What launcher do you use? I'm looking to drop Kvaesitso
What launcher do you use? I'm looking to drop Kvaesitso
I previously used Nova and finally moved to the open source side with Kvaesitso. I didn't like using a search focused launcher at first, but I decided to try and use it for a few months to get used to it. What I've found is that:
- I barely ever scroll down into the widgets menu and so I don't make use to widgets as much as I'd like to
- Even after carefully setting up the search settings, I find it unintuitive and prefer to use specific apps for specific tasks
- I like having apps sorted by tags, but the tiny moving pill shape icons aren't as nice as if I had folders on my desktop
The biggest problem now is that Kvaesitso is draining my battery for some reason. Battery usage says that it used 27% of my battery today.
I think I gave it a fair shot, and I'd like to try something new.
I am a fan of KISS, a rather simple launcher. It is also a search-based launcher.
I'm currently trying fast draw, it was in fdroid 🤷♂️
Kinda like smart launcher where you set up categories along the bottom, can select a widget at the top. I miss being able to search for a specific app but it's usable.
I'm still using Nova as it's so feature-rich. I've had 0 problems with it, but I had no idea people were dropping it. Also had no idea it for bought out either, so maybe it's time to look into using another launcher instead...
I use whatever the stock launcher of the ROM is...
I am a full screen gestures user and for me the 3rd party launchers are broken since A12, or probably before that, even with usage of the GestureNavContract API they are still not smooth enough for me...
With that said, if you are rooted you can get away from that limitation with Lawnchair and quickSwitch, or if you use navigation buttons you are gold with almost all the launchers I'd say.
i been trying folder luancher also on fdroid
I'm a Nova refugee, and I've been satisfied with Lawnchair as a replacement. It isn't as feature rich, but it hits the key notes.
Edit: Lawnchair site: https://lawnchair.app/
Same. It doesn't do crazy fancy things, and just works. But then I've long since given up on my phone doing any fancy things. I'm fine with it being boring. The only thing I want is folders on the main screen and a couple widgets.
I second this, just be sure to backup your settings if you upgrade, it likes to forget things on upgrades I've noticed.
Same, also a Nova refugee using Lawnchair.
One thing I don't like though, is if you change the homescreen grid size it destroys everything and you have to start over with your homesdreen icons.
I would suggest Octopi Launcher. Started using during the alpha and switched back and forth between it and Nova. But now I am fully on Octopi. I really like the widget stacking, now I just have one page homescreen. The dev recently implemented drawer categories and tags. The dev is active and listens to feedback on the subreddit.
Niagara:
I've tried it but it doesn't click for me. I can be more efficient with a normal launcher.
Niagara Launcher did teach me how to improve my setup: if something isn't important enough to be on the one and only home screen, it goes in the drawer. No more arranging folders for apps I rarely use.
Niagara user here, I think it's worth every penny, and it's so cheap, and the developer is very receptive. It's a very simple purchase.
That's really nice and clean! I think I will give Niagara a try.
What icon set are you using?
It's a built-in one called "sticker"
...FINE.. guess I'm going to try Niagara again because this looks so clean. .... But i'm not happy about it. (they type from a samsung, JKJK this looks dope and yeah ima give it another go)
Also been using it for years. Love the unique interface. Wish they'd do more substantial updates than those seasonal icon packs though, especially given the amount of income they must have from subscriptions.
I bought a lifetime license because I definitely do not need another subscription in my life but tbh the free version is completely fine
I've been using it for years now. Simple, elegant and stable.
It has my vote.
Very cute setup!
Here's the original picture if you want. My phone says I downloaded it off of Lemmy but I couldn't tell your where.
I'm using ADW Launcher EX 1.3.4.0 which is about a decade old now.
I've used NOVA launcher for like a decade
I'm also a nova refugee after loving it for years. Currently using Before. It's list based that functionally makes me use search a lot. But it's quick, clean and while not particularly feature rich. It does have a lot of personalization and customization, such as setting any font type ya can download.
I renamed all my apps to what they are actually used for. Where? is maps, What? is my to do list, Huh? controls my hearing aid.
KISS Launcher.
I don't use KISS as a launcher, but I have it bound to double tapping the home button. You can add any search options you want (maps app, play store, internet search, phone search). This is an excellent customisable alternative to the built in google search app and I would highly recommend it for that.
You could also try Blue Line Console. It opens on top of the current screen, allowing you to search for apps and whatnot. Not sure how far it goes, as I have not used it extensively. But I do have it as my assist app (KISS is my Launcher, but you can also set Blue Line Console as a Launcher)
That's also a very good use case, but KISS is just the perfect launcher for me. I can get to litteraly anything just by typing it's name. Apps, contacts, settings, search results, a new tab, a new incognito tab, sometimes specific app functions. You can use it as a calculator too, it's perfect. No amount of praise can do KISS justice in my opinion.
KISS Launcher.
https://f-droid.org/packages/app.cclauncher/
It’s basically a FOSS rewrite of OLauncher. It gets regular updates.
I really didn't think I was going to like a minimal launcher after so many years with Nova and then AIO, but OLauncher really clicked for me.
Since then, I upgraded to ProLauncher, which mostly adds shortcut icons on the right (I believe that's what I upgraded for anyway). It's been great.
Neo launcher does everything I need it to
Have you remembered Charles' present?
I used or for years, but few bugs and no updates since 2022 killed it for me. Actually sad. Ended in lawnchair
I like Smart Launcher. It's freemium, but I think the paid version is really nice.
i've been on smart launcher since checks purchase history 2013, and while it's still the best ux i've found, they have been doing some scummy shit over the years, like move features from the paid version into "content packs" that cost extra.
when you mention 2013 I got flashback I thought this was the launcher I used to use because it sounds familiar. But after remembering the name no, it wasn't. I used to be very obsessed with go launcher ex back then.
I think I used to see smart launcher a lot back then but I forgot what's that about. I think I never tried smart launcher.
but nowdays I just use lawnchair and never really customize my phone like I used to.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I was upset at first, but I figured they're making something really good, and I was fine paying. If it was continuous, I would probably drop it for a different one.
This is the launcher I use. I love the app drawer categories.
I mainly use Foss software. But, this is one app which is not Foss and I use.
Ditto.
Kvaesitso has drained less than 3% of my battery every day for the last week. > 20% sounds like an unusual amount of drain
I like Kiss.
I so much wish there was a replacement for the now abandoned ADW Launcher (both 1 and 2). I am currently stuck on Nova now.
ADW 1.3.3.9/1.3.4.0 still works fine, at least till android 12 :)
I tend to switch every month or two between Kvaetsivo and IAO, which is my main driver now. I find it handy and hihgly configurable.
Have you considered reporting the battery drain issue to the Kvaesitso devs? They could fix it if it can be reproduced.
Niagara, but I've also been trying out Octopi every now and then, it's still in beta and there are certain features missing but it feels like it has potential to fully replace Nova.
I used Lawncher for like a year and now I'm giving μlauncher a go. The latter is more stress free and one has to fight initially with muscle memory until they get it right. I think I'm gonna keep using μlauncher for a while.
Stumbled across this the other day. Very interesting and a ton of gestures. Debating using it more. It is very lightweight and no frills appearance wise.
lawnchair user for 5 years.
what i need is simply putting the icon i want where i want + some helpful gestures and flexibility for disabling any widget, bar &c
Ion launcher is simple and light. The only thing missing (for me) is you can't lock the desktop so I sometimes mistakenly move things around.
I used Nova for years as it was the most feature-rich and customizable. Then I switched to Niagara for a while which was a nice change.
Now I use Neo because it's FOSS and it does what I need it to.
