I am getting this phone soon and can not wait. BUT, I really do not like the look of MUI. I'm not interested in having some kind of IOS look-a-like with no apps tray. Has anyone else been using Google Now, or any other launcher, for a while? Could someone who knows about these things explain the pros and cons of just using a different Launcher over MUI rather than flashing a new CM based ROM? Do the changes made by MUI interfere with a more traditional Android launcher?
Used miui7 on my my oneplus one for a good while. No trouble at all to just change the launcher. Was one of the first things I did the second time I used it. Mainly because I needed a launcher that would rotate 180°. Miui doesn't do that for the launcher.
But if all you want is an app drawer, you can easily simulate one with miui launcher. Just create a folder, drop every single app in there and place it in the dock area, where a drawer would be. That's all an app drawer is after all.
The only problem is sorting the apps inside the folder since on miui 7 I never found a way of sorting apps inside a folder alphabetically. I just worked around this by swiping up from the home screen and typing in the first letters of whatever app I was searching for.
BTW you're not losing anything by replacing the miui launcher, the miui experience isn't the launcher alone, it's way more than that. If anything, you're gaining extra functionality but just using nova or alike. Can't say about miui8, never used it.
One of the first things I did when I got the Mi5 a couple of days back was to install Nova Launcher for the same reason. The other thing was to swap the hardware buttons around.
It works just as you'd expect - getting an App drawer and the ability to have a centred home screen.
One of the issues with the MIUI base is that you can't change the Lockscreen wallpaper when your active launcher isn't the MIUI launcher. This is easily fixed by switching to the MIUI launcher, changing the lock screen wallpaper from the settings menus, then switching back to your launcher of choice.
I use buzz launcher and think it's great
Change the launcher. Miui is great otherwise!
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk
Related
For those of you who are Miui fans out there, I ran into a Miui Launcher. And it's as close as it gets to the official ROM's launcher. From no app drawer, to the dock, to the widgets, to the themes. After editing my build.prop and changing my VMheap and Maxperseconds or whatever that one is, I went back to the Stock Launcher and there were no redraws or any problems. I love Miui icons so i installed custom shorcuts from the market to add my Miui icons to my frequently used apps on my stock launcher. I love the blur effect when switching from screen to screen. Then Unfortunately, i ran into a problem. I found this Miui Launcher and man it is pretty amazing! Now i don't know which launcher to use so ima sleep on it and hopefully I can make a decision based on your feedback but check it out. I left the link to share with ya'll!
http://www.4shared.com/file/CNv35JyZ/MIUI_Launcher_21_by_Vipitus.html
http://www.redmondpie.com/miui-home-launcher-apk-download/
Yours truly,
Trenton
Miui seems cool to me, and that theme looks good, but I personally have no problem with the stock one (yet, As I'm still new to android devices). Only thing I'm trying to change is the notification bar.
How do I remove this launcher and revert back to stock?
Just go to settings applications then manage, and uninstall the miui launcher
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
I tried this out the other day, a few apps are in chinese as well as the clock widget.
One of the biggest drawbacks to installing new themes is that my preferred desktop has to be rebuilt each time. It feels like I'm starting at square one.
Is there some easy way to retain the icon & widget layout I'm happy with when applying a new theme?
R1150GSA said:
One of the biggest drawbacks to installing new themes is that my preferred desktop has to be rebuilt each time. It feels like I'm starting at square one.
Is there some easy way to retain the icon & widget layout I'm happy with when applying a new theme?
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I am not sure if you are talking about the Homescreen... But regardless of your issue, it may be of some help to the community if you tell us what device you own, what rom you are using, and any other mods/tricks you've used. That would help us help you in the best manner possible. Anyways, are you using a custom launcher? I personally use Apex Launcher PRO, and when I apply themes, nothing happens to the desktop; everything remains in their location.
Does your issue occur with all theme's or just a certain theme? Have you tried applying a different rom? Restarting?
You're right, I should have included that information. I'm using an MZ604, Team EOS Stable Release 2 ROM.
The problem I have is with the home screen layout. I have my icons set up just the way I want them but if I use any other launcher app I have to redo my whole layout. I was wondering if there's a way to keep my custom homescreen icon setup when I change launchers. It would be a real time saver for evaluation purposes, but I suppose the launcher dev wants you to see a specific home screen layout to highlight their design at startup.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2
R1150GSA said:
You're right, I should have included that information. I'm using an MZ604, Team EOS Stable Release 2 ROM.
The problem I have is with the home screen layout. I have my icons set up just the way I want them but if I use any other launcher app I have to redo my whole layout. I was wondering if there's a way to keep my custom homescreen icon setup when I change launchers. It would be a real time saver for evaluation purposes, but I suppose the launcher dev wants you to see a specific home screen layout to highlight their design at startup.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2
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I am not sure if you can retain the locations of icons between launchers, only because all of them are different in many ways. However, you can try another launcher and make it the default launcher. Since you are evaluating, only keep a couple icons in custom locations. Then you can try applying different themes and seeing if that resets your homescreens. If it doesn't reset, it should be safe to replicate your original homescreens in the new launcher. For Apex Launcher (and I believe Nova Launcher), there is also an option to back up the layout of your homescreens to the xoom's internal storage.
