Just got a new work phone: Galaxy S22. Wanted a pixel but it was out of stock in our internal allocation. Already tired of samsung’s UI and interested in something new.
So what do you like? Bonus points if it works with android enterprise’s profile mode dual app drawers.
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I absolutely love Nova Launcher Pro. Easy to get to what I need. Also integrates with sesame and Delta icon pack.
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Same. Too lazy to switch to anything else
I was a huge fan until their acquisition by the shady company. I keep the pre-acquistion version on older phones.
+1 for Nova.
Been using it since my Pixel 1 XL, on a Pixel 6 Pro now.
I am going to switch back to the default Pixel Launcher for a week to see if anything has changed(and just for fun), but I think I’m going to be on Nova after lol.
Use Lawn Chair
Been using Lawn Chair for the past year or so. Looks good, does what I want and stays out of my way the rest of the time. Top marks for me.
It’s also FOSS and respects your privacy. Also very lightweight.
I’ve been using nova launcher prime since forever. Make a backup on my old phone when getting a new one, and import it on the new phone.
How do you feel about nova launcher being bought out by that data collection company?
:( I used Nova Prime for many years, and I don’t like this one bit. I hope that the devs got a good payout, and best wishes to them, but it makes me uncomfortable. Luckily, while it’s definitely no Nova, Samsung’s launcher has finally on the most recent version gotten to a point of usability. Everything is more awkward to do, and you have to install extra Samsung apps (Good Lock with applets) for a lot of the customization, but most of my favorite features from Nova are finally there. So, for the first time in many years, I’m running the Samsung default OneUI 5.1.
Wait you don’t think Samsung is collecting your data?
Yes, I do think they are, but by choosing a Samsung smartphone, I’ve already decided to be OK with that on some level. I turn off features that connect to outside companies for the most part, and I’ve chosen to believe that Samsung does what it claims with the settings that users have available to them on the phone. It doesn’t mean that I’m just fine with handing everything over to any other random company. I am the sort of user who checks permissions of apps before downloading them (and disables everything I don’t use), and I don’t want my launcher (which I paid for) on a device I paid a not small sum of money for, to send every single tap back to a marketing firm directly.
Ok, but with even a little bit of research and looking around in Nova launcher itself, you would’ve found that you can opt out of usage analytics and all permissions. Branch even says this themselves on their discord.
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Since they mentioned backups they might be on the last good version of the launcher pre purchase (I guess)
I’ve been using Nova for years and I have no complaints.
I love me some Nova
I’m going to piggy back on this comment for all the people who don’t want to do the research on Nova and their recent acquisition by Branch. You can opt in or out of usage statistics and all permissions in the app. The new mods on their discord have a FAQ that expresses this also. I have no way to prove otherwise but if all we have is their word then you should take all apps usages disclosures with a grain of salt.
Edit: funny enough I just installed and read the first few paragraphs of Niagra’s privacy policy which says it collects and shares user analytics. To each their own I guess.
Protip: If you are somewhat skeptical of the Branch integration, you can disable network permission in Android for the Nova Launcher. It doesn’t need to connect to anything to work fine generally speaking. Without network permisson, the launcher can’t send anything to the internet.
Wait, what? I didn’t hear about them getting acquired. That sucks.
It literally doesn’t effect anything if you opt out.
NOVA. Every single time I’ve tried an alternate launcher, I always return to NOVA within 24 hours.
I bought Nova Prime 10 years ago and was using it already years before that. Unfortunately they were bought out by Branch last year. And most of the time this isn’t positive for the app. Guess I have yet an other app tracking and sending my data… 🙄
KISS
I love Niagara Launcher. simple, yet very effective.
Niagra Launcher, by far. It has totally changed the way I used my phone in a speedy way.
Since i bought Niagara Launcher my phone(s) feel very fluent and contemporary. I’d say the best piece of software I bought for Android.
Niagara is the best! Never needed any other launcher
Second this. Niagara Launcher allows me so much easier access to apps. Cleaner home page and all apps in an easy to navigate alphabetical list. Super easy
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Niagara is so fundamental to me that I simply can’t imagine my phone without it. My partner really likes the whole one UI themed experience, and everytime she gives me her phone I’m lost for 5 minutes trying to find anything.
It’s a different paradigm and not for everyone (eg. people that rely a lot on widgets) but it really puts you in sync with your stuff. totally worth the buy.
Okay, so I really really like KISS launcher. KISS stands for keep it simple stupid and that should tell you all there is to know about the launcher. It is a search based launcher, you can do quick calculations, one click call/text your contacts, configure additional search engines (eg: you can search directly on YouTube, Maps, Google or just open an url directly). No matter what I try it never satisfies as much as KISS, I find it an hassle to go through the icons searching fot your app. It is available on F-Droid
Oh interesting. I use Linux on my PC and love just hitting super + typing the name of a program.
I’m using Nova, but your reply convinced me to try it out. Sounds like a cool launcher for someone who likes to tweak around (me basicly) :)
Neo Launcher, it’s the closest think to Nova, but there is still a lot of bugs.
I just replaced Nova with Neo after trying several from this thread. The only bug I’ve seen has been renaming folders. But other than that it has been smooth sailing. Thanks for the recommendation. 👍🏻
I still have the app icon disappearing when you update it bug. Plus the in general unpolished feel of the app.
For free I can’t complain, but it’s not as smooth or as polished as Nova… Yet
No it’s not as polished as Nova and it looks like it hasn’t been updated for a while. Do you know of another launcher that has “Cover mode” where the first app in the folder is displayed and other apps are displayed when you swipe up?
Nova Launcher Prime. The only one I stuck too, and never managed to leave.
None since Nova went and got telemetry’d up.
Wait, what now? Nova’a been my go-to, what happened?
Last year they got acquired by Branch, an analytics company. Android Police article about it here.
KISS Launcher for me. Minimal UI so you can see your wallpaper, decent search and open source. I’m surprised there aren’t more mentions of it here actually.
I second this
Same here, fast, clean and simple.
