Least instrusive way to use Google Now? - LG G7 ThinQ Themes, Apps, and Mods

I'm coming from a Moto Z. I don't know a lot about launcher styles but I think the way it worked is more or less straight from AOSP -- simple home screens with a toggle for a Google Search bar at the top, fixed app-drawer button in the home row, drawer scrolls vertically with an alphabetical list of all installed apps. Swiping "before" first home screen (so, to the right) shows Google Now.
I can try to get used to the stock launcher (swipe up for app drawer, down for search / calendar) but I'd really like to keep Google Now's article listing. Is there a simple way to do that without other drastic changes? I'm not planning to root, if that matters.

Try Lawnchair or Rootless Pixel Launcher. Simple APK installation and you will get similar experience to Pixel 3's launcher. There is an add-on APK available for the Google Now functionality you want as well.

You can install a theme that enables google now on the stock launcher, I have these two:
Pixel Experience Theme
Pixel Experience Theme Dark
I replaced my Pixel 3 with this phone and am quite happy how well it does so.

I use Nova Launcher Prime and Google Now companion add-on. Unfortunately I can't remember if you need to pay for Nova Launcher Prime to use the add-on. It works great!

Related

Adding an "App Drawer" icon to the default Pixel Launcher

Hi all,
I would love the ability to be able to add a simple "All Apps" icon in the center of the dock like the old GEL launcher had. I know that Nova and Action Launcher can do this, but I like the barebones aspect of the Pixel launcher and would like to continue using that. Does anyone know if this is possible? I know there used to be an application in the play store that would add this shortcut to the pixel launcher last year, but that app appears to have disappeared. (I know there are some third party app launchers in the play store, but none of them are blazingly fast)
Only with launcher, sry mate
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Best workaround I could find, which is not really perfect but hey see screenshot
Download Nova launcher but don't set it as default. On pixel launcher, add a widget -> Nova action -> app drawer
You may have some few times you come back through Nova homepage this way when pressing home. Give it a try your self.
If I have some time I could see if there's a better way to do it by properly calling the app drawer..
So -- you can make Nova as bare bones as you want to. Any particular reason why you don't want to use Nova, configured to look and feel just like the Pixel launcher? It seems like the best option for what you want.
I know it doesn't replace a button, but tapping the arrow above the dock takes you to app drawer. How do you feel about this?

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

A few questions for my new Pixel 3

So far so good on my new toy but have a few questions.
1. App drawer (it was a button that had some dots and I would click it and it would bring up the app drawer. How can I get that back?
2. The google search on the bottom of the screen, is there a way to remove that?
3. The date and time on the home screen is there a way to remove that so I can put my WTForcast widget that has the date and time?
That's all for now.
1) The Pixel Launcher doesn't have the circle icon to launch the drawer. Just swipe up from the bottom of the screen to launch it. There are 4 apps that sit at the bottom that are "pinned" to the dock. Swiping up from there will show all apps. If you want the center icon back you would need to use a different launcher.
2) I don't believe it can be removed from Pixel Launcher. Again, a custom launcher would allow you to move/remove it.
3) You guessed it... Pixel Launcher. A different launcher would allow you to customize much better.
Nova is a very popular launcher that can be highly customized. I believe it is a paid app, there are many options available both free and paid though.
fury683 said:
1) The Pixel Launcher doesn't have the circle icon to launch the drawer. Just swipe up from the bottom of the screen to launch it. There are 4 apps that sit at the bottom that are "pinned" to the dock. Swiping up from there will show all apps. If you want the center icon back you would need to use a different launcher.
2) I don't believe it can be removed from Pixel Launcher. Again, a custom launcher would allow you to move/remove it.
3) You guessed it... Pixel Launcher. A different launcher would allow you to customize much better.
Nova is a very popular launcher that can be highly customized. I believe it is a paid app, there are many options available both free and paid though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I think I paid for that a long time ago. Just rooted it only bad thing is to bad I can get rid of that message saying my bootloader is locked on reboots but oh well I guess I never really reboot anyway.
You might be best using a new launcher like Nova where you can remove the search bar and move things around etc

Question How to remove google search bar from home screen + add % in QS?

