Does Android nonetheless want third-party launchers?

With the power to change up the aesthetics, customise the performance and navigation, and add new options, the infinite tweakability of the working system lies proper on the coronary heart and soul of what makes Android so distinctive. It won’t be the one differentiator between Android and iOS, however the potential to make your cellphone your individual is undoubtedly a driving issue within the recognition of the OS.

The important thing to that performance is putting in among the finest Android launchers. It’s typically been debated that customized launchers aren’t as needed anymore. Many, however not all, out-of-the-box launchers have cribbed options from the alternate options or introduced their very own distinctive tackle the consumer expertise. Nevertheless, I consider that in 2024, a customized launcher is simply as necessary, if no more so.

Infinite customization

Create an aesthetic that may be a reflection of your character

Look, personalization is pricey to me. In contrast to the uniform model imposed by iOS, I like the truth that my Android cellphone is an extension of myself. Whereas the default launcher on most telephones enables you to tweak fairly just a few points of the interface, third-party launchers allow you to go properly past. Be it putting in a few of the greatest icon packs, new methods to launch apps, up-sized widgets, and even the app drawer, third-party launchers will let you tweak each facet of your cellphone’s interface. These days, I have been utilizing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. It is among the finest Android telephones round, however attempt as I’d, I simply can’t get used to the horizontal scrolling app drawer.

My private favourite, Nova Launcher, lets me swap that as much as my most well-liked vertical scroll. Not simply the app drawer, the launcher permits me to get down and soiled with granular controls for the house display screen. For instance, I want to alter the grid dimension on the house display screen to maximise the variety of icons I can place for a extra information-dense dashboard. In the meantime, different launchers like Niagara Launcher emphasize minimalism with a set of favourite apps positioned on the house display screen.

For those who’re feeling nostalgic, alternate options like Launcher 10 allow you to replicate the Home windows Cellular expertise in your cellphone. All it takes is a fast set up from the Play Retailer and any of the very best Android launcher apps round can utterly overhaul your smartphone’s interface.

Options galore

Supercharge the interface

In fact, putting in a third-party launcher is not simply concerning the aesthetics. Customized launchers can doubtlessly add an entire vary of performance to your cellphone. As I discussed earlier, I want an information-dense grid of icons and widgets. Nova Launcher lets me go properly past the capabilities of the default OnePlus launcher on my OnePlus Open. The 10×7 grid on my lock display screen may be an excessive amount of for some, nevertheless it’s uniquely my very own and, extra importantly, would not be doable with no third-party launcher.

Equally, I’ve configured a collection of gestures on my lock display screen that set off particular brief actions like launching my favourite playlist on Spotify with a swipe or a brand new be aware in Google Hold. These energy consumer options are a key motive I preserve returning to my most well-liked third-party launcher.

A quicker consumer expertise

Breathe new life into older telephones

For those who’re the type of consumer who holds on to their cellphone for years on finish, a third-party launcher may be your greatest pal. It is inevitable that with years of utilizing and putting in apps, widgets, and extra, the default launcher in your cellphone begins feeling a bit sluggish. Furthermore, not each model is proactive with porting over the most recent function additions to the launcher on older telephones. A 3rd-party launcher solves the issue.

Apps like Motion Launcher, OLauncher, and others are constructed with frugal RAM necessities in thoughts. The apps could make an growing older Android cellphone fly and breathe new life into the {hardware}. Furthermore, these launchers can add new options like gestures or the Google Uncover feed in case your cellphone does not assist it. It is the quickest and best approach to delay the life span of a well-loved smartphone.

Familiarity

A constant interface throughout telephones

It may be a controversial opinion, however in a world the place smartphones have achieved a level of standardization, sticking to a model for familiarity isn’t a adequate motive. Be it the Pixel’s wonderful digital camera, Samsung’s S Pen capabilities, or Vivo’s unimaginable bokeh — there’s a world of wonderful {hardware} so that you can discover. Or maybe you’re a tech fanatic like me, at all times trying to improve or juggle a number of telephones concurrently. A customized launcher means that you can preserve a well-known setup it doesn’t matter what smartphone you go for.

In my case, I’ve been on the Nova Launcher bandwagon for years, and I preserve my icon and widget set backed up and able to go for any gadget I have to arrange. It takes mere seconds to get my new cellphone up and working, exactly how I prefer it. Positive, most launchers will retain the structure so long as you might be shifting between the identical ecosystem, however if you wish to experiment with new telephones and {hardware}, a third-party launcher is your greatest wager to maintain issues constant.

Sure, we nonetheless want third-party launchers

An Android ecosystem important

There’s merely no getting away from the truth that third-party launchers add pleasure, personalization, and a level of enjoyable to the Android expertise. Even in case you are not the type to tinker away with recent icons or customized gestures, a third-party app launcher provides worth by means of quicker updates, a lighter interface, and the power to simply swap between telephones, making them a vital a part of the Android ecosystem. Positive, I get that many customers might be completely glad with utilizing the built-in launcher. Nevertheless, contemplating how straightforward it’s to get began with a customized launcher, each Android consumer ought to give one a shot.