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Highly recommend Nova Launcher for S3

Hey folks,
I highly recommend replacing the touch Wiz launcher with nova launcher. I have found it much more intuitive, and much easier to use. (I am not affiliated with Nova in any way.)
Several advantages:
1. The bottom bar (dock) of apps is highly customizable, with as many apps as you choose. You can also create multiple pages of docked apps, so it's possible to access 10 or 15 apps on the lower dock.
2. The App drawer is automatically alphabetized, unlike touch Wiz, which I find so much easier to use. There are of course workarounds on touch Wiz, but why bother? I just dock the icon for the app drawer on the lower dock so it's always available.
3. Nova has one step back up of your screen layouts so that if you are wiping your phone regularly in order to reflash ROM's, it's trivial to reset your screen layouts by doing a restore from nova. This saves a lot of tweaking time.
4. You can customize the layout of your desktop with variable margins, a persistent search bar on all pages, gestures, and with nova launcher prime ($4), you also get unread counts for SMS, missed calls, and Gmail, which is very nice.
5. Basically everything is customizable and modifiable. I greatly prefer it over the stock touch Wiz launcher. Check out the free version of nova, as it has virtually all the features other than the unread counts.

I personally prefer apex but I can see the appeal in nova. They are pretty similar.

jsb5388 said:
I personally prefer apex but I can see the appeal in nova. They are pretty similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Apex but had a super annoying rendering hug that would display a box on the main home screen for a split second...
Not even considering that I spent a few hours tweaking Apex for a few hours (loved that it had so many options) but 90% of the Nova defaults were perfect for me and after going from Apex to Nova was convinced that it was right for me.
Sent from my Galaxy S3

android94301 said:
Hey folks,
I highly recommend replacing the touch Wiz launcher with nova launcher. I have found it much more intuitive, and much easier to use. (I am not affiliated with Nova in any way.)
Several advantages:
1. The bottom bar (dock) of apps is highly customizable, with as many apps as you choose. You can also create multiple pages of docked apps, so it's possible to access 10 or 15 apps on the lower dock.
2. The App drawer is automatically alphabetized, unlike touch Wiz, which I find so much easier to use. There are of course workarounds on touch Wiz, but why bother? I just dock the icon for the app drawer on the lower dock so it's always available.
3. Nova has one step back up of your screen layouts so that if you are wiping your phone regularly in order to reflash ROM's, it's trivial to reset your screen layouts by doing a restore from nova. This saves a lot of tweaking time.
4. You can customize the layout of your desktop with variable margins, a persistent search bar on all pages, gestures, and with nova launcher prime ($4), you also get unread counts for SMS, missed calls, and Gmail, which is very nice.
5. Basically everything is customizable and modifiable. I greatly prefer it over the stock touch Wiz launcher. Check out the free version of nova, as it has virtually all the features other than the unread counts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*1. Love Nova

lowg said:
I tried Apex but had a super annoying rendering hug that would display a box on the main home screen for a split second...
Not even considering that I spent a few hours tweaking Apex for a few hours (loved that it had so many options) but 90% of the Nova defaults were perfect for me and after going from Apex to Nova was convinced that it was right for me.
Sent from my Galaxy S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried Go launcher?

Just fyi... the "work around" to get the app drawer alphabetized is clicking the menu button with the app drawer open and then clicking, "view type" and switching to alphabetized. Not exactly complicated. Or even a work around.
Nova is great, but I'm actually enjoying touchwiz. I do want to switch over and play with nova more... But eh, not seeing a huge need. Coming from sense (which I hated) I'm quite happy on tw.
Though I do miss being able to back everything up
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

How does ADW work on it. I have been rocking them for a while. I am picking my S3 up next weekend when I get back in town. My wife already has hers though and she is rubbing it in my face lol.

adw for ics is apex, is it not?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

doeboy711 said:
How does ADW work on it. I have been rocking them for a while. I am picking my S3 up next weekend when I get back in town. My wife already has hers though and she is rubbing it in my face lol.
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Click to collapse
i start to use ADW ex on my old EVO and is really good launcher, by personal reasons i movo to iphone and now that i back to android i found more launchers, and Nova is really good maybe even better than ADW ex, IMO

Using Apex launcher plus. I tried Nova first, but Apex has a few more features. Just my opinion. Coming from my Dinc running Holo launcher after a VERY long run with LauncherPro (rip).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

badseed767 said:
Using Apex launcher plus. I tried Nova first, but Apex has a few more features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, I prefer Apex Plus also.

Installed Nova and noticed it was killing my batter so I uninstalled it.

