Does Installing a Launcher wipe out your old data?

[A Stark]

I uninstalled Go Launcher, and lost several of the apps I installed after it was installed, and all my folders (with all the widgets in them) vanished completely. I've just managed to get everything downloaded and set up again on the original Nexus 4 interface. I'd really like to try another launcher (Nova), to get more dock space, but now I'm worried. Will I lose all my widgets again?

I have no idea how Launchers work, could someone tell me if there's a way to back up my complete layout? There's a backup and restore function in the main screen... but it clearly didn't work, I had to reinstall most of my apps and widgets and set them up again after deleting the Go Launcher. It wiped out all the folders I made completely too (made prior to installing GoLauncher).

The reason I uninstalled Go Launcher was because it would not let me turn on Bluetooth without a full reboot. At the main Bluetooth screen, when I clicked On, it would just click itself Off again. Without the launcher the Bluetooth works fine. Has anyone had a bluetooth conflict using Nova launcher?

 

[Rizy7]

Launchers do not remove any apps or widgets from your phone.. They only reset your homescreen so anything you had on your homescreens will get removed but they can be easily added again. I dont know why you had to download apps and widgets again. Downloading nova will give you a homescreen set up close to how your phone looked new out of the box. I would also recommend you download an app called home switcher which allows you to change between the different launchers you have installed.

 

[diabloking]

I uninstalled Go Launcher, and lost several of the apps I installed after it was installed, and all my folders (with all the widgets in them) vanished completely. I've just managed to get everything downloaded and set up again on the original Nexus 4 interface. I'd really like to try another launcher (Nova), to get more dock space, but now I'm worried. Will I lose all my widgets again?

I have no idea how Launchers work, could someone tell me if there's a way to back up my complete layout? There's a backup and restore function in the main screen... but it clearly didn't work, I had to reinstall most of my apps and widgets and set them up again after deleting the Go Launcher. It wiped out all the folders I made completely too (made prior to installing GoLauncher).

The reason I uninstalled Go Launcher was because it would not let me turn on Bluetooth without a full reboot. At the main Bluetooth screen, when I clicked On, it would just click itself Off again. Without the launcher the Bluetooth works fine. Has anyone had a bluetooth conflict using Nova launcher?

No launchers do not wipe your old data (app installs, etc), the only thing it wipes is the home screens as it they are only on that specific launcher. So if you get Nova launcher and set it up as you like but then remove it your setup will disappear but you should get your old one back on the stock launcher. Most of your launcher other than stock (someone correct me if I'm wrong) have a backup and restore feature in there settings.

 

[llamainmypocket]

The only apps that would stop working are the ones made for go launcher. Go locker, go keyboard, ect.

 

[Prash7]

Apex launcher also lets you import your current (stock) homescreen.

 

[A Stark]

Thanks for all the informative answers! I forgot that I refreshed the phone too... I read on another forum that it would help the bluetooth problem. The phone is only a few days old, so I didn't have much on it except for apps, so that was all I noticed missing. I'm just fumbling around trying to figure out how the phone works and how best to set it up. I guess I'll try Nova.

 

[Treknologist]

Apex launcher also lets you import your current (stock) homescreen.

Nova Launcher will also let you do this, which is very convenient!