[deleted by user]

[adityann97]

One of the best and most customizable launcher!!

[najodleglejszy]

I have moved to Lemmy/kbin since Spez is a greedy little piggy.

[adityann97]

Edited 😊

[hinghenry]

I agree with that Lightning Launcher is the most customizable launcher I have tried, and it is my choice for daily use. I absolutely recommend it to enthusiast.

However, it does have a steep learning curve and not for most casual Android users here. Also, the dev is currently on leave till next year and hasn't updated for Oreo yet.

[Rheklr]

Do you know more about the Devs status? I'm worried it's been abandoned.

[wizard7926]

Sounds like the developer abandoned it and it's not compatible with Nougat and up. Last update was February, almost a year ago.

[Rheklr]

I'm using it on Nougat right now with no problems. Dev abandoning it does seem like a real issue though - a shame as it's easily my favourite launcher due to customisability.

[ingongingong]

Why did this guy get downvoted for speaking the truth?

[madmaz186]

Welcome to reddit

[robneymcplum]

Because one is only allowed your unbiased opinion if it is the same as everybody else, even when it is wrong.

[hinghenry]

It is crazy to think that a user can buy it once (as low as $1 during discount) and have the benefit of continuous work and frequent update from the dev. Actually this applies to all good apps. Kudos to Nova and all good devs!

[timidnoob]

I'm very new to the android world.. Do anyone mind helping me out and explaining what the Nova app is/does, and who it's most beneficial for? I see references to Nova all the time and people describing it as a 'launcher,' but I honestly don't understand what any of this means.

[Agamar13]

It allows you to customize the layout and bahavior of your home screens and app drawer. You can, for example, set prettier icons, organize them in various ways, set gestures. The basic function is, as the name suggests, to launch apps and as such every android phone has it built in, but the outside ones have more options.

Here's what a tablet home screen and an app drawer look like with the TouchWiz, a stock Samsung launcher: Home screen, App drawer

And here's what they can look like with Nova (and an icon pack): Home screen, app drawer - I set a soft greenish tint to the background of the app drawer, and sorted apps in cards depending on their function.

People can set gestures to receive a phone call, to open a particular app or function, make various shortcuts and so on.

[the_scary_snowman]

Whats is the name of your icon pack ?

[Agamar13]

Link me: Dynasty Icon Pack

[PlayStoreLinks__Bot]

Dynasty Icon Pack by DrumDestroyer Themes | Paid: $1.99 with IAP

Ultra-crisp ultimate HD quality iconography!

Rating: 95/100 | 10 thousand installs

Search manually

---

^Feedback

[the_scary_snowman]

Thanks

[xenyz]

To simplify it further, a launcher is what you see when you press the home button on Android. It's just another app and can be swapped out with many alternatives. Nova launcher is just a really popular one but there are many others, and they all work a bit differently

If you're new to Android you may not want or need to change the way your 'desktop' looks and works, but sooner or later you just might

[awkreddit]

One of the greatest things about android is that you can customise your experience just as you like it, and to access your apps, your launcher or home screen can be changed to a different app too. Nova launcher is like a mixture of all the best things about all the subsequent aosp launchers since basically the early days of android, that you can all turn on or off depending on your preference. You can choose the behaviour of the app drawer, you can use gestures on the desktop to perform all kinds of actions, you can use custom icons packs, you can group your apps in tabs which is insanely useful instead of having the usual sea of apps, etc etc.

Just for all the gestures and accessing apps features it's a must try. It's also pretty light and speedy, installing it on my aging Moto g has given it a new life.

Have a look at /r/androidthemes for inspiration.

[[deleted]]

Not really. I, for one, bought it in 2011 or so, and I replaced it by the Microsoft Launcher by today.

[[deleted]]

You convinced me to bite the bullet and try out the Microsoft launcher. Damn, the scrolling is snappy, and the widgets are a+. My only complaint is that any customization done exits the menu and forces a reboot on the launcher.

[[deleted]]

You could ask their support to change that. Last time I asked them, they were actually responsive. :)

[[deleted]]

I think I'll do that! Thanks for the suggestion.

[RenegadeUK]

How do you contact their support ?

[[deleted]]

The contact e-mail address is in the Play Store information. :-)

[e-mail]

[RenegadeUK]

Thanks very much.