Apex here... Nova didnt impressed me
Sent from Verizon Galaxy S 3 w/ XDA APP

I've been using nova launcher for about a week and I like it a lot. It's very smooth and very fast. It is easily customizable as well.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I noticed Nova was a bit smoother than Apex for me, so I've been using Nova and loving it
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA App

Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!

tars16 said:
Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this? On my last rooted phone, Droid Incredible, it worked perfectly. Haven't tried it on this phone though cuz I don't feel the need to root. REQUIRES ROOT:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

piiman said:
Have you tried Go launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running GL - i like it allot.. runs great on the sgs3 with/ICS theme

Apex and Nova are both based on the stock 4.0.x ICS launcher, so they're very similar, but Apex gives more features for free.
You're definitely making a mistake if you use Go Launcher or ADW or LauncherPro on this phone, since those are Gingerbread-based. The ICS launcher is just a much, much better base.

tars16 said:
Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need root.
If you have root you can go to Nova Settings... Drawer and enable Widgets in Drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy S3

Launcher of choice:

Which launcher works best with the Edge? I'm currently using Nova, just wondering what you guys/gals are using or recommend other than TWiz.

I'm using Apex. I like it because it will rotate in landscape mode. Useful for when mounted in the car.

Im using nova

Apex

im using Aviate

I am shuffling between Nova and Toch Wiz
On Nova you dont get the complete edge experience meaning as soon you are on nova launcher the edge screen hides into your customized text screen. Edge screen is only activated once you swipe over it and then when you click anywhere on the main homescreen the edge screen disappears again
Is this happening for all Nova launchers user? does this happen on all 3rd party launchers?

that's been my experience thus far with Nova...............so kind of why I posted this thread, to see which Launcher works best with the Edge panel.

Nova, because I always have and it has great customization for larger devices

NEXT launcher works great on mine!!!

Folks might consider ss launcher. Seems to be working ok on my edge. It is very customizable. Some things I especially like about it is that the applications page scrolls vertically so you can just flick through them, The icons on the screen can be added without grid so you can have as many rows and columns as you like (although you have to take a little time to make sure they line up well). The actual screen size can be expanded vertically so you can scroll up to see hidden stuff that does not initally appear in the window. For example you could stick extra icons, a calander or message widget that you scroll vertically to get to. Also each screen, landscape and portrait can be customized seperately. It's not perfect but and takes a little effort, but, for me it is worth it. Also when you first run it I has a lot of clutter on the screen to indicate some of its capability but all that can be removed so you can design it the way you like.

Apex work fines on my edge.

The problem with all 3rd party launchers is the edge panel which does not activate on its own when you unlock the phone that's only working on TW for now...

I like Nova along with Swapps ... the dock is on the right side and app drawer is on the left side.

It was pointed out in another thread that using a non-TW launcher also prevents the shortcut icons on the edge panel from updating their counts. If that's not a problem, be sure to get your notification counts down to zero, otherwise your icons will always have the number when you switched. I noticed it with my email program, where the edge panel had a different number overlay than the one in the Nova launcher screen. It wasn't until I ran the TW launcher again that the numbers matched up.

troycarpenter said:
It was pointed out in another thread that using a non-TW launcher also prevents the shortcut icons on the edge panel from updating their counts. If that's not a problem, be sure to get your notification counts down to zero, otherwise your icons will always have the number when you switched. I noticed it with my email program, where the edge panel had a different number overlay than the one in the Nova launcher screen. It wasn't until I ran the TW launcher again that the numbers matched up.
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Click to collapse
Huh. I've used Apex and Flow Home and my icons on the favorites panel still show the correct "unread" or "missed calls" count. Never had an issue here.

Nova launcher working like a champ as usual.
Sent from my SM-N915V using XDA Free mobile app

Launcher with Note Edge
mscion said:
Folks might consider ss launcher. Seems to be working ok on my edge. It is very customizable. Some things I especially like about it is that the applications page scrolls vertically so you can just flick through them, The icons on the screen can be added without grid so you can have as many rows and columns as you like (although you have to take a little time to make sure they line up well). The actual screen size can be expanded vertically so you can scroll up to see hidden stuff that does not initally appear in the window. For example you could stick extra icons, a calander or message widget that you scroll vertically to get to. Also each screen, landscape and portrait can be customized seperately. It's not perfect but and takes a little effort, but, for me it is worth it. Also when you first run it I has a lot of clutter on the screen to indicate some of its capability but all that can be removed so you can design it the way you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Apex Launcher and it works great with the Edge!!!

Hi. I have a butt load of launchers that I've paid for. The Biggest problem is that my 3 favorites all have issues. I have the official Samsung case. It causes Nova to crash once and awhile when opening the case. When I open the case using apex launcher, sometimes it has somehow half a homepage as if it were in midscroll. Adw seems to work but I miss my transparent notification bar. Sticking to touchwiz for now. I kinda forgot to try the oldie launcher pro.

