One of the best things about Android is that you can customize not only how it looks but also how it behaves. One way to do this is to download a new launcher, an application that will change the interface of your phone and allow you to customize it to your liking..
Plus, these apps allow you to have the same interface you're used to, even if you bought a new phone - just restore a backup of your settings from the cloud. Now this is especially true, when almost every manufacturer installs its own shell, which is not always intuitive and fast.
I don't think it's possible to determine the best launcher for everyone. You use your phone differently than I do, and I use my phone differently than my colleagues or friends. Everyone has their own perfect launcher, but if you haven't found your favorite yet, here are the best ones that I think will satisfy just about any Android user..
Nova
Nova Launcher is a well-known application for a long time. It has support for gesture control: if you want to open the list of applications, just swipe up, make two taps on the screen to turn it off. In short, the app works best with gestures and folders!
The set includes icon packs and themes, of which there are about a thousand (search on Google Play), application interface settings, an unread message counter, additional scrolling effects, and much more. Another feature is constant updates with the addition of new functionality and bug fixes.
It is worth noting the possibility of backing up the settings to the cloud with their further restoration on a new phone or when resetting to factory settings..
Microsoft
Microsoft Launcher is an updated version of the Garage Arrow project and we've covered the key changes that have come with this update. The app now supports integration with many Microsoft services, including calendar and email.
If your computer is updated to the latest version of Windows 10, you can link your phone and computer, and then you can quickly and easily "Continue on PC". This means you can take a photo and see it right away on your computer, or edit a document in Office and then continue editing it on your computer.
There are packs of gestures, icons, advanced settings. For example, swiping up will not open the list of applications, but will only show your favorite applications, as well as quick settings such as Wi-Fi, airplane mode, Bluetooth, etc.
Daily Wallpaper Change - Automatically get new wallpapers from Bing, or add your own selection of wallpapers to change.
It's important to note that Microsoft doesn't want Android to look the same as Windows 10 Mobile. For example, you will not find square "tiles" here, if you are looking for something similar, then take a look at the following application.
A bit strange, but with this launcher it seems that you are using an iPhone on an Android smartphone, so everything is convenient and beautiful.
Apex
Apex Launcher has been around for a long time and remains one of the most popular launchers out there. Similar to Action Launcher, it is designed for flexible interface customization with several additional features, for example, you can hide the Google search form, status bar and even a dock, which can display up to seven icons instead of four! If you have a child, the desktop lock function will be useful to you to prevent accidental changes.
You can choose animation transitions, change the design, your own icons for shortcuts and folders. Up to 9 home screens are supported, with flexible settings for each of them. Convenient gesture control, screen lock, optimized for use on smartphones and tablets. It is possible to display unread messages and missed calls on the icons. And that's not all the possibilities that Apex Launcher offers.
Smart
Smart Launcher is not just an add-on to the stock launcher, and it immediately catches your eye. The home display is a circle with six icons for quick access to the most important applications. Also you have access to the widget area or you can go to the unique menu. What makes it so unique? Intelligent sorting system. When you install a new utility, the launcher automatically places it in the correct category, making it much easier to access.
A handy search bar is always at hand, so you can easily find the applications you need. An important part is the lock screen with support for notifications and a variety of themes. To completely change the interface of your device, download the special themes for Smart Launcher 3 from Google Play. In addition, do not forget about the option to hide any utilities or set a password to run them.
Hola
The Hola Launcher developers started their project with one single question: "What features do people need first of all?" After thinking about it, they got to work and created Hola Launcher - a lightweight and simple alternative for those who want to achieve the best results with the lowest cost.
After taking a few minutes to explore what this launcher has to offer, you will be amazed. After all, it only takes up 4 MB. And the extremely low RAM consumption makes it very fast and responsive. The app is built around one concept - simplicity. The interface is minimalistic, easy to navigate, and lets you access your most frequently used functions with just a few taps.
In addition to the usual set of features like customizable themes, wallpapers, folders, and more, Hola offers users access to several very useful programs. Hola Shina is a special menu that opens with a swipe from the bottom of the monitor. It contains frequently used applications and settings. Hola Boost is a small movable circle that frees up the RAM of your smartphone immediately after clicking on it. Also in service is the Hola Box, which will easily hide any utility on your home display if you don't want to show it to other people.
Launcher 8
Launcher 8 is unique in that it doesn't look like an Android app. In fact, the only purpose of this app is to make your device look like Windows Phone. And he copes with this task perfectly. He copies not only the appearance, but also many actions. As a result, when working with the shell, you get the feeling that you are not working under Android at all.
Supports emulation of "live tiles" and a scroll bar when navigating the application menu, which appears when you move your finger to the right or left on the screen.
There are custom themes that let you customize the look of the launcher, but most of them are very different from what we're used to seeing on Android. If you don't want your smartphone to look like a Windows Phone 8 phone, then there is little point in installing this app.
Action
Action Launcher has long been a favorite of many users. In addition to the standard functions, there are some original ones that make the program unique. For example, the Quick Theme lets you customize the colors of your interface.
