A launcher is a third-party application that allows you to simulate various interfaces, and sometimes ways of user interaction with an Android device. If you are tired of the familiar smartphone shell, then our material, designed to find out which application deserves the title of the best launcher for Android in 2018-2019, will come in handy!
In our opinion, a launcher that claims to be in the top must meet the following requirements:
- Change the device interface - icons, backgrounds, interaction process;
- Do not slow down the system;
- Minimum advertising;
- Preferably free.
All kinds of launchers can be found in the “Personalization” section of the Google Play store, and now we will introduce you to those that we personally liked.
#10 - Solo Launcher
Extremely popular launcher with over 100 million downloads. The main goal of the developers is to increase the speed of the device, and they managed to cope with this task. The built-in cache and memory cleaner significantly speeds up the work and saves free space on your device. Visually, the application also has many advantages - the widest collection of themes and wallpapers, widgets and other goodies will help make your smartphone as comfortable as possible for you personally.
#9 - Smart Launcher
The key advantage of this shell is its extremely careful attitude to the resources of the smartphone - the memory and battery feel much better under its management. Extensive device customization options using visual tools will help make your smartphone unique, and advanced security settings will make the information stored on the phone inaccessible to prying eyes.
An important detail is the constant contact between developers and users, which translates into attentive attention to the wishes of the audience - you yourself can offer an idea that you lack when using the gadget. In addition to advertising, there is paid content.
#8 - CM Launcher
This launcher will appeal to fans of animated 3D desktop themes - there are more than ten thousand of them. Moreover, each new user can become an interface designer himself and create his own themes, wallpapers or icons. This shell has made great strides in the field of security - it presents such advanced features as an intruder photo, anti-theft, hiding applications and others.
The developers did not forget about performance - you can speed up the phone with one touch. The application also adds a wide range of tools to those already available in the phone - a flashlight, calculator, brightness adjustment and much more.
#7 - Evie Launcher
Finally, we have a shell without ads. If you prefer conservative and concise interface designs, then do not pass by this launcher. This feature also has a great effect on system performance, which is important. The intuitive interface greatly simplifies navigation inside the device, which will suit people who are not so familiar with smartphones.
Personalization options grow with each update, and they come out quite often and greatly improve an already noteworthy program.
No. 6 - Hola Lauren
A simple yet powerful launcher that covers all areas vital to your device. There are also acceleration of work with cleaning the phone, and economical use of battery power, and much more. This shell will definitely please gamers - during the game, the launcher monitors inactive applications and frees up RAM by disabling them.
The Omni Swipe feature allows you to switch apps without returning to the home screen, which is a great time saver. The number of built-in themes and functions responsible for the security of the smartphone and the data on it is also quite a lot.
№5 — Yandex Launcher
Launcher from the Russian IT giant. It is difficult to single out any one feature of this shell, but one way or another it changes the user's interaction with the device in each component. Useful widgets like an accelerator or a clock with a built-in weather forecast will help you use your gadget even more comfortably, and the Yandex.Zen personal assistant will recommend interesting publications in Russian and help pass the time.
A similar algorithm of work based on machine learning is also used by a hinter responsible for recommending applications for download. You can also take part in testing new versions of Yandex.Launcher and advise developers on a particular solution. Unfortunately, this shell is not devoid of advertising.
#4 – Apex Launcher
Stylish launcher with deep shell personalization options. A regular participant in various ratings and nominations, Apex allows you to customize your workspace in the most comfortable way, which is far from always achieved in the basic shell from Google.
Excellent options for fine-tuning the security of the device are highly appreciated by people who have a need for data protection when using a smartphone. The absence of advertising helps to avoid negative emotions from using the application, and therefore it simply has no minuses.
#3 - Go Launcher EX
This shell focuses on visual changes to the interface and achieves amazing results in this field. The internal store gives you the opportunity to purchase truly unique and amazingly designed interface themes. An important advantage is also the minimum weight of this application, which in turn significantly increases performance by manipulating the RAM and internal memory of the smartphone.
