Database Users

What is a launcher?

Hi guys, can you explain what a launcher is. If I add or use a launcher what happens to my stock launcher? Is it running in the background, use more battery? Will it keep my app arrangement in stock saved while I use a new launcher? Thanks for all the help I've been using stock ever since I used a Nexus.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4

A launcher launches apps, app drawer, home screens, etc. If you install another launcher, you will be prompted which you want to use, stock or the one you downloaded. Not sure if the stock runs in the background, but i believe your set up will be the same if you delete your new launcher. Download one and try: for example, there's nova, adw, apex, etc.

Kick-Ass Joe said:
Hi guys, can you explain what a launcher is. If I add or use a launcher what happens to my stock launcher? Is it running in the background, use more battery? Will it keep my app arrangement in stock saved while I use a new launcher? Thanks for all the help I've been using stock ever since I used a Nexus.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4
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Click to collapse
A launcher is where you find your home screens, widgets, apps, etc. If you download and install a third party launcher such as Apex or Nova your stock launcher is still there. It doesn't change unless you change it. You can do whatever you want with the third party launcher and it won't mess with your stock launcher setup. They are completely separate. It won't use more battery. It doesn't really run in the background. Sheen you first install the new launcher and press the home button a prompt for which launcher to use will come up. You can select the such launcher or the new one. You can also chose to use the option you pick just once, in case you want to test it out and go back and forth between launchers, or always if you decide you like the new launcher more.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4

Kick-Ass Joe said:
Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4
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I personally use Apex, but many people like Nova launcher. Those are the two titans. But there's a dozens of different launchers that offer different features and UI experiences.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I've used adw, long ago, but now i've been using nova and enjoying it over stock.

I prefer apex. Apex and nova are pretty similar. Go launcher is nice because of all the theme packs but has a lot of extra add on programming I don't care for like there own app store. Adw I've never really used
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Alternative launchers

Hello,
I'm looking to buy this Note 3, does someone know if split-screen features work with alternative launchers (especially with nova launcher) ?
Thx for your answers.

neoalban said:
Hello,
I'm looking to buy this Note 3, does someone know if split-screen features work with alternative launchers (especially with nova launcher) ?
Thx for your answers.
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Click to collapse
Yes they do. I am only answering for Nova & Action Launcher.

Split-screen works on Aviate launcher also Don't think the split-screen has anything to do with what kind of launcher you have. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Works just fine with Apex launcher
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

work find with next launcher.

Thx a lot for your answers !

I am getting a little tired of saying this. This question and many like it have all been asked dozens of times before:
None of the additional features are part of Touchwiz. They are their own apps that are put on top of whatever launcher is in use.
They work in ANY launcher.

Nova launcher or Touchwiz

Hi people...im using nova launcher for a long time... in relation the battery is better option using touchwiz? Any another good launcher...?
What launcher you use?
thanks!
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app

tutufjv said:
Hi people...im using nova launcher for a long time... in relation the battery is better option using touchwiz? Any another good launcher...?
What launcher you use?
thanks!
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Well, there are many lauchers out there, in my opinion, Nova/Apex Launcher is the best one, because of it's customizability.
Touchwiz Launcher isn't bad, but there aren't much options to customize it, like larger app grid.
If you want to try a comletely new Launcher, you should try out Themer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycolorscreen.themer).

Agreed
Shad0wKn1ght93 said:
Well, there are many lauchers out there, in my opinion, Nova/Apex Launcher is the best one, because of it's customizability.
Touchwiz Launcher isn't bad, but there aren't much options to customize it, like larger app grid.
If you want to try a comletely new Launcher, you should try out Themer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycolorscreen.themer).
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Click to collapse
Themer is quite good, but annoyed me that it has no "keep in memory" option, as I'd press home and wait for it to load. Currently I'm using, and loving, the Google Experience Launcher. Aviate is also quite good.

Nova launcher is my main primary launcher, it's speedy and timely updates. The customisation is excellent to although I use the prime version. I've got Apex as well but prefer Nova. Aviate as mentioned above is unique but still needs further development before I contemplate using it primarily.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk

Best apps for using themes on Nexus 5

I find AOSP plain and boring so i try new homscreen replacement now and then and have compiled a list of top 5 android homescreen replacements and they are
1] Next launcher
2] Go launcher
3] themer
4] Buzz launcher
5] Nova launcher
here is the blog post i wrote about it Top 5 android theming apps

Wergin said:
Good apps thanks
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welcome

Also Apex Launcher (similar to Nova but some slight differences).
I tend to use either Nova or Apex (currently Nova since they were the first to add in KitKat's transparent status bar) but Themer is on track to be very cool for people who want something a little less like an extended version of the stock launcher. It's still in beta but it's from the folks at mycolorscreen who have become the best source for custom theming on Android.

My number 1 spot would go to Themer. Liked it from my old phone. Since I'm not that keen on customizing anymore, and I want to have Google Now with just 1 swipe away on my homescreen, I don't use it currently. But from all the launchers I have tried so far, themer is my favorite one. The second place goes to Action Launcher.