The Shutters feature gives you access to widgets without having to install them on your home screen. There is also a set of elements in the style of Android Oreo. There is a customization of icons, a quick update of small elements and much more.
GO
GO Launcher is an excellent choice for those looking to try a custom home screen design. Plus, GO Launcher is one of the most downloaded utilities on Google Play. The program combines functionality with excellent custom design.
The launcher is based on an innovative 3D engine developed from the ground up. It is he who makes the program extremely fast, responsive and versatile. In addition to the engine, you switch between 25 display animation options and get over 10,000 unique themes. With such a staggering amount of interface customization options, you can easily get confused if it weren't for DIY Themer.
GO Launcher also has an excellent tool to hide or block a specific program to further protect you from prying eyes. Well, built-in smartphone optimization widgets increase device performance, making multi-window mode faster and more enjoyable to use.
Next 3D Shell
The developers of Next Launcher 3D Shell are the same people who worked on the creation of GO Launcher. 3D animation is supported, there are many transition effects and unique settings. With the scroll bar, you can quickly change home screens and choose the one you like best at the moment. According to most users, this is one of the most expensive launchers out there. True, you can try all the features of the program for free.
ADW 2
The biggest plus of ADW Launcher 2.0 is customization: you can customize themes, gestures, folder styles, home screens, app list, and even create your own custom widgets. You can go on and on, if you are a fan of settings, then you should definitely download this launcher and test it thoroughly. It contains an insane amount of settings!
You can create an unlimited number of your own widgets and place them wherever you want, even on the top panel (where the search bar is located) or on the bottom (where you now have 4 icons).
As always, it is possible to edit every single icon of any application you have. The latest update has a new set of effects when switching to another screen, as well as the ability to change the color palette of the system to any color (black, red, orange, etc.). All in all, in this application you can do everything you can imagine.
Evie
Evie Launcher comes with icon packs and widgets. It is possible to hide any applications, quickly launch programs, add unique shortcuts with your own signatures to the home screen. You can create wallpapers yourself, change the size of icons.
The program is fast, easy to use, and has some original features. Uses a Pixel Launcher-style app menu that can be slid from the bottom of the screen. The application is distributed free of charge.
Lightning
Lightning Launcher is small and highly customizable. With this tool, you can change almost all elements of the home screen. Perhaps the most unique feature is the scripting support, for example you can use JavaScript.
You may be intimidated by the abundance of settings and options, but there is nothing to be scared of. Yes, there are a lot of settings, but they are easy to figure out. But what opportunities! Almost all functions and elements are customizable, whether they are ways of placing applications, folders, widgets, home screens, icon sets, fonts, alignment, and even renaming of standard elements (not all).
If you do not want to understand, dozens (if not hundreds) of more classic skins are at your service, which offer a couple of basic settings.
Lawnchair
Lawnchair Launcher is an open source project that basically mimics the Pixel Launcher. They have many of the same functions, although there are some original features. It is constantly being updated and improved. Notifications and context menu are made in the style of Android Oreo.
You can choose from different panel and window styles, icon sizes, and more. It's no exaggeration to say that Lawnchair has incorporated the very best of Pixel and Nova Launcher. All this is complemented by the high performance and aesthetics of the Pixel shell, and spiced with customization elements from other launchers well known in the Android world.
One of the most attractive visual styles is the dark theme. It applies to the appearance of the tray, home screen widget, and context menu. The styling options are not as deep as, for example, in Substratum, but still pretty good.
There is integration with Google Now (when installing an additional free plugin). Even in beta, it works better than many older launchers. If you're looking for the very best Google Pixel counterpart, consider that you've already found it.
EverythingMe
The main highlight of EverythingMe is the so-called Prediction Bar, which is a series of icons located at the bottom of the screen (there are four of them in total), dynamically changing depending on the user's location, time of day and the results of the analysis of previous application launches.
Based on the results of this analysis, the Prediction Bar will first of all offer the user those applications that he is most likely to need in the near future. For example, in the morning EverythingMe will tell you the latest news and remind you of the things planned for today. And on weekdays, the launcher will suggest the applications you most often deal with at work.
The first time you launch the launcher, it will try to automatically decompose the already installed applications into the appropriate folders, such as Games, Music, Social Networks and News. You can create new Smart Folders at any time, grouping applications as you see fit.
Most launchers deal with what you are doing at a given time: what you watch, what you listen to. EverythingMe has a slightly different approach. Instead of focusing on current actions, he tries to predict what you will do.
One dream
One Dream will be an excellent replacement for the standard Android interface . When creating it, the developer was inspired by the latest versions of iOS - Apple's mobile operating system. Thanks to this, the launcher turned out to be aesthetically beautiful and very convenient.
As with Apple devices, app icons are located on the home display, rather than hidden in a separate menu. You can combine multiple applications in folders, or you can leave it as it is. The latter option is ideal for those who use only a small number of programs.
The developers have paid special attention to ensuring that their brainchild consumes little RAM at maximum performance. Their labors immediately become noticeable when you switch from this launcher to some other. Or check the amount of free RAM. Plus, One Launcher is completely free and supports all Android versions starting from 2.3.3.