Database Info

A Launcher Comparison

Have tried a few launchers over the past few weeks, and made a comparison spreadsheet, take a look-
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc...4NmJ4X29sRk43dGc&authkey=CMfSjJgH&hl=en#gid=0
My thoughts
For a fast lightweight launcher, zeam (perfect apart from no notifications in the dock).EDIT - i have since found the appdrawer to be laggier in scrolling than go launcher / launcher pro, so cannot stand by my original near perfect opinion)
For a launcher with themes and lots of visual customisation - ADW EX
For an all round launcher - Go Launcher EX
For an all round launcher with its own widgets - Launcher Pro Plus

I use actualy crazy home pro and is very useful you have 3 desktop whit 5 pages each. Try and add to spreadsheet.
Sent from my X10minipro using XDA App

I use Arc Launcher. It isn't the most customised one but is indeed one of the most stable and refined. I just love the effects of one removing a widget on Arc Launcher!

thanks~~~~~~~~``

Nice, only thing I noticed was that ADW does have notifications with ADW Notifier, but very well done

You compltely missed on the most important thing, SPEED. For me launcher pro has absolutwly no lag at all on an htchero where as all other except zeam do. AdW has a clunky was to organize the homescreens in my opinion and although go launchwr was good, it was a bit laggy and the style didnt suit my taste
Sent from my EVO3D using XDA App

dre89 said:
Nice, only thing I noticed was that ADW does have notifications with ADW Notifier, but very well done
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Click to collapse
spreadsheet amended. thanks for the update

fowenati said:
You compltely missed on the most important thing, SPEED. For me launcher pro has absolutwly no lag at all on an htchero where as all other except zeam do. AdW has a clunky was to organize the homescreens in my opinion and although go launchwr was good, it was a bit laggy and the style didnt suit my taste
Sent from my EVO3D using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i have to agree with you that speed is important. i have only ever had lags with adw, but until i have the launchers set up with identical widgets i felt it was unfair to rank them on their perceived speed.

What you put in the "home screen notes" row is the reason I didn't use LP or Zeam.
I suggest you separate the "gestures" row into two, one for home screen, and one for dock bar.

Question for those with GO Launcher and Launcher Pro installed -
For the scrollable widgets, how do you find widget scrolling using Go Launcher compared to launcher pro? i find Go launcher very sensitive to left / right movement while trying to scroll the widget making it more difficult to vertically scroll the widgets than launcher pro. I tested this using pure messenger scroll with both.

fowenati said:
You compltely missed on the most important thing, SPEED. For me launcher pro has absolutwly no lag at all on an htchero where as all other except zeam do. AdW has a clunky was to organize the homescreens in my opinion and although go launchwr was good, it was a bit laggy and the style didnt suit my taste
Sent from my EVO3D using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i have to agree with you that speed is important. i have only ever had lags with adw, but until i have the launchers set up with identical widgets i felt it was unfair to rank them on their perceived speed.
EDIT
Had lags on LPP this weekend...half second delays or so when swiping between screens...

nxdu said:
What you put in the "home screen notes" row is the reason I didn't use LP or Zeam.
I suggest you separate the "gestures" row into two, one for home screen, and one for dock bar.
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Click to collapse
done!
cheers

nepentanova said:
done!
cheers
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Click to collapse
GO has a up swipe for dock gesture.

tanjinjack said:
I use Arc Launcher. It isn't the most customised one but is indeed one of the most stable and refined. I just love the effects of one removing a widget on Arc Launcher!
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Click to collapse
ARC Launcher added (though i don't share your love!!)

nxdu said:
GO has a up swipe for dock gesture.
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Click to collapse
i thought there were only 2 gestures in GO Launcher, swipe up / down on home page (not just dock). perhaps we have our terminology mixed up..

