Why I believe these 6 Android launchers are a lower above the remainder

Third-party home screen launchers are one of many oldest and most helpful staples of the Android working system. Briefly, they’re apps that present another tackle the principle app-launching interface, they usually typically function an intensive suite of choices for personalization lovers.

A part of what makes house display launchers such a sturdy resolution is their interoperability — no matter whether or not you are rocking a Samsung Galaxy, a Google Pixel, or one other Android-based model completely, you possibly can obtain and set up a various set of launchers, every with its personal strengths and weaknesses.

I have been utilizing numerous launchers for quite a few years now, and plenty of of my favourite choices are fortunately nonetheless being developed and actively supported. Listed here are the actual Android launchers that stand up above all the remainder, or in any other case stand out to me.

1 Nova Launcher

One of the vital iconic launchers to ever be launched

Nova Launcher / Pocket-lint

By far, probably the most well-known third-party Android house display resolution has acquired to be Nova Launcher. It has been round for seemingly without end, and it is completely crammed to the brim with customization choices.

If you happen to’re a fan of tweaking each nook of your cellphone’s house display, app drawer, folders, icons, and extra, then Nova Launcher completely delivers the products. I personally go for an app drawer that separates my video games from the remainder of my put in software program library, and have it set to most data density.

Nova Launcher is free to obtain on the Google Play Store, with an non-compulsory ‘Prime’ in-app buy to unlock all features.

Associated

5 Android widgets that I simply can’t live without

Each time I setup a brand new Android cellphone, I at all times discover myself including these widgets to my house display earlier than any others.

2 Niagara Launcher

A novel tackle the house display, and one which feels extremely fluid throughout use

Peter Huber / Pocket-lint

Niagara Launcher would possibly simply be my favourite of all of them. In contrast to most launchers, which stick to the essential grid-of-apps house display paradigm, Niagara is not afraid to strive one thing new. Fortunately, the ensuing product is an absolute resounding success.

The idea is straightforward: you pin your favourite apps to a vertical checklist on your house display, and also you shortly entry the remainder of your put in apps through a scroll bar. The actual magic lies in the truth that widgets are supported and someway really feel completely at house right here, and the attractive animations and interface design are the cherry on high. It might take a couple of minutes to get used to the gesture workflow, however when you do, you will be flying by means of the interface at report pace.

Niagara Launcher is free to obtain from the Google Play Store, with a ‘Professional’ in-app buy wanted to unlock some features.

Associated

Google’s new call and internet sharing features are rolling out to Android devices

The tech big is bringing extra of that Apple ecosystem really feel.

3 Microsoft Launcher

If you happen to’re a giant person of Microsoft providers, then this one’s for you

Microsoft / Pocket-lint

As of late, Microsoft not releases its own Android-based hardware, however the firm’s native launcher remains to be supported on third-party gadgets. The launcher performs nicely, is pretty well-refined, and has respectable choices in the case of the world of house display tweaking.

As you’d count on, Microsoft Launcher ties in closely with numerous Microsoft providers, together with Begin, Copilot, Bing every day wallpapers, and extra. It could be a far cry from the times of Home windows Cellphone and Home windows Cell, however that is neither right here nor there.

Microsoft Launcher is free to obtain from the Google Play Store.

Associated

6 reasons to enable ultra-wideband on your Android phone right now

You are most likely accustomed to Bluetooth for connectivity, however Android’s latest UWB improvement is on one other degree. This is why you must allow it.

4 Lawnchair 14

Marrying a fundamental and clear Android expertise with a sprinkling of extra superior options

David Sn / Pocket-lint

Lawnchair has been round on the Android scene for fairly a while, however its newest launch — Lawnchair 14 — is at the moment nonetheless in beta. If you happen to’re operating an Android cellphone that has a closely modified software skin on high, akin to Samsung’s One UI, then Lawnchair is a wonderful strategy to unlock a extra Pixel-like expertise.

Even with its simplicity, there are many customization choices right here to sink your tooth into. The launcher even comes with its personal tackle Google’s At a Glance widget, infusing the expertise with additional choices and preferences.

The newest beta launch for Lawnchair 14 may be downloaded as an .apk file from the developer’s website.

Associated

How TouchWiz evolved into One UI: The Story of Samsung’s Android Interface

A historical past of Samsung’s intuitive person interface spanning generations of Galaxy telephones from the S1 to the newest S24

5 Launcher 10

Home windows Cellphone could also be useless, however its core interface lives on by means of Android

nfwebdev / Pocket-lint

No, I nonetheless have not gotten over Microsoft’s unceremonious exit from the cell phone market, and I do know I am not the one one with nostalgia for dwell tiles and the Metro design language. Fortunately, Launcher 10 is right here to scratch that lingering itch, by bridging the hole between the interfaces of each Home windows 10 Cell and Android.

There’s not rather a lot occurring right here from a customization standpoint, however the launcher does provide you with granular management over the feel and appear of the tiles themselves. In true Home windows Cellphone style, a easy swipe will take you over to an alphabetic checklist of all of your apps, and the house display tiles may be organized and resized to your liking.

Launcher 10 may be downloaded totally free on the Google Play Store, with an non-compulsory in-app buy to take away advertisements and unlock extra features.

Associated

Got an old Android phone laying around? Here are 8 useful things you can still do with it

Simply since you moved on does not imply your outdated Android cellphone cannot nonetheless be helpful as a webcam, MP3 participant, and extra.

6 Beacon Recreation Launcher

A retro recreation launcher for emulation that is a pleasure to navigate by means of

Nerds Take Over / Pocket-lint

There are tons of options on the market in the case of retro game emulation on Android, however my private favourite is Beacon Recreation Launcher. It is a pretty front-end interface that piggybacks off of your already put in emulator apps.

The person expertise has been optimized for panorama orientation and for wireless game controller enter, and the complete expertise is streamlined and user-friendly. The launcher will robotically scrape for recreation cowl artwork and extra metadata, which it then presents fantastically on display.

Beacon Recreation Launcher is free to obtain from the Google Play Store.

Associated

The GameSir X4 Aileron turns your Android phone into a mini Steam Deck

Take your gaming efficiency to the subsequent degree on Android, Microsoft Recreation Go, and Steam Hyperlink with GameSir’s Aileron X4 professional controller.