Android is particular now not as a result of what it’s, however what you’ll be able to flip it into. This was once very true within the early days, when the out-of-the-box revel in was once relatively tough, and also you had to set up a customized launcher to get essentially the most from your software. For the ones people who lived thru it, we will take note other eras of Android in response to which customized launchers have been dominant on the time.
Unfortunately, a few of these customized launchers can’t be put in as of late, so we will most effective revisit them in reminiscence. Whether or not it is a nostalgia go back and forth for you or a brand new publicity to nice app launchers that experience come and long past, let’s proportion on this tribute in combination.
ADW
The technology of Android Éclair, Froyo, and Gingerbread
Early Android was once a multitude, absent lots of the polish and luxuries we take without any consideration as of late. Displays have been smaller, refresh charges have been decrease, and gestures hadn’t but changed different sorts of navigating our gadgets. On best of that, provider bloatware was once rampant, with now not even the power to disable these types of apps, let by myself uninstall them.
By the point Android Gingerbread (the primary model of Android I used) took the arena by means of typhoon, ADW was once already well known to Android die-hards. It was once even incorporated inside some of the OG customized ROMs—CyanogenMod.
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- SoC
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Google Tensor G4
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6.3-inch Actua show
The Google Pixel 10a is a slightly up to date model of the Google Pixel 9a, with a fairly brighter display screen and an improve from Gorilla Glass 3 to Gorilla Glass 7i. Google has shaved the rest few millimeters from the digital camera bump, making it utterly flat. In contrast to prior variations of the Pixel a sequence, this fashion yr does now not proportion the similar Tensor processor because the mainline Pixel 10.
ADW was once some of the earliest open supply Android customized launchers, despite the fact that it ultimately grew to become proprietary. The power to cover undesirable apps was once explanation why sufficient to put in this practice launcher, but it surely additionally gave the power to configure the collection of house displays, modify animation speeds, and alter the collection of docks to be had on the backside of the display screen. And in an indication of the days, you must allow customized animations just like the 3-D dice impact that was once fashionable on this length.
ADW held directly to mindshare for relatively a while, ultimately getting a 2nd model in 2016, however by means of then, different launchers had moved extra briefly to evolve to more recent variations of Android.
Holo Launcher
The push for Ice Cream Sandwich’s new glance
Ice Cream Sandwich was once the primary model of Android I take note being really excited to get my fingers on. Earlier than this era, maximum Android telephones had their very own distinct vibe. Samsung TouchWiz appeared very other from HTC Sense, which appeared other from what you’ll see on a Motorola Droid. Ice Cream Sandwich gave Android a coherent glance {that a} rising collection of folks actively sought out. Factor is, Android gadgets continuously by no means won updates, and lots of of those who did have been notoriously gradual to get them. That intended there have been legions people who sought after the brand new Ice Cream Sandwich glance however could not in fact run the tool.
It was once in that second that we were given Holo Launcher, a customized launcher whose whole objective was once giving the ones people operating Android Gingerbread a possibility to really feel like we have been the usage of the more recent model of Android. This one’s now not to be had within the Play Retailer, purchase you’ll be able to nonetheless in finding it in UpToDown.
Google Now Launcher
Smash me off a work of KitKat
I nonetheless take note the evening of the Android KitKat launcher. I wrote for Android Police on the time, and it was once a mad sprint of an afternoon, with us pumping out articles about each and every nuanced characteristic. Hype was once actual. In some ways, Android KitKat was once the start of the technology of Android we all know as of late, with many open supply Android apps being swapped out for Google-branded ones, and Google Now promising to do a lot of what we might later go together with Google Assistant and, ultimately, Gemini.
Google Now Launcher, like Holo Launcher earlier than it, was once a possibility to get in at the motion even though you did not personal a Nexus telephone. However in contrast to Holo Launcher, this one got here directly from the supply. Google ultimately made Google Now Launcher to be had to telephones rather then the Nexus.
The Google Now Launcher has since advanced into the fashionable Pixel Launcher, however you’ll be able to nonetheless in finding the older model at UpToDown.
Nova Launcher
The GOAT for plenty of generations
Nova Launcher wishes no creation, despite the fact that it may be simple to overlook that it first gave the impression long ago in 2013. Along with the standard customization choices, Nova added tweaks particular to Ice Cream Sandwich, akin to permitting customers to modify the form of folder icons.
In contrast to prior customized launchers, Nova controlled to briefly embody every new model of Android, final the go-to launcher for folks in need of a somewhat inventory model of Android that they might make their very own. This reign persisted for more or less a decade earlier than tragedy struck.
Department received Nova in 2022 after which laid off maximum of its builders in 2024. The unique author stepped clear of Nova in 2025. The launcher received new homeowners once more in 2026, who offered commercials to the unfastened tier. What lies forward continues to be noticed.
Niagara Launcher
A minimalist launcher for an technology of tech dependancy and AI
In contrast to the opposite launchers in this checklist, Niagara Launcher is not a closely customizable model of inventory Android. If you are on the lookout for that within the absence of Nova Launcher, Lawnchair is your absolute best wager. However this time round, a unique form of launcher is gathering way more downloads.
Niagara Launcher is a unique thought of what a telephone launcher may also be. As an alternative of a grid of icons, you get a listing of app names, and the interface is fully designed to be simply used with one hand, making Niagara the most efficient launcher for massive telephones.
Niagara continuously seems on tech blogs and in YouTube movies, with many people keen to offer it our endorsement. Gadgets just like the Sunlight DC-1 pill and the Clicks Communicator smartphone send with what seem to be changed variations of Niagara Launcher. The Minimum Telephone technically makes use of a unique launcher, however the vibes certain are equivalent.
At a time when the addictive nature of our telephones has turn out to be commonplace wisdom and maximum telephones include a point of AI slop baked in, Niagara Launcher is a refreshing option to reclaim slightly of regulate.
Which launcher is your present favourite?
Whilst I am a large fan of Niagara Launcher, I lately use the much more minimalist Get away Launcher, which has the added perk of being open supply. New and imaginative launchers proceed to pop up at all times, with Kvaesitso and kybd taking distinct and hanging, QWERTY-based approaches towards launching your apps. Customized launchers would possibly now not be the large deal they as soon as have been, however the box is as numerous as ever.
