Are the days of 3rd party launchers numbered?

[Deleted member 12936]

Ever since gestures were baked into android the performance of 3rd party launchers has become less seamless and just a generally worse experience (IMO). I am mostly seeing it when navigating back to home where I often get a delay or extra animation and app switcher is also a little clunky.

Don’t get me wrong it’s not terrible but it is enough to push me back to the stock launcher on my pixel whereas I have previously used nova for years.

Just me or is the writing on the wall for 3rd party launchers?

100% this. I prefer Nova or Lawnchair over the stock Pixel launcher, and about the only feature I use from them is the ability to hide app icons I don't want to see/use. I also noticed a big performance drop and some strange functionality (that could only be fixed by restarting) using the gesture controls when using these other launchers. Initially I hoped it would be better after the Android 11 beta ended, but no such luck. I'm still using stock, but whenever I see word that the gesture controls are working seamlessly on custom launchers I'll be changing back in a heartbeat.

 

[HyperM3]

Until I can add extra home screens on the stock launcher, Ill continue using Nova. Also, I like that I can have an icon bar on the bottom of Nova swipe to other apps without changing the actual screen.

 

[forestinjersey]

I like them, I don't really use gestures so launchers work fine for me with 3 button navigation. Niagara Launcher is my favorite

 

[JesseMacoco]

I've been using Nova launcher with prime on my Galaxy Note devices for atleast 8 years. I still have it installed on my Note9, but I don't use it as much since Samsung now provides ways to "theme" your device. I used to try to incorporate some of Google's UI ideas into my Note devices, but now that I also own a Pixel 4XL, if I need that experience, I just simply use the Pixel. Once the itch has been scratched, it's back to One UI on my Note9.

 

[jazman_777]

I've used Nova for a long time, now on my Pixel 4a it feels a little janky at times, so I'm using the stock launcher for now.

 

[cbreze]

I like the OEM launcher that comes on the pixel. I just wish it had a couple of simple customizations. Hiding never used icons and also hiding the top notification bar. Gives my pixel a cleaner look. Customization is good but my ideas of it have really toned down over the last couple of years. I doubt 3rd party launcher days are numbered, at least not yet.

 

[cbreze]

I like them, I don't really use gestures so launchers work fine for me with 3 button navigation. Niagara Launcher is my favorite

I like Niagara launcher save for a couple of things. Using the resize option for the top widget is pretty frustrating and depending on the widget is really hit/miss. Also, would be nice to have colored font options as the all white font column of apps is way to generic.
Have you ever tried the new smart launcher 5 beta? THis launcher never stops amazing me especially with the absolute customization you can do with the widgets as far as resizing, moving and putting them anywhere. (above the icons)
Also can be applied on top of one another, for instance I have a clear analog clock on screen and moved a battery App into the clock placing it precisely where I wanted it for a tidy little dual purpose widget. I’ve never seen a launcher that has such exact positioning for widgets.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I gave up launchers as Samsung brought so much customisation to OneUI.

 

[cknobman]

I love Microsoft Launcher. Love it so much I stopped using Nova Prime.

OneUI doesnt allow vertical scrolling of app drawer = instant no go.

 

[delta7]

I think so, more security, less flaws and issues ala Apple.

Makes sense, I see a company buying Nova and making it stock on their phones.

 

[customshopkv1]

I gave up launchers as Samsung brought so much customisation to OneUI.

This

 

[Stanley Kubrick]

What? Not sure what launcher you are talking about but I have never seen a launcher drain the battery. At least not Nova. YMMV

 

[Adam Frix]

..at least they are going to add double tap to sleep...

Ah, finally I'll get what my Blackberry KEYone had.

I still have a single empty icon space in the middle of the bottom row, a holdover from those days, hoping to be able to use that space for double tap. I liked it.

Of course, Samsung solved the problem themselves in OneUI with custom navigation icons that include a sleep icon...

 

[Adam Frix]

Until I can add extra home screens on the stock launcher

Huh?

I have three home screens. I swipe among them.

 

[Morty2264]

I've never used third-party launchers all that much. I stook to my Pixel Launcher on my Pixel 2 and am pretty obsessed with Samsung's UI, and so I haven't changed that, either.

That being said, there are a ton of users who crave the differentiation that launchers provide - I don't think they'll be going away anytime soon.

 

[neil74]

The other thing I love is how quickly you can set up a new phone, install Nova restore backup and off you go. Seamless.

 

[Morty2264]

The other thing I love is how quickly you can set up a new phone, install Nova restore backup and off you go. Seemless.

That's true. Then your new phone could still have that tried-and-true format. I've seen a few users on AC say the same thing when getting new devices.

 

[cbreze]

I don’t think 3rd party launchers are going anywhere anytime soon. Until Google lets more customization into their pixel launcher there will continue to be a demand. Lots of things they could let the user do that I won’t get into. I like the stock launcher but prefer my file of stored 3rd party launchers even more. Variety is what having an android phone is all about for me.

 

[mustang7757]

I don’t think 3rd party launchers are going anywhere anytime soon. Until Google lets more customization into their pixel launcher there will continue to be a demand. Lots of things they could let the user do that I won’t get into. I like the stock launcher but prefer my file of stored 3rd party launchers even more. Variety is what having an android phone is all about for me.

No I don't see 3rd party launcher going away anytime soon

 

[neil74]

Bump, changed my S20 to the N20 Ultra and it just does not work properly with either Nova or Lawnchair with gestures. The extra animation/delay when swiping up for home is worse on the Note than it was on the S20. Frustrating thing is that it does not happen every time either. I am back on stock launcher for now.

Looking at the bigger picture if this issue is not going to get fixed (and given how long it has been evident I am not sure it will be) then if android has compromised 3rd launcher functionality moving forward that is a big negative for me.