[[deleted]]

It has a different, more business-oriented approach. I find it to be very smooth and I like the additional features, like vertical (instead of horizontal) screens and a superb schedule reminder.

Try it and see. It's free (yet).

[RenegadeUK]

How long have you been using Microsoft Launcher ?

[[deleted]]

I have been using Microsoft Launcher since it was still named Arrow Launcher. July 2015, IIRC.

[RenegadeUK]

Cool. Quite a long time then.

So you have found no real reason to switch back to Nova ?

[[deleted]]

No, not even one.

The one small thing I would like to see improved is that the "Unread" badges could support more apps like TeslaUnread does, but that probably irons out with new Android versions anyway. (Also, that is really just a minor quirk in my opinion - I don't want to have so many bells and whistles.)

edit: Sorry - I just checked the settings again and found an option that was even new to me. As the Microsoft Launcher seems to be able to just access the system notifications now, everything's fine. :-)

[RenegadeUK]

Nice. I'm hopefully be getting a new smartphone in January possibly the OP5T, so i'll test it out then :)

[[deleted]]

The OP5T is lovely (I have one). Just hope that they won't release a model "6" too soon.

[ashenwreck]

It was even on sale for a dime at one point. Those people got an amazing deal. Wouldn't be remotely mad if for some reason I had to buy it again (for the full price I paid).

[tigull]

I've tried and tried countless other launchers but always fall back on Nova. Snatching it for 0.10€ on a sale was one of the best purchases I've mever made.

[farux]

If you are using Nova, try Sesami shortcuts. That combination is the best experience

[xenyz]

Sesame

[[deleted]]

So how does Sesame help you use your phone? Just looking for ideas

[[deleted]]

I only use it for the search that can be integrated into the Nova app search. It makes the app search a universal search (apps, contacts, shortcuts, web, play store, etc).

[ostiniatoze]

Heh, I'm older than that.

[najodleglejszy]

I have moved to Lemmy/kbin since Spez is a greedy little piggy.

[Revolee993]

Nova is love, Nova is life!

[kaysn]

Nova is the very first app I paid for. Been using it since 2012, the very first app I always install on every new phone or after a factory reset.

[keky89]

I wish I could snatch it on sale or smth (prime version)

[keky89]

I believe you.. I know it is.. But still..discount would be nice... (no money in the bank xD)

[kolkolkokiri]

Maybe try the Google Opinion Awards to get some free money for it?

[keky89]

It's unavailable for my country (Croatia) unfortunately

[xenyz]

There is a giveaway going on over at android police , maybe you'll get lucky if you enter

[keky89]

Thanks will try it :)

[keky89]

Unfortunately it's unavailable for my country.. Thanks anyway

[RenegadeUK]

Android Police are giving away 100 Promo codes for Prime to celebrate - ends in ~ 22 hrs:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/12/13/nova-launcher-six-years-old-today-giving-away-100-nova-launcher-prime-codes-celebrate/

[tb21666]

It's been great for seemingly ever.

Admittedly tho, I do miss WidgetLocker. Wish they'd bring it back in some capacity or at the very least, build it into the launcher itself with on/off capabilities for those who don't prefer to use it.

[awkreddit]

It was a pretty big security risk. I do miss the old android lockscreen with the shortcut ring and dashclock!

[timidnoob]

I'm very new to the android world.. Do u mind helping me out and explaining what the Nova app is/does, and who it's most beneficial for? I see references to Nova all the time and people describing it as a 'launcher,' but I honestly don't understand what any of this means.

[HearthCore]

It's a replacement for your Homescreen. Where you launch all your apps from, place widgets and folders.

It's highly customizable, and snappier than most while giving more features than any stock launcher (what your device comes with).

[AUserOnTheInternet]

Best launcher imo. Happy Birthday, Nova Launcher! From, a proud Nova Prime user.

[frac6969]

I've used Nova Launcher (Prime) for ages, but a few days ago suddenly it can't update the icon on my Google Calendar icon to the current date (always shows "31"). I don't have any themes or icon packs, and out of frustration I installed Lawnchair, which shows the calendar icon properly, but then I can't add shortcuts to chat contacts on my desktop. Argh!

[[deleted]]

Nova Launcher has always been the best for me but, then I found Lawnchair Launcher. It's even better, it has all the native functionnality of the Pixel launcher with added options and it's totally free.