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

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 an alternate tackle the principle app-launching interface, and so they typically function an in depth suite of choices for personalization lovers.

A part of what makes house display screen launchers such a strong resolution is their interoperability — no matter whether or not you are rocking a Samsung Galaxy, a Google Pixel, or one other Android-based model totally, 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 varied launchers for a variety of years now, and plenty of of my favourite choices are fortunately nonetheless being developed and actively supported. Listed below 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, essentially the most well-known third-party Android house display screen resolution has obtained to be Nova Launcher. It has been round for seemingly eternally, and it is completely stuffed to the brim with customization choices.

In the event you’re a fan of tweaking each nook of your telephone’s house display screen, 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-obligatory ‘Prime’ in-app buy to unlock all capabilities.

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2 Niagara Launcher

A singular tackle the house display screen, 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 screen paradigm, Niagara is not afraid to strive one thing new. Fortunately, the ensuing product is an absolute resounding success.

The idea is easy: you pin your favourite apps to a vertical listing on your private home display screen, and also you rapidly entry the remainder of your put in apps through a scroll bar. The actual magic lies in the truth that widgets are supported and one way or the other really feel completely at house right here, and the gorgeous animations and interface design are the cherry on high. It could actually take a couple of minutes to get used to the gesture workflow, however when you do, you may be flying by means of the interface at document 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

In the event you’re a giant consumer of Microsoft providers, 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 continues 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 house display screen tweaking.

As you’d count on, Microsoft Launcher ties in closely with varied Microsoft providers, together with Begin, Copilot, Bing each day wallpapers, and extra. It could be a far cry from the times of Home windows Telephone 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 primary 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 presently nonetheless in beta. In the event you’re operating an Android telephone that has a closely modified software skin on high, corresponding to Samsung’s One UI, then Lawnchair is a wonderful option 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 most recent beta launch for Lawnchair 14 will be downloaded as an .apk file from the developer’s website.

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5 Launcher 10

Home windows Telephone 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 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 so much occurring 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 Telephone vogue, a easy swipe will take you over to an alphabetic listing of all of your apps, and the house display screen tiles will be organized and resized to your liking.

Launcher 10 will be downloaded without spending a dime on the Google Play Store, with an non-obligatory in-app buy to take away advertisements and unlock extra capabilities.

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6 Beacon Sport Launcher

A retro sport 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 terms of retro game emulation on Android, however my private favourite is Beacon Sport Launcher. It is a beautiful 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 your entire expertise is streamlined and user-friendly. The launcher will mechanically scrape for sport cowl artwork and extra metadata, which it then presents fantastically on display screen.

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

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