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submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

I deleted nova launcher from my device after seeing this: https://lemmy.ca/post/19914345

Can anybody recommend alternatives?

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[-] [email protected] 32 points 3 weeks ago

Kvaesitso. Opensource, minimal, search-based launcher. My only complaint is that it's not optimised for foldables, otherwise it's a great launcher.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

Really interesting take on layout. Seems pretty well developed though so my initial impressions are good.

Plus bonus points for putting the APK in their releases

[-] [email protected] 23 points 3 weeks ago

I use the open source KISS launcher for years now. Your data never leaves your device, and you can expect to save battery life and speed up your device compared to complex and bloated launchers. KISS is just 250 KB and never connects to the Internet.

The best thing is that - behind a simplistic configuration menu - you can configure it from an ultra minimalist black screen with one text box to call when you need to launch an app, search for a contact, search on internet... to a full app drawer organized however you want (alphabetical order, your own defined categories...). It's just insane and unfortunately so much overlooked.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Quick question—does the kiss launch have the ability to hide apps? This is often a deal breaker for me with launchers

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yes, It have

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah, KISS is amazing, versatile and simple with a small footprint. It honestly should be the default throughout Android.

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[-] [email protected] 18 points 3 weeks ago

Lawnchair 14 has a beta and nightly version out right now

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

It doesn't seem to be nearly customizable enough.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Where do you install it from? GitHub ?

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

straight up google play has it, beats me why it isnt on fdroid though

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

It is on izzyOnDroid repo :).

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

It's only the old V2, not the very latest one.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I installed lawnchair from fdroid, maybe not v14 though

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Just checked, it's a 2019 version, lmao

[-] [email protected] 0 points 3 weeks ago

It doesn't have nearly as much features as Nova sadly

[-] [email protected] 15 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Already tested lawnchair, Neo Launcher, kvaesitso,... Since KISS installation, I didn't try another one.

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[-] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago

I was recommended Niagara launcher on here a few months back. After 2 days I paid for a year. Just excellent. Clean and snappy. Take a bit of getting used to but that was well worth the time.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

If it look at the data safety section for Niagara launcher on Google Play store, it is also collecting and sharing data with 3rd parties. The cross section is a bit smaller than Nova's but it was still enough for me to nope out of there.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

Second vote for Niagara. Admittedly I haven't tried other third party launchers. [Pixel 7 Pro owner who balked at the standard Pixel screen on sight in a way that I hadn't previously with any phone]

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

I tried it, but it seems like you can't make screens / folders? What am I missing?

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeap, it's a completely different paradigm

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Ah ok, well that's not for me

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[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Yep I tried it after reading about Nova yesterday.

Really like it but I'd say putting the weather widget behind a paywall is really fuckin cheeky!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Can't say I noticed that. But yes it is ;-)

[-] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Neo Launcher, open source!

Edit: there haven't been releases for a while, but it appears that a new one is coming soon:

Till now we have no alpha release of 1.0.0, but this would come in the next weeks.

🤞🏼

[-] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Unfortunately my launcher is one piece of closed source software that I just can't break away from. I've tried plenty open source alternatives and always switched back.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Yep same thing.

Moved from Nova to Niagara after trying about 30 different launchers (closed and open) and I don't think I'll be changing for quite a long time.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

I really like Lawnchair!

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago
[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Olauncher is highly rated and collects/shares 0 data (at least according to the data safety section on its Google Play page, though I have no idea how reliable that is).

I installed it yesterday. I'm not hating it but not sure if I like it. It's very minimal. Like you don't even see the notification bar from the home screen and are limited to putting 8 apps on there (after you adjust the setting from 4). Everything else is on an alphabetical list, which has forced me to remember the names of apps instead of just remembering the icon and position I gave it in Nova. But it might just be something I need to get used to, so I'll give it some more time.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

I switched to Lawnchair from Nova and haven't looked back...

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Niagara is much cleaner and simpler. Takes some getting used to but I can use it quicker than I ever did nova!

My home page now:

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I like it too, even though it didn't notify me when the trial was up like it said it would. I was planning on buying the lifetime (or uninstalling) but it autobilled me for a year instead.

Anyway, here's mine:

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Lawnchair and Neo Launcher are close seconds but, unfortunately, there is no one for one alternative. Just use a firewall to block Nova's internet access.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yes, I turned off network access and it works identically. This is a good path. Lawn chair was ok.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Even though I paid for Nova years ago, I went back and downloaded a modded version of 7.0.58, the last version before they were bought out and the code was changed.

I really wanted to like Lawnchair but I always end up back with Nova. It does exactly what I want it to.

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[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Action launcher is good

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

I LOVE the Lunar Launcher!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Okay, seriously though: the Lunar Launcher is the only one I have found consistently minimalist and yet practical. I can only recommend it.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

There are a bunch of alternatives recommended in that post...

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Mlauncher - Text only and distraction free! Available on fdroid

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I've settled on Fast Draw. You get to use exactly one widget, but it's lightweight and lets me launch apps.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)
[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I don't have an Android device anymore, but I've been a fan of Smart Launcher ever since Nova turned into a steaming pile

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this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2024
82 points (97.7% liked)

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