Apple may be adding more flexibility to the homescreen layout with iOS 14, but Android's ability to set custom launchers remains unmatched. Action Launcher has long been one of the most popular options for replacing default home screens, and now developer Chris Lacy is releasing version 46 with some handy new features.
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At today's announcement of Android Q Beta 5, Google revealed that it was going to move custom launchers off of the new gesture navigation system as of Beta 6, defaulting to the old three-button method if you use one. While that might sound like a reason to worry, this change is merely an "an unfortunate, yet short-term inconvenience" in Action Launcher developer Chris Lacy's words. Google has confirmed it will bring gesture support for third-party launchers "in a post-launch update" for Android Q.
Read More![Nova Launcher v6.0 stable is rolling out to the Play Store with searchable settings, icon resizing for all, and more [APK Download]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2Fnexus2cee_Nova-round-icon-hero.png&w=728){kind=icon}
It's been nearly seven months since Nova Launcher v6.0-beta 1 was released in early August 2018, and now it's time for the stable version to hit the masses. TeslaCoil Software began rolling out v6.0 stable of its popular custom launcher to the Play Store yesterday, and it comes with a fairly lengthy list of enhancements and new features. If for some reason you still don't see the latest version of Nova in the Play Store, APK Mirror has the cure for your impatience.
Read MoreTeslaCoil has just released its first Nova Launcher update in three months. Version 6.0-beta1 is here with a very long changelog, most of which concerns additional customization options. But with Nova being a custom launcher, that's not entirely unexpected. We also have the APK over on APK Mirror if you need it.
Read More![[Classic] Weekend Poll: Do you use a custom launcher on your phone?](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fnexus2cee_2018-01-13-16_45_05-Action-Launcher-v33-adds-exclusive-AdaptiveZoom-feature-and-more.png&w=728)
Probably the single most appreciated aspect of Android is its capacity for extensive customization, and many first dip their toes into those tailor-made waters with a custom launcher. It's been six years since we first asked this question, and we've come back to it regularly. But it's time to ask it again: Do you use a custom launcher?
Read More![[Weekend Poll Classics] Are You Using A Custom Launcher On Your Phone?](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F09%2Fnexus2cee_unnamed4.png&w=728)
The last time we asked the custom launcher question was, surprisingly, over two years ago. Among "yes," "I have used one but don't anymore," and "no, and I have never used one," the results were 67%, 25%, and 7%, respectively. So, let's see what those numbers look like now that some more time has passed.
I personally install the Google Now Launcher on pretty much any phone that comes across my desk, because I just like the consistency and simplicity. While I definitely understand the appeal of, say, Nova Launcher, I just don't spend much time manicuring and perfecting my homescreens.
Read More![Google App v4.6 Enables Translucent Status And Navigation Bars For Google Now Screen On Custom Launchers [APK Download]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F05%2Fnexus2cee_Search-2.png&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
Expectations are high for each update to Google's core apps on Android. After all, we know there are going to be a lot of new features announced at I/O in less than 2 weeks. Quite a few apps have recently gone through a Material refresh, and plenty of others have seen smaller changes as they slowly coalesce around the current design guidelines. That appears to be the story with the latest Google App update. The latest version finally enables full screen mode for Google Now on devices using custom launchers.
left: old version, right: new version
Prior to this release, users with the Google Now Launcher set as their default homescreen would see their Now stream with translucent status and navigation bars.
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Back in the Froyo/Gingerbread days, GO was my go-to launcher. It had more features and better performance (in my opinion) than any of the other options. After Ice Cream Sandwich, however, I kind of forgot about it.
Turns out the GO Team is still alive and kicking, and it just pushed out version 5 of its EX launcher, complete with a new flat theme and improved functionality. If you're tired of the same ol', same ol', this may be exactly what you need to breathe some fresh life into your device.
Dat menu button, tho
Now's actually a good time to try it, in fact.
Read More![[New App] Icon Themer Lets You Use Any Icon Pack With Any Launcher On Rooted Devices](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F04%2Fnexusae0_iconthemer.png&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
Yesterday we covered an app that lets rooted users tweak certain aspects of the system, so why not one that'll let you tweak it aesthetically, too? Icon Themer, a new app from developer Faruq Rasid (HelixLauncher, QuickDesk), aims to bring any icon pack to any custom launcher. That's a pretty big deal for those who've bought icon packs for specific launchers but have since started using something different, or those who feel tied down to a particular launcher because of a beloved theme that won't work with others.
Icon Themer is fairly straightforward, though it does require Xposed Framework (the app can automatically install this) so the IT module can be activated.
Read More![[Weekend Poll: Redux Edition] A Year Later, Are You Still Using A Custom Launcher?](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F03%2Fnexusae0_rocket_launcher___honest_john___xm33_by_slasinth-d4ovnie.jpg&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
Back in the day, when I was using a Nexus One, custom launchers were all the rage on Android - not using one was strange. And when I had a DROID BIONIC, I still found myself using my go-to option - ADW.ex - most of the time. Today, though, my primary device is a Galaxy Note II, and I haven't had the urge to use a custom launcher for a moment since using it. The NatureUX launcher may not be particularly pretty, but it's highly functional, and rock-solid stable.
About a year ago, we asked you what your custom launcher situation was - that is, are you using one?
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