Database Users

Stock launcher or another one?

Just curious, what launcher do you prefer? The stock one or another one?
This regarding speed and performance.
Thanks.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn LG-H815 met Tapatalk

To me the stock launcher with stock keyboard ran a little sluggish to me. I went and installed nova prime and stock keyboard slugishness went away.
I'm hoping LG would polish some of bugs on their launcher to improve some performance as I kind of liking stock launcher.
Meanwhile I'm sticking to nova launcher.
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Free mobile app

Always nova prime for me.
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

Lucid Launcher for me!

Nova Prime!

Compared to Nova, the stock launcher is terrible.
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

Info
NOVA Launcher on all of my phones

Nova Prime here. Wasn't happy with the default launcher.

I have been using Apex for a couple of years now (on mulitple devices, of course) and haven't had any issues. Seems to run smoothly enough with the VS986 variant.

I just tried using nova prime but when I go to use the stock messaging app it says it isn't installed. Any thoughts? VS986

I have a VS986 as well and apparently, when you agree to start using the message+ app, it ignores the stock one and pretends it isn't installed. I'm not 100% positive of that, but that seems to be the case with mine.

I use Nova prime for all of my devices as well as SwiftKey! They are super fast on the G4 and allow the amount of customising I need.

I found the stock one was OK, but Nova has much more configuration options, and is a little faster, so I'm using Nova Prime.

Today I'm using the stock launcher. It's OK for now, but I like Next Launcher. I see many here uses Nova, so I'm going to give it a try.

branj said:
I just tried using nova prime but when I go to use the stock messaging app it says it isn't installed. Any thoughts? VS986
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the app settings and clear that particular app's cache. And also restore/import apps do crash on some apps. So might want to reset the nova launcher settings of everything else fails.
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Free mobile app

branj said:
I just tried using nova prime but when I go to use the stock messaging app it says it isn't installed. Any thoughts? VS986
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Click to collapse
I would try going into the app drawer and see if it works there... it could just be an icon on the desktop that doesn't know where or what the official name of the apk is. Then I would try the other suggestion that someone else posted before me.

Using apex
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Free mobile app

mrcrusha829 said:
I would try going into the app drawer and see if it works there... it could just be an icon on the desktop that doesn't know where or what the official name of the apk is. Then I would try the other suggestion that someone else posted before me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried clearing cache, restarting nova, restarting phone, restarting messaging... No luck... I just downloaded textra and that works fine.

Nova Prime here too! Love it!

Nova!
Sent from my SM-G920T

Google seach bar

how can i remove this awful thing from my home screen?

Use nova launcher or some alternative

You can also use Xposed GEL Settings if you have Xposed installed. That's what I used to remove the search bar.

Didn't wana root but xposed is nice....I'll try Nova for now
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Nova goes on each phone I switch to.

Usually u can disable it wonder why not on the pure
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

tlbland0426 said:
You can also use Xposed GEL Settings if you have Xposed installed. That's what I used to remove the search bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What am I missing? I hid it in Xposed Gel but the damn thing is still there.

dinkey33bw said:
What am I missing? I hid it in Xposed Gel but the damn thing is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you reboot?
Sent from my XT1575 using XDA Free mobile app

I'm a huge Nova user for years now... having never had a Moto X phone, does using Nova as your default launcher impact Moto Voice and active listening features in any way?
(edit: still waiting on my "should have been delivered by now, but delayed by Moto" Moto X Pure form Motomaker.

Dan76 said:
I'm a huge Nova user for years now... having never had a Moto X phone, does using Nova as your default launcher impact Moto Voice and active listening features in any way?
(edit: still waiting on my "should have been delivered by now, but delayed by Moto" Moto X Pure form Motomaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Launchers have no affect on Moto features.
I like both Nova and Action Launcher.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
Launchers have no affect on Moto features.
I like both Nova and Action Launcher.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, good to know! I was worried about those huge icons only four across... worry no more!

Custom Launchers, Full Screen or Letterbox?

Has anyone tried using custom launchers like Nova on the Essential? Do they use the full screen or do they letterbox around the camera like apps that haven't been updated tend to?

bump.....this is an excellent question I didnt think of. If someone could try action launcher it would be appreciated!!!

