this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2023
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Android users who don't use the stock launcher - what launcher do you use, and what do you like about it? (nom.mom)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by mom@nom.mom to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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Maybe something for the Pixel phones? I've been using ADW for a long time now, and was wondering what some frequently used launchers are. (I used Cyanogen for a long time, too.)

There are lists all over the internet, but I'm interested in what the Lemmy crowd likes. Thanks!

Edit: Thanks guys - a few of these were on my radar, some I hadnโ€™t heard of or seen in the Play/f-droid lists. Having the reasons why you like each of them helps me figure out what I want from a launcher (for instance, the purchase of Nova by a company known for its data collection is a big turn-off even though it seems loved) - since you guys laid out some pros and cons of a bunch of launchers, it gives me a better picture!

Edit 2: You guys, this is a great resource for figuring out which launchers look like something worth trying (for me), and which ones are in the stores but not what I'm looking for. Without just trying them all, that is... And considering that I hadn't even heard of all of them...

This has been a huge help for me, and I hope some others out there got something out of the post! I should be replying to everyone, but I'm not ... Sorry. But I did read everything and have already started compiling a list in my head, and started tagging and categorizing. And those who included screen shots and links and lists and opinions and FOSS alternatives/forks - they helped! This whole thing helped!

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[โ€“] bloopernova@infosec.pub 45 points 1 year ago (11 children)

Pixel 6 pro. I use Nova launcher. It works great and is very customizable, especially with icon placement. I recommend it.

[โ€“] bionicjoey@lemmy.ca 34 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Sadly Nova was purchased by a Chinese company with a history of invasive data harvesting last year.

[โ€“] manned_meatball@lemmy.ml 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I had premium up until a year ago, but I can't recommend it anymore after their purchase.

Choose open source, people.

[โ€“] Juggs@aussie.zone 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, shit. I just bought it the other day and started with it. Had nfi.

[โ€“] virtueless@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

FYI, you can download a version from before the acquisition. I'm running the 7.0.25 release and restricting network access on both the base app and the premium license. Not sure if it's foolproof, but hopefully I find a launcher that does app drawer tabs at least as well.

[โ€“] dangrousperson@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you give any more detail on this? I really like Nova and was really sad when it was purchased. I've tried a couple different launchers, but I don't like any of them as much as I liked nova. How did you get the old app? Just off some APK website? And then just install the license from Playstore? Or is there someway to download old versions from the play store? How are you restricting it's internet access? Would live to try this and get back my Nova launcher .

[โ€“] virtueless@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah, I just installed the apk from an older release off apkmirror and installed Pro from the play store. I also disabled auto-update in the play store for both. You should look up if your OS can disable network connectivity on an app to app basis, the steps are different on each OS but it's usually buried somewhere in the settings. If your OS is unable to do so, I would use Netguard to prevent applications from using the internet.

Edit: Like someone already mentioned, the apk for each release is also available in the Nova launcher discord server.

[โ€“] shadshack@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

I tried a whole bunch of launchers after they were bought, but none were nearly as good as Nova in my opinion. Either buggy or lacking features I have grown accustomed to. I ended up just installing TrackerControl and turning off Nova's internet access entirely. It doesn't require any networking for any of my needs, so just disabling its internet entirely was fine.

[โ€“] winkerjadams@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 year ago

+1 for nova. Bought premium of it years ago(I think its like $5 but goes on sale for $1). It has tons of customization and works well

[โ€“] Bishma@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 1 year ago

Same. Had Nova for many years and many phones now (with the help of Nova's backup and restore).

[โ€“] AngryMob@lemmy.one 5 points 1 year ago

Another +1 to Nova from me on my Pixel 6.

It has enough features to solve whatever problems you have with default. Its easy to setup and customize. Its responsive and never had any issues with it. Easy to recommend.

[โ€“] can@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

I'm still using it but since they were sold last year I have been thinking of switching.

[โ€“] itsshortstuff@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

Plus for Nova, I've had it for years. I don't use it to it's fullest but it makes it so much cleaner and I can organize how I like

[โ€“] Cras@feddit.uk 2 points 1 year ago

Yup, another Nova user on Pixel 6 here

[โ€“] babyphatman@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Exact same setup for me... Been using Nova for years since the Nexus series.

[โ€“] backhdlp@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 year ago

Very happy with Nova here.

[โ€“] babyphatman@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Exact same setup for me... I've been using Nova for years since the Nexus series.

[โ€“] SeedyOne@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Fellow Nova user here. Love it.