I was using the Nova launcher forever, but it’s been getting buggier and buggier and support just blames android. plus I understand there are privacy concerns about them these days

I switched to hyperion, and it works just fine except for one feature, and I can’t get support to respond anywhere for any reason.

which launcher do you use, and why do you like it?

  • aspitzer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    3 months ago

    Nova Launcher got bought by a data mining company a couple years ago. I left and went to Total Launcher. It is a little weird at first the way it works, but it is now my full time launcher.

    I like it for the over lapping widgets that can be sized down to the pixel. It also has a bunch of built in widgets like icon widgets and allowing widgets to stick in place across home pages.

  • Dave@lemmy.nzEnglish
    12·
    3 months ago

    I like KISS, because it’s different.

    I have it set up with a blank screen, with a small number of pinned apps. So my home screen is a search bar at the bottom with 5 or so small icons above it.

    When I tap the search bar, it shows me my most used apps. I can search for anything else, and choose to view the whole list if I want. You can also web search from it a bit like the Google one but without the data harvesting.

    I also use gestures. A swipe left, right, up, or down on the home screen opens various apps for quick access.

    Previously I used PieLauncher which was even more different.

    • pelletbucket@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      15·
      3 months ago

      well I just spent 8 minutes trying to figure out how to get in contact with their customer service and it’s already a pain in the ass.

      • Codilingus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        I’d think that they don’t have a customer service? It’s just an open source passion project amongst a handful of developers.

        If you encounter an error/bug/problem, best thing to do is look into their issues section on their GitHub. Search if anyone else has the same problem, and weigh in using the comments, or submit a new issue. Help give them info to fix/debug.

        • pelletbucket@lemm.eeOPEnglish
          13·
          3 months ago

          they have support. they have a Twitter account, but you can’t message them unless you have premium, and a Discord server where you can’t message without verifying a phone number and they don’t accept VoIP. github confuses me and every time I use it people tell me I’m using it wrong

          if it’s this difficult to get in touch, I think I’ll just avoid it

  • undrwater@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    3 months ago

    Neo-Launcher (you can find it on GitHub) is attempting to replace Nova.

    They’ve done a decent job.

    • mayooooo@beehaw.orgEnglish
      4·
      3 months ago

      I switched to Niagara too, gotta say it’s really great. I can’t imagine using something else now

      • lobut@lemmy.caEnglish
        41·
        3 months ago

        I use it but I can’t answer that question. It just makes everything seem quick and minimal. I get straight to my apps with no real thought.

        I paid for Pro too.

      • cheers_queers@lemm.eeEnglish
        11·
        3 months ago

        it’s really just the best minimalist launcher i could find that still looked good, could be personalized, and didn’t limit me too much . i use the Panels app with it for more quick shortcuts that don’t fit on the home page, since there’s a limit. but the paid version lets you make pop-up folders for apps too.

    • Ænima@lemm.eeEnglish
      21·
      3 months ago

      What is the amount of the yearly subscription and what don’t you get with the free version that promoted you to get something you had to pay for?

      I am not trolling, just can’t find info on it and don’t want to check it out if some reliant features are behind a paywall.

      • cheers_queers@lemm.eeEnglish
        21·
        3 months ago

        it’s 3.99 a year. the description of the Pro version benefits are listed:

        Niagara Pro is the premium in-app upgrade to unlock all of the app’s features.Benefits of upgrading to the paid version:

        • Pop-up widgets: Get timely information at a glance
        • App list pop-ups: Add folder pop-ups to organize all your apps
        • App pop-ups: Swiftly access related apps, shortcuts, or widgets
        • Ad-free experience

        I’d say i use all the paid features all the time. i also prefer this launcher because I’m ADHD af and it helps keep things looking clean and there’s less distraction. my favorite things about this launcher are the weather widget and calendar agenda built into the home screen

  • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.caEnglish
    6·
    3 months ago

    Lawnchair. Because I can remove the search bar and add a widget for my favorite search provider.

      • nudny ekscentryk@szmer.infoEnglish
        3·
        3 months ago

        Lawnchair has a lot of different versions and releases in different locations (GitHub, play store, f-droid all different). I use version 14 dev release and it’s under Dock section of settings:

  • owenfromcanada@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    3 months ago

    If you don’t mind some self promotion–I use Mere Launcher. I created it to be minimalist and functional, but also still look nice. I also designed it with accessibility in mind–specifically for folks who don’t like swipe gestures as much. If you’re looking for something simple, give it a try.

  • Strayce@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    4·
    3 months ago

    I switched to Kvaesitso from Nova. It takes a lot of getting used to because it does most stuff differently, but I’m finding it light, efficient and functional.

  • apotheotic (she/her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
    3·
    3 months ago

    I’ve been using Lunar for the last few months and I really like it.

    Strips back your home screen and app drawer to a very minimal appearance. I find it has helped me to use my phone less, I use it when I want to use it but I don’t find myself in this dopamine hunt mode anymore.

    Its also FOSS which is a bonus.

  • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    3 months ago

    It was Nova Launcher, but they got bought out by an ad company, so now I just use the default launcher. You can’t trust any company these days.

  • DLSantini@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    3 months ago

    Used Nova for a long, long time. Would still be using it now, had I not made the mistake of switching to iPhone for the first time in many years. On my tablets however, I use Smart Launcher.

  • limerod@reddthat.comEnglish
    31·
    3 months ago

    Smart launcher. Because it has automatic app categories and supports smart gestures and is a nice replacement for Nova launcher.

    I also like Niagara launcher for its smoothness and fast search based app launch

    • propter_hog [any, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
      31·
      3 months ago

      I used Nova for a while and even paid for the upgraded version, but it’s kind of specific in what everything looks like. Like you can use a phone and know immediately that it’s running Nova. I switched for that reason.

      • limerod@reddthat.comEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        Categories, dynamic material you theme, smart display off are the main reasons I use smart launcher.

        Plus, its not sold to an analytics company like nova launcher.

    • pelletbucket@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      4·
      3 months ago

      I just loaded it and the first thing it let me do was delete the fucking Google search from my home screen, I’m already in love

  • strawberry@kbin.run
    2·
    3 months ago

    neo launcher. feels similar to nova, but Foss. still work to be done, but over all I like it