Stupid question, but I've never used any of the Android launchers: what are people using them for? What do they do that makes them worth using over the stock interface?
this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2025
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I can't give a good answer but here's my answer: I use Nova because it lets me set a custom image for folders. I made a custom background for my home screen and then set up folders with transparent images to make "hotspots". It's neat.
i use Kvaesito Launcher though i've used Nova Launcher before.
I just started using Kvaesitso, but without folders it's rough
Kvaesito had lag issues on GrapheneOS in the past, but it was fixed about a year ago. Finally made the switch from Nova, and can only say good things about it
Its my daily on grapheneos
I'm still waiting for a FOSS launcher to add padding adjustments for the home screen, widgets, and dock, half grid snapping, allowing overlap, and setting any widget as a search bar
And maybe other stuff. Still really sad Nova fell into this state, I genuinely depend on settings that are exclusive to it
I'll probably just be using Nova with network connectivity disabled for some time to come. Maybe when I blow up my home screen setup and start over I'll try to work within the constraints of another launcher :/
Maybe make some feature requests for Lawn chair? Or show support for existing feature requests if they're already made?
Yeah, I do need to sit down and do that sometime
That's where I am, too.
Not FOSS, but the one that got me to let go of Nova was Octopi Launcher.
Very close to a drop in replacement, brings most of the features and customizability that I got very used to.
I'm liking it so far. Is there a way to add internet search to the app search bar?
I am currently using Nova with internet access blocked. There is one feature no other launcher I have ever used has that Nova does: swiping on an icon on the homescreen up or down allows to launch a different app or activity.
I want to find an open source replacement but no matter what launcher I find, they all lack this feature.
I just went launcher shopping recently - Total Launcher lets you assign different swipe shortcuts for four directions and a few other options IIRC. It's very customisable so I'm giving it a go in parallel with my normal default of Kvaesitso.
I'll give this launcher a shot. It's UI and setup is clunky comparatively to Nova. But I will play around with it more yet!
Yeah definitely not as polished from a setup POV, that threw me too
I've been playing with it. And I can't say I love it like I love Nova.
It sure seems customizable, but the UI and wording about options could be better.
I can't seem to make my taskbar/dock have more than 4 icons.
Took me a while the get the place to long-hold just right, but if you do it on the edge of one of those app drawer/dock widgets it should pop up the top settings bar, there you hit the cog and there should be slides for row and column count.
Perfect! Thank you!
Lawnchair isn't bad if you like the stock Pixel launcher.
I'm forever on Nova 7.0.58. The ship has been sinking for some time now.