Database Develop

Anyone switch over to another launcher right away?

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.

What Launcher for my Xperia Z3?

What Launcher you suggest for my Xperia Z3 Compact ?
I don't like the normal one it's a way too big for the compact.
At the moment I use APEX launcher but the drawer does not give me all the apps I installed weird bug.
Which one you suggest me ?

I use NOVA Prime, no issues so far.

Nova Launcher is the best!!!

RayRewind said:
What Launcher you suggest for my Xperia Z3 Compact ?
I don't like the normal one it's a way too big for the compact.
At the moment I use APEX launcher but the drawer does not give me all the apps I installed weird bug.
Which one you suggest me ?
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Look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735764

For completeness Solo Launcher should also be mentioned, it's prettier than Nova Launcher, though a tad slower. Personally, I use Nova Launcher Prime.

Aviate in my opinion is the best looking and smoothest! I use aviate or nova depending on my mood

I quite like Action Launcher. Has everything I need...

Nova Prime [emoji106]
Sendt fra min D5803 med Tapatalk

Moist said:
I quite like Action Launcher. Has everything I need...
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I'm using Action Launcher 3 as well.

RayRewind said:
At the moment I use APEX launcher but the drawer does not give me all the apps I installed weird bug.
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I'm using it myself and love it.
No such bug for me, but you might check Apex Settings -> Drawer settings -> Hidden apps. Maybe you've hidden some apps by mistake.

I'm using Aviate, if you prefer smart launchers.

emwu_ said:
I'm using it myself and love it.
No such bug for me, but you might check Apex Settings -> Drawer settings -> Hidden apps. Maybe you've hidden some apps by mistake.
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Oh hell that was the problem ! Thanks emwu for helping me out now I got the App also in my menu It was hidden by default

Lightning Launcher - I've tried them all (yeah, who hasn't!).
It's not as fancy and a bit more complicated to set up than others but seriously there is simply none that is as customisable as this one.
Features I like the most are that on the main screen you can both scroll horizontally and vertically and you can also put widgets in folders, supercustomize the app drawer, change each folders' appearance.. you name it, you can customise it all.
Links to play:
Pro version, Free version

Nokia Z Launcher ftw.

Once again... Nova Prime.
Customizable in very many ways but not bloated (love the 1/2 grid). Fast as hell. Easy on battery (there are quite a few launchers which aren't and who wants his launcher to drain battery...). Most icon themes are made for Nova. There are launchers which are laggy even on high-end devices (tried Aviate recently... lol) and use a lot of resources. I think those should be free for your apps, not your launcher.
Use it for 2 years now. From time to time I try other, also new, launchers (to watch the progress) but there is none that wouldn't make me wish to go back to Nova. Imo it's the best launcher ever.

Used to only use Nova... but for some reason have been sticking with Google Now. Seems to be the quickest, most stable, and I don't have to worry about constantly tweaking (not that you have to with Nova, but if it's possible to tweak, i'll tweak). Guess I'm just boring nowadays!

carlyman said:
Used to only use Nova... but for some reason have been sticking with Google Now. Seems to be the quickest, most stable, and I don't have to worry about constantly tweaking (not that you have to with Nova, but if it's possible to tweak, i'll tweak). Guess I'm just boring nowadays!
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well you can tweak it with xposed + xposed gel settings then it gets much better
have always preferred apex over nova. similar, but all the features I need are in the free version, while to get the same important features for me in nova I would have to get the paid version...so why should I if I have them for free in apex?!
and actually, there were a couple of features in apex that I didn't find in nova.... not even in the paid version... apex all the life!! :good:

KK Launcher Pro, xposed and mods

Nova here, too. But I do find the phone is slightly more laggy with it. Or maybe that's some other issue.

I use Smart Launcher 2 Pro. I got tired of rows and columns of icons, so I have it set up with a circle of icons and I'll dig into the categorized drawer if I want to run anything else.
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Alternate Launcher anyone, Pixel Launcher?

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.

Does this phone only work well with stock launcher?

Hey guy's I've purchased this phone today and I was curious if this phone only plays ball with its own stock pixel launcher, I ask because I'm using nova launcher and when I lock the phone and unlock it again there seems to be a black screen for about a second before it goes to the home screen and also double tap to sleep gestures don't work smoothly
Can anyone shed some light on this for me please and sorry if it is a noob question ?

I've used Lawnchair on my Pixel 4 XL and it ran smoothly for me, none of the issues you mentioned.

