Any advantages of 3rd party launcher for Pixel 6?

[GoNavy79]

I've only used stock launchers and am wondering how difficult is it to setup, and if I want to return to stock how difficult is it to do so. What is your preference for a 3rd party launcher and why?

 

[Javier P]

Third party launchers are very easy to use, once installed you start with basically a copy of what you originally had with the stock launcher and then you dig in the settings to change things that work for you.

Switching between launchers requires just a couple of clicks, keeping your setup untouched in all of them. Settings - Apps & Notifications - Default apps - Home app and then select, just like that.

Third party launchers offer much more options to customize your home screens and app drawer. I would divide this customisation in two groups, aesthetical and functional.

Aesthetical. You can change grid, icons, labels, status bar, search widget, colours, transparencies, dock, sizes, padding, you name it. It all depends on how you want your homescreen to look like.

Functional. This is the most important part for me. You can backup your setups, have gestures on your homescreen that trigger apps or actions, swipe actions on icons so the same shortcut open three different things ...

It all depends on how important is the look of your homescreens and how many actions you want to control from them. For my needs the best launcher is Nova Prime.

 

[GoNavy79]

Third party launchers are very easy to use, once installed you start with basically a copy of what you originally had with the stock launcher and then you dig in the settings to change things that work for you.

Switching between launchers requires just a couple of clicks, keeping your setup untouched in all of them. Settings - Apps & Notifications - Default apps - Home app and then select, just like that.

Third party launchers offer much more options to customize your home screens and app drawer. I would divide this customisation in two groups, aesthetical and functional.

Aesthetical. You can change grid, icons, labels, status bar, search widget, colours, transparencies, dock, sizes, padding, you name it. It all depends on how you want your homescreen to look like.

Functional. This is the most important part for me. You can backup your setups, have gestures on your homescreen that trigger apps or actions, swipe actions on icons so the same shortcut open three different things ...

It all depends on how important is the look of your homescreens and how many actions you want to control from them. For my needs the best launcher is Nova Prime.

That was very informative. Thank you very much.

 

[Javier P]

That was very informative. Thank you very much.

No problem. If you want to try a custom launcher I'd recommend you to start with a free version and play a bit with it. Nova would be my first choice.

Let us know if you need any help in that process.

 

[MarcusAlan]

Does the pixel launcher have the same gestures ability?

1 finger swipe down
2 finger swipe down
1 finger swipe up
2 finger swipe up
Finger rotation
and more.....

an don't forget removing the google search bar/

 

[MarcusAlan]

.....and if I want to return to stock how difficult is it to do so. ....

Super easy, the go-to for most is Nova. There is a setting where you chose which launcher - Pixel of Nova, so you don;t even have to uninstall anything. I got the paid version, though it was so long ago I don't even remember the added features

 

[bcfour]

I like the ability to organize my app drawer and configure my desktop grid size to something other than 5x5 max. Until the stock browser allows it, I'm sticking with Nova.

 

[bkdodger2]

Does the pixel launcher have the same gestures ability?

1 finger swipe down
2 finger swipe down
1 finger swipe up
2 finger swipe up
Finger rotation
and more.....

an don't forget removing the google search bar/

Gestures, gestures, gestures indeed and plenty of icons across the screen. Oh, and let's hide the status bar by pinching my fingers in when I want to hide it

 

[idiotekniques]

Every time I get a new phone I try a couple launchers and always go back to Nova. This time going from my pixel 5 to 6 pro I didn't even bother trying any others out, it's so good.

 

[mxmarcus]

I am going for Nova

 

[GoNavy79]

I am going for Nova

So far, most people say they love Nova.

 

[mustang7757]

So far, most people say they love Nova.

Nova been a long time go to launcher

 

[lcs101]

So far, most people say they love Nova.

Nova plays a large role in keeping me on Android.

 

[beantownsouth]

I am going for Nova

I tested 6 or 7 launchers over the last month. Settled on Nova 7. Had it installed for two days and bought it. Absolutely no regrets. Well except, Mustang and his damn suggestions keep cost me more money! ROFLMAO

My Pixel 5 is small compared to the P6 or the P6 Pro, I gained a bunch of real estate with Nova.
Pixel launcher.......................................................................Nova launcher

 

[neil74]

I miss Nova but have not been able to use it since android 11, I just cannot unsee all the animation quirks and stuff that does not quite work totally.

For me a pre-requiste for any 3rd launcher is that they offer a smmoth an experience as stock.

 

[beantownsouth]

I miss Nova but have not been able to use it since android 11, I just cannot unsee all the animation quirks and stuff that does not quite work totally.

For me a pre-requiste for any 3rd launcher is that they offer a smmoth an experience as stock.

I'm using the Nova Launcher Prime version 7. The animations on my P5 are every bit as smooth as the stock Pixel launcher in Android 12.

 

[bkdodger2]

I'm using the Nova Launcher Prime version 7. The animations on my P5 are every bit as smooth as the stock Pixel launcher in Android 12.

Exactly same here no issues with quirks ..

 

[mxmarcus]

It's a matter of preference

 

[beantownsouth]

It's a matter of preference

And that is why we love having choices. Nova has so many configuration you can change, it takes some getting used to. But once I got it dialed in/setup to my liking, backed it up so I won't ever have to start from scratch again, I couldn't be happier. One item on Windows Mobile I severely missed, and Nova gives it back. I can get rid of swipe left for the Google app and replace it with what ever I want. I use it for my widget screen.

 

[qnet]

I run Nova Launcher on all my Samsung phones, but haven't been running it on Pixel or OnePlus phones. Other than the search bar at the bottom, that can't be removed, I like the pixel launcher. I may try Nova when I get my 6 pro. The cool thing about Nova is they're always working on it and updating.