9 mo. ago • 73%

Does Android still need third-party launchers?

www.androidpolice.com Does Android still need third-party launchers?

First-party Android launchers are finally in a good spot. Do we still need third parties?

80 comments

"Do you still need to be allowed to decorate and modify your own home?"

Yes.

153
Yes.

56
My Nova Launcher-config has survived in one form or another for 8+ years on multiple phones, so yes?

53
- Too bad they sold out to a data analytics company
  
  22
  
  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...
  
  9
  
  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.
  
  2
  
  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.
  
  1
Yes!

44
Yes.

43
If you want to do something crazy, like not have a search bar on your home screen, then yes.

41
- What does this mean? I don't have a search bar on my home screen, and I'm not using a third-party launcher.
  
  10
  
  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?)
  
  9
  
  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.
  
  0
- 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
  
  3
Yep.

37
I recently got a Samsung device for work. I really gave the launcher a shot since I didn't want to tinker with it. But after 2 days I couldn't stand it anymore. So the answer to the post is yes!

33
- Samsungs out of the box experience gives me anxiety to be honest. Had a few for work, luckily their singular purpose is running the authenticator app.
  
  15
  
  I'm using the Samsung S24 out of the box. What are you missing with it?
  
  Curious, because I want to switch if there's good arguments to do so.
  
  8
  
  samsung roms in general
  
  1
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

29
- 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.
  
  2
  
  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 :)
  
  8
  
  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.
  
  3
  
  For me, it's the totally invisible home screen. I like my wallpapers, and I like my home screen to be totally transparent so I can see them.
  
  1
Yes

28
Yes.

I've been using Niagara launcher. This launcher is has been great for larger screens and I can use the phone one handed.

23
- I'm on Nova, but I've heard nothing but great things about it. Also played with it abit, I think I just wanted to tweak the pull down gestures a little more then default.
  
  2
  
  I don't think it has any customizations for pull down gestures. Would be nice to have for certain people.
  
  1
- i fucking love niagara.
  
  Although i've started to use Kvaesitso instead in recent times.
  
  1
This is a gross violation of Betteridge's law of headlines.

21
- I agree
  
  0
Yup.

19
Yes.

19
Question makes no sense, it's a feature not a need. I have written a launcher for a specific usecase.

17
This a questiın that shouldn't be asked in the first place

17
Yes even though android gestures are not working correctly with them and it's best to revert to 3 buttons navigation.

12
- It's been years since this was an issue for any launcher still actively being updated, at least on the Poco and Fairphones I've had in that time.
  
  9
- Works fine with Niagara. What exactly is it not doing right?
  
  9
  
  I've had to give up on KISS launcher recently because of this. 95% of the time it works fine, until it scrolls right to the end of the lost and won't allow you to scroll back. Swiping left and right then also breaks and the only thing to do is force stop quickstep.
  
  EDIT: Just tried with Niagara and got the same issue almost immediately. (Seems to be triggered by opening recent apps from the launcher itself)
  
  For reference, I'm on a Fairphone 5 using the stock ROM
  
  3
  
  Swiping left or right on home to switch apps doesn't work. Swiping up on home to bring recent apps works so so. It's slow to trigger or have to swipe almost at top of the screen. Going back to home is also slow. Wallpaper is immediately show but icons take 3/4 seconds to appear. With buttons it's instant. With other apps no problem.
  
  I am using nova latest beta on Android 14 with a OnePlus 12. As it is fairly recent maybe it still need optimization.
  
  1
Let me guess. All the features you love from third-party launchers, except anything resembling privacy.

10
Yes they are still needed

9
Yes.

9
Yes.

8
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.

7
Yes.

7
Question is what data do launchers gather ? ig everything under the screen

7
- Yeah that's kinda what you want them to do. 😛
  
  Well except maybe device settings, granted.
  
  2
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.

7
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.

instant search (launch keyboard)

searchbar always on bottom

rename and hide apps

search for contacts and more
7
I dislike my phone's stock launcher so I definitely need a third-party launcher.

6
I mean no, I don't need a third party launcher, but I really don't want to use the stock one.

5
Need? No. Need? Yes!

4
Yes and KISS

4
Ya. Cheaper androids come with annoying launchers, like no app drawer so all your apps are on your home screen.

4
Try Niagara. Long live 3rd party launchers.

4
- Niagara and kiss are my two go-to launchers
  
  2
  
  Kvaesitso and Niagara for me
  
  although i have practically abandoned niagara for kvaesitso
  
  3
- Thanks for this. I'm enjoying it
  
  1
Been using Action Launcher since it came out! My phone woukd be a completely different experience without it, and not for the better.

4
Y E S

Kvaesitso is so much more cmofotable than anything else, i will literally start using any other alternative if you try to take it from my

2
i quite like kiss.

1
IMO Niagara (Pro) is the best for simplicity, wouldn't recommend if you need quick access to more than 10-15 apps. Lawnchair seems to be the most stable, ad-free and funcional launcher out there. I recommend pairing Lawnchair with Arcticons for a sweet sweet UI.

-1
Am I the only one that uses lightning launcher? I think I should switch.

-2

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