#2 - Google Pixel Launcher
Designed specifically for Google smartphones, this launcher makes it much easier to work with them. By providing quick access to proprietary searches from the desktop, the shell makes web surfing easier and more enjoyable than ever. Personalization of information in the form of smart cards will make the phone different from others. An interesting feature is the ability to control the application menu using gestures.
A large amount of information displayed on the screen from the weather forecast to the latest news will help you stay up to date even with a fleeting glance at the screen. To all those who were not satisfied with the original interface of models from Google - it is strongly recommended. There are no ads or paid content.
Finally, we have reached the top of our ranking, which is the new version of the legendary Nova Launcher. The possibilities for customizing the workspace here are truly endless - absolute freedom in choosing icons, widgets, desktops and the arrangement of elements on the screen.
Unfortunately, the full functionality of the shell is only available in the paid version of Nova Launcher Prime, but believe me, the features available there are worth every ruble invested in them.
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31.03.2018 11:00:00
Despite all the technological bells and whistles of the latest versions of the Android operating system, one of its characteristics has remained unchanged for over 10 years. This software platform is open source, which allows the user to individually customize each element of the Android phone interface.
The most convenient way to do this is through a special launcher for Android in Russian. With it, you can change the color of icons, fonts, themes, widgets and other stuffing of the operating system. At the same time, such programs do not affect the root structures, do not require rooting, and do not interfere with the system processes of the smartphone.
We have selected the 10 most interesting and practical launchers for Android, among which, by the way, there are some very unusual ones.
The popular Nova Launcher is often ranked first in Android skin popularity rankings. The launcher has gained its excellent reputation due to the simplicity and convenience of functions that allow you to fine-tune the appearance of the operating system.
The shell is based on the standard look of Android 4.4. However, almost any of its elements in the Nova product can be changed at will: create an infinite number of desktops, change the number of programs in the dock bar, system color schemes, fonts, animations, and much more. You can also install any third-party icon packs.
Many users believe that this is the fastest launcher for Android, which contains a huge variety of settings. Gesture control is supported, including for launching programs. The launcher has a very rich ecosystem, there are many widgets designed specifically for it.
Of particular note is the number of themes for the shell. With the Google Play service, you can find tens of thousands of options to give the Android OS a personal touch.
Convenient and practical launcher, which has an interesting social function. With it, you can see the most interesting and popular topics that other users have created. Having chosen what you like the most, just press one command, and the shell will be installed on your smartphone.
Not only the appearance of the system is changing - the applications, widgets and utilities that are part of the system are automatically downloaded. If you want, you can work and make your own theme of your dreams, and then indulge your pride by looking at how many of your like-minded people have installed it. Like other launchers for android, it is not demanding on resources and does not eat too much battery power.
A novelty in the collection of launchers is rapidly gaining popularity among Android users. Interesting and stylish updates appear daily in the assembly of themes.
Launcher Features:
- Spectacular 3D screen transitions
- Easy settings management
- Intelligent sorting of applications into folders
- Convenient quick access panel for the main control buttons
- Customizable desktop widgets
- Function to hide important applications
- A separate tool for cleaning memory and speeding up your smartphone
- Energy saving
By the way, the function of hiding applications is a rather useful and relevant topic for Android smartphone users who are worried about their personal data. You can read about the most accessible ways to hide the contents of a smartphone from prying eyes in our article How to hide an application on Android.
While most launchers try to incorporate as many features as possible and impress users with a spectacular design, AIO Launcher from Russian developer Evgeny Zobnin is based on the exact opposite principles of minimalism.
The work of the shell is based on a system of tags. The utility displays all the functions of the smartphone on the main screen in the form of one large list of text widgets. Here you can access system settings, access calls and SMS, and manage third-party applications.
You can read more about the possibilities of this unusual shell in our article.
A launcher for those who like to constantly and completely change the look of their Android device. The program offers a gigantic catalog of various creative interfaces for the operating system that can be installed in a few seconds.
There are really an incredible number of options and most of them are works of art. Of the minuses, one can note a slight braking on not very powerful devices.
Before you change the launcher to Android, you should know that Themer "eats" more resources than the standard Android interface.
Launcher with a very nice and well-designed interface. It significantly speeds up the work with the operating system. So, for example, by pressing the menu button, a window pops up from which you can quickly go to applications, widgets, settings, or change wallpaper. It turns out something akin to the "Start" key in Windows.
