As the title states, I have used Nova launcher for years. As it is the most feature rich, most customizable launcher that supports basically everything I could need from it. However I am looking to switch away from it.

What launchers are you all using?

I have tried a handful of them and none quite fit the bill. And one feature nova has but no other launcher seems to is invaluable to me; that feature being able to swipe up or down on an app on the home screen to launch another app or task. It’s how I keep my main page from being cluttered.

I have tried Neo Launcher which I love, but it doesn’t seem to be updated anymore.

I have also tried:

So the only option I am feeling is gonna work is Nova but I am trying to ditch as many closed source, data thieving apps and services as possible.

I could however just use AFWall+ to block internet connection.

Any suggestions?

  • Eczpurt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    8 months ago

    You could try Niagara Launcher. I’m using it and it’s got that decluttered home screen but it’s fairly minimal. It’s worth mentioning you do get most relevant features in the free version.

  • SuperSpecialNickname@lemmy.mlEnglish
    4·
    8 months ago

    I too wanted to ditch Nova, but couldn’t find something that was a suitable replacement for me. Now I use older version of Nova (version 7) before it was acquired by Branch and I don’t intend on updating it.

  • Southern Wolf@pawb.socialEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    Neo-Launcher is still being worked on, they are expecting to push version 1.0 later this year to GitHub, but progress has been steady from what I know. You can get the latest beta version of Neo-Launcher from their Telegram to try out. Don’t let the “beta” part turn you off, it’s basically production ready, I’ve been using it now as my launcher for well over a year, possibly even 2 at this point.

    • edent@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      Could you please share a link to the beta? I can’t find it in the telegram chat. Thanks 😃

    • Hellmo_luciferrari@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      I’d be interested in the bet, I just already use other messaging apps, and don’t want to get telegram just for Neo Launcher

  • deadcatbounce@reddthat.comEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Niagara.

    Cool disclosure: I haven’t tried any others. I was really impressed by Niagara and just paid the asking price.

  • bitwolf@lemmy.oneEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    Niagara Launcher is so unique and difficult to switch from once you get used to it’s simplicity.

  • sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    I’ve been using Olauncher which is on F-Droid / Play Store.

    It is truly minimal AF. Up to 8 apps on the home screen. Assign a swipe left/right app (calendar and weather for me). Swipe up opens a search for the rest of the apps. A clock if you want it that can be configured to open another app.

    No icons. No widgets (other than a built-in clock). Reminds me more of a terminal than a traditional launcher. Really happy with it after all the time configuring Nova. Been using it for 3 years now.

    • Water_Melon_boy@lemmy.zipEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      One tip for Olauncher is that you can put emojies in the app’s names! It makes things a lot less text heavy.

  • themoonisacheese@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    I use the paid version of Niagara. It’s going well for me but I get that paying 30$ lifetime for a launcher isn’t for everyone. The free version is ok but it lacks several very nice features like your music app automatically being hoisted when you connect earphones.

    • nfsu2@feddit.clEnglish
      02·
      8 months ago

      You can just download the cracked version. Its on some popular mod site that now I can not remember.

      • themoonisacheese@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        8 months ago

        So fun fact about that I know a bit about Android apps so I tried cracking it myself, and when I couldn’t I looked at the difference between the vanilla app and the cracked one to see how they did it. All the cracked copies I could find were not simply cracked but also had additional code behind some kind of DRM, so I’m gonna go with “please do not install malware as your Android launcher”.

        This isnt fear mongering, this is based on actual evidence of said malware being distributed.

    • Album@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      Project has been slow is an understatement. Lawn chair was definitely a contender but with complete lack of updates over SEVERAL years - it’s abandonware and should be treated as such.

      I don’t think devs or users really care about launchers in 2024. I still use Nova but only because there is nothing better.

  • chrisgestapo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    I switched to Pear Launcher. Pretty affordable and doesn’t request network connection permission. It’s not as feature rich as Nova but it fulfills my needs. You can assign swipe up gesture on app icon (but not swipe down and not on folder).