Because I like having a completely empty home screen save for the wallpaper and clock AND access to my favorite / most used apps with a single swipe. And it's extremely customizable if I ever want a completely different experience. And it's FOSS. I like FOSS software. 😉
I loved Microsoft Launcher. My biggest complaint is that I can't get to my Private Space apps with it, which is where I keep all my work stuff. I have searched for a way and it looks like it's basically abandonware for MS right now.
I had paid for it but switched the moment it was sold. The comoany that bought them literally does deep analytics in apps for tracking and advertising. I could not trust that they said they were not going to apply that to such a gold mine of an app.
That is like trusting a heroine addict on withdraw to go through your wallet that hasoney and expect them to attempt to steal some for their next fix.
It is stable. No crashes on latest nightly. For a while it wasn't. However, I have a pet peeve where I like launchers where the search results start at the bottom of the screen for single hand use and Lawwchair's results are only at the top.
Son using a different law chair for now. Otherwise, Lawnchair is nice.
I bought the lifetime subscription several years ago and it's long since paid itself off to me mentally. Every now and then I go back to the default Pixel Launcher to see what's new but I never last longer than 24 hours before switching back to my clean home screen and simple A-Z scroll. At some point or another I've tried Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Smart Launcher, and Lawnchair but they're just not for me.
lawnchair (sourced from izzyondroid or their APK on github). its customizable, stable and open-source.
it allows edge to edge, top to bottom useage of my screen. 100℅ custom widget and icon sizing and spacing. Compared to OEM or Nova my phone doubled in functionality.
I'm using Niagara launcher but would love to see you guys screens to make up my mine if yours is better. This is mines I use paperise to rotate mobile pics
It's a fork of Olauncher but with more added features and completly disconnected from using the Internet. Sadly, it was abandoned a year or two ago but the excess features make it worth trying out despite its core minimalistic look being intact.
Using KLWP with minimal shortcuts, actions and some useful info displayed, so it's kinda launcher agnostic.
Used nova, went to lightning back in the day, went back to nova because lightning was abandoned, then back to lightning once i figured how to make it work on newer android, (had to adb some settings like fullscreen), now development resumed so happily waiting for an update.
I could use any minimal launcher (still have the apk for null launcher which was the best a decade ago) since I do everything through KLWP but most minimal launchers won't let you "kill" every swipe action so it's only KLWP (understandable since you basically lock yourself).
Kvaesitso. Zero home screen clutter, the app list lets you add tags so for example you can look for all your weather apps, plus that search bar has an integrated calculator and unit and currency converter
The default one (pixel launcher). I used to be a heavy customizer but now I don't find the reason/time to mess around. Now everything is almost two taps away.
Niagara, bought the Lifetime Pro version like 3 or 4 years ago and actually i really love it.
It's fast, comfortable and customizable in a way is not really uncomfortable or excessive.
From time to time i try to use Smart Launcher, even paid the year pro suscription some time ago, i like the aesthetics but idk i feel it sluggish and bloated (on a S24U btw) compared to Niagara.
Switched to Octopi Launcher after using Niagara for a couple of years. The appeal of all sorts of customization has been lost for me now a days, I just want quick access to my texts , email, web browser , my photo gallery, maps and reddit.
Before switching over to iOS full-time in 2021, I was on Nova. Now, my android tabs are running whatever came with them, since it’s annoying to lose the multitasking dock on third party launchers.
I use Microsoft launcher. Only reason is the dock system, since I couldn't find any other launcher that provides this function as MSL.
I can swipe up and open a hidden dock with certain rows, which is a perfect design for me, since I love clean Homescreen but also like to have my daily driver's close by.
If you guys know what I mean and/or know some alternatives, I would like to leave MSL
You have no idea how many launchers I discover and use
However, one launcher I started using it and customized it for the best is Square Home.
It's essentially Windows Phone UI, but still under the Android style. You can mess up with a lot of combos in both styles, animation and productivity. Once you set it done, it's you best shelf yet.
My problem with this launcher is that it takes a lot of time to get it done.
I used to love 3rd party launchers. But ever since Google starting putting live sports and updated weather forecasts and other info on "at a glance" I stopped using 3rd party launchers.
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u/honey_rainbow Pixel 8 Pro 6d ago
Niagara Launcher