Do you guys manage somehow to remove search bar from the home screen with Pixel launcher and add % display in QS? I checked the mods in pixel 6 pro thread, but don't know if they will work on A13/7 pro.
PensionFond said:
Do you guys manage somehow to remove search bar from the home screen with Pixel launcher and add % display in QS? I checked the mods in pixel 6 pro thread, but don't know if they will work on A13/7 pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. I got the phone today. And that's the first thing that bothered me. But as far as I could find the information, it is not possible to remove it.
PensionFond said:
Do you guys manage somehow to remove search bar from the home screen with Pixel launcher and add % display in QS? I checked the mods in pixel 6 pro thread, but don't know if they will work on A13/7 pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not possibe on stock launcher
Maybe with aosp mods ( you will need lsposed)
I just use Nova launcher 8.0.3 beta with Nova Google companion. It's a heck of a lot easier and it lets you hide the notification bar as well.
I use LawnChair as Launcher. It is imho nicer then the stock one and has more features and you can remove the search bar from home screen
I wish they would allow you to do this instead of a third party launcher - the animations in third party launchers are not great compared to stock.
lexcyn said:
I wish they would allow you to do this instead of a third party launcher - the animations in third party launchers are not great compared to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean by the "animations" but I use Nova Prime and 3 button navigation, and everything works great. I used gesture navigation for awhile but got tired of it a couple of years ago and went back to button navigation and never looked back.
jaseman said:
Not sure what you mean by the "animations" but I use Nova Prime and 3 button navigation, and everything works great. I used gesture navigation for awhile but got tired of it a couple of years ago and went back to button navigation and never looked back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you swipe away an app it animates the app going back into the icon in a fluid way. Third party launchers can't do this.
Use Pixel Launcher Mods to hide apps, enable icon packs, and change out the at a glance or searchbar widget. It requires Magisk.
In order to blank either of the widgets you need an empty widget, I prefer The Empty Widget on the Play Store since it has zero permissions and nothing superfluous. You can then use the hide apps function to hide the icon.
In order to modify the QS you will need AOSP Mods which requires Magisk and LSPosed. The Xposed version is the minimum, but if you download the Full version it will come with overlay themes to allow you to remove the navbar, change fonts, theme the QS, and change the system icons style.
Namelesswonder said:
Use Pixel Launcher Mods to hide apps, enable icon packs, and change out the at a glance or searchbar widget. It requires Magisk.
In order to blank either of the widgets you need an empty widget, I prefer The Empty Widget on the Play Store since it has zero permissions and nothing superfluous. You can then use the hide apps function to hide the icon.
In order to modify the QS you will need AOSP Mods which requires Magisk and LSPosed. The Xposed version is the minimum, but if you download the Full version it will come with overlay themes to allow you to remove the navbar, change fonts, theme the QS, and change the system icons style.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this method to hide the searchbar widget move the icon drawer down to fill the gap?
Not seen anything on the stock launcher that makes it worth putting up with the limitations. Even when mods are used, it's still clunky and limited (for example, you can't change icons for individual apps).
Nova for me, far better and it does everything the stock launcher does and more. I've always found some people being desperate to stick with stock a bit strange.
Beefheart said:
Not seen anything on the stock launcher that makes it worth putting up with the limitations. Even when mods are used, it's still clunky and limited (for example, you can't change icons for individual apps).
Nova for me, far better and it does everything the stock launcher does and more. I've always found some people being desperate to stick with stock a bit strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the Pixel Launcher mod you can change icons for individual apps while using the stock Pixel Launcher.
I've used Nova, Lawnchair and Hyperion for years and years but am currently using the stock Pixel Launcher with the Pixel Launcher mod to change icons and a Substratum theme to get rid of the gesture pill. Not desperate, just a personal preference. I guess I would fall into the strange category
Wich substratum theme are you using?
Can you had some screenshots?
Thx
moisthat said:
Does this method to hide the searchbar widget move the icon drawer down to fill the gap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you are not removing it but rather replacing it with another widget which is just going to be a blank one.
Somar77 said:
Wich substratum theme are you using?
Can you had some screenshots?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a Substratum theme (FSIM-Version1.apk) for this Magisk mod. You can find it via the Telegram link in that Github repo.
Ahh ok...but needs root
A happy Nova user here, what you want is what you get
Lughnasadh said:
With the Pixel Launcher mod you can change icons for individual apps while using the stock Pixel Launcher.
I've used Nova, Lawnchair and Hyperion for years and years but am currently using the stock Pixel Launcher with the Pixel Launcher mod to change icons and a Substratum theme to get rid of the gesture pill. Not desperate, just a personal preference. I guess I would fall into the strange category
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took prefer to do this. Pixel Launcher Mod has something that Lawnchair used to have but no longer does if I'm not mistaken, but the ability to apply multiple icon packs at once pretty much keeps all your icons themed at(I normally have 3-4 applied) all times.
Ok, I checked out the pixel mod again. It offers a lot but still falls well short of making the Pixel launcher an everyday use for me.
For example, you can't get rid of both the top and bottom bars at the same time (not the mods fault, I know). And my main issue with it is that you can't change the grid size so you're stuck with 4 columns and 5 rows which simply isn't enough for me.
So whilst the animations and smoothness are nice, they're not nice enough for me to put up with the stupid limitations Google have put in place.
Beefheart said:
And my main issue with it is that you can't change the grid size so you're stuck with 4 columns and 5 rows which simply isn't enough for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what it's worth, the stock Pixel Launcher goes up to 5 x 5.