Of particular note is the ability to display widgets in a separate menu that pops up from behind the right edge of the screen. There they are always at hand, but at the same time they do not annoy the eyes and do not clog the screen - a very elegant solution.
It is possible to launch widgets from the icon without launching applications. Imagine you have a program and a widget for it. You don't want to run the whole program, but want to quickly access its widget? To do this, just click on the icon marked with a special symbol and voila - the application's functionality is available on the desktop in windowed mode. The shell is very fast, works without crashes and just pleases the eye.
I got into our review of launchers for Android and an official product from Google.
It features a minimalistic but very well-designed interface, extremely high speed and stability. The user cannot change the appearance of the shell - he can only select a screensaver for the desktop and configure widgets.
The program looks nice and works well. It will be a great free option for those who are tired of complicated settings and crashes of other launchers.
A wonderful Yandex launcher for Android, which will be especially useful for those who actively use the Russian search engine and its additional services - mail, maps, Disk, etc. Very impressive three-dimensional desktop interface and well-designed appearance.
All Yandex services and widgets are conveniently organized in the shell. As a result, you can quickly switch between your mail, read news, weather, and more. There are not many settings for the widget, so making it completely personalized will not work. However, most will not need this.
Next Launcher is completely different from Android and any other OS. It is admirable - it seems to be the most beautiful launcher for android.
Elements of the system are made in HD-quality, three-dimensional and interactive, a large number of various gestures are supported. It is possible to choose the slope of the display of desktops and scroll through them. This is especially convenient if you have a smartphone with a large display or a tablet.
In general, the launcher is insanely interesting, and it is worth downloading it at least in order to play with it a little. Before you install a launcher on Android, be aware that it will consume a lot of resources
This was a review of the best launchers for Android. As you can see, each of them has its own advantages, so it is perhaps difficult to say unequivocally which one is ideal. We recommend trying each and choosing the one that suits you best.
By the way, many launchers contain very useful system optimization tools to make the smartphone work more quickly. However, there are other ways to overclock your device. You can read more about this in our article.
One of the main advantages of the Android OS is the ability to customize. There are many tools with which you can change the wallpaper or icon design on your desktop at any time to suit your mood and current needs.
One of the easiest ways to spice up your smartphone is to download a customizable launcher. This application can radically change the appearance of the device and the way you interact with it. However, the choice of launchers presented in the Play Store is so large that it is not surprising to get confused.
To make things easier for you, we've tested the most popular launchers and selected the top five among them - Nova, Apex, Evie, ADW and Action. In this article, we'll go over the useful features and the pros and cons of each of the five launchers so you're left in no doubt about which one is best for your needs.
Main parameters for comparison
To select the top five launchers, we analyzed user reviews and took into account the number of downloads from the Play Store. Next, we tested each of the launchers on various Android smartphones, both flagship and mid-range. Those functions that are included only in paid versions of launchers were also tested (we will mention which functions cannot be obtained for free separately).
When evaluating the performance of launchers, the battery discharge rate was also taken into account.
- Import settings: Can a launcher import the location of icons and widgets from another launcher? If yes, then the transition will be easy, plus you can quickly test different launchers without changing the configuration of the main screen.
- Google Now Integration: Some launchers have access to Google Now, even without root access. Usually, to activate the service, you need to swipe to the right from the left edge of the screen. The display will show personalized information based on what you have done on your smartphone. Information about traffic on the way to work, upcoming events marked on the calendar, news curated according to your interests - these are just a few examples of the information that Google Now provides.
- Icon Normalization: This function allows you to adjust the size of the icons according to the standard prescribed in the material design manual. As a result, all icons are made in the same style, even if they have different shapes.
- Changing individual icons: Ability to change the appearance of each icon individually, and not just all at once.
- Responsive Icons: Android 8.0 Oreo introduced a new system that allows you to change the shape and size of icons without changing your current icon set to a different one. Now you can make all icons round, square, droplets, etc. If Oreo is not coming to your device soon, we hasten to please: some of the launchers on our list already have this feature, which works on versions from Lollipop and higher.
