Lately, iOS has caught as much as Android to some extent with regards to customization, however Android remains to be within the lead. That is partly as a result of it helps launchers, which take the place of the default software program interface to utterly revamp the look of dwelling screens, menus, icons, and dialogs.
With a launcher, you’ll be able to take pixel-by-pixel management over the visuals of Android. If that seems like an excessive amount of effort and time, you’ll be able to make the most of one of many many preset templates accessible to you as properly. Here is what it’s good to learn about launchers, and a few of the greatest ones you’ll be able to presently set up.
How Android launchers work
If you go “dwelling” on Android—with a swipe up on the gesture bar or a faucet on the precise dwelling button—that is when a third-party launcher springs into motion. Relatively than seeing the default look decided by the Google Pixel or the Samsung Galaxy software program, you see regardless of the launcher has put in place.
Sometimes, these launchers provide you with extra customization controls than Google, Samsung, and the opposite Android telephone makers do. Relying on the launcher, you would possibly have the ability to cram extra shortcuts on to the house display, or apply the identical coloration scheme to all the house display icons, or cover components (just like the Google search bar) from view.
You’ll be able to swap launchers with a few faucets.
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Every launcher will include a bunch of various configuration settings that decide how components seem on display—not simply the house display, lock display, and the app shortcuts on them, but additionally notifications, fast settings panels, media gamers, and menus. They provide the alternative to completely revamp the look of the software program.
Launchers will be managed on Pixel telephones by heading to Settings then selecting Apps > Default apps > House app. On Samsung units, it is Settings then Apps > Select default apps > House app. You are capable of swap between totally different launchers, or cancel all your adjustments and return to the traditional look, in seconds.
What you are able to do with Android launchers
The capabilities of those apps differ by launcher, however nearly each type of customization possibility is obtainable someplace. If you wish to give your Android software program a lightweight and ethereal contact, a darkish and foreboding theme, or something in between, you’ll be able to. You are capable of go all-in together with your sports activities crew’s colours, or swap to a minimal monochrome look as a substitute.
Talking of minimalism, many launchers provide the alternative to declutter the look of your smartphone. Launchers can get entry to notifications and on-screen messages in addition to every part else, in the event you give them the required permissions, and meaning alerts will be pushed to the background. You’ll be able to management what really seems on display, in addition to how every part seems.
Launchers provide loads of customization choices.
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Some launchers go even additional, letting you customise the gestures and swipes which can be used to get round Android. You’ll be able to change the best way apps are launched and switched between, for instance, in addition to tweak how Android search works—providing you with simpler entry to the apps and recordsdata you want probably the most.
Nothing is affected in your precise apps by putting in third-party launchers—these will nonetheless look and function the identical as they at all times have. What you would possibly see are some variations in how dwelling display widgets in your apps are rendered, however so far as the apps themselves are involved, nothing adjustments.
The most effective Android launchers
Niagara Launcher
Niagara Launcher brings with it a cleaner dwelling display.
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Niagara Launcher is a kind of launchers that may completely rework the structure of the house display, placing your apps, notifications, and media controls in an ordered, custom-made checklist on display—so it may be as minimal or as busy as you need it to be.
The launcher can cover apps, remind you to take breaks at sure occasions, put apps into folders, counsel apps based mostly in your utilization, and tweak every kind of colours and structure choices. Extra customizations can be found with a Professional subscription ($14 per yr).
Good Launcher
Good Launcher is filled with options and settings.
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Good Launcher is one other selection you will typically see atop greatest launcher lists, because it brings with it numerous clever options: auto app sorting based mostly on utilization, a helpful one-handed mode, responsive widgets, a complete search software, and plenty of customizations.
What do you suppose to date?
These customizations run the complete gamut from adaptive icon shapes, to gestures you need to use to get round Android, to hidden apps. As regular, there is a premium-level possibility you’ll be able to subscribe to—from $2.50 a month—which provides on much more customization tweaks.
Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is among the most complete by way of customizations.
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Nova Launcher is among the oldest and most complete Android launchers there may be, providing a bunch of various customizations so that you can mess around with. You are capable of regulate every part from the app drawer icon dimension to the transparency of the notification bar.
It is an clever launcher, too—it will probably floor media controls while you want them, or a climate widget when the forecast is altering, or the apps you utilize most incessantly. Pay a one-off payment of $5 for Nova Prime to get much more choices, like notification badge management.
Sq. House
Sq. House builds up your house display with tiles.
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Sq. House is a superb instance of a launcher that may change the entire look of Android—on this case, into one thing that is extra just like the previous Home windows Telephone look, together with your apps and widgets sorted into rectangular tiles that replenish your house screens.
Whereas the structure could look fastened, there are various methods to tweak the look, from photograph slideshows to notification badges. The short begin tutorial is a welcome approach in, and whereas a number of options can be found free of charge, you’ll be able to unlock all of them for $2 per yr.
AIO Launcher
AIO Launcher packs lots of information into the house display.
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AIO Launcher goes in the other way to the minimal launchers on the market, selecting as a substitute to cram in as a lot data on the house display as attainable—although you continue to get full management over what’s proven, together with shortcuts, widgets, and actual time data.
The app developer guarantees every part you want on one display, and so they actually ship, with over 30 wonderful widgets to choose from (climate, shares, messages, duties, and so forth). Varied further options will be picked up at numerous costs as in-app purchases.