Good information sharing..

Where is the Mi Launcher?

And tsf launcher too
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

@hapticc - your page isn't opening mate
about the launchers, my favorite atm is holo launcher...
cos all i need from a launcher is gesture swipes.. up & down for notification & app drawer..
nova & apex have these only in paid version..
i wish GEL would incorporate gestures..
along with access for google now & LMT, that would be perfect

Sliding Explorer
Sliding Explorer have full screen on 4.4:laugh:

solved said:
Where is the Mi Launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I was always a nova user since i had a galaxy nexus. Since getting the nexus 5 though, i discovered more customization tools for themes and widgets, and ive been using Go launcher just because it works with the aesthetic/homescreen setup im currently using.
If nova launcher had a few more tweaks to it like icons not clipping/cropping, id probably go back to using it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Juansegovia20 said:
And tsf launcher too
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
TSF launcher is great but next launcher has replaced it.
letmedanz said:
@hapticc - your page isn't opening mate
about the launchers, my favorite atm is holo launcher...
cos all i need from a launcher is gesture swipes.. up & down for notification & app drawer..
nova & apex have these only in paid version..
i wish GEL would incorporate gestures..
along with access for google now & LMT, that would be perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixed the link sorry for inconvenience
aangelsmithh said:
Good information sharing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for positive comments its make me blog more and more

DigitalUnderground said:
Doesn't work...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Yeah they updated it to work on their website but the play store version wasn't updated yet. I had a thread on it. The only thing I don't like about it is non transparent nav bar. The notification bar is transparent but not the nav bar. In the broken version it was transparent. Not sure why it was removed unless that's what caused the issues
Sent from my white LG Nexus 5

Alternate launcher...please.

Ok my GS4 is 100% stock running 4.4. I haven't rooted and all that jazz yet...but for rite now I'm looking for some newer launchers that are nicely layer out for this phone. I love samsung but Touchwiz makes me feel like I shopped in the junior section lol. I'm pretty familiar with most popular launchers but I'm not really feeling how they feel or look on this phone. Anyone tested any similar to buzz launcher? (I know there's another launcher similar but I can't find it). I've searched high and low in the apps section but can't really find what I'm looking for. Maybe one of you are OCD about how your launcher layout looks on your phone too and I'm not just crazy lol. Thanks for any assistance!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I really like Google's stock Google now kitkat launcher. I would like a bit more customization and have considered giving Nova launcher a try but the new Google search is really nice and would be hard to give up.
Sent via mobile

Running stock as well even though tempted to root except for stupid Knox. However this 4.4.2 was the reason I had rooted my GS3 but now not sure why. Enjoying Google launcher w/OK Google for ease but have been going back and forth with EverythingMe. Favorite launcher has been Nova Prime but I'm trying to make things a little simpler so with OK or EverythingMe.
My thought has been who has deeper pockets to do things right Google or app co's? For that reason been trying to utilize stock items to see how they compare. Google Now, Maps, Chrome beta, Photo etc.... In that case EverythingMe has been great because it anticipates what I will use.
As with anything always comes down to personal preference.
REALLY wish Google (OK Google) Launcher could just be added to different launchers that feature is what I like but prefer other launchers.

Nova Launcher, Apex, Lightning.... Just to name a few!

Tried Go Launcher, Apex, Nova, Go Prime, and a few others but my favorite is Hololauncher.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

optimummind said:
Tried Go Launcher, Apex, Nova, Go Prime, and a few others but my favorite is Hololauncher.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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I'll second Holo, but does nova and apex do tabbed app drawers?

brd912 said:
Ok my GS4 is 100% stock running 4.4. I haven't rooted and all that jazz yet...but for rite now I'm looking for some newer launchers that are nicely layer out for this phone. I love samsung but Touchwiz makes me feel like I shopped in the junior section lol. I'm pretty familiar with most popular launchers but I'm not really feeling how they feel or look on this phone. Anyone tested any similar to buzz launcher? (I know there's another launcher similar but I can't find it). I've searched high and low in the apps section but can't really find what I'm looking for. Maybe one of you are OCD about how your launcher layout looks on your phone too and I'm not just crazy lol. Thanks for any assistance!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Kk launcher is the best
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

+1 for Nova
I've tried mostly all the launchers from the store and keep coming back to Nova. I'd say Apex is a close second for me. Never really got into Next or Go myself.
Sent From My Verizon S4

+1 Nova and i use the kitkat experience theme

I like golauncher because of how much customization you can do. I'm ocd with wanting everything a specific way
There was a time when golauncher was spamming with nags like crazy, but that seems to be a lot better now. If you haven't looked at it lately, it's come a long way from what it used to be.

my personal preference is that Nova launcher is the best
esp when you flash roms and it remembers all your widgets and stuff

Been using Nova forever. Nice updates, smooth and clean.

SayWhat10 said:
my personal preference is that Nova launcher is the best
esp when you flash roms and it remembers all your widgets and stuff
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Click to collapse
Yeah, golauncher has a backup and restore feature also and it is very handy