PSA: Nova Launcher's owning company sells their user data. It was a good launcher when it first came out, but it's been nothing but a downward spiral from there.

Edit for clarity: I don't mean the app itself. It is owned by an entity that exists to sell consumer data.

It was the "end of an era" when they were sold off to a data-mining company years ago.

Use an Open Source launcher, here my recommandations :

• Lawnchair, basic launcher to replace stock launcher

• Kvaesito, search based browser and a lot of customization

• Mlauncher, fork of Olauncher, minimalistic and text based

I've been working on a launcher for a while now, do help me test it out!

Features include:

• Widget stacks (with auto scroll)
• Swipe up and swipe down to launch different apps
• Display app drawer icons as tiles or a list
• Individually resize home screen icons, for mixed-size icon layouts
• Freely position and resize a widget or icon
• Frosted glass background for widgets (experimental)
• App drawer folders
• Fade a widget
• Separate layouts for different screens for foldables
• Tap a folder to launch its first app (swipe to open folder)
• Assign a nickname to an app for instant app search and launch (e.g. searching "ff" launches Firefox instantly)
• Lots of custom animations and haptics

Planned features include:

• Profile switching with Tasker support
• Square tiles for app drawer
• Swipe to open a widget pop up

https://lemmy.world/post/14530643

Its insane that custom launchers are even needed. I gave the base Samsung version a try and it wont even let me move the app drawer button, its glued to the bottom right. I'd expect an android to let me customize more than windows. Never understood the big tech companies need for this much control. Some brand manager will have a heartattack if I change an app icon, a basic feature in any version of Windows.

After getting a replacement phone, I had to redo everything. I decided to check out some new options. I have nova prime and have loved it.

I am now using Niagara Launcher. It's different. Very different. The team recommends using the app for at least a week to give it a true test run. I did have my doubts because it's so different but dang do I love it. I haven't switched back and I don't mean this to throw shade on nova. Nova is great, but I like this better.

Instead of thinking of ways to change the launcher, they created a whole new launcher as if they didn't take into consideration the current way we do things.

Give it a shot.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bitpit.launcher

I used Nova for years. When they got bought out I switched to a bunch of different launchers. My favorite turned out to be Kvaesitso.

It was weird for me at first because having apps on the main screen was something I've grown acustomed to. You can have a row if you want though. There is an option. After using it for a few weeks, I realized their layout works best for me.

Let me know if there are other launchers you recommend. I appreciate it.

My recommendation is Niagara Launcher. It's more minimal than other launchers. I like the reduction in clutter.

Are there any launchers that have Nova's 2 best features?

1. Swipe-to-open folders (with tap to open the first item in the folder)
2. Set any icon you want as an app icon?

I've tried Lawnchair and it was missing these 2 features. I will switch to any launcher that supports these!

Novalauncher 6.2.19, before they added telemetry

I switched to Lawnchair a while back (android 14 broke folders in nova for me). It's not got the same depth of customisation, but ive found it pretty good alternative. And so far seems quick and reliable.

Lawnchair

Been using KISS over at F-droid for a few years now after moving on from Nova Launcher. It isn't for everyone but it isn't run by goons.

I use Olauncher, pretty similar to Niagara and is FOSS. https://github.com/tanujnotes/Olauncher

I really like Fast Draw. I wanted the app pages like Nova has, and personally didn't really need any more than that. This one works like a charm!

https://github.com/peterfajdiga/FastDraw

When I found out how scummy they were with user data I moved to KISS launcher. It took a few days to get used to but I'm very happy with it now.

I tried a bunch. The only one I really love is Niagara. It's simple and awesome.

Dammit lol that's the one I picked to use

Maybe it will keep working unchanged for a while

Man I am really struggling to find a replacement launcher that works for foldables. Neo and Total have scaling issues that make icons giant

I use Hyperion and like it a lot

I still use version 7 of Nova, it's the only launcher in the market that knows how to handle icons. Any other is frankly a disaster, they can't make them look good at all.

https://novalauncher.com/nova-aug-2024

Been using smart launcher for a while. I like that the pro version offers blur.

Noe launcher. used nova on my pixel 6, now neo on my pixel 8