- Unread Notification Count: Icons can display (as a number) the number of unread notifications from each app. If the number is not applicable, a dot is shown instead.
- Notification dots/badges: Introduced in Android Oreo, notification dots (or badges) are an alternative to the unread notification counter. Instead of a number, new notifications are indicated on app shortcuts with a dot or an icon. You can view notifications in the submenu by long pressing on the label with a dot or icon.
- Hide Applications: This feature allows you to hide an application from the application drawer and only show it when you search.
- Folders in the app drawer: In order to better organize apps, some launchers have the ability to create folders or even groups and tabs inside the app drawer.
- Backup location: Most launchers allow you to create a local backup of all configured options in the internal memory or on the smartphone's memory card. But few launchers are capable of making backups in the cloud (which is very convenient when switching to another device).
- Themes: By installing a theme, you can choose the colors of various launcher components, including the settings menu, folder background, app drawer, dock background, and app shortcut background.
- Application shortcuts: Starting with version 7.1 of Nougat, a long press on a shortcut opens the menu of the corresponding application. For example, long-pressing a Google calendar icon will bring up a menu prompting you to create an event or reminder. Thanks to launchers, this feature can also be used by those who have an older version of Android OS installed.
- Price of the full version: As a rule, launchers have paid versions with richer functionality.
1. Nova launcher
Nova Launcher is a product of TelsaCoil Software. It has gained great popularity due to the fact that it is flexibly configured, works quickly and quickly adds new features. 
Nova launcher panel
Nova launcher settings (in Prime Beta version)
One of the main advantages of the Nova launcher is that almost all useful features are already in the free version. This compares favorably with its main competitor - the Action launcher. The paid version of Nova costs 300 rubles, and its functionality is only slightly expanded. In addition, these additional features can be used for free in the beta version of the application.
By the way, participation in the Nova beta program gives you access to the latest Android features. So, for example, just a few days after updating the Android OS to the Nougat version, the App Shortcuts feature appeared in the Nova beta program (application shortcuts). In addition, Nova was the first launcher to add notification icons, and quickly introduced adaptive icons, which at the time of its introduction, these features were intended exclusively for Pixel and Nexus devices.
If you're not a fan of beta versions, don't worry - TeslaCoil is quick to add tested features to the official version. So, the aforementioned notification icons and app shortcuts are already included in the official version of Nova Launcher.
The Nova launcher was the first among all the launchers on our list to add the Google Now service. You don't need root or Magisk to access it, just the latest version of Nova Launcher and the Nova Google Companion app. By installing this application, you can go to Google Now settings and activate the service. 
Nova Google Companion App
Google Now Settings
The paid version of the Nova launcher is called Nova Launcher Prime. The regular price of the Prime version is 300 rubles, but there are often discounts for it. The paid version adds gesture navigation through applications, as well as the ability to create groups and folders in the application panel.
Nova launcher recently added support for the Sesame Shortcuts application, which allows you to create deep links to actions within applications. For example, to quickly find a specific playlist in Spotify or a contact in the address book, you need to create a corresponding shortcut, which will be available through a search or a long press on the application icon. Sesame Shortcuts only works in the latest version of Nova Launcher. The trial period for using the application is two weeks, after which you will be strongly recommended to buy paid functionality at a price of 169 rubles. 
Sesame Shortcuts Settings
In general, we can say that the Nova launcher managed to achieve the optimal balance between speed and functionality. It may be missing a couple of specific "niche" features that other launchers on our list have, but it has more than enough other possibilities for customization, and performance is beyond praise. The variety of features available in the free version, the rapid addition of new "features" in the beta version, as well as the high performance allow us to award the Nova launcher the first place in our list.
2. Launcher Action
The Action launcher is also packed full of all sorts of features. Like Nova, it adds many new features from Android Oreo. However, unlike Nova, only owners of the paid version of the launcher often have access to them. 
The main advantage of Action is the presence of functions that allow you to save time working with applications. For example, by removing unnecessary items from the desktop.