I've been using Nova from the get-go and no issues like you've described. Have you looked thru all of Nova's settings? Nothing to do with Transitions? What about trying to change the phone's animations all to 0.5x?

Birdsfan said:
I've used Lawnchair on my Pixel 4 XL and it ran smoothly for me, none of the issues you mentioned.
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I'm gonna give lawnchair a go I forgot it existed for a second lol ?

velveteen71 said:
I've been using Nova from the get-go and no issues like you've described. Have you looked thru all of Nova's settings? Nothing to do with Transitions? What about trying to change the phone's animations all to 0.5x?
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I love the animations on 1.0 lol I'm just gonna try a different launcher and hope the problem disappears

I too have been using Nova since October and never had any lag issues.

It's not lag per se it's more clunky animations plus I hate that you can't use gestures with another launcher hopefully this gets fixed in Android 11 I love the swipe right from the bottom to switch between recent apps

CleverFogs said:
It's not lag per se it's more clunky animations plus I hate that you can't use gestures with another launcher hopefully this gets fixed in Android 11 I love the swipe right from the bottom to switch between recent apps
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Google made it possible for 3rd party launchers to work correctly with Android 10's gestures. I am using Action Launcher atm and the bottom right swipe works correctly along the test of the gestures.

Guys, only the pixel launcher fully works with gestures nav on the pixel 4... yes 3rd party launchers kind of work but they are not fully working and glitchy. That's why there even is a magisk module called quickswitch that make lawnchair fully working with the gestures and animations.
Hope that helps...

I think if I've learned anything from these threads... it is that there is no consensus for this topic. My opinion is that Nova is working fine. This opinion conflicts with what feels like half of other opinions.
I think anyone making/reading these threads will need to try it for themselves and form their own opinion.

justbfree said:
Guys, only the pixel launcher fully works with gestures nav on the pixel 4... yes 3rd party launchers kind of work but they are not fully working and glitchy. That's why there even is a magisk module called quickswitch that make lawnchair fully working with the gestures and animations.
Hope that helps...
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Click to collapse
I knew I wasn't going crazy lol

justbfree said:
Guys, only the pixel launcher fully works with gestures nav on the pixel 4... yes 3rd party launchers kind of work but they are not fully working and glitchy. That's why there even is a magisk module called quickswitch that make lawnchair fully working with the gestures and animations.
Hope that helps...
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CleverFogs said:
I knew I wasn't going crazy lol
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The only thing in Action Launcher that doesn't work is the apps at the bottom of recents. Everything else works just like pixel launcher. Gestures, animations, copy/share any text on the recents/overview screen. It does everything that the quickstep/quickswitch module can do without it.

CleverFogs said:
It's not lag per se it's more clunky animations plus I hate that you can't use gestures with another launcher hopefully this gets fixed in Android 11 I love the swipe right from the bottom to switch between recent apps
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I use Nova with all the gestures and animations with no problems, either.

Question Launchers on GT S8

I have been trying out different launchers on my S8. Let me know of any you are familiar with or recommend.
Microsoft Launcher: I am currently using this and pleasantly surprised. I don't login to Microsoft because I don't use those services but see how it could be a good thing for those that do. MS has made a very nice tablet launcher experience. Even the MS Start news app works well enough as a Google Now replacement. I love to hide junk news sources I don't want to read, and can request fewer articles on topics of interest. There are ads in the feed but at least they are subtle and have an indicator so you don't have to click. Loading news is sometimes slow but it could be my connection.
Smart Launcher: looks great but it is a subscription service to reap the full functionality. I saw that they also use MS Smart but it doesn't seem to work well in that launcher. I can't get my head around the launcher subscription service revenue model, who would pay monthly, or the value add to do so.
Nova Launcher: my go-to on phones. However, the tablet experience isn't great. I couldn't figure out how to move the dock to the bottom in landscape.
Apex Launcher: seems nice but also has a subscription model. I didn't spend much time with it.
Action Launcher: another I used for years on phones before switching to Nova. I also couldn't figure out how to move the dock to the bottom in landscape.

If I'm gonna be completely honest, I'm super fond of the OneUI launcher and have been using that instead of Nova for a couple of weeks now. Samsung has made OneUI even better in the coming updates, so I just don't even change it now.

