"Launcher3 has stopped" & "Launcher3 keeps stopping"

[messypotamia]

All I did last night was demonstrate to myself how to bring the phone up in safe mode, then satisfied I could do this if I ever had to (if you ever have a security issue, etc), I powered it down and went to bed.
Turned it on this morning and when it came up, and I swiped to open the screen the only thing I got was subj message box. Reboot, reboot to safe mode, reboot to normal, I had no screens or apps access. (If I selected a notification it would open that app, e.g. browser, weather, etc).
Google the problem and you'll be told to go into your setting->apps->Launcher3 and clear it's cache, and since I had to clear it's memory too I guess that means you lose *everything* you had on your screens. Really pisses me off --- no way you should have to do this just because you utilized safe mood boot. (And no, I didn't do anything while in safe mode that should've hosed Launcher3 -- this just shouldn't happen).
//MP

 

[andrew_ackley]

Aw man I didn't even realize this phone used garbage launcher3

 

[messypotamia]

Aw man I didn't even realize this phone used garbage launcher3

Wow guess I don't know anything about "Launcher..." what's it's purpose? What should they have used? Thx. //mp

 

[andrew_ackley]

Wow guess I don't know anything about "Launcher..." what's it's purpose? What should they have used? Thx. //mp

So each "launcher" is different. The launcher is essentially your desktop or home screen. It manages what your apps folder looks like and your home screen. There are lots to choose from. I use the pixel launcher usually, the one google releases on its phones. There are some good ones like nova launcher that allow you to customize and customize your phone until you can't stand it anymore lol. Every new launcher you install looks different. Go to the play store and try a few out.

 

[andrew_ackley]

Oh and btw launcher3 isn't the one I was thinking of its a good one. I was thinking of the one verizon pre-loads on their phones that I'm pretty sure track all of your app and taps. I can't recall the name of it now.

 

[msp1518]

What launcher would you recommend for a iPhone guy? I have been using iOS for years and years and believe me, the switch will be painful. I'd prefer to have a more iOS type experience that I can slowly change over time as I assimilate.

I have the S8 for about 10 days and found it to be gorgeous looking, but truly shocking to the system ti use. I had a bi*** of a time navigating. When I then tried the PH-1 (at launch) it was not quite as bad, but still felt lost most of the time.

 

[Roosterman]

I've been using Microsoft Launcher. It works well and I like it. I don't know how shocking to the system it would be for an iOS user. One of the features I like is that it changes the background picture each day using the Bing Wallpaper.

 

[messypotamia]

Oh and btw launcher3 isn't the one I was thinking of its a good one. I was thinking of the one verizon pre-loads on their phones that I'm pretty sure track all of your app and taps. I can't recall the name of it now.

Thanks for the info, that makes sense since my 'desktop' totally disappeared, and, when I cleared cache & memory on Launcher3, I had my single blank home screen.

Question about Launcher replacements... If I try a new one on this phone, and want to revert back or change again, how does it retain all the screen setups? I hope I don't have to set up my screens all over again.
Thanks.

 

[modifier]

Question about Launcher replacements... If I try a new one on this phone, and want to revert back or change again, how does it retain all the screen setups? I hope I don't have to set up my screens all over again.
Thanks.

Yes, you can switch between launchers and they'll retain previous settings.

 

[messypotamia]

Update: I asked Essential support about the behaviour, e.g. after starting in Safe Mode then returning to regular boot, my desktop completely disappeared because Launcher3 kept crashing and required me to clear the app cache *and* app memory in order to get it to start up again. They keep responding with questions like asking me what launcher I was using which hosed default Launcher3, and other things that don't apply in my situation, as they the tech cannot understand. Maybe he doesn't have an answer. Anyway, I'm still gunshy about ever booting into safe mode, I hope I never have to. If anybody has any knowledge about safe mode for this phone or what possibly caused my experience please let me know.

 

[MariBic]

Hey, everyone! I just wanted to offer a few tips for anyone who was having the same problem. Hopefully, this will help! Please be understanding if this seems basic, but I was so distraught and anxious that simple solution didn't immediately occur to my mind. I am just sharing a very simple way how you can also solve this issue on your own.

In my case, it was kind of worse - my android kept popping up the same error message (Launcher 3 has stopped) every few seconds that it was IMPOSSIBLE to go to Play Store on my mobile so that I could get a different launcher from there. If you at least keep the icon of Play Store on your desktop screen you are good. However, when that error popped up, I absolutely was prevented from going in my actual menu layout. I also kept my desktop neat - no icons - to admire the wallpaper, so it was doubly a pain in my case.

The only way how I solved the issue eventually was to put away my phone, grab my laptop, go to play store on it and download a new launcher via my pc to my mobile. Just confirm your google account and password there and your download will start. Thankfully, it solved the issue. After the download was complete, I unlocked my phone and I simply selected the new launcher once that error message popped up again. And that's it! Enjoy your new launcher!

P.S. Useful advice? Download at least two extra different launchers in case you have that problem again with your new launcher! Works for me! But seriously mobiles can be so annoying!