The QuickDrawer application does a great job with this function. With a swipe from the left edge of the screen, you can open a list of applications (organized the way you want) from any page on your desktop. A swipe from the right edge of the screen opens QuickPage - an additional desktop where you can place icons and widgets for quick access (the same principle is used in the Shelf function implemented in the OnePlus smartphone). 
QuickDrawer
QuickPage
Another useful feature of Action Launcher is Shutters. It allows you to open the widget by swiping up or down on the corresponding icon. Many widgets are just conceived in order to provide quick access to the necessary information, but cluttering up the main screen with them is not always convenient. Thanks to Shutters, it is possible to keep the widget easy to access while saving space on your desktop.
The Covers feature is an alternative to application folders. While normal folders show all of their contents, Covers only shows the icon for the first application. To view all the content, you need to swipe up or double-tap the icon. If you click on the icon once, the first application will open as if it were not part of the folder. This feature allows you to compensate for the lack of the ability to create folders in the application drawer.
The QuickTheme feature automatically matches the color scheme of the search bar, folder background, application drawer background, QuickDrawer panel background, and other interface elements to match the desktop wallpaper theme. If you change your wallpaper often (or use apps like Muzei that do it for you), then Quick Theme will save you a lot of time. 
Shutters (Play Music widget hidden in icon)
Covers (folder hidden in the Google Maps icon)
QuickTheme (search bar, dock bar and app shortcuts) harmonize with desktop wallpaper
However, many features of the Action launcher are only available in the paid version. For example, in order to access notification dots, application shortcuts, shutters, change individual icons and counters of unread notifications, you will have to pay 300 rubles. Even the Google Now integration (in beta) and the Weather widget (in alpha) are only available in the paid Plus version. So, if you decide to install the Action launcher, be prepared to pay, otherwise you will only be able to enjoy a limited set of features.
Another annoying feature of Action is the slowdown when changing settings, which manifests itself even on flagship models with the latest version of Android. Any changes in the settings cause a delay in work for 1-2 seconds, and an update of the image on the screen. And although other launchers also often experience screen updates (which is not surprising for unofficial applications), it is with Action that this problem manifests itself most clearly - regardless of device, Android version and amount of RAM. Otherwise, the application works without any pronounced shortcomings. So, for example, switching between the desktop and the menu is quite smooth.
All in all, Action is a great launcher with useful features that will definitely improve the user experience. If it wasn't for the screen refresh issue, and the fact that Nova offers many features in its free version, the Action could have topped our list.
3. Apex launcher
During the KitKat era, the Apex launcher was Nova's main competitor, but in recent years, it has somewhat lost ground. Apex has just as many customization features as the previous two launchers, and works without overlays. Its only problem is that there is nothing in it that would distinguish it favorably from the competitors who took the first and second places in our list. 
Like Nova, most of Apex's features are available in the free version. The paid Pro version, priced at $2.99, includes additional features: creating groups in the app drawer, an unread notification counter, widgets in the dock, and some useful gestures.
When it comes to implementing the latest Android features, Apex is lagging behind. As of today, the app does not support features such as adaptive icons, unread notification counters, notification dots, and app shortcuts. So, if you want to take advantage of Android Oreo right now, it's better to look for another launcher.
Now back to the Apex pros. The launcher has a theme manager that allows you to design your desktop in the same style. Themes can be easily downloaded from the Play Store. Depending on the chosen theme, you can change icons, backgrounds, skins and wallpapers. Today, the Play Store has a large selection of themes, most of which are free. 
Using a Theme in Apex
As we said, unfortunately, Apex does not have any interesting or unique features that make it stand out from other launchers. A large number of customization features allow it to bypass the Evie launcher, but for advanced users, Apex's capabilities may not be enough. Unlike Nova and Action, Apex lacks integration with the Google Now service, the menu is not as good as Nova's (though not the worst on our list), there are no additional features to optimize work like Action's.
Apex is a good launcher, but nothing more. If it suits you, then continue to use it further. If you want an improved version of Apex, we recommend switching to Nova or Action.
4. Evie Launcher
Evie is a simple launcher without any "bells and whistles". Its distinguishing features are intuitive design and simple operation. Such a launcher is suitable for beginners who will find it difficult to immediately understand the numerous functions of other launchers from our list. However, for more advanced users, Evie's simple functionality may not be enough.