Nova and Action Launcher both are not full screen.

bretrick30 said:
Nova and Action Launcher both are not full screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither is the pixel launcher port

graffixnyc said:
Neither is the pixel launcher port
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Click to collapse
You just killed any excitement I had for this phone. Nova is an automatic install for me. It may take them several months to update

Yup, nothing is full screen right now. Just the stock Essential launcher which is pretty terrible and has virtually no settings.

Isn't the stock launcher literally Essentials own port of the Pixel launcher?

IM0001 said:
Isn't the stock launcher literally Essentials own port of the Pixel launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably fork of launcher3 from aosp
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

slothdabski said:
Probably fork of launcher3 from aosp
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Which is the same launcher I am using on my U11 right now instead of Sense.
Love it. Simple, fast, smooth.

worldsoutro said:
You just killed any excitement I had for this phone. Nova is an automatic install for me. It may take them several months to update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will fix it in no time..

I'm not too sure it's something that Nova can fix. I just received this email response from them when I inquired about it.
Hello,
This is a bug on their end that we are hoping to have a work around for at some point in the future.
Please contact us using Nova Settings -> Contact Support. This helps us help you better!
Answers to your questions are often found in the FAQ's: https://help.teslacoilapps.com/faq

I have an HTC U11 and own the paid version of the Shortcutter app by LeeDrOiD. I've installed it on my PH1 and it's giving me a few more features such as custom quicksettings tiles and a sidebar. I have enabled his version of night mode which adds some red to the screen. It's gonna have to tide me over until we get root and custom launchers etc. rolling.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs

Arrow launcher is not full screen either.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

what about lawnchair? anyone tried?
I want to increase my grid size to 7 by 5 and stock launcher just has 0 customization!

Did anyone who installed a different launcher have any issues switching back to the stock Essential launcher (Launcher3)? I tried Action Launcher and after seeing that it was not full screen I switched back to Launcher3. However, Launcher3 won't run now - it keeps crashing. I tried uninstalling Action Launcher and rebooting but neither helped. I'm stuck on Action Launcher now because the stock launcher crashes before loading the home screen. Any advice? Anyone have the stock launcher apk?
UPDATE - I got it working again by clearing the cache and data for the app. I just have to set it back up with my preferred apps & widgets again.

What sucks is that the the status bar size is HUGE!! I tried many apps for status bar overlay but doesn't work with custom launcher. Pretty stupid of Essential!

varun.gid said:
What sucks is that the the status bar size is HUGE!! I tried many apps for status bar overlay but doesn't work with custom launcher. Pretty stupid of Essential!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't have anything to do with essential, the custom launcher developers have to update their launchers to work with essential phone.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I sent an enhancement request to Nova and they responded with the following:
"Essential has made it that only apps that are whitelisted will use the full screen. You would need to contact them directly."
Looks like we all need to be submitting requests to Essential. Seems to be a stupid decision on their part.

tigercranestyle said:
folks of you want to use custom launchers, it takes about 60 seconds to submit a request here:
https://support.essential.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
one thing android has always been better than ios at is customization. with this phone we can't say that. fill out the request, please. include the name of the apps... nova launcher, action, lawnchair, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Just submitted asking to whitelist Arrow Launcher.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Ahh the joys of beta testing

Anyone tried Pixel Launcher?

I know that Essential launcher doesn't look too different form Pixel launcher, but I like the operation of Pixel 2 launcher. I do believe either the launcher on Pixel phones have smoother transition/animation effect or Google optimized the phone's OS differently. On Essential all this transition animation is too jumpy, windows open fast and as if all the effects are turned off in the Dev options. I have Pixel 2 in my hands and although the UI is similar to the Essential phone, still Pixel's UI feels much nicer, better and smoother - premium feel.
I sent my Essential back(QA issues), will soon re-buy it again, but in the meantime wanted to find out if anyone has tried installing Pixel 2 Launcher on Essential.