I've been using the Google Now Launcher. I think it's great give it a try, you might like it

Can someone give a little more information on the GoogleNow Launcher, maybe with some screen shots? I've been eyeing both the Nexus 6 and the Note Edge. Love the hardware on the edge, but I love the look and animations of lollipop on the 6. Wasn't sure how well the Google now launcher replicates the smoothness and animations of stock android, and would love some feedback and thoughts!

[Q] Edgescreen compatibility with other launchers?

Using TouchWiz the "Edgebar" is always in forground...that is usefull. But when i'm using some other launcher the edgebar thinks : oh an app is open i switch into background. then you always have to tap the edge to get it back.
how does cocktailbarservice (edgebar) know that it can stay in forground with touchwiz launcher?
and is there a way to edit app to let it stay in forground with other launcher ?

I would love to know the answer to this too. Even though I hate Touchwiz, I have stuck with it for that very reason.

Mirkohmm said:
Using TouchWiz the "Edgebar" is always in forground...that is usefull. But when i'm using some other launcher the edgebar thinks : oh an app is open i switch into background. then you always have to tap the edge to get it back.
how does cocktailbarservice (edgebar) know that it can stay in forground with touchwiz launcher?
and is there a way to edit app to let it stay in forground with other launcher ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I noticed that too. Even the venerable Nova launcher doesn't fix that. Check in the Themes section of this phone forums. I wanted a different launcher solely cause of the ability to have scrolling background images. But the tradeoff with the Edge screen wasn't worth it. So I found an app called landscape wallpaper that does that. Why do you want a different launcher?

edo101 said:
Yeah I noticed that too. Even the venerable Nova launcher doesn't fix that. Check in the Themes section of this phone forums. I wanted a different launcher solely cause of the ability to have scrolling background images. But the tradeoff with the Edge screen wasn't worth it. So I found an app called landscape wallpaper that does that. Why do you want a different launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and with root and xposed framework you can use 'wanam xposed' to set scrolling background thats a solution for all rooted devices.
it would be nice to use nova launcher - more settings, more individual look. I dont like touchwiz launcher.

S8 Custom Home Launcher

What's the likelihood that the Galaxy S8 launcher could be customized like the Pixel launcher (Lawnchair) has been? I would love to see a default launcher that had full icon pack support.
http://www.androidauthority.com/lawnchair-customizable-rootless-pixel-launcher-783260/

NOVA LAUNCHER no other is needed, look in play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
try today dont delay. its beyond customizing, its a fashion trend now.

lostagain2day said:
NOVA LAUNCHER no other is needed, look in play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
try today dont delay. its beyond customizing, its a fashion trend now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the question that the OP asked.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+ using Tapatalk

Katt50 said:
That's not the question that the OP asked.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+ using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LET OP DECIDE THAT for themselves.

lostagain2day said:
LET OP DECIDE THAT for themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bla Bla Bla...
First of all: you DON'T HAVE TO SHOUT!
It was a NORMAL ANSWER from @Katt50 !!!

This was helpful...

kevinmr82 said:
What's the likelihood that the Galaxy S8 launcher could be customized like the Pixel launcher (Lawnchair) has been? I would love to see a default launcher that had full icon pack support.
http://www.androidauthority.com/lawnchair-customizable-rootless-pixel-launcher-783260/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what the overzealous person was saying was that instead of attempting to make the S8 stock launcher "like" pixel launcher, you can just use Nova Launcher. I use Nova Launcher and I have to agree, without all the rhetoric, that it's very customizable and can probably look and feel like the pixel launcher. My suggestion is take a look at Nova Launcher and see if it fits what you want.

sanjsrik said:
I think what the overzealous person was saying was that instead of attempting to make the S8 stock launcher "like" pixel launcher, you can just use Nova Launcher. I use Nova Launcher and I have to agree, without all the rhetoric, that it's very customizable and can probably look and feel like the pixel launcher. My suggestion is take a look at Nova Launcher and see if it fits what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am probably one of the few that like Touchwiz stock Samsung launcher. I just wanted to know if it were a possibility to extract Samsung's apk and add icon pack support across the board, instead of the way it is using the Samsung Theme Store, which only covers icons for Samsung's apps. Like Lawnchair, the Pixel launcher exactly, with extras thrown in. I've used Nova for years, just leaning more toward stock here with icon support.

