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like everyone else, there are a lot of icons or apps (depending on what we're talking about) that I don't use. what does superclean leave in, and how hard is it to just delete them.
SuperClean is much much more beyond just deleting apps.
This thread mostly details.
adrynalyne said:
DL30 super clean FROYO
Removed
-------
All bloatware
All verizon apps
All verizon framework
Touchwiz live walls and widgets
Touchwiz launcher
Touchwiz calendar
Touchwiz calculator
Memo and write apps
Flash
Nuance
Samsung keyboard
Startup animation
shutdown animation
startup sounds
market widget
setup wizard
backup assistant
Added
---------
2.2.1 launcher, modified to work with TW dialer. You need to set PHONE as default activity on the phone button for the first time use.
Musicmod
aosp calendar
aosp calculator
Google voice
Google voice enabled dialer (voicemail button)
aosp dock app
non binged car dock app
non binged browser
camera to include geotagging
latest market, search, voice, gmail, etc
resolv.conf
aosp ringtones
ad blocking hosts
aosp lockscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the changelog for any changes/modifications since the original. The latest SuperClean (2.6) is a hybrid of EB01 and EB16, as well.
Edit: And this should either be in the Super Clean thread, or in General- not a new thread in Development.
okay, thanks. I guess that rules out superclean. I like touchwiz too much. how do you delete stock apps?
m91-30 said:
okay, thanks. I guess that rules out superclean. I like touchwiz too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the post! There's a patch to add TouchWiz.
m91-30 said:
how do you delete stock apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remove the .apk by hand, or use something like Titanium Backup and remove it, or use Titanium Backup's Freeze feature. Be careful what you remove! If you remove some things, TouchWiz and other stuff could stop working!
i don't miss touchwiz at all. honestly what do you like about it?
and i am not being rhetorical, seriously why do you like it over a clean rom running launcher pro?
I like the effects, look, and feel of it. I've never had any speed issues with it, and I use the touchwiz apps like program manager, media player, weather clock, calander, clock, ect...
This belongs in general discussion.
upsidedownaaron said:
i don't miss touchwiz at all. honestly what do you like about it?
and i am not being rhetorical, seriously why do you like it over a clean rom running launcher pro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dogma serves no one. Several touchwiz apps are more functional than their aosp counterparts. Now I do agree that the touchwiz launcher is meh, but there is a lot more to a ROM than just the launcher.
rigglemania said:
Dogma serves no one. Several touchwiz apps are more functional than their aosp counterparts. Now I do agree that the touchwiz launcher is meh, but there is a lot more to a ROM than just the launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, the launcher is the weakest part of TW, but even the launcher isn't so bad. As far as speed goes, the thing that really slows it down is the TW widgets. Those must be terribly bloated.
My biggest complaint is just the goofy app drawer with the seizure inducing app backgrounds, but the home screen setup isn't too bad. I've switched back to it from ADWex as EX was starting to exhibit some strange behavior (seemed like memory use was ballooning over time and the whole system was slowing down).
Why not just use titanium backup and freeze the apps instead of deleting. (you need the premium version though)
If you really want to know what files are different between ROMs, you can always download 2 zipped ROMs (such as stock deodexed EB01 and superclean EB01 for example), unzip them and use a program like WinMerge (Windows only) to compare the files between the two.
As far as TouchWiz is concerned, it's all personal preference. There was a thread on here where a bunch of people talked about liking the TouchWiz launcher - me included. I like horizontal scrolling, being able to re-arrange the apps to specific pages and I even like the backgrounds to all the apps in the drawer. It is visually more uniform and a lot easier for me to view/launch apps without all the dead space between the icons.
I don't like vertical scrolling and small icons the stock launcher provides. Part of the problem isn't just the launcher, it's the icons. Not all app developers follow the same guidelines for making app icons. Some are 2D, some are 3D, they're all different sizes. I guess the icon backgrounds from TouchWiz or MIUI give them all a uniform look that's appealing to me?
yeah. I'm not giving up touchwiz, or the touchwiz apps, I like how they work, I've liked it since my omnia 2 (even though, admittedly, it did slow that phone down). I also like the continuity it provides from one samsung phone to the next, as I plan on sticking by samsung as long as the phone works like it should for me from the git go (I never had any serious problems with my omnia 2, or fascinate). right now my only setback is only having a linux computer. I need to figure out how to hack android (linux kernel) from ubuntu (linux). you would think two linux OSs would play well together, oh well.
also, is there a list somewhere of .APKs you can delete without effecting touchwiz or android?
m91-30 said:
also, is there a list somewhere of .APKs you can delete without effecting touchwiz or android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are lists around, but there has been a fair amount of work put into the superclean ROMs. That is a good basis for what you can/can not remove to an extent.
