Google Now Launcher

[blg923]

I was not a fan of the update to the Google App that changed the Now Launcher to the look of Lollipop. For whatever reason, the OS wouldn't allow updates to be uninstalled from the Google App but accessing through the Play Store would. For anyone interested in getting the old transparent look back, here are the steps:

1. Go to your installed app list in the Play Store and select the Google App.
2. Select Uninstall Updates
3. Voila, your launcher is back to the old look.
No need to install via sideload any updated version of the Google App since it will already be at 3.9.

 

[B. Diddy]

Good tip, thanks!

 

[doogald]

I was not a fan of the update to the Google App that changed the Now Launcher to the look of Lollipop. For whatever reason, the OS wouldn't allow updates to be uninstalled from the Google App...

FWIW, this was because you had the Now launcher as the active launcher. If you switch to another launcher (settings / home) temporarily, you can then uninstall updates from the Google app.

To be honest, I prefer the updates to the Google app more than the old look, but thanks for the tip. (I've been trying out Action Launcher, now at 3.2, for the last few weeks and there is a lot I like about it - among other things, it has the same GN layout, with two home screens that can be added to by dragging an icon right, and Google Now can still be accessed by swiping to the right from the left-most home screen - but I may end up switching back to the GN launcher, because it is more than good enough.)

 

[blg923]

Good to know, thanks doogald. All personal preference I guess, for me, I always enable a dark theme just bc the brightness strains the eyes after sitting at a PC all day. I must admit, I don't understand the move to the simple white app drawer. It seems like some things get more elegant and others get reverted to what I would expect from a phone years ago. (eg. iOS8...will never understand the move to such a flat design).

Thanks again.