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 hadn’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!

  • a new sad me@lemmy.world
    22·
    2 years ago

    Nova launcher. It is the only one I manage to configure so the app drawer is opened via macrodroid (almost) only.

    • twistedtxb@lemmy.ca
      11·
      2 years ago

      Nova for so many years. One time purchase and endless possibilities across countless android devices.

      I know it’s now trendy to hate on Nove since they sold to another company, but frankly, it’s still the best out there in regards to customization, stability and support.

  • Father_Redbeard@lemmy.ml
    17·
    2 years ago

    Nova. I keep trying new launchers but I don’t like the text-only minimalist or the others that look more like Samsung’s default. I’ve been a user for a long time and I still love it.

  • AfricanExpansionist@lemmy.ml
    12·
    2 years ago

    I’m a pixel user. I switched to Niagara. I didn’t like it at first, but now I love it. It’s just very different from what you think a launcher should be. It’s not my forever launcher but I enjoy it for now. It’s been a year or so

    (I used to love Cyanogen. RIP)

  • Funderpants @lemmy.ca
    11·
    2 years ago

    I use the Niagara Launcher, it serves favorite apps up in a vertical list, and other apps in an alphabetical list. It’s very quick and easy to navigate and quite customizable with some widget support. It works with music apps, has a dark mode, makes changing icon packs easy. You can swipe up to search, or add a search button. I just love how minimal, clean and functional it is.

    Here is my home screen. Note there is no left or right screen to swipe to .

    Here is the app list, under N.

    Some settings

    And the app store link:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bitpit.launcher

    • Godspeed@lemmy.mlEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      I second Niagara. It’s just a great way to keep a simple home screen, but has plenty of power features if you want to dig deeper

      • Encode1307@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        I third it. The fact that you can customize something as fundamental as your home screen is what makes android superior to ios, at least for me. Niagara makes my interaction with the home screen so much more efficient.

          • Funderpants @lemmy.ca
            1·
            2 years ago

            I bought the lifetime pro for $12.99 CAD way back in Jan 2020. Worth every penny. I’d pay double to be honest, now that I’ve had a chance to use it for years and years. The dev really works at it too.

        • can@sh.itjust.works
          2·
          2 years ago

          $30 for lifetime is pretty reasonable. There were some things missing when I first tried a year or two ago. Maybe I’ll try again.

    • arcrust@lemmy.ml
      1·
      2 years ago

      Oh boy. I love Niagara. I’ve used it one every phone for quite a few years now.

      Two of my favorite features are the ability to tuck widgets into folders. I use the system ui communications widget in my messaging folder to take me straight to my most used chats.

      When you connect to bluetooth, it automatically pulls up a now playing widget (it’s hidden when bluetooth is disconnected) and pulls up links to my music/podcast apps. It’s so dynamic and highly customizable.

      • Icarus@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        when you install a web app, it should show up in the favorite apps list. if you want to be able to search it, tap and hold it, then tap “Show in app list”.

    • GerryMandering@lemm.ee
      5·
      2 years ago

      Agree 100%. This also applies for simple things like calculator apps, calendars, photo galleries, everything.

      I remember seeing a list of required permissions and terms of service for the stock calculator app on a xiaomi phone and it was as long as your arm.

      Insane.

      Personal recommendation for a launcher available on f-droid (I think via the izzyondroid repo, but maybe the default repo because I can’t remember) is thr highly customisable NeoLauncher

  • kioshi@lemmy.world
    9·
    2 years ago

    Nova us the best for me, always been. I also used Lawnchair for a long time and it’s almost as great if you’re fussy about Nova’s new owner and stuff

  • Infinity187@lemm.ee
    8·
    2 years ago

    Nova, Nova Nova.

    The level of customization is well thought out, and the gesture controls were out of this world when it came out. I’ve been using Nova for about 5 or 6 years if I’m not mistaken. Don’t care to go back to anything else.

    • Stovetop@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 years ago

      Same.

      I know the controversy about the company that acquired them, and I did try alternatives to see what would stick. Nothing really worked for me, so I just turned Nova back on, with updates disabled since the day the news broke about the change in management.

    • catshit_dogfart@lemmy.world
      1·
      2 years ago

      Same here, I’ve tried plenty of them and landed on Nova Launcher. Even put it on my dad’s phone because I couldn’t get things to be simple for him with the default launcher.

      • Infinity187@lemm.ee
        11·
        2 years ago

        I do keep those at the bottom. Mainly to back out and close out apps.but with Nova, you can customize the look of them.

    • Blegh@lemm.ee
      2·
      2 years ago

      Niagara users unite! I was on Nova for years until the ‘troubles’. Niagara is a solid replacement, if very different.

    • AndyG@lemmy.one
      1·
      2 years ago

      I use Niagara now and absolutely love it, although it took some getting used to. It’s very much minimalistic compared to Nova (I used Nova for many years before Niagara, but switched when they were bought).

    • Jay@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      2 years ago

      +1 for Niagara.

      Used Nova for years. But after the sale, I quickly said goodbye to it. Niagara is so strong that I don’t even miss Nova.

        • hare_ware@pawb.social
          1·
          2 years ago

          I’ve tried it before, I think I just went back to Niagara after a few minutes, I’ll try it again.

          • ToNIX@lemm.ee
            1·
            2 years ago

            Kiss takes a while to get used to, but once the apps in your history start getting sorted correctly (mine is by “accessed frequently”), you barely need to search for apps anymore. All your most used apps accessible in 2 clicks.

  • EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml
    7·
    2 years ago

    Indistract launcher Haven’t found a better minimalistic/clean launcher even though it has some bugs. My home screen:

  • blacklizardplanet@lemmy.world
    7·
    2 years ago

    Been trying a few. Niagara on my phone and Microsoft Launcher for my tablet.

    Don’t overly love Microsoft on my tablet honestly. Probably going to choose another listed in this thread to try.

    Niagara has been great on my phone though. Just so minimal. Huge fan.

    • LoraxWithoutThorax@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 years ago

      I still remember the early days of Microsoft Launcher. They changed so much to the point of it feeling like just another launcher with too few distinctive features imo

  • krimsonbun@lemmy.ml
    81·
    2 years ago

    Olauncher is open source minimalist launcher. VERY minimalist. You can get up to 8 apps on the home page and swipe down to search for all other apps.