Custom Launcher or One UI?

[Brew Swayne]

Anyone running a 3rd party launcher or is One UI the consensus favorite? I know that a 3rd party launcher like Nova disables the taskbar, but as far as I've seen so far, that's the only notable feature that you lose. One UI has come a long way over the years, but it's still lacking when it comes to simple customization features, like being able to rename apps, easily change icon packs, create "hidden" folders that open by swiping up on an app icon, etc, etc. Many of the Nova features I love simply aren't available (yet) in the native launcher.

For those using One UI, what are some things about it that a long time Nova user (10+ years) might not be aware of?

 

[Ludatyk]

Not sure why you would want to rename apps unless you want to remove app labels… but you can change icon packs via Theme Park (Good Lock) and I believe there’s a way to create a Secure Folder which will help in keeping a folder hidden.

But I rather go through the Home Screen Settings and hide apps.

 

[Brew Swayne]

Not sure why you would want to rename apps unless you want to remove app labels… but you can change icon packs via Theme Park (Good Lock) and I believe there’s a way to create a Secure Folder which will help in keeping a folder hidden.

But I rather go through the Home Screen Settings and hide apps.

Sometimes the given name of an app is excessively long and I want to shorten it up. Other times, the app name might not clearly describe what exactly the app does, so I want to give it a less ambiguous name.

The hidden folder thing isn't for actually hiding apps, but it allows me to swipe up on an app in my dock to reveal a folder of apps. It's basically quick access to my most frequently used /favorite apps.

Changing app icons through Theme Park only changes about half of my apps,which leaves me needing to manually change remaining apps. Not to mention that there doesn't seem to be an automatic masking option, so if the icon pack I'm using doesn't have a replacement option for a particular app, the icon remains in its stock state and looks completely out of place with the rest.

 

[mustang7757]

One UI for me still have Nova as back up and ready for time to time

 

[Bkdodger1]

I decided last night to try the OneUI stock launcher although it's been forever lol.. any way to make the app drawer go vertical? Transition seem to be a little bit smoother on Nova.. is everyone running separate screens outside inside or are they using the same screen set up inside to outside?

 

[srgonu]

I decided last night to try the OneUI stock launcher although it's been forever lol.. any way to make the app drawer go vertical? Transition seem to be a little bit smoother on Nova.. is everyone running separate screens outside inside or are they using the same screen set up inside to outside?

There is nothing like One UI for me on mobile platforms now. I read vertical app drawer is going to be option in One UI 7.0 but not sure if you can already do it with Good lock or not. I do use two screen setups for inner and outer (I missed it a lot when using Pixel Fold).

 

[Bkdodger1]

I've been doing some searching and I think you're correct 7.0 most likely will bring vertical app drawer scrolling... Also running separately right now and it does help to have the taskbar along with the edges


Nothing crazy with my setups just tried to keep the first screen clear when opened and the second screen to the right does more lifting includes stackable widgets

 

[mustang7757]

Yeah 7.0 is going to be a redesign Samsung OS , hope they do it right.

 

[Bkdodger1]

Let's go Samsung really simple stuff should be in from the longest. When are they targeting 7.0 ?

 

[mustang7757]

Let's go Samsung really simple stuff should be in from the longest. When are they targeting 7.0 ?

It has been delayed because of bugs but I'm thinking towards the end of this month or first week of September

 

[Bkdodger1]

It has been delayed because of bugs but I'm thinking towards the end of this month or first week of September

Oh not so bad I guess if we don't get any more hiccups

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

It has been delayed because of bugs but I'm thinking towards the end of this month or first week of September

They have to beat Apple IOS 18.

Instead of creating a new post I'll put this in the same post. I've read that nova launcher may be going away, pretty much the original developer is the only one running it, the company that bought it pretty much is walking away from it, removed all the team that was working on it.

 

[Bkdodger1]

They have to beat Apple IOS 18.

Instead of creating a new post I'll put this in the same post. I've read that nova launcher may be going away, pretty much the original developer is the only one running it, the company that bought it pretty much is walking away from it, removed all the team that was working on it.

Yes sir layoffs and just one lone developer

Nova Launcher (Bad News)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=4950&share_tid=1070988&url=https://forums.androidcentral.com/index.php?threads/Nova-Launcher-%28Bad-News%29-%F0%9F%98%A2.1070988/&share_type=t&link_source=app

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Yes sir layoffs and just one lone developer

Nova Launcher (Bad News)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=4950&share_tid=1070988&url=https://forums.androidcentral.com/index.php?threads/Nova-Launcher-%28Bad-News%29-%F0%9F%98%A2.1070988/&share_type=t&link_source=app

That sucks, nova is a great launcher, probably the best. I always wished Samsung would buy it for their phones.

 

[Bkdodger1]

That sucks, nova is a great launcher, probably the best. I always wished Samsung would buy it for their phones.

I’m with you on them thoughts. I’ve been supporting it since it’s early days including many betas

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I’m with you on them thoughts. I’ve been supporting it since it’s early days including many betas

I still don't think it works with the fold phones the greatest. Seems like the app icons are a little slow to show when you open to the inside screen.

 

[Bkdodger1]

I still don't think it works with the fold phones the greatest. Seems like the app icons are a little slow to show when you open to the inside screen.

Definitely could use lager foldable improvements. I’ve had a few instances where the icons change a bit in size from what is currently setup.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Definitely could use lager foldable improvements. I’ve had a few instances where the icons change a bit in size from what is currently setup.

That's exactly what happens to me, that drives my OCD crazy.

I also prefer using the taskbar and that's not supported with nova.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I switch back and forth but always land back on Nova. OneUI is faster and smoother than Nova but lacks customization that I've come to rely on and don't want to install a bunch of third party apps just to do what I could before to use OneUI launcher.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Let's go Samsung really simple stuff should be in from the longest. When are they targeting 7.0 ?

This article is interesting. https://www.sammobile.com/news/one-ui-7-0-will-feel-completely-different-even-in-early-beta/