@SavXL I am in total agreement. OneUI 4.1 has evolved very well. I had a Samsung Note 9 with the earlier OUI versions which I didn't prefer over Nova.
As a launcher hopper, I will use the OneUI launcher again. Icon pack support would be a nice addition.

johninsf said:
@SavXL I am in total agreement. OneUI 4.1 has evolved very well. I had a Samsung Note 9 with the earlier OUI versions which I didn't prefer over Nova.
As a launcher hopper, I will use the OneUI launcher again. Icon pack support would be a nice addition.
Click to expand...
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You can install custom icons for oneUI through galaxy Theme store.

Jake.S said:
You can install custom icons for oneUI through galaxy Theme store.
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Indeed! I used Theme Store in the past.
From within OUI launcher icon preferences vs. theme store is my wish for installing icon packs. To be fair, Google's pixel launcher doesn't allow this either.

If you are really advanced, use total launcher and you won't regret it.. Basically you can re create any launcher with it. But 1st time you use it, it's look awful.. By far the most advanced launcher right now if you give it time to understand what you can do with it. But i still use nova when i want something simple to use it in 5 minutes.
Here an example of my theme i created in total launcher. I inspired from htc. (I could create exactly the same launcher htc had if i wanted):

johninsf said:
I have been trying out different launchers on my S8. Let me know of any you are familiar with or recommend.
Microsoft Launcher: I am currently using this and pleasantly surprised. I don't login to Microsoft because I don't use those services but see how it could be a good thing for those that do. MS has made a very nice tablet launcher experience. Even the MS Start news app works well enough as a Google Now replacement. I love to hide junk news sources I don't want to read, and can request fewer articles on topics of interest. There are ads in the feed but at least they are subtle and have an indicator so you don't have to click. Loading news is sometimes slow but it could be my connection.
Smart Launcher: looks great but it is a subscription service to reap the full functionality. I saw that they also use MS Smart but it doesn't seem to work well in that launcher. I can't get my head around the launcher subscription service revenue model, who would pay monthly, or the value add to do so.
Nova Launcher: my go-to on phones. However, the tablet experience isn't great. I couldn't figure out how to move the dock to the bottom in landscape.
Apex Launcher: seems nice but also has a subscription model. I didn't spend much time with it.
Action Launcher: another I used for years on phones before switching to Nova. I also couldn't figure out how to move the dock to the bottom in landscape.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using nova and the dock moves to the bottom. However, I am facing a weird issue where the status bar icons remain black on dark background.

lenana said:
I'm using nova and the dock moves to the bottom. However, I am facing a weird issue where the status bar icons remain black on dark background.
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Probably issue with nova launcher. Try using oneui and see if issue remains. If not, then issue is due to nova launcher

Jake.S said:
Probably issue with nova launcher. Try using oneui and see if issue remains. If not, then issue is due to nova launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem persists even with one UI launcher. In fact I uninstalled nova.

lenana said:
The problem persists even with one UI launcher. In fact I uninstalled nova.
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Click to collapse
Weird so far I have not gotten this issue on mine

Square Home Launcher by "ChYK the dev" works really well on larger devices. It's like a Windows 10 start menu look, but with lots of options. Takes a bit to get it customized just right, but well worth the time.

Jake.S said:
Weird so far I have not gotten this issue on mine
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I changed system font to roboto sans and the issue went away, back to nova launcher. Weird!

lenana said:
I changed system font to roboto sans and the issue went away, back to nova launcher. Weird!
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Click to collapse
What method did you use to change to a non-default font? Did you just download it from Samsung's store?
This one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...v2-1-for-samsung-oneui-1-2-3-no-root.4195613/ ?

I've used Nova Launcher on all four of my tablets. going back to 2014. Just last month I upgraded from a Tab S4 to a Tab S8+.
Transferring was a breeze. The backup function worked like a charm -- all the settings were transferred from my old to the new tablet. And it copied the icons for all the apps -- even those not yet installed. Icon locations and grouped icons were all in the same place they were on the old tablet. Those icons for not installed apps were gray, and clicking them brings a message asking if you want to install them. If you say yes, it opens the app in the Play Store. Then after they install, it goes to full color. For sideloaded apps, just install and the icons turn active. This made it easy to install all the apps I had before. No missing aps.
As far as the launcher goes, all the settings, layouts and defaults are the same. I think the only thing I had to manually install widgets that were on apps that weren't yet installed when I restored the backup on the new tablet.
Joe

Niagara Launcher.
For me it's the best Launcher after testing so many alternatives.
Switched from Nova to Niagara and never looked back.