I say to an extent, because there are some things left in, some things removed and some things added to the superclean ROM that doesn't "officially" make it "super clean" to me.
For example, the Memo app can be removed (it has been in superclean) and it won't hurt anything. The additional fonts can be removed, but they haven't been in superclean. There are some Google apps which typically come stock that can be removed - some that don't come stock have been added to superclean - all of which can be installed from the Market.
Sometimes the best way to test is from trial and error (if you do use this method, use ADB and rename files to test - don't delete). If you go asking questions, people will either tell you to Google it, try it yourself, or you'll get 2 different answers that conflict which will cause you to try it yourself anyway.
I don't believe in breaking core functionality.
If I remove the extra fonts in superclean, there is a nice fat force closing sub menu under display settings.
My OCD will not stand for it. This is the same reason Samsung Mms.apk was added back. No multi-part messages= broken, imo.
superclean is a name. If you want a truly SUPER CLEAN rom, then use blackhole, and customize to your liking. Although i think you wil find that in some respects, SC is cleaner.
Typically, apps added to superclean are there to increase functionality. Its not meant to be an aosp replacement/clone.
adrynalyne said:
I don't believe in breaking core functionality.
If I remove the extra fonts in superclean, there is a nice fat force closing sub menu under display settings.
My OCD will not stand for it. This is the same reason Samsung Mms.apk was added back. No multi-part messages= broken, imo.
superclean is a name. If you want a truly SUPER CLEAN rom, then use blackhole, and customize to your liking. Although i think you wil find that in some respects, SC is cleaner.
Typically, apps added to superclean are there to increase functionality. Its not meant to be an aosp replacement/clone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting.. I never noticed a FC sub menu after removing fonts, but I (like most others else here) trust your judgment 200% over my own.
I'm making a bit of an assumption that if you remove the fonts, then go to display settings and mess with fonts there, it will crash. I've not tested the theory, but thats the main reason I have left them in. That and they take little space, and don't run in the background xD.
adrynalyne said:
I'm making a bit of an assumption that if you remove the fonts, then go to display settings and mess with fonts there, it will crash. I've not tested the theory, but thats the main reason I have left them in. That and they take little space, and don't run in the background xD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just re-flashed MIUI so I can't give you the step-by-step, but I recall removing a total of 3 files with the string *EUK* and they just don't show up in the fonts list in display settings. The option to download fonts is still there - no FC.
can someone give me a list of some of the apps to avoid freezing/uninstalling to avoid locking up touchwiz and android?
Good discussion
I'm one of those people who, for various reasons, like the current stock ROM. In particular, after trying a number of launchers I keep coming back to TnT. I rarely use the "dashboard," but it is nice when I'm using the tablet on a stand and can turn it on and in a moment get the time, weather, and a news headline. For the most part I use the "classic" mode which just works for me. There are no inappropriate and useless phone-related icons or features and the on-screen Menu and Back icons are very helpful. My presbyopic eyes like the large notification icons and the simple layout.
On the other hand, there are some very nice aspects to the recent CyanogenMod 7 ROM. A biggie is the location feature that works surprisingly well.
I'd probably use modded ROMs more if I could find a launcher that I like. Given that I think I've tried just about all of them, it looks as if what I really want is the TnT one. Is this installable on a ROM that didn't come with it?
yes you can. on the caulkin rom you get a folder with the "home" and other missing apps to install the tnt launcher also you can go to droidpirate.com and search for a bunch of stuff to download including the launcher there.
I had ordered this without ever even giving touchwiz a thought. Figured the phone would show up, I would play with it about 5 minutes, install new launcher, never look at touch wiz again. After I ordered it I downloaded the user manual and did some reading and it appears that there is some interesting and useful work here that without having the phone I think I like. Watching videos to see if I could see some of the stuff in action seemed to me to confirm that there is some good stuff there.
My question is how are you liking touchwiz? Not the phone, the phone with touchwiz. I Have encountered an older version and was left heavily underwhelmed. Please be specific, I like this, I hate that, and give a reason. If its just because that works fine but have a reason.
Remember guys this is mostly about opinion and little about fact. Leave folks be with theirs and vice versa.
edit.... Also please add in your predilections toward flashing roms, or not, as it were. An opinion from a daily flasher is much different than one from someone who never flashes and runs the stock rom.
I thought I'd hate it but I'm actually really liking it! Some features I love:
- The lockscreen is great and you get little tabs you can slide when you get a text or missed call.
