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.
I’ve been using Nova for years and I have no complaints.
Since i bought Niagara Launcher my phone(s) feel very fluent and contemporary. I’d say the best piece of software I bought for Android.
yep Totally, I used to swap launchers frequently but since I tried and then bought Niagara… I just can’t use anything else, now a stock phone makes no sense to me anymore.
Second this. Niagara Launcher allows me so much easier access to apps. Cleaner home page and all apps in an easy to navigate alphabetical list. Super easy
Niagara is the best! Never needed any other launcher
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.
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I absolutely love Nova Launcher Pro. Easy to get to what I need. Also integrates with sesame and Delta icon pack.
+1 for Nova.
Been using it since my Pixel 1 XL, on a Pixel 6 Pro now.
I am going to switch back to the default Pixel Launcher for a week to see if anything has changed(and just for fun), but I think I’m going to be on Nova after lol.
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Same. Too lazy to switch to anything else
I was a huge fan until their acquisition by the shady company. I keep the pre-acquistion version on older phones.
NOVA. Every single time I’ve tried an alternate launcher, I always return to NOVA within 24 hours.
Nova Launcher Prime. The only one I stuck too, and never managed to leave.
I use Niagara Launcher mostly for the minimalist look. But also because Nova was bought by an analytics company a bit ago.
Niagara my beloved.
I installed it but def need to give it some time. Pretty confusing at first. Seems like a super neat idea though! How long did it take you to get used to it?
Devs suggest you use it for 7 says tot get used to it. Couldn’t use anything else anymore now 🤷
Use Lawn Chair
Long time user of lawnchair (4+ years), never felt like changing it to anything else, it works amazingly well.
Been using Lawn Chair for the past year or so. Looks good, does what I want and stays out of my way the rest of the time. Top marks for me.
It’s also FOSS and respects your privacy. Also very lightweight.
Nova launcher, made this with it
You’re on a fediverse app, you should know that Nova was the center of some controversy when they sold to a company that is likely harvesting and selling user data. Many have left Nova.
I appreciate you sharing this. I had no idea. Time to find an alternative.
Seconding Nova. It’s been a while since I’ve used it, not since when gesture navigation was added and changing launchers would break it. Prior to that though, I loved it for the customization ability. It was a must-have on every phone.
Nova too, nice homepage, I have the same icon pack but on a boring 4x4 grid :)
Also Nova. I’m pretty sure that Google and Samsung copied features from it for their official UI over the years. It’s always been forward thinking and extremely customizable for the use experience.
That looks nice. Digging the grayscale look!
Niagra Launcher, by far. It has totally changed the way I used my phone in a speedy way.
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
… what buyout?
Branch, an analytics company.
Yeah… What buyout? I have it in Graphene, with no permissions granted and only as a secondary launcher while i was considering my options, since Neo sometimes doesn’t update new installed apps for a while…
https://www.androidpolice.com/nova-launcher-acquired-by-branch/
It was bought by a data analytics company last summer, unfortunately.
Branch, an analytics company.
I use Action Launcher, great for doing things from your home screen without needing a bunch of widgets. Also Samsung’s One Hand Operation app is a lifesaver, no need to awkwardly shift my plone down to reach the notification shade.
Another vote for action launcher. Switched back to it after Nova was sold off. I have had the same basic home screen for years now, and because everything is so easily accessible using covers/folders etc, most of my single home screen is a picture of the cat
Haha perfect!
I love Niagara Launcher. simple, yet very effective.
lawnchair
After many years with Nova, I dumped it after the sale, and tried a few. MS Launcher was pretty good, but I settled on Total Launcher.
Very, very customisable, although a bit of a learning curve. I have a feeling I’m only scratching the surface of what it can do, but that’s enough for me :-)
I’m using nova but now I feel out of the loop. What sale do you mean, and why did it make you dump nova?
Not that guy, but last year they got acquired by Branch, an analytics company. Android Police article about it here. The same company also acquired Sesame of Sesame Universal Search.
To clarify, I’m unaware if they’ve done anything suspicious since the acquistion, but potentially giving an analytics company launcher level access raised eyebrows for more than a few people, myself included.
Yeah, all this. Plus, when they did an AMA about it, I thought their answers and general attitude were pretty lacking in substance/reassurance. That was the final straw for me, although the sale was the first point of doubt.
Let’s see that home page!