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
this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
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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.
Niagara launcher is the one. Once you get used to it it's a game changer.
Kiss launcher all the way! It basically works like the windows start menu. Type the first few letters of the app name, press enter and it starts.
You can also add keywords to apps and those will get searched as well.
It's purely awesome. And it combines really nicely with my Fairberry physical keyboard attachment.
AIO launcher.
Looks nothing like a regular launcher, but works great for me, can have calendar, news, tasks etc all in one convenient scrolling home screen
I use the Windows launcher, it's really smooth.
Even for its non-standard layout, I've really fallen in love with Kvaesito. Maybe it's because I now don't have to work out which widgets I want to have on my main screen and how to lay them out.
I've never tried an alternate launcher, do you need to root your phone to do it? And can you easily go back if you change your mind?
No need to root and you can always switch back to your previous launcher / uninstall the launcher. It's pretty much an alternative homepage and app drawer.
Then just customize it the way you like it and grab some icon packs, most of them are free or at a symbolic price
I loved using Nova, but they got bought by a data mining company. I'm using Active Launcher now.
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Niagara, Lawnchair, Kvaesitso, Olauncher
Lawnchair Launcher. But the version they have on GitHub.
I would use Pixel Launcher if it was possible to remove this silly, oversized, search box from the home screen.
@M_Reimer I got lawnchair thru f droid, but my pixel is pretty old. I'm not sure if it gets updates.
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I use nova. I haven't shopped around but it's solid and does what I ask it to
Using Nova Prime since many years now. Very satisfied, never felt the need to use anything else
I really enjoyed Lawnchair for some time. Been trying Niagara for a few months as well. Lawnchair is my favorite for it's simplicity.
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.
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After many years with Nova, I dumped it after the sale, and tried a few. MS Launcher was pretty good, but I settled on Total Launcher.
Very, very customisable, although a bit of a learning curve. I have a feeling I'm only scratching the surface of what it can do, but that's enough for me :-)
Let's see that home page!
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