One of the most useful features of Evie Launcher is that the process of setting each parameter is shown on the display in real time. This feature eliminates the need to guess whether everything is installed as it should. Evie's simple menus will also come in handy for beginners. 
Unlike other launchers, Evie only allows you to back up your settings to your Google account, this option is not available for local storage. This approach is good because it allows you to quickly transfer settings to another smartphone, which is convenient for novice users.
On the other hand, each section of the settings offers a maximum of eight options to choose from. This simplicity greatly limits the possibilities for personalization. For example, the launcher lacks features such as icon normalization, adaptive icons, notification dots, app shortcuts, and Google Now integration. In short, if you already have experience with desktop customization, Evie launcher is not for you.
One of Evie's strengths is the user interface design. Even without setting any individual settings, you will get a stylish design that is in harmony with your desktop wallpaper, thanks to the translucent search bar. Some interface elements are borrowed from iOS: for example, the swipe down search is reminiscent of Apple's Spotlight search, and the default background for the app drawer is made with a Gaussian blur effect. 
Evie is the only launcher on our list that doesn't have a paid version, so you don't have to pay a dime for all of its features (however few of them). In addition, the launcher has excellent performance - on all the devices we tested, it ran equally smoothly.
Apparently, Evie Labs (the manufacturer of Evie Launcher) is targeting a different audience than the other launchers on our list, namely those who are just starting to master home screen customization and are not ready to deal with a huge number of settings. Ease of use earns Evie a well deserved fourth place in our launcher rankings.
5. ADW Launcher
Another significant disadvantage of ADW is the limited functionality of the free version, which includes only a few icon packs, the ability to create application folders, as well as a number of options for creating transition effects. Even creating your own widgets is only available in the paid version of the launcher.
However, compared to many launchers that didn't make it to our list at all, ADW looks very decent. As you can see from the table, it has almost everything you would expect from a launcher. The only thing missing is integration with Google Now and more gestures for navigation. However, having to pay for features like creating your own widgets and animating transitions, combined with an illogical menu, pushed ADW to last place in our ranking.
Summary
Whichever of the five launchers you choose, your choice will be justified. In any case, you will get much more options for personalizing your desktop compared to the standard launcher on your smartphone. However, in our opinion, the first and second place launchers on our list clearly outperform the rest. The Nova launcher gets a well-deserved first place, Action "treads on its heels", while the rest are somewhat behind.
Launchers, with their many possibilities, have come about thanks to a wonderful feature of the Android platform, namely, the ability to personalize smartphones, to customize them according to our current needs. When you look at the device a hundred times a day, the same picture just can't help but get bored. Fortunately, launchers come to the rescue, which easily solve this problem.
When buying a new Android device, be it a smartphone or a tablet, everything suits us, but time passes, the appearance becomes boring and we want something new. But what if you still have a long way to go before buying a new gadget, but you want to update your appearance right now? Then special applications (themes), the so-called Launchers, come to our aid, allowing you to completely change the look of your Android device.
What is a launcher
If you do not know what a launcher is, then we will try to explain to you in simple words. Literally, translated from English, Launcher means a launcher (to launch something), in this case we are talking about launching applications on the Android system.
Launcher for Android (launcher, launcher) is a graphical way of designing the appearance of the operating system, which includes the desktop, menus, widgets, icons, lock screen, etc.
Currently, there are many different launchers that can be downloaded from the Google Play Market as a regular application. As a rule, most of them are free, or shareware, in which you are offered a Lite version with limited functionality. If you like the launcher, then you can purchase the full Pro version with advanced functionality.
How to change launcher
Launcher is one of the most important and basic applications in OC Android, it is he who provides user interaction with the device. Everything that you see on the screen of your smartphone or
tablet: desktop, widgets, menus, icons, lock screen and so on, displays a standard launcher.
To change the pre-installed launcher on your Android device, you need to select the launcher you like in the Google Play Play Market and follow a few simple steps:
How to uninstall launcher
Usually, uninstalling the launcher does not create any problems and it can be uninstalled in the same way as any other application or game.
- Open "Settings".
- Find and select the desired launcher from the list.
