5 unconventional Android launchers that may make your telephone as distinctive as you might be

There are numerous the explanation why I really like the Android mobile operating system, not least of which being its numerous choice of launcher purposes. Launchers are a sort of third-party software program that perform as complete house display screen replacements, with broad compatibility throughout a lot of the Android telephone and pill ecosystem.

Prior to now, I’ve written about some of my favorite Android launchers of all time — classics like Niagara, Nova, and Lawnchair proceed to supply superior functionalities, customization options, and different niceties typically not discovered on default out-of-box launchers from {hardware} makers.

Nonetheless, there’s a separate choice of extra experimental, novel, and distinctive Android launchers on the market which might be much less mainstream, however equally (if no more) engaging. Listed here are 5 such third-party launchers that provide a artistic and wholly unconventional strategy to the Android house display screen expertise.

1

Pie Launcher

Ditch the grid structure and embrace radial design

Pie Launcher kicks the tried-and-true grid of icons paradigm to the curb in favor of one thing extra radial. By default, the house display screen is clear and empty of any and all interface litter. By tapping and holding on any portion of the display screen, a round pie-style menu of app icons will seem, which might be scrolled round in a sweeping gesture movement.

To entry the app drawer — which homes the remainder of your put in apps — merely faucet wherever on display screen with out holding down. This setup is slick and extremely intuitive in my expertise, and I recognize its one-handed friendliness in today’s world of comically large smartphones. Better of all, Pie Launcher is a free obtain over on the Google Play Retailer.

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2

Yantra Launcher

A dream come true for command line lovers

Yantra is one among a number of Android launcher apps that purpose to convey the standard PC terminal or command line interface to cellular. In my expertise, Yantra is the slickest and most well-thought-out possibility available on the market, with a horny design and entry to a big set of instructions with pre-configured prompts.

For a command line launcher, the app is surprisingly approachable, inserting instructions close to the underside of the show in a reachable method. After all, in the event you dig below the floor a bit, you will discover a variety of customization choices and power-user options on provide. Yantra is a wholly free app, and it may be discovered on the Google Play Retailer.

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I switched to the Niagara Android launcher and haven’t looked back

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3

ReZ Launcher

The Nokia Z Launcher, reborn for the trendy age

For a time, Z Launcher was the default home screen experience on Android-based Nokia telephones within the mid 2010s. Now defunct, the launcher featured an adaptive consumer interface with a captivating scribble function, letting you draw out a letter to launch any of your put in purposes. Whereas the unique Z Launcher could also be lengthy gone, a third-party developer has gone ahead and created a religious successor within the type of ReZ Launcher.

ReZ embraces Nokia’s scribble to go looking function, with assist for quite a lot of languages and in various written scripts. App recommendations, widgets, media controls, and different customary Android house display screen choices are all applied, making this a strong possibility general. ReZ is free to obtain and set up from the Google Play Retailer.

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4

Revo Launcher

Who wants icons when you may have channels?

Revo Launcher provides a house display screen interface straight impressed by Nintendo’s 2006-era Wii Menu. Utilizing unique code to recreate the appear and feel of the Wii’s interface, Revo manages to really feel genuine whereas additionally being optimized for portrait show orientations. Quite than purposes being represented on display screen by icons, every bit of software program is contained inside its personal ‘channel’ — analogous to real-world TV stations.

The true-world practicality of Revo is questionable when in comparison with a few of the different launchers on this record, however it’s an excellent nostalgia scratcher (and it really works nice as a devoted emulation app launcher). Revo is totally free and might be readily downloaded from the Google Play Retailer, and so it is value testing if just for novelty’s sake.

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5

Kvaesitso

Free and open-source, with an emphasis on search

Kvaesitso is a free and open-source Android launcher that bucks the house display screen icon pattern by as a substitute prioritizing its common search perform above all else. This specific search software is fairly highly effective, working globally to find apps, contacts, calendar occasions, unit conversions, calculations, and net outcomes. In a way, it capabilities lots like Apple’s Highlight Search, and that is no dangerous factor.

Kvaesitso might be downloaded from the F-Droid app marketplace, with supply code available on GitHub. Other than its search prowess, the launcher provides a devoted pane for widgets, an app drawer with the flexibility to pin apps to the highest of the record, a minimalistic house display screen, and a set of configurable gestures.

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