MULTIVERSENew launcher to replace Nova?
Grail
Hello folks. Four minutes ago, I got a notification that Nova now has ads, despite Me disabling updates. Three minutes ago, I uninstalled Nova. Any recommendations for a new launcher?
My ideal launcher would be completely free, have plenty of customisation options, and the only updates would be bugfixes and op-in features that I am not notified about. I first installed Nova years ago, to make My new phone’s home screen look like the last one’s. And I’m not about to change My ways now, so hopefully the new launcher lets Me recreate the look and feel of the very first smartphone I ever owned over a decade ago.
All the best,
A cranky old wizard
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Lawnchair would be my best bet. I’ve had issues with icon packs not applying only to the home screen which makes me stop using it, but it’s a pretty solid experience if you’d ask me
Does Lawnchair let you use app icons with different shapes? I hate it when the icons are all the same shape, it makes it impossible to find anything. I like it when the email looks like a letter so then I just look for the letter and I’ve got it. I don’t want to look for a circle with a letter in it, that’s too hard.
Yes. Make sure you’re installing the beta, they never really release stable anymore from what I can tall.
This is the way.
i use lawnchair legacy (as well as
EblanEinstein and dragOn) and it let’s you customize any icon with whatever png you would like (or you can choose any icon from a packMy top customizable FOSS launchers:
Kvaesisto
Search-based with native-themed widgets and app drawer. Lots of integrations, reliable, and my personal daily driver.
Lawnchair
Drop-in replacement for Pixel launcher with some friendly features. Very active development.
Ion Launcher
Automatic app folders by category and decent customization options.
Einstein Launcher
Highly customizable and built from scratch. It’s under 3MB and already pretty capable, although it’s a young project and still in alpha
I also switched to Kvaesisto from Nova. Its quite different, and I had to get used to it, but I really love it now. I don’t think I’ll ever want to switch.
Also there is an old post with good comments https://lemmy.zip/post/48283807
I switched to Lawnchair
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I’m nobody’s brother. I would begrudgingly agree to be called sister, but most prefer to be called sibling, and to be addressed with capitalised They/Them pronouns.
Niagara, I can find any app in less than 1 second. But you need to remember the name or just use favorite.
I’m the same way and finally had to accept I’m going to need to change because Nova isn’t coming back 😭 and to my knowledge nobody is recreating foss.
Kvaesitso is what I went with. It’s a different style of launcher but very well put together. So far I’ve been quite happy.
I went with Kvaesitso as well, but if you, @Grail, cannot get used to it do give Lawnchair a try. It currently seems like the most developed AOSP based FOSS launcher.
You bought a Fairphone because you care about the environment and don’t like slavery.
I bought a Fairphone because I want to keep using it for the next decade.
We are exactly the same.
I was in a similar situation a few weeks back and even though Nova was set to not auto update and blocked internet access, I want to try something new. Someone suggested Octopi and I’m glad I made the switch. Has all the features from Nova that I loved and used. A little finicky but overall I’m happy with it. It has 2 in app purchases that are more support the Dev than unlock special features.
I can barely tell the difference between Nova and Octopi so easy to transition to and set up. Good luck in the search.
Lawnchair was too buggy for me. Smart Launcher lets you import a Nova backup so you get your Nova layout back immediately. Instant purchase.
The only thing it doesn’t have is infinite scroll on the home screen. Which took like 45 seconds to adjust to.
So yeah, my vote is for Smart Launcher.
Do they have a free option?
Fossify Launcher.
Free as in beer? Yes. Free as in open source? No. I used it for a long time and really liked it.
I also used the paid version at a certain point to support the devs. It unlocks a few cool features.
FYI of you install an app from the APK ("sideload"), it will never update via any app store and you’ll stay on that version
I was on Nova for several years happily. I’m now on the free version of Total Launcher, and it’s pretty fun. It’s extremely customizable, more so than Nova was.
I tried Lawnchair but it was far too basic for me.
I went from a decade with nova to Dragon Launcher recently. It was weird at the start, but I’m starting to like it more and more
I tried Niagara but no luck, I’m on Smart now but it’s not foss, there’s a free version but lacks fundamental options to me.
Lawnchair wasn’t bad either
I’m one of those people who hate change. I like things just working like the have. The closest I got was Smart Launcher after importing my nova config, though the drawer wasn’t right, the Google search bar I’ve used forever didn’t work anymore, I couldnt get double click of the home button to open Gemini voice anymore, also didn’t like the search ui as much, and didn’t like being able to swipe sideways to get to search (I’ve used a single home screen for a long time).
I’m sure I could be less stubborn and learn but I’m stubborn and happy with what I have.
For now I’ve blocked updates to nova and am still using it.
Makes me wonder how well an AI would do at decompiling an old nova, removing tracking, etc.
I’d only use an AI for a job like that if it were either too simple to learn or advanced enough to consent. That grey area in between where LLMs lie, it’s like a child. I don’t agree with child labour.
I got Lawnchair set up close enough to approximate My old config, and then I went and installed the TREK theme for Total. Now My phone is a PADD, it’s great. Terrible terrible UX, but as I learn and configure it and get better at using it, I start feeling like a Starfleet Officer.
Ive been using Lynx Launcher. I wanted something quick, simple, effective, and this was it.
Probably not your preferred style, but I use μLauncher https://github.com/jrpie/Launcher
@Grail I don't plan to replace my v.7 one with anything else. It is working fine for me and that's all what matters. I just only blocked/excluded it from any (even accidental) updates and I'll stick with as long as it gets.
Nice to see some here I haven’t heard of before. Looking forward to checking some of these out.
I’ve been trying Olauncher since another thread like this maybe a week ago. It’s alright so far, though very much the opposite of what OP wants. (100% text based, no icons, no sorting)
It’s fine on my phone, but ideally I’d like the same interface on all my devices, and I don’t know if I’d enjoy Olauncher on my tablet.
I personally use Neo Launcher but its development is slow.
I also got that notification on several of my devices. But I have not seen any ads. Maybe because I use DNSNET.
I kinda like Lawnchair also.
I switched from Nova to Smart Launcher.
A shout-out to Niagara Launcher 👍