- In the menu that opens, click "Delete".
Difference between launcher and theme
Launcher and theme are the same? Out of habit, many people call launchers “theme” that were on old phones from the 2000s, which is not entirely correct. The difference between a launcher and a theme (shell) is that the launcher can add additional features, change the desktop and application menu. But the theme can be part of the launcher and already change larger areas, for example, it can give the overall style of the system, change the color of icons, change the appearance of settings, notification curtains, and so on.
The best launchers for Android
Now that you know what a launcher is and how to change it, it's time to introduce you to the 5 best launchers from the Google Play catalog.
Small, fast, smooth and safe launcher for Android in Russian. Become the designer of your Android, change the interface of your smartphone, decorate icon packs, themes and live wallpapers to your liking. You can find many popular themes in CM-Launcher, such as Hello Kitty, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, etc.
Features and Benefits:
- Over 10,000 free 3D themes, 2D icon packs, live wallpapers, contact themes to customize your phone interface.
- Security - Hide and lock apps to protect your privacy.
- Higher Efficiency - Quick search, smart app sorting and phone booster will make your life more efficient.
- The “1 tap boost” feature will speed up your phone and make it even easier and faster.
- Automatic organization of applications into smart folders (app drawer) to keep your menu organized.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
A lightweight and intelligent Android launcher that provides an intuitive service to over 300 million users around the world. Good optimization ensures the fastest and smoothest operation. Of the novelties in the launcher, there is a Free Swipe curtain that allows you to access recently used applications; you will also be pleased with the built-in news widgets, accelerator, flashlight, calculator, notepad and other useful features.
Features and Benefits:
- Improved App Market, with a comfortable browsing experience with an improved and simplified interface.
- Easy and fast cleaning of memory with one click.
- Easily search for apps sorted by category or frequency of use.
- Linked wallpapers allow you to link your desktop to your partner's or friend's table.
- Install new and amazing HD wallpapers for your home screen. Share your favorite images with APUS users around the world.
- All applications are collected in one convenient directory, with an easy search for your applications, sorted by list.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Make your smartphone beautiful and convenient. Yandex Launcher will help you customize the interface the way you like, and at the same time optimize your phone. Of the new products, you will be pleasantly surprised by the Yandex.Zen intelligent feed, just drag the screen to the right to see a feed of articles, videos and other materials selected based on your interests. The more you use Yandex.Zen, the more accurate the recommendations become.
Features and Benefits:
- Collections of built-in wallpapers and themes.
- Quick search across contacts, applications and the web.
- Widget-accelerator, with the ability to automatically terminate unnecessary processes.
- Clock widget with weather forecast.
- New applications - the launcher itself will advise what you might be interested in
- Yandex.Zen - a smart feed will select interesting news and publications for you.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Another popular launcher in Russian that replaces the home screen, changes icons, layouts, animations and more. The app strikes a balance between incredible performance and high customizability, while the launcher is easy to use and has many additional features.
Features and Benefits:
- Fast and smooth operation.
- Support for the choice of themes.
- Customize the desktop, menus, icons, gestures and so on.
- Infinite Scroll.
- Data backup/restore.
The launcher is one of the most powerful tools for adapting the shell for a tablet or smartphone to suit itself, but you should figure out what it is, because everyone uses them, and only a few can give a definition.
What is Launcher?
A "launcher" or "launcher" is an application built into Android or downloaded from Google Play, designed to easily launch other programs. It acts as an analogue of the desktop in Windows, and its name comes from English to launch - translated as “launch”. A single form of pronunciation has not yet been developed in the Russian language, so some pronounce "launcher" and others "launcher".
But launchers are not only a system component from Google, they are even used in games. For example, there is a Minecraft launcher for Android. It is designed to run the necessary modifications of the game. But the block launcher for Android is not unique in its kind, there are many analogues, not for Minecraft, but for other games.
It is impossible to choose the best launcher, there are dozens of them. The most useful and successful ones will be discussed below.
Pixel Launcher
This is a branded application from the search engine, exclusively created for the Google Pixel smartphone line. It can be installed on devices from other manufacturers. It differs, first of all, in perfect optimization and simplicity. Almost never lags, because it was created by OS developers for full integration with their services.