Maybe you should add SPB Shell 3D as well - the launcher for users with too much money

nepentanova said:
ARC Launcher added (though i don't share your love!!)
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the addition of my favourite non-Sense launcher in it. Really like some of the effects that other launchers will probably never implement (like the effect of moving a widget, deleting a widget, going into app drawers etc.)
There are actually 7 screens version out there, and I got it here also from the link below. And there are some variants as well, including landscape mode (something I think is missing in other launchers.)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11856283&postcount=43
I manage to put apps into the dock as well (Miren browser and Dialer One).
Also about GO Launcher, I believe it does support swipe gestures on dock as well - it pretty much does whatever the free Launcher Pro does, except for the all home-screen views.
Maybe you may want to take a look at the NetFront Screen as well. A launcher of different concept, which I still think more works need to be done and more performance upgrade (have lags on my AOSP-loaded Desire).
Other wise, really good jobs on the spreadsheet. Appreciate it.

Have you tried Sweeter Home?

this is great, but just to let you know LPP has "resizable home screen" of 10x10 also

nepentanova said:
i thought there were only 2 gestures in GO Launcher, swipe up / down on home page (not just dock). perhaps we have our terminology mixed up..
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Click to collapse
You can set swipe up actions for dock icons. Just long=tap a dock icon and hit "change gesture."
This means that the dock of GO Launcher can do 10 things instead of 5, or 30 if you use the scrollable dock option.
When you update the dock notes you may want to update the app drawer notes too. You can change the default 4x4 view in the app drawer to 4x5 and 5x5, just like you can for the home screens.
Another GO Launcher note: when you use it it sends data home (probably usage stats). If you don't want GO to phone home you should block it with DroidWall. (Maybe the other launchers phone home too?)

How to show recent apps with swiping bottom->up in kitkat?

To see the list of recently called (active) apps - I have to long-press "Menu" button, which is not very comfortable. How to make it work with swiping on screen upward? Are there any configuration settings for that in kitkat?

Nafiganado said:
To see the list of recently called (active) apps - I have to long-press "Menu" button, which is not very comfortable. How to make it work with swiping on screen upward? Are there any configuration settings for that in kitkat?
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Click to collapse
If you are rooted you can try with xposed framework and gravity box or some other modules that allow you to change your navbar settings or your hard keys configuration.

emmettbrownson said:
If you are rooted you can try with xposed framework and gravity box or some other modules that allow you to change your navbar settings or your hard keys configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have root, but xposed - or rather its modules, but it's almost the same - does not work at my phone (Alcatel Idol X+).

Nafiganado said:
I do have root, but xposed - or rather its modules, but it's almost the same - does not work at my phone (Alcatel Idol X+).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have this gesture, but not while using an app. That's because this would interfere with scrolling or possible app gestures.
I have the exact gesture set to open recent apps with Nova Launcher.
Install Nova launcher, go to Nova settings, gestures and buttons and set the swipe up gesture to open Recent Apps.
This will work when you are on one of your home screens, but not in apps, like I said.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

andreiav said:
You can have this gesture, but not while using an app. That's because this would interfere with scrolling or possible app gestures.
I have the exact gesture set to open recent apps with Nova Launcher.
Install Nova launcher, go to Nova settings, gestures and buttons and set the swipe up gesture to open Recent Apps.
This will work when you are on one of your home screens, but not in apps, like I said.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks. The matter is that I use the launcher, which I don't wish to change. I've been using it for a while and I find it the most suitable for me. It's Launcher Pro. Mostly because it allows to make a bottom bar of shortcuts scrollable, fitting there more than 4-5 icons. Also it's quite fast and does not drain battery.

Nafiganado said:
Hi, thanks. The matter is that I use the launcher, which I don't wish to change. I've been using it for a while and I find it the most suitable for me. It's Launcher Pro. Mostly because it allows to make a bottom bar of shortcuts scrollable, fitting there more than 4-5 icons. Also it's quite fast and does not drain battery.
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Click to collapse
Nova launcher does this as well. It's incredibly light and fast. Very customizable. Give it a shot. You might like it.
It's considered by many the best android launcher.
I have the paid version and nova launcher is always my first installed app after flashing any rom.
To activate the dock (bottom bar) pages, go to nova settings, dock, dock pages. You can also set the number of dock icons and a lot of other stuff actually
Cheers