- You can reject a call with a text message (So handy)
- Resizable widgets
- Customiseable dock
- Hold down 'Menu' for search in apps
- Quick settings in the notification tray
- Movable homescreens
- Customisable app tray
and more Besides you could always replace it with another launcher and I'm sure custom ROMs are on the way.
I changed it within seconds to launcher pro. However the drawer in launcher pro isnt smooth at all, im actually thinking of changing back.
rocketpaul said:
I changed it within seconds to launcher pro. However the drawer in launcher pro isnt smooth at all, im actually thinking of changing back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Go Launcher EX
It is faster than Launcher Pro
I have a lot of time flashing roms and all that fun stuff so I have an idea about the possibilities going that route. Going to edit the op in regards to people adding their experience and preferences as far as flashing roms and such go. Thanks for your input. As a question Im on a custom rom now and the widets are all resizable. Are you talking about the touchwiz widgets then?
Another question would be can you access some or all of the touchwiz widgets from another launcher or do you give them up?
krabman said:
Another question would be can you access some or all of the touchwiz widgets from another launcher or do you give them up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go use a third party launcher, you usually lose access to manufacturer widgets, since they work in a slightly different way from plain stock ones...
But if you go Launcher Pro Plus (it's a couple of dollars for the plus version) you get more "custom" widgets like that in return I guess it just depends what look you are going for.
So you have the handset and can confirm they are toast? Figured they would be but I haven't done touchwiz yet.
krabman said:
So you have the handset and can confirm they are toast? Figured they would be but I haven't done touchwiz yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, hence why I say "usually". I've been in this business for a while, but not got the SGS II yet.
I have to admit that I like Touchwiz. On SGS, I dont have a SGS2 yet. In my opinion, Samsung Glass lockscreen is a way better than the Android stock lockscreen.
At the moment I'm in love with Zeam laucher but I always come back to Touchwiz from time to time. Launcher Pro and ADW have always left me cold.
Did more reading, I see that you can change the fonts system wide. Does this carry over to a new launcher or do you lose that? Pretty nifty feature.
In my personal opinion, touchwiz 3 was dire. But after using my Galaxy S II for a few days touchwiz 4 has come a long way. I'm sticking with Touchwiz for now
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
I've been playing with the demo models at the office solidly for the past 2 days, and as a Sense users for the past 2 years, I really don't like Touchwiz even in it's newest incarnation.
Probably more down to being used to how everything works in Sense though, I don't like change
Touchwiz 4 is a huge improvement over 3 in my opinion. Using it on both my SGS and SGS2 now. The new calendar widgets on the SGS2 are awesome as well Touchwiz 4 can also put folders in the applications menu now
Semi-regular flasher (ooer) - would generally flash a new rom every couple of months. Been with Android since the G1 so have a pretty good idea of what's possible.
Things you KEEP going to another launcher:
Lockscreen
Dialler (reject call with text etc)
Holding down Menu to search
Settings toggles in the notification bar
You can resize widgets with LauncherPro Plus
Things you might LOSE
Movable homescreens (most launchers do this, but not with the motion sensing twist action like touchwiz)
Customisable app tray (again, most launchers do this)
Resizable widgets (possible with LauncherPro Plus)
Customisable dock (most launchers do this)
Overall, I don't miss the touchwiz launcher, but I like some of the other features. Looks like the Samsung widgets are standard and work in other launchers too - just added Mini Paper, Ap Mobile, and Yahoo! Finance, and they seem fine.
krabman - I've changed my system font to Helvetica S (Settings -> Display -> Screen Display -> Font) and in general it looks great! Carries over to most apps too. The only downside is that it's slightly wider, so you get some buttons wrapping For example, the password "Remember / Not Now" dialog has one, I forget which . . .
Overall, ditch the launcher (I like LauncherPro, smooth for me) but enjoy the other aspects
TW4 is not as bad as many are saying. its still not nearly as good as SENSE 2.x. and I wont even attempt to compare it to the new 3.0 version. I sure hope someone port it.
darkalchemist said:
Touchwiz 4 is a huge improvement over 3 in my opinion. Using it on both my SGS and SGS2 now. The new calendar widgets on the SGS2 are awesome as well Touchwiz 4 can also put folders in the applications menu now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, playing with both the SGS and SGS2 and yes it is an improvement for sure, but I am still not liking the iphonish looks.
DJGibbon said:
Things you KEEP going to another launcher:
Lockscreen
Dialler (reject call with text etc)
Holding down Menu to search
Settings toggles in the notification bar
You can resize widgets with LauncherPro Plus
Things you might LOSE
Movable homescreens (most launchers do this, but not with the motion sensing twist action like touchwiz)
Customisable app tray (again, most launchers do this)
Resizable widgets (possible with LauncherPro Plus)
Customisable dock (most launchers do this)
Overall, I don't miss the touchwiz launcher, but I like some of the other features. Looks like the Samsung widgets are standard and work in other launchers too - just added Mini Paper, Ap Mobile, and Yahoo! Finance, and they seem fine.