kevinmr82 said:
I am probably one of the few that like Touchwiz stock Samsung launcher. I just wanted to know if it were a possibility to extract Samsung's apk and add icon pack support across the board, instead of the way it is using the Samsung Theme Store, which only covers icons for Samsung's apps. Like Lawnchair, the Pixel launcher exactly, with extras thrown in. I've used Nova for years, just leaning more toward stock here with icon support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a basic google search for Samsung Touchwiz s8 launcher and found this as my first link:
http://www.naldotech.com/install-samsung-galaxy-s8-touchwiz-launcher-apk-samsung-phones/

This is what I have. I have a S8+ with this launcher by default. Again, what id like to see is this launcher apk edited to bring along full icon pack support.

kevinmr82 said:
This is what I have. I have a S8+ with this launcher by default. Again, what id like to see is this launcher apk edited to bring along full icon pack support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like this, except instead of being modeled after Pixel or Google launcher, it being based or modeled after Touchwiz (Samsung Experience Launcher)
https://www.xda-developers.com/lawnchair-is-a-customisable-pixel-launcher-no-root-necessary/

Nova Launcher vs One Plus Launcher

Do you like the One Plus Launcher ?
I always use Nova Launcher I like the Google integration which I think you can not do with the native launcher ?

Lean launcher or Lawnchair are both better than either.

Nova is better but if the op launcher had the search in the doc like the ones in pixel then i would gladly use op launcher till then Nova ftw.

So, what about the 1+6 launcher? The title of this post brought me here, hoping to get some info on it. Never tried op1 launcher, anything exciting? I see their icon groups in my phone apps, very colorful.

I like the side drawer for widgets on the 1+ launcher, but the search and icon packs in Nova

I use Apex because I prefer a minimalist shell. It is one of the first things I load on to a new phone. I was so glad to come back to that after spending a (horrible) year on an iPhone 8+. That was a Truly Awful Experience. I couldn't even tell you how malleable the OnePlus shell is- I just never tried. Can it be made rather simplistic- removing the search bar, full monochrome icon branding, etc.? Apex is skinnable like Nova is- same skins work for either I'm told.

I prefer to use Nova due to its customized gesture features. I only have 8 folders and no dock on my home screen, so Nova is the only 1 that allows me to dbl tap the home screen to open up dialer, or anything else that i set it to. Something i do often when driving.

Definitely Nova Launcher. By far the most customizable launcher out there and very theme or icon pack works with Nova. Smooth, snappy and if you sing up for the beta program, you get fairly frequent updates with newest stuff all the time.

Nova...
still not replaceable for me
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

i buy this phone for its laucher...

Evie launcher over Holo, Nova and basic oneplus launcher
Try the Evie launcher, if you are like me and want to have most important items on the main home page.
in comparison to the oneplus launcher, you can remove the bottom row icons, which take too much space.
I'd rather have a newsfeed in the bottom to stay up to date, above that a smaller app drawer with more apps to reach quicker with my thumb, and above an agenda and todo widget, with on top time and weather.
And in the upper left a moon phase widget, to know when there will be full moon with all the water in our body getting all over the place making most of us feeling funny
here is a screenshot:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhmmibrxb0gde77/Screenshot_20181003-112143.jpg?dl=0
what would you prefer on your home screen, and left and right screen(s)?

Nova Prime...ftw

Lawnchair v2 CI on PIE (rooted). A lot better than OP.

OP launcher is awesome: fast and clean but with some useful features added. I just get nervous about the fact that I can't hide the app names

I am a big fan of Nova Launcher Prime and have always installed this launcher as my first app on my new phone. Since I updated to Pie, no matter what scrolling/App animation I select in Nova, it's not smooth. What I mean is switching/closing the apps are "jittery" and/or bouncy. I have tried switching to different animation speeds in Developer option. The only setting that gives me acceptable animation is at 1.5X which I have never have to use to tame the animation. I tried even switching the animations off but no go. Anybody else feeling that switching from one app to another is not smooth. For example, if I open chrome browser and switch to Gmail-the first screen (with chrome) sort of bounce before Gmail opens. I have tried switching to stock animation in Nova as well but no effect on smoothness. I do use gestures only for navigation. and not navigation buttons.

AstroDigital said:
Do you like the One Plus Launcher ?
I always use Nova Launcher I like the Google integration which I think you can not do with the native launcher ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always used Nova in the past on every phone I had, but since I've changed to OnePlus in May, I have to say I haven't missed Nova for a second. OnePlus Launcher is very smooth and everything I need.

Nova Launcher Prime. Can replicate same config between different phones.

NOva since ever....
Must be the first thing i do after buy or flash a phone...

Mord0rr said:
NOva since ever....
Must be the first thing i do after buy or flash a phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Best Launcher!
Gesendet von meinem ONEPLUS A6003 mit Tapatalk

quimbexa said:
OP launcher is awesome: fast and clean but with some useful features added. I just get nervous about the fact that I can't hide the app names
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can... Very easily