What Launcher are YOU using?

[fludkilla]

I am very curious as to what everyone on a Pixel is using as a launcher. I been using the stock Pixel Launcher since I got the device (3 weeks?). I see a lot of people talking about Nova so I slapped it on. I have seen many customization vids and screen shots but I love just swiping to the left and Google now is there. I tried downloading the companion but I can't get it to work. I just want to know/see what the community likes to use.

 

[xxxmerlinxxx]

I'm using Nova with Pixel IP Dark icons. It's very plain and stock looking but with the numbered unread badges. It's worth the $5 for Nova Prime unless you can get in on one of their sales for .99. I also tried Lawnchair due to the ability to do some customization but I lost interest in finishing the setup. To be honest I never even used the stock pixel launcher , I went right to Nova.

 

[can3gxw]

Nova Prime. I tried the stock Pixel launcher for a day when I first got the phone, but not being able to modify/move the weather widget (which was slow updating the weather and location), I put Nova back on. Maybe when Android O drops I will go back to stock for a while to see.
But also - yes - buy Nova Prime. It's well worth it - especially since you can back up and restore your Nova settings.

 

[AustinTech]

Nova Prime. Gotta have the gestures.

 

[Mikey D_PhD]

Been using Nova Prime since 2014. The level of customization is awesome. I use a swipe up gesture for Google Now and plenty of others for settings and other things. It's a steal, even at full price and you can transfer it over if you get a new phone. Use the backup feature and save to Google Drive and you can have the same setup from an old phone to a new one as soon as all of your apps download.

 

[thunderup]

Nova Prime here. The level of customization is too much for me to give up.

 

[mmcclure0453]

Been on stock launcher since purchase. Heard a lot about Nova but have never tried. May have to give it a shot...

 

[Tom Wade94]

For me, I swap between the stock Pixel launcher and Nova Prime. Both awesome!

 

[kenorian]

Nova Prime. So flexible. And... I couldn't deal with not being able to backup and restore. When I get a new phone, that'll save me a couple of hours setting up my screens with all of the folders etc that I have.

 

[jlarkins08]

Actually been using stock pixel launcher since I purchased the device back in November.. For some reason I am not tired of it yet!

 

[anon(9803818)]

I don't have my Pixel (yet!) but I personally use Action Launcher. I used Nova for a while, but since I use way less apps now, AL makes the most sense for me. one page, with a swipe over QuickPage for my less used apps (settings, Slack, Playstore, etc)

I used to use a lot of widgets and swipe up shortcuts on Nova, either is a good option.

 

[fludkilla]

So many replies! I think ima play with Nova this weekend and try the swipe gesture for the google feed as per @Mikey D_PhD

 

[dlalonde]

Stock because I don't really use any of the gestures on Nova but I did buy the Prime when I had an S7 so I could go back someday. But the stock launcher suits me.

So many replies! I think ima play with Nova this weekend and try the swipe gesture for the google feed as per @Mikey D_PhD

Honestly it's the best non-stock launcher as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Rocketsaucev2]

I go back and forth between stock, Nova and action. Right now I'm on stock and have to qualms about anything. It sure is fast! Nova and action are both fun in their own right with lots of options to play with

 

[muzzy996]

Nova Prime. Some of the reasons over stock:

• Half grid spacing placement capability to break up the monotony of icon placement.
• Full control over widget size, padding (margin) and overlapping.
• Gestures (mostly swipe up for app drawer, down for notification)
• Ability to use custom icons (not specific to Nova but rather something most any custom launcher does).
• Gestures on icons - can set swipe up actions on any icon, very helpful to reduce clutter.

I'm sure other custom launchers share some or all of the features i listed as important to me above but these are just reasons why I always go with Nova over stock.

 

[RevMG]

Everyone was raving about the Nova Launcher so I went ahead and installed the free version. Wowzers! This thing rocks! I've only had my Google pixel phone for 2 days and had been using the default launcher.. and I just realized what I've been missing. I can already see that I'll be buying Nova Prime.

 

[can3gxw]

Everyone was raving about the Nova Launcher so I went ahead and installed the free version. Wowzers! This thing rocks! I've only had my Google pixel phone for 2 days and had been using the default launcher.. and I just realized what I've been missing. I can already see that I'll be buying Nova Prime.

I bought my Nova Prime the day after I installed Nova Free. That was a couple of years ago now and I don't regret it. Ever. The biggest thing to me, other than the points that muzzy brings up is the ability to BACK UP AND RESTORE your home screens. You can back it up to your Google Drive account, so when you factory reset your Pixel after getting Android O, you don't have to spend hours trying to remember how you had your home screens set up. Just restore from your backup.