Overall, ditch the launcher (I like LauncherPro, smooth for me) but enjoy the other aspects
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You pretty much mentioned what I was about to! Using launcherpro plus with widgetsoid and pure calendar widget. I have to say that launcherpro work a bit smoother on the original SGS for be, but with the upcomming update that should be fixed.
Overall, combining the best of what I had on my SGS before, with the new functions from touchwiz 4!
hi all, its been a long time now since i first thought on running my phone without any homescreen/launcher app, since i am no fan of fancy animations, rather than that i prefer a phone that doesn't lag and have a decent battery life I've installed the simpliest slimest launcher i know (slim launcher) it weighs only 0.9 mb, but still it uses ram and processor to run, now given that I'm on slimkat it jumped to me again, having slim pie /notification shortcuts, ive decided to set all my apps into those tools, meaning fill up three slim pie rows with essential apps and notification shortcuts with the rest, but before i do anything i would like to read some insights from other users, possible limitations when deleting my last launcher app, and if it would/wouldn't be beneficial regarding battery life and performance, atm i see just one limitation and it's the number of apps i can install to my phone due to the limited amount of free spaces on slim pie + notification shortcuts
any thoughts would be pretty much appreciated
sent from the grey stuff inside my skull
Well you can't run android without any launcher...
And there can never be any limitation as to the number of apps you have to install unless there is no space on your internal sd card...
As to number of widgets ,home screens, apps in pie that is limited as to which launcher and which rom you are using...
Sent from my GT-I9300
actually you can, I've managed to mess up slim launcher several times trying to make it system app and ending up with no launcher app, still phone can get phone calls, music player plays when headphone is plugged in, regarding on how many apps i can install i mean if im not able to acces them through a launcher app, i have limited spaces on which i can place it's shortcuts, on slimpie its 20 slots using normal press and long press, and notification shortcuts i don't know atm
edit I've deleted my last launcher app and it's pretty much smooth
sent from the grey stuff inside my skull
Nova launcher used to be (arguably) the best free Android launcher - until now - so what's better?
Unfortunately, the day after Branch Analytics acquired Nova launcher, it grew in size by 150% (8MB to 12MB) without anyone noticing that "something" huge (but as yet unknown) is going on inside of the previously venerable Nova launcher.
So now, I, like anyone else who is logical, is in the market for a new "best Android launcher" app APK.
But which Android app launcher replaces the venerable Nova free APK?
Mostly what I loved about Nova was that the homescreen could be organized by any grid - or no grid (see screenshot example below).
What best launcher do you recommend to replace Nova [now that Nova was sold out and as such, it has (apparently) gone over to the dark side]?
I take you're on a Samsung device?
One UI shreds Nova on my N10+; faster and uses less battery even has some features Nova lacks. It's missing a trick or two that Nova can do. One UI is rock solid stable on my device, no issues.
After a 3rd party launcher boot looped me twice, back to back over 2 years ago I stopped sampling them One UI won.
blackhawk said:
I take you're on a Samsung device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. But I've been using Nova free launchers since the dawn of time on Motorola, LG, and other phones - simply because Nova did what nobody else could do - which was allow me to place any icon on any grid or no grid at all.
But now that Nova went over to the dark side - it's time for a new "best launcher" that works for more than just one brand of phones.
blackhawk said:
One UI shreds Nova on my N10+; faster and uses less battery even has some features Nova lacks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With batteries being five amps and more nowadays, I don't have any problem going days without a charge, but it's interesting you say that you found that one launcher uses more battery than another.
I've never tested how much battery power two different launchers use. But I've done a lot of battery power testing over the years.
The fact is that you can only use one launcher at a time - so it would be hard to test two of them side by side given only one can work at any given time frame on any one phone.
Sure you can test two launchers with two exact same phones side by side, but did you really run a test that detailed to conclude what you did?
Given that practical problem set, how could I tell if one launcher used more battery than another?
blackhawk said:
It's missing a trick or two that Nova can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides putting icons on any grid (or no grid at all), what I next like best about Nova is I set up EVERY phone in the house, for years, with the same well-managed set of apps and icons.
Motorola
LG
Nexus
Samsung
They ALL have the same homescreen.
For years and years and years.
Note that what you do on a computer never changes so the organization of the homescreen never changes.
Does the Samsung OneUI launcher