Pixel Launcher lacks a rich settings menu, but has everything you need for quick access to smartphone functionality. The application menu opens after swiping up on the dock. The usual menu button, which is often built into other Androids, was completely removed, thanks to which there was extra space for the icon. The horizontal grid of the desktop and the list of installed programs holds 5 icons, which is 1 more than the Google Now launcher designed for Nexus devices (they were replaced by Pixel). But the company has not abandoned another "chip" - the Google Now panel. It is still located on the left desktop and is a tab with the following set of cards:
- weather;
- reminders;
- relevant news for the user;
- doodle panel;
- search line.
On the main screen there is a Google Search button and a weather icon. Tap on the second causes a transition to the extended Google weather window. Clicking on the first shortcut instantly launches the search bar, in no other launcher does this happen so quickly.
The version for Android O, which is already available, added expanded notification icons above the app icons, other Android launchers do not have this.
Nova Launcher
The most popular launcher. Everyone fell in love with it for its excellent balance of simplicity, the number of settings (for example, it can be done exactly like Pixel), functionality and speed. Developers are trying to be the first to integrate the latest developments into it - both their own and borrowed from the Pixel Launcher.
Here there is already a place for customization fans to roam. Literally every panel is configured:
- desktops and everything on them;
- application menu (you can even create tabs for easy sorting);
- folders (on the desktop and in the list of programs);
- flipping animations;
- dock bar panels;
- application icons;
- gestures are supported, on which custom actions are allowed.
Among the recently introduced features, Google Now integration occupies a special place. But for now, this requires installing Nova Google Companion and activating it in the settings. After access to the panel can be accessed in the same way as on the Pixel Launcher.
Notification badges are present and work with all software on the phone. It is proposed to choose the style of their display, for example, numeric or dynamic. The TeslaCoil Software team does not abandon quick settings when the shortcut is held for a long time. It works exactly like the Google launcher, but with the Sesame Shortcuts add-on, you can customize the pop-up menu of quick actions yourself. This is a unique, useful feature, because not all developers adapt their software to the long press mechanics. Also, now they have opened the ability to search for any information on a smartphone, as the iPhone does (search the Internet, applications, contacts, SMS).
Holo Launcher
An ideal solution for weak smartphones, where the amount of RAM does not exceed 2 GB. The application is lighter than other "Android" launchers, so it will not overload the system and help unload other software from memory.
The aspect of interface settings is not disclosed here in the same way as in Nova, but this is a price for lightness and the absence of even minimal slowdowns. Outwardly, the solution looks like the same Nova, but with a reduced set of features. Although all the basic ones are present and work as expected. You can still adjust the desktop, application menu, even notification badges, but not for all programs, and by long tapping on the application icon, a pop-up menu of quick actions appears.
Action Launcher
Quite a customizable launcher, almost as good as the development of TeslaCoil Software in this parameter. Its distinguishing features are its huge gesture customization potential. You can install application launches, calls, actions with the system, etc. on them.
Still here the program menus and widgets are rethought. In addition to the standard mechanics of interacting with them, there are also alternative ones, such as, for example, calling the list of installed applications with a swipe to the center from the left frame of the screen. Widgets can be launched by swiping up on the app icon. But that's not all. A swipe from the right frame of the display pulls out the widget bar. It can be completely filled with them, saving space on the desktop.
The search bar at the top of the screen is also customizable, you can hang additional functions on it, and not just search on the Internet.
Outcome
"Android" launchers are represented by dozens of applications, but it is impossible to mention them all in the format of an article. Here we talked about the most famous and progressive ones, which sharply differ from each other in certain characteristics.
If the task is to choose the best launcher for Android, it is worth installing each of the ones mentioned above for testing.
Summarizing, we can draw the following result.
Pixel Launcher is for those who want the perfect experience without having to fiddle around with settings.
Nova Launcher - stable; the most technologically advanced, functional, fast-growing and highly customizable launcher for Android in Russian. But it consumes a lot of memory if it works with modifications.
Holo Launcher is simple, lightweight, with a basic set of features.
Action Launcher - customizable, with a wide range of gestures and widgets.