Using the actual Pixel launcher requires root. However, one of the people on xda has written a version based on AOSP that doesn't require root. I used it on a Nexus 6 for about a year and have been using the latest version on Essential with 7.1.1 for the past two months with no issues. It's bit nicer than the AOSP that comes on the Essential.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/launcher3-pixel-launcher-features-t3620972

I am using the Pixel 2 launcher. It requires no root: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/papho...auncher-mod-8-1-0-4348501-modded-3-1-release/
Also would recommend the Pixel 2 wallpaper: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/prana...port-8-1-0-pp-6-0-arm64-android-apk-download/
Just try them out and see yourself

trantium said:
I am using the Pixel 2 launcher. It requires no root: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/papho...auncher-mod-8-1-0-4348501-modded-3-1-release/
Also would recommend the Pixel 2 wallpaper: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/prana...port-8-1-0-pp-6-0-arm64-android-apk-download/
Just try them out and see yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad! I think the integration with the weather on the Google “pill” is what requires root. Does it display the weather for you?

trantium said:
I am using the Pixel 2 launcher. It requires no root: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/papho...auncher-mod-8-1-0-4348501-modded-3-1-release/
Also would recommend the Pixel 2 wallpaper: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/prana...port-8-1-0-pp-6-0-arm64-android-apk-download/
Just try them out and see yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing thanks for the info
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

I definitely recommend that you try Lawnchair Launcher
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vincentallen2 said:
I definitely recommend that you try Lawnchair Launcher
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Click to collapse
I have added it to wishlist, so that I can try it when I get Essential phone back.

TimboC2000 said:
My bad! I think the integration with the weather on the Google “pill” is what requires root. Does it display the weather for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does! Make sure to give it permission to your location and all should work fine

Grab the pixel 2 launcher from the same dev that did the custom navbar...
I don't wanna butcher his name... But he did the launcher with an inverted background for the now pane... And it works without root...
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

rignfool said:
Grab the pixel 2 launcher from the same dev that did the custom navbar...
I don't wanna butcher his name... But he did the launcher with an inverted background for the now pane... And it works without root...
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Click to collapse
What is the custom nav bar please

combat goofwing said:
What is the custom nav bar please
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Click to collapse
Play store
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rignfool said:
Play store
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Click to collapse
To do the adb command does bootloader need unlocked ,don't really want to root or unlock bootloader

Yeah, running the Pixel launcher with no root and with no problems at all..

combat goofwing said:
To do the adb command does bootloader need unlocked ,don't really want to root or unlock bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... Just need ADB
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

trantium said:
I am using the Pixel 2 launcher. It requires no root: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/papho...auncher-mod-8-1-0-4348501-modded-3-1-release/
Also would recommend the Pixel 2 wallpaper: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/prana...port-8-1-0-pp-6-0-arm64-android-apk-download/
Just try them out and see yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded those 2 files and when I try to change the wallpaper, I get "app isn't installed".
Anybody else has this issue?

warpjavier said:
I downloaded those 2 files and when I try to change the wallpaper, I get "app isn't installed".
Anybody else has this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the "wallpaper" app from the play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wallpaper

Some say the wallpaper app needs to be installed before the launcher in order for the link to work but I did it after and it worked fine for me after a reboot.

trantium said:
Download the "wallpaper" app from the play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wallpaper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That worked!
Thanks

For weather and events like in pixel try this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tommasoberlose.anotherwidget

trantium said:
I am using the Pixel 2 launcher. It requires no root: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/papho...auncher-mod-8-1-0-4348501-modded-3-1-release/
Also would recommend the Pixel 2 wallpaper: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/prana...port-8-1-0-pp-6-0-arm64-android-apk-download/
Just try them out and see yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thanks so much. Quite an upgrade. loving my PH-1 even more now.

Pixel style launcher

Anyone recommend a good pixel style launcher? Is Nova launcher my best option?
Thanks

pepz187 said:
Anyone recommend a good pixel style launcher? Is Nova launcher my best option?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well as I mentioned in a post, at least for me Nova is draining a bit of battery. So if you are looking for a pixel like experience you should use CPL from the play store, been using it for almost a week and I like it so far.

Nova with companion app. I've never seen battery problems with it on my note 9.

MI UI?

Ruthless pixel launcher is by far the best search on xda labs for it

Action Launcher is the best in my opinion. I play a lot with Hyperion Launcher too.

Flick Launcher fluid and no battery drain.
Recomended

I've tried different launchers over the years, but I always end up going back to Nova Pro.
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

Nova has the best options.
I've been using Lawnchair Launcher v2 since it lets the Google Discover tab to be in dark mode and is pretty simple.

TRIUMF said:
Nova with companion app. I've never seen battery problems with it on my note 9.
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Click to collapse
What's the companion app?

bill_viper said:
What's the companion app?
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Click to collapse
https://help.teslacoilapps.com/nowcompanion