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

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

A part of what makes residence 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 solely, you’ll be able to obtain and set up a various set of launchers, every with its personal strengths and weaknesses.

I have been utilizing numerous launchers for various 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 remaining, or in any other case stand out to me.

1 Nova Launcher

Probably the most iconic launchers to ever be launched

Nova Launcher / Pocket-lint

By far, probably the most well-known third-party Android residence display resolution has obtained to be Nova Launcher. It has been round for seemingly endlessly, and it is completely stuffed to the brim with customization choices.

For those who’re a fan of tweaking each nook of your cellphone’s residence 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 info density.

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

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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 keep on with the fundamental grid-of-apps residence display paradigm, Niagara is not afraid to attempt one thing new. Fortunately, the ensuing product is an absolute resounding success.

The idea is straightforward: you pin your favourite apps to a vertical record on your private home 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 in some way really feel completely at residence right here, and the attractive animations and interface design are the cherry on high. It might probably take a couple of minutes to get used to the gesture workflow, however when you do, you will be flying by way of the interface at report velocity.

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

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3 Microsoft Launcher

For those who’re an enormous consumer of Microsoft companies, then this one’s for you

Microsoft / Pocket-lint

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

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

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

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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. For those who’re operating an Android cellphone that has a closely modified software skin on high, comparable 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 might be downloaded as an .apk file from the developer’s website.

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5 Launcher 10

Home windows Cellphone could also be useless, however its core interface lives on by way 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 reside 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 Cellular and Android.

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

Launcher 10 might be downloaded totally free on the Google Play Store, with an non-obligatory in-app buy to take away adverts and unlock extra capabilities.

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6 Beacon Sport Launcher

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

Nerds Take Over / Pocket-lint

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

The consumer 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 superbly on display.

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

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