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.
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NOVA. Every single time I’ve tried an alternate launcher, I always return to NOVA within 24 hours.
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.
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.
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).
Nova Launcher Prime. The only one I stuck too, and never managed to leave.
MLauncher, sadly no option to sort alphabetically once you add the apps to the homescreen, or at least I haven’t found it
I like Kavaesito a lot. Found Here
I use the Windows launcher, it’s really smooth.
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
Trying to pivot to an alternative since Nova was sold but I just can’t find anything that matches it feature for feature. Like Niagara but not something I want to use always. I just really depend on the app swiping functionality on Nova and the customizable gestures like double tap to prompt my remote.
But there is a cool launch aUG. lets you swipe a letter of an alphabet with a stylus or your finger and all your apps with that letter pop up. If it had landscape mode support and search function in the app drawer I would use it a lot more
Yeah I tried switch to Niagara too and it just can’t beat Nova
I love me some Nova
I’m going to piggy back on this comment for all the people who don’t want to do the research on Nova and their recent acquisition by Branch. You can opt in or out of usage statistics and all permissions in the app. The new mods on their discord have a FAQ that expresses this also. I have no way to prove otherwise but if all we have is their word then you should take all apps usages disclosures with a grain of salt.
Edit: funny enough I just installed and read the first few paragraphs of Niagra’s privacy policy which says it collects and shares user analytics. To each their own I guess.
It used to be posidon launcher, but it was glitchy and laggy as hell, also used neo launcher, it was fine, but not really what I want. I use Lawnchair from the izzyondroid fdroid repo nowadays.
Got my Pixel 7 yesterday and love the stock launcher, but I just can’t stay away from Niagara. It’s just too efficient
I’ve been rocking OLauncher for a few months now, I love it. Cutting down the extra noise on my home screen felt good.
