I didn’t try because of lack of updates. And I’m trying to lean towards open source. Thanks for the suggestion
I selfishly hope someone comes through for you, OP, because that feature is the exact reason I’m still on Nova. I love having only 8 icons on my home screen.
I also really like the same feature for folders (tap to open first app, swipe up to open folder) when I had a bunch of work stuff on my phone
I actually just started to learn kotlin, but maybe if I become proficient enough I’ll make the damn app myself.
Action Launcher does this
I checked it out but the reviews have me questioning it…I don’t mind paying for apps but the free version of this pops up full screen ads when you switch apps?? But more importantly, it hasn’t been updated since last year and Pixel users are reporting a ton of really bad bugs (I use a pixel)
I might download it tonight and see if I experience them before I commit
Good to know. I switched from Pixel a few years ago to Sony and it’s working flawlessly for me.
You could try Niagara Launcher. I’m using it and it’s got that decluttered home screen but it’s fairly minimal. It’s worth mentioning you do get most relevant features in the free version.
I went from Nova to Niagara and I love it!
NeoLauncher is close to the feel of Nova but its a bit buggier
Action Launcher is what you seek
I’ve been using it for almost 10 years. I consider any new phone unusable until Action Launcher is installed.