Ask an Android fan at any level over the previous decade (or extra) what they love about Android, and there is a good probability that customisation is a giant a part of the reply. Relatively than have fairly a inflexible consumer interface like iOS on the iPhone, Android has lengthy been lauded for the power to vary the way in which it appears to be like, and the way in which it behaves.
There’s been such a requirement for customisation that – over the previous few years – we have seen producers add much more customisation selections instantly into their very own software program. Even Google made it a key a part of the expertise with Android 12, which noticed a giant shift in design and personalisation, increasing on it additional with Android 13.
Launchers for Android do nonetheless have their goal although. Select the best one, and you need to use all method of tweaks. From creating fully customized widgets that look and act the way in which you need, to altering the dimensions and elegance of app icons.
How to decide on an Android launcher
Earlier than selecting a launcher, it is price contemplating what you need out of your Android cellphone. You probably have a tool from a Chinese language producer like Oppo or Xiaomi – or a closely skinned system like one of Samsung’s – and also you simply need a extra inventory Android-like expertise, the most effective launcher to obtain might be the Nova launcher.
The Nova launcher brings a visible expertise which is way more just like the inventory/customary Android feel and look. In addition to providing a feel and look which, by default, feels quite a bit just like the Pixel, it additionally helps you to management each aspect of your cellphone’s software program expertise.
It comes as each a free and premium version, the latter provides you a lot extra choices and is certainly definitely worth the outlay in case you simply need your cellphone to look the way in which you need it to.
Nova Launcher helps you to do issues like change the dimensions of your private home display screen icons manually, in addition to putting in customized icon packs so you possibly can change the way in which they give the impression of being too. You’ll be able to select what number of rows and columns of apps you need on the house display screen and in your app drawer, and even fine-tune the way in which the Google search bar seems. And that is simply the tip of the iceberg.
The truth is, Nova Launcher is so in-depth, it might most likely do with its personal whole explainer and tutorial characteristic, so we’ll depart that there for now. Suffice to say, in case you like toying and customising, there are few that provide the granular choices Nova Launcher contains.
If – nevertheless – you need a launcher that can assist you be extra productive, otherwise you need a launcher with a minimalist consumer interface designed to scale back your display screen time, there are many these as properly. We have highlighted a variety of them on the backside of this text.
Obtain an Android launcher
Step one to putting in a brand new launcher is strictly the identical as downloading an app. Merely head to the Play Retailer and seek for the launcher by identify (checklist of strategies on the backside of this text) or just sort “launcher”. We’ll use Nova Launcher for instance on this information, however the identical course of applies to all. We would counsel looking for “minimalist launcher” if that is what you are after.
As soon as you have discovered the launcher you wish to obtain and you have put in it, the following step is setting it up. Most Android launchers have a setup information included that can assist you get began rapidly, so merely faucet on the launcher’s app icon, which ought to have appeared on your private home display screen or in your app tray.
While you faucet the app icon – relying which cellphone you are utilizing – you may even see a popup message saying one thing like “X launcher is at the moment set as your default, go to settings to attempt [new launcher name]”. As soon as you have confirmed you wish to attempt it, your private home display screen format ought to fully change.
Usually when this occurs, you have not really set the brand new launcher as a default, so it could be complicated once you press the house button, and it reverts to your previous launcher. Which it could do. Your cellphone might both do this, or offer you a useful popup asking you which ones launcher you’d like to make use of as a default.
Learn how to change default Android launcher
Truly setting the launcher as your default Android launcher is a course of which varies somewhat relying in your system. With some Android telephones you head to Settings > Dwelling, and you then select the launcher you need. With others, you head to Settings > Apps after which hit the settings cog icon within the prime nook the place you may then have choices to vary default apps.