Question can you remove Google agenda from home screen

Is it possible to remove the Google Agenda from the top of your home screen.
I've got a wheather app with the same time and date right under it.
I think you can remove almost everything but the calendar.
Alternatively you can use pixel launcher mods (root) to change top widget
You can remove the calendar but not the day and date. It's really annoying as it takes up a large invisible box at the top that is out of bounds for widgets. (No, I don't want to use other launchers)
benzwirs said:
Is it possible to remove the Google Agenda from the top of your home screen.
I've got a wheather app with the same time and date right under it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not. Lawnchair and Nova are two very popular third party launchers that let you pretty much customize every aspect of your home screen.
For me on almost every phone I have used in the last several years it's Nova Prime. I prefer to use native apps when I can. I only use 3rd party apps when the native system cannot do what I want. I would like to use the Google Launcher but for me it is bad! Far too restrictive. If I could remove that hideous search bar I would give it another try but until Google relents I will stick with Nova.
I'm in the same boat as you! Pretty much had Nova on all my Androids since it came out. I recently just returned to the Pixel lineup after trying to give Apple another chance and am happy with the stock launcher for now. I have no doubts that will change in a month but this phone is so big compared to my old iphone 13 pro that some space being taken up with the search bar and date/weather doesn't bother me yet haha. I do wish Google would at least let you move that unsightly bar. I want a real dock back
Nova launcher works nicely, you can do whatever you like, so I removed the Agenda + date and gave the Google search bar a different place.
But I miss the Google page when you swipe left. on the stock / Pixel launcher and I can not find it the widget.
What is it, the Google page ?
Given that you can make other third part options like Nova look literally identical to Google's launcher should you wish, I'm a bit baffled why anyone would insist on using the default launcher given its (apparently annoying) limitations.
benzwirs said:
Nova launcher works nicely, you can do whatever you like, so I removed the Agenda + date and gave the Google search bar a different place.
But I miss the Google page when you swipe left. on the stock / Pixel launcher and I can not find it the widget.
What is it, the Google page ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. Missing those daily News.
Edit
Figured it out.
Just install nova google companion
Works awesome.
benzwirs said:
Nova launcher works nicely, you can do whatever you like, so I removed the Agenda + date and gave the Google search bar a different place.
But I miss the Google page when you swipe left. on the stock / Pixel launcher and I can not find it the widget.
What is it, the Google page ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the Nova Google Companion app installed? I know it hasn't been updated in a while but as far as I know it still works.
Thanks guys, it still works.
Very happy.

Categories

Resources