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.
Okay, so I really really like KISS launcher. KISS stands for keep it simple stupid and that should tell you all there is to know about the launcher. It is a search based launcher, you can do quick calculations, one click call/text your contacts, configure additional search engines (eg: you can search directly on YouTube, Maps, Google or just open an url directly). No matter what I try it never satisfies as much as KISS, I find it an hassle to go through the icons searching fot your app. It is available on F-Droid
Oh interesting. I use Linux on my PC and love just hitting super + typing the name of a program.
I use neolauncher Not quite nova but okay once you set it up
You can grab it on fdroid or directly on GitHub https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher
Thanks. I was looking for a Nova replacement.
Huh… Looks very nova-esque.
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.
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.
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.
Wait, what? I didn’t hear about them getting acquired. That sucks.
It literally doesn’t effect anything if you opt out.
Happened like a year ago or something. If you go look at the ratings on the Play store by recent a lot of people were upset. I still use Nova but I haven’t updated it to the new branch version of the APK. I’m sure eventually I’ll have to find a new launcher
Yeah I just turned off automatic updates on Nova the minute I found out about branch. I’m just going to stick with the pre-branch version of the app until it doesn’t function anymore or I find a suitable replacement.
But you’re right, a lot of the alternatives aren’t all that much better in terms of their privacy policy. Being owned by a shady data company… It’s absolutely discouraging. Obviously something like Microsoft launcher probably isn’t that much better in terms of privacy of course.
I’m using CalyxOS’s default launcher, but on regular Android I pretty much always use Nova launcher.
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.
damn. I’m still on nova, been using it since 2013-ish. when did the buyout happen?
I think it was last year. Or maybe 2021. COVID’s made time perspective a bit wonky.
Oh damn. What do you use as a replacement?
I use the KISS launcher. It’s on both Play Store and F-Droid.
Stupid simple and really nice looking imo
The screenshots look kinda outdated, how themeable is it? the global search looks great
Square Home is utterly fantastic. For those that have a Fold like me, it’s compatible with that too :D I made it look a lot like Windows Phone because I loved that vibe.
Wow that looks nice! Neat that it works so well with the fold form-factor.
I used Niagara Launcher, but it’s not free, so I moved to Lawnchair 12.1. I also really like Kvaesitso launcher
I’m using Niagara, it’s not free but it’s only like 10€ yearly. I like it because it stops my muscle Memory from mindlessly opening stuff
I had the chance to buy a “life long” licence and I really dont regret it.
Wow, seems to be 30 bucks now, really glad I went lifetime pro last year
OLauncher, it’s FOSS, minimalist, simple and available on F-Droid.
Finally a launcher that won’t be bought by a data telemetry company
I like Kavaesito a lot. Found Here
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.
Use Lawn Chair
Long time user of lawnchair (4+ years), never felt like changing it to anything else, it works amazingly well.
Been using Lawn Chair for the past year or so. Looks good, does what I want and stays out of my way the rest of the time. Top marks for me.
It’s also FOSS and respects your privacy. Also very lightweight.
I love Niagara Launcher. simple, yet very effective.
Niagara launcher is the one. Once you get used to it it’s a game changer.