andreiav said:
Nova launcher does this as well. It's incredibly light and fast. Very customizable. Give it a shot. You might like it.
It's considered by many the best android launcher.
I have the paid version and nova launcher is always my first installed app after flashing any rom.
To activate the dock (bottom bar) pages, go to nova settings, dock, dock pages. You can also set the number of dock icons and a lot of other stuff actually
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, the launcher itself is good, but as to swiping action - it seems does not solve my problem. The swiping works if it happens on blank zone. On my Meizu firmware, when I, for instance, had some PDF opened full-screen - I could swipe from bottom of screen or side - if being in landscape orientation - and recent apps bar appeared, so I could call dictionary or encyclopaedia, whatever, and the same way back. It was fast and comfortable. Here it does not work...

Nafiganado said:
Thanks, the launcher itself is good, but as to swiping action - it seems does not solve my problem. The swiping works if it happens on blank zone. On my Meizu firmware, when I, for instance, had some PDF opened full-screen - I could swipe from bottom of screen or side - if being in landscape orientation - and recent apps bar appeared, so I could call dictionary or encyclopaedia, whatever, and the same way back. It was fast and comfortable. Here it does not work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Like I said, it only works from one of the home screens. Don't know what else to suggest unfortunately
Cheers
Sent from my GT-I9505

In case someone is interested, more or less normal way to do it - "All in one gesture" application. It adds a small "hot spot" zone to drag from.

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!

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

Question Microsoft Launcher and refresh of the screen

Hello,
I'm using ArrowOS 11 and Microsoft Launcher. When I return to the home screen by exiting the resource intensive apps, the launcher screen reloads and consequently my screen icons and widgets appear after about two seconds. How can I fix this?

Here is quote from Nova Launcher FAQ. (it applies to all custom launchers on Android not just Nova)
I guess you could try disabling gesture navigation but i'm not sure if it's gonna help.
It doesn't matter what 3rd party launcher or version of 3rd party launcher you use, it matters what your system/OEM does. If your system doesn't allow gesture navigation to work with 3rd party launchers, then no version of Nova will change that in any way. If it works inconsistently with 3rd party launchers, no version of Nova will change that either. A great source of information can be found via this article by Mishaal Rahman with input from Kevin Barry, the developer of Nova Launcher: https://www.xda-developers.com/third-party-launchers-animation-pixel-phones/ Notable issues with gestures on third party launchers include, but not limited to: • Close all/Clear app button not appearing(scroll all the way to verify it's not there) • Not being able to tap icons for a short time after returning to the home screen • Animations not being as fluid as expected • Home screen icons flashing • Home screen redraws Please understand, there is absolutely nothing Nova can do to fix or change this in any way! Contact Google or your device OEM directly with these issues as Nova have absolutely no control over it whatsoever. NOTE: These are system gestures only and are not related to Nova's personal gestures that you will find via Nova Settings -> Gestures & Inputs.
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Click to collapse
Notice to Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco users: Xiaomi has completely disabled gestures with third party launchers on MIUI 12 with Android 11 (MIUI 12 on Android 10 seems to be unaffected). As you have read above, there is nothing we can do on our end to change or enable this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

k3lcior said:
Here is quote from Nova Launcher FAQ. (it applies to all custom launchers on Android not just Nova)
I guess you could try disabling gesture navigation but i'm not sure if it's gonna help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rly like to use gesture navigation. This issue is not present on Arrow launcher.

OEM (Stock) launcher is not affected by this, only custom ones.

k3lcior said:
OEM (Stock) launcher is not affected by this, only custom ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. Why full screen gestues are that problematic, even on custom roms?

It's not that gestures are problematic, from what i understand it's just custom launchers that cannot take full advantage of the API. (?)
Did you read this? https://www.xda-developers.com/third-party-launchers-animation-pixel-phones/

Not yet, I just returned to Android after few years with iPhone, and it's quite confusing. I'm installing now Pixel Experience, it will be closer to Pixel feel.

I'd just use whatever stock launcher you like best from the available ROM's and stick to that.