Hope that helps...
Thanks, yosterwp. Yes, that's very helpful.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2
Just wondering if any of you switched over to Nova or if your sticking to the stock launcher.
Ive noticed some lag with stock but I enjoy the widgets touch wiz offers.
Stock or aftermarket launcher?
I'm currently using aviate by yahoo and I like it a lot especially with the transparent setting
I pretty much switched to Nova Launcher right away. Didn't even bother playing around with the Touchwiz launcher
Nova, latest beta. Looking good.
I'm using TW with no issues at all.
nova all the time.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
As soon as I got all my apps installed, switched to Google Experience.
This is clearly a question - it belongs in Q&A, moved. Please post in the correct sections.
Thanks.
DutchDogg54 said:
This is clearly a question - it belongs in Q&A, moved. Please post in the correct sections.
Thanks.
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Looks like your work is cut out for ya today lol.
devynbf said:
As soon as I got all my apps installed, switched to Google Experience.
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That's the Google Now Launcher? I use a lot of different lauchers in my Note2 but Go Launcher is the one I have the most setup due to the extensive customizability-gestures-3D effects but it wasn't as impressive when I quickly installed in on a Note4 in Best Buy perhaps because I hadn't customized it yet but I also like the Google Now Launcher & Nova & Themer.
I generally immediately get rid of TW but it wasn't as bad in the Note4 but still not ultra smooth or interesting as the other lauchers. I really like the ability to change launchers which is another reason Android is & the next time I play with a Note4 I'll go through more launchers as it could definitely look cooler & be more functional.:good:
I switched to Nova Launcher beta instantly. TouchWiz isn't bad, but I can't stand the grid spacing as I like to keep a few widgets and apps on my main home screen.
I've already switched to Nova, phone should be here Friday. ??
DruHill said:
I switched to Nova Launcher beta instantly. TouchWiz isn't bad, but I can't stand the grid spacing as I like to keep a few widgets and apps on my main home screen.
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Agree grid of icons gets old fast like lame iOS & I also try to keep icons to a minimum (Go Launcher lets you program 5 base hideable icons to launch additional apps with gestures like swipe up as well as scroll swipe across to another 5 icons & another 5 icons (5x3=15 x 2 including the programmable gestures upon a long press menu = 30 apps-shortcuts-functions) & I use a lot of widgets so I don't even have to click icons to access some data. I don't think non-Prime Nova lets you customize as much as Go Launcher but there are more & more cool launchers being developed & still setting up other launchers I previously mentioned.
Switched to Nova pretty much immediately. As mentioned above I can't stand the spacing between icons. Also I need gesture support, especially with such a large phone. Why that still hasn't been built into the touchwiz launcher I'll never know.
First thing I did was install the ADW launcher. I've been a fan for a long time.
Would anyone recommend a different launcher to replace Touchwiz?
I've used nova launcher on my OP1 but are there any other launchers that would be recommended?
honestly i haven't used Nova since my Nexus 6p days, after Oneplus 3t i started using default launcher. the samsung one isn't that bad
I have been using Apex launcher since Galaxy S3 together with weather/time/cal widget beautiful widgets app (I found out about this thanks for flossy on youtube) it makes for a perfect experience and I set all the backgrounds to black, looks like app icons are physically above the screen.
Tried giving the stock launcher a good try. I ended up going back to Nova. I like the customization too much. The good news is it's faster then hell on this phone. Love it.
I also ended up going back to SwiftKey. It does such a good job of knowing what I want to type.
I like stock but Nova is great on this phone. Especially if you get into the sesame integration, very quick to use.
Action launcher is the only other one worth a damn IMO.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I started out with Action Launcher as I backed it up on my previous phone, put that data on the Note 8 and restored after installing all my apps. Have gone back to TW, it;s not near as bad as it used to be.
I love Next Launcher 3D.
Check out lawnchair. It's a customizable Pixel launcher. Loving it so far. The black theme with Note8 screen looks amazing.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/lawnchair-customizable-pixel-launcher-t3627137
I've been using Smart Launcher Pro for a couple years now. It really makes everything simple and organized for you.
Apex Launcher
I use Apex Pro, with dark matter icons. Swipe down for notification and swipe up for app drawer. Double tap puts the phone to sleep. Blacked out my nav bar so there is no burn-in buttons on the screen. Loving this phone!
Apex Launcher
I use Apex Pro, with dark matter icons. Swipe down for notification and swipe up for app drawer. Double tap puts the phone to sleep. Using xwidgets with the s8 clock widget. Blacked out my nav bar so there is no burn-in buttons on the screen. Loving this phone!
I've been using Nova Prime for a LONG time. I'm actually sticking with the stock TW for the time being (there's a "update" that allows for down swipe to pull down the notification)
Nova prime or action launcher. They both have Android O features. Most other launcher seem old or outdated. Good luck.
