Samsung Galaxy Z Fold three utilizing Nova Launcher : Roland Udvarlaki, Pocketnow
Nearly all of Android customers closely depend on the inventory Android launcher that comes on their gadgets. Some are unaware they’ll customise and obtain third-party launchers, whereas others want the consumer interface (UI) they’re given by default. There’s nothing fallacious with most built-in, inventory launchers, however they usually lack many options you could find in different launchers on the Google Play Retailer.
We’ve got a wonderful checklist of the most effective Google Pixel telephones you should buy in 2022. We even have a listing of the most effective Samsung gadgets, and the most effective OnePlus smartphones.
As an influence consumer, I haven’t used the inventory, default launcher on my gadgets for years, though evaluations are an exception. More often than not, inventory launchers lack icon help, gestures, customizable options akin to altering the structure, overlapping widgets, dock choices, and in normal, providing extra in-depth customization options to allow you to actually personalize your gadget.
For that motive, I nearly all the time swap over to my favorite, and most well-liked launcher the day I obtain my new cellphone. I often mess around and take a look at out inventory launchers to see in the event that they’ve gotten higher over time, and whereas that’s the case with Samsung, Google, and plenty of different OEMs, they’re nonetheless not as highly effective as many third-party launchers.
On this article, I’ll usually refer again to my most well-liked third-party launcher, Nova Launcher (and Nova Launcher Prime), which I’ve been utilizing for a number of years. There are additionally plenty of nice options on the market that get the job achieved, and will supply options which can be lacking from my chosen app. With that out of the way in which, let’s see a number of the most vital the reason why I haven’t been utilizing inventory launchers on my Android gadgets.
Restricted dwelling display screen customization
Google Pixel launcher settings on Google Pixel four XL : Roland Udvarlaki, Pocketnow
The obvious missing function that involves thoughts is the flexibility to alter and absolutely customise the desktop structure on your house display screen. Inventory launchers let customers add icons, shortcuts, and widgets, however that’s all you are able to do in most instances. Some OEMs let customers change the icons and the grid dimension, whereas others restrict it vastly to the default Android icons. Materials You theming can also be restricted in some OEM launchers.
The Pixel launcher on Google Pixel smartphones is a superb instance. It provides customers fundamental choices, but it surely’s vastly restricted on what customers are allowed to do. This is among the nice examples of why customers usually have a look at third-party launchers. The flexibility to alter the icon dimension, icon design, widget padding, widget dimension, and plenty of different settings are solely out there in third-party launchers.
Fortunately, the great thing about Android is that you could pull up Google Play Retailer at any time, and obtain any launcher you need. Most third-party launchers are free, or have a free choice that lets customers take it for a spin and mess around with the settings. Some are extra in-depth than others.
Restricted dock customization
Limiting using customizing dwelling screens with customized icon packs is one factor, however not permitting customers to do extra in the dock is one other. As an example, Nova Launcher permits customers to alter the variety of dock pages, dock icons, padding, label settings, allow infinite scroll, and a lot extra. There are numerous choices to select from, and energy customers will discover these important to entry their favorite functions.
I exploit the dock to entry my most used functions, such because the contacts, messages, camera, Twitter, my most steadily used messaging apps, and sensible dwelling apps. These important apps are conveniently positioned on the backside of the dock, and are solely a left/proper swipe away.
Customizable folders and gestures
Nova Launcher folder settings on dwelling display screen : Roland Udvarlaki, Pocketnow
Folders are highly effective, however they usually are usually simply giant containers, filled with apps you barely use. Relying in your configuration, you would possibly need to go so far as hiding these, since they’ll make a rigorously personalised dwelling setup ugly in a matter of seconds. Nova permits customers to set actions on folders, enabling the folder structure to vanish, and get replaced with the primary app on the folder checklist. The folder continues to be simply accessible, and is just a swipe away. This function alone saved me plenty of complications when personalizing my setup, and I want it had been out there in all launchers.
Nova Launcher gesture settings : Roland Udvarlaki, Pocketnow
The second choice is gestures. Most launchers let customers swipe down on the house display screen, which regularly pulls down the notification shade, or opens up the search field. These are each nice, however the majority of launchers don’t let customers reassign or change these. My setup consists of a number of gesture settings, akin to:
Swipe up: Open FeedlySwipe down: App search barDouble faucet: Lock the screenTwo-finger swipe up: Open Nova settingsTwo-finger swipe down: Develop the notifications
These options aren’t out there in most built-in launchers, but they’re comparatively straightforward to implement, and will supply much more personalization choices.
Third-party launchers aren’t excellent
Whereas this submit primarily talks concerning the drawbacks of first-party launchers on Android gadgets, we should point out that third-party launchers won’t ever be pretty much as good and as highly effective as those that come pre-installed in your gadget. The first motive is that these inventory launchers have privileges and permissions that third-party launchers merely won’t ever obtain, except you go down the route of rooting your smartphone – even then, there could also be some limitations that you just would possibly come throughout.
Because of this, third-party functions won’t ever be capable of combine as tightly as OEM software program, they usually’ll by no means have entry to some seemingly fundamental options managed by the launcher.
Some OEMs straight up ban and block using these launchers, akin to HUAWEI, whereas others, akin to Xiaomi, have vastly restricted these apps to persuade customers to stay with the pre-installed one. We want all OEMs would supply the liberty and user-friendly behaviour that may be discovered on most smartphones, however that’ll doubtless by no means be the case as some firms attempt to push their very own software program on their customers.
It’s additionally vital to keep in mind that OEM launchers aren’t unhealthy. Most individuals usually use inventory launchers as they combine built-in options properly and are straightforward and clear. Whereas they lack a ton of further options, they’re not all important to all customers, particularly those that aren’t tech-savvy. They definitely have a spot available on the market, however we want they higher catered in direction of all customers.
What launcher do you employ in your gadget, if any? Tell us in the feedback under!
