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’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.
Nova Launcher Prime. The only one I stuck too, and never managed to leave.
I use Kvaesitso, and have used it for a while now. I like it! https://kvaesitso.mm20.de/
I don’t think it gets bonus points though
I second Kvaesitso! It takes a while to get used to since it is not home screen based, but it is super quick plus the major advantage over KISS launcher, you can add widgets 👍
Use Lawn Chair
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.
Long time user of lawnchair (4+ years), never felt like changing it to anything else, it works amazingly well.
I love Niagara Launcher. simple, yet very effective.
I like Kavaesito a lot. Found Here
Smart Launcher for me. I’ve been using it since the Smart Launcher 3 days, and it’s really still a launcher with no-nonsense UI that doesn’t change a lot, for example you can still modify it to feel just like SL3 with the left side app menu and gestures. Plus the design language used in SL6 is just beautiful to me.
Liked it so much I bought the pro version of SL3 and later on, get the full license for SL5 (and onwards).**
Niagara, Lawnchair, Kvaesitso, Olauncher
If you want to try something alternative check out “niagara launcher”. You need some time to get used to it, but the UX is really clever IMO
I’ve been using nova launcher prime since forever. Make a backup on my old phone when getting a new one, and import it on the new phone.
How do you feel about nova launcher being bought out by that data collection company?
I’m still using Nova and still loving it… I’ve been using android since 2014 run by one of the biggest data collection companies known to man lol
:( I used Nova Prime for many years, and I don’t like this one bit. I hope that the devs got a good payout, and best wishes to them, but it makes me uncomfortable. Luckily, while it’s definitely no Nova, Samsung’s launcher has finally on the most recent version gotten to a point of usability. Everything is more awkward to do, and you have to install extra Samsung apps (Good Lock with applets) for a lot of the customization, but most of my favorite features from Nova are finally there. So, for the first time in many years, I’m running the Samsung default OneUI 5.1.
Wait you don’t think Samsung is collecting your data?
Yes, I do think they are, but by choosing a Samsung smartphone, I’ve already decided to be OK with that on some level. I turn off features that connect to outside companies for the most part, and I’ve chosen to believe that Samsung does what it claims with the settings that users have available to them on the phone. It doesn’t mean that I’m just fine with handing everything over to any other random company. Some claims are made that Branch powers the Finder (search) function on Samsung phones, but this Finder Customization Service is a feature you can disable on a Samsung Galaxy phone. You can also turn off search suggestions for Finder. You can disable Google and Samsung’s browsers and Internet searches as well. I am the sort of user who checks permissions of apps before downloading them (and disables everything I don’t use), and I don’t want my launcher (which I paid for) on a device I paid a not small sum of money for, to send every single tap back to a marketing firm directly.
I’ve been rocking OLauncher for a few months now, I love it. Cutting down the extra noise on my home screen felt good.
I use Niagara Launcher mostly for the minimalist look. But also because Nova was bought by an analytics company a bit ago.
Just switched to Niagara after seeing other comments about Nova being sold. Rip Nova, I only use like 8 apps anyway.
Currently using and have used the Niagra launcher for years. To be, ease of use and getting to the apps I need quickly and efficiently is the most important thing about a launcher. I’ve tried many of the “minimalistic” launchers over time, and this is the only one that truly felt useful. I’d highly recommend it to people who just their phone as an app launcher, as opposed to having a bunch of widgets on the homescreen or something.
I’m this weird person who loves the pixel but at the same time tries to degoogle myself. Meaning I have a Pixel 7 Pro with Nova launcher. I think it works okay!
I use productivity launcher. Its very barebones, works well, quick access to my apps and it’s not bright and colorful so my phone is a little less appealing to look at and might reduce my screen time a tiny bit.
Haha 😂 I’ll check it out, thanks!