Lightning Launcher has no equal. I've used most including Nova (which I like), but I always go back LL. The app allows unparalleled creativity & options. Definitely the most power & complex launcher I've ever used.
stronggeek said:
Lightning Launcher has no equal. I've used most including Nova (which I like), but I always go back LL. The app allows unparalleled creativity & options. Definitely the most power & complex launcher I've ever used.
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^^^^^^This x10!!!! It still is mind blowing how little people know about it and talk about it. There isn't a launcher that comes close in customization. I guess the learning curve scares people away.............
joachimi86 said:
^^^^^^This x10!!!! It still is mind blowing how little people know about it and talk about it. There isn't a launcher that comes close in customization. I guess the learning curve scares people away.............
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I just tried this...to see if it can replace nova....
the learning curve scared me away lol
Try Flick launcher. Available in play store. This is still in Alpha stage, but an amazing launcher. One of the only launcher that allows background blur in the app drawer. This replaced Nova on my phone for now. No other launcher could do that in years!
New Microsoft launcher Beta recommend for most users, easy, simple, beautiful, easy to connect to PC. try it out. it's amazing. its free
Action launcher for power user and Advance users. paid version is better.
Textra (text message)
Gboard (keyboard) or swiftkey
Piktures (Pic gallery)
Samsung internet browser for High contrast mode (if you like black theme).
Weather widget
a4ol said:
I have been using Apex launcher since Galaxy S3 together with weather/time/cal widget beautiful widgets app (I found out about this thanks for flossy on youtube) it makes for a perfect experience and I set all the backgrounds to black, looks like app icons are physically above the screen.
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a40l, most of the launchers I have tried do not let me use the weather widget that I use with stock touchwiz. Could you tell me specifically what weather app you are talking about that gives me a good weather widget for Apex? I'm gonna give it a try. Your post makes Apex, & your configuration, sound inviting. Thanks
I use tabs in the app drawer instead of folders, so Nova Prime works the best for me. And it's still the quickest launcher around, bar none.
Has anyone got any alternative launcher working on this, I don't like the big icons filling up my home screen and the app drawer.
Thanks in advance.
I have Nova installed and running for the same reason but as soon as I try to add a widget it crashes and reverts to stock launcher
Why not try Nova Launcher it has a lot of customisation options.
First thing I did was install Nova Launcher
Nova for me and I have not experienced any crashes with widgets.
Just installed newest Version Nova Prime and Tesla Unread. Works perfect
Using Action Launcher .
originally using Action launcher using an imported layout and it kept crashing, but since resetting layout it seems stable.
worst thing about huawei phones is how they manage launchers and keep forcing their launcher on you
try also the microsoft launcher...it's amazing... used nova before but it's so cute and minimalistic. I like it.
I'm using nova (prime) and a android p theme. I had a crash when adding widgets once, but now it works fine.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I have a paid version of Nova but it never occurred to me to try it first. I am using it now and I like it, will give the Microsoft launcher a try also.
cheers
daz_2000 said:
Nova for me and I have not experienced any crashes with widgets.
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It seems to be Huawei specific widgets that bork Nova.
Weather Underground is fine, the Huawei Weather widget really upsets Nova, I've had to wipe the app data just to get Nova to restart
I've submitted a crash report and dump to Tesla Coil, so let's see what happens
I think for emui, you need to use third parties widgets if using nova launcher. Some of the emui widgets will cause crash....
anyone using magisk could try and flash the pixel launcher, thats what i plan to do once i get the phone
really love the pixel launcher on my 5T
Tiger33 said:
Using Action Launcher .
originally using Action launcher using an imported layout and it kept crashing, but since resetting layout it seems stable.
worst thing about huawei phones is how they manage launchers and keep forcing their launcher on you
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Hi there, did you do anything specific to get Action Launcher to work in the first place ? i installed and it just crashes immediately when i try and run it (i've sent a bug report to AL dev team).
No not really.
I reset cache
Completely uninstalled and then reinstalled
Been stable ever since
Sorry I can't be of any more help
I have been using Nova Launcher for years but have switched to Microsoft Launcher as of recent and I have to say that I really enjoy it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.launcher
P.S Just make sure to change default search engine from Bing back to Google and desactivate Cortana
orbital247 said:
Hi there, did you do anything specific to get Action Launcher to work in the first place ? i installed and it just crashes immediately when i try and run it (i've sent a bug report to AL dev team).
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Did the same for me no matter what I tried! Using nova now which I'm more than happy with
I use Lawnchair Launcher + Lawnfeed
Nova is pretty awful on the P20 looks like I will be changing away for the first time in years. Previously had on all my phones including the Pixel 2XL.
3rd party widgets just aren't auto-updating. Another Widget, was stuck on yesterdays event, Agenda Widget doesn't display my full calendar and just says "Loading" guess it's time to find something else. Looked at Microsoft Launcher but don't like the way you can't hide the homescreen indicator taking up space at the bottom and not looking clean like I want.
Pixel Launcher works great.