Others wish to make it somewhat trickier…
- Samsung (Android 13) – Settings > Apps > Select default apps > Dwelling app
- Oppo, OnePlus and Realme (Android 13) – Settings > Apps > Default App > Dwelling app
- Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (Android 13) – Settings > Dwelling display screen > Default launcher
- Honor (Android 12) – Settings > Apps > Default apps > Dwelling app
After all, in case you have an older model of software program, the strategy is likely to be barely totally different. The quickest, and easiest method, is to move to the Settings app and seek for “default app” within the search discipline, and it is best to discover it.
What subsequent?
As we alluded to earlier, when you even have the launcher energetic in your cellphone, the house display screen look adjustments. Your apps will almost certainly now not be organised the way you had them earlier than, so you may have to spend a couple of minutes (okay, possibly greater than only a few) putting your apps, creating folders, selecting a wallpaper, and so on.
You can too achieve entry to your launcher settings, to customize varied facets of it. With lots of them, you simply faucet and maintain on the house display screen and there is a settings bar proper subsequent to the standard wallpaper and widgets choices, chances are you’ll even see an icon pack possibility (relying on which launcher you are utilizing).
What Android launchers are there?
There are a selection of respectable launchers for Android, every of them providing one thing somewhat totally different to the remaining. That is on no account an in depth checklist, there are such a lot of of them, however these are a few of our favourites.
Nova Launcher – see on the Play Store
Customisability at its finest. You’ll be able to change virtually any side of your cellphone software program expertise.
Microsoft Launcher – see on the Play Store
Very clear launcher which intelligently types your most used apps and ceaselessly contacted individuals to make them simple to get to. It additionally provides you particular person house screens to your reminders/duties, widgets, paperwork and apps.
Motion Launcher: Pixel Version – see on the Play Store
Like Nova Launcher, Motion launcher provides you the power to customize a variety of consumer interface parts inside the software program. It’s Maybe extra interesting to these with little endurance to set their house screens up once more although, since it could import your present app/house display screen format, reasonably than pressure you to begin once more.
Hyperion Launcher – see on the Play Store
Like Nova Launcher, this one’s all about customisation, and actually helps you to get down into the nitty-gritty of the cellphone’s UI look. You’ll be able to change folder colors, regulate widget behaviours and look, including blur and results to make it very totally different to your inventory launcher.
Minimalist Android launchers
In case your most important goal for a launcher is to scale back your time spent mindlessly scrolling by way of social media and video apps, chances are you’ll wish to give a minimalist launcher a attempt. Most of those are designed to present you quick access to your most-necessary apps, and conceal the time-sucking social media away.
Minimalist cellphone: Productiveness – see on the Play Store
The Minimalist Telephone launcher is centered round limiting apps that distract, giving quick access to necessities with a really sparse black-and-white consumer interface. It additionally helps to handle your display screen time and makes it simpler to limit notifications from particular apps. It is free to obtain, however has in-app purchases.
Olauncher: Minimal AF Launcher – see on the Play Store
Just like the earlier launcher, that is designed to present you fast entry to apps that you want to use every day, itemizing a small choice on your private home display screen. It’s – nevertheless – way more vibrant, permitting colour-rich wallpapers so that you just’re not simply taking a look at a plain black background each time you choose up your cellphone.
Niagara Launcher – see on the Play Store
Niagara launcher is analogous in premise: velocity. It desires that can assist you get to what you need as rapidly as potential. No unnecessarily lengthy animations or transitions. It isn’t overloaded with UI layers. As a substitute, you select the vital issues and so they’re all that seem on your private home display screen. It is fast, uncluttered and straightforward.
Earlier than Launcher – see on the Play Store
Much like the above, Earlier than Launcher helps you keep targeted on necessities, and even filters out notifications to cease you from being distracted. You’ll be able to prioritise your most important apps, and it contains a quick search instrument for once you wish to get to an app rapidly,
Different launchers all provide the power to customize the looks of the cellphone’s theme, icons, and a few even add customized gestures for launching particular capabilities.
Which one is the most effective relies upon completely on what you want it to do. You probably have the endurance, and wish to attempt a number of totally different launchers out, you’ve gotten the liberty to do this. Most are free to obtain, some have “Prime” variations that are paid-for upgrades, however include extra options.
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