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.
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. Samsung states that they use Branch for searches inside their Galaxy Store. Some claims have been made that Branch powers the Finder (search) function on Samsung phones (althugh I can’t find confirmation), but this Finder Customization Service is a feature you can disable on a Samsung Galaxy phone. You can also turn off search suggestions for Finder and disable it’s ability to open links. You can disable Google and Samsung’s browsers and Internet searches as well.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.
NOVA. Every single time I’ve tried an alternate launcher, I always return to NOVA within 24 hours.
I use the Windows launcher, it’s really smooth.
Sadly 3rd party launchers don’t work well with widgets, at least on One UI. I found Nova Launcher to do well with gestures and animations, but it’s not there yet for me. The One UI launcher works as expected but lacks the ability to change stuff like the icon shape which I don’t like very much (Theme Park doesn’t do it well).
MLauncher, sadly no option to sort alphabetically once you add the apps to the homescreen, or at least I haven’t found it
I used Niagara Launcher, but it’s not free, so I moved to Lawnchair 12.1. I also really like Kvaesitso launcher
I’m using Niagara, it’s not free but it’s only like 10€ yearly. I like it because it stops my muscle Memory from mindlessly opening stuff
I had the chance to buy a “life long” licence and I really dont regret it.
I like Kavaesito a lot. Found Here
Neo launcher for me. it’s on fdroid.
it’s not perfect and can get buggy, but once you set it up, and don’t mess with the settings too much. it’s acceptable replacement for Nova launcher.
Had nova prime, but switched after the buyout
Yeah… What buyout? I have it in Graphene, with no permissions granted and only as a secondary launcher while i was considering my options, since Neo sometimes doesn’t update new installed apps for a while…
I’ve been using Nova for years and I have no complaints.
Currently using and have used the Niagra launcher for years. To me, ease of use and getting to the apps I need quickly and efficiently is the most important thing about a launcher. I’ve tried many of the “minimalistic” launchers over time, and this is the only one that truly felt useful. I’d highly recommend it to people who just use their phone as an app launcher, as opposed to having a bunch of widgets on the homescreen or something.
Nova Launcher Prime. The only one I stuck too, and never managed to leave.
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
Nova launcher, made this with it
Nova too, nice homepage, I have the same icon pack but on a boring 4x4 grid :)
I’ve been using smart-launcher for years now, and it’s what I’m used to, gestures and a nice app menu that automtically categorises applications is nice.
Seconding Smart Launcher. Automatic categorization beats pretty much every other feature I can think of in a launcher.
I try to treat my devices as commitments as far as spending but disposable as far as usage habits and not having invent my own categories helps me just USE my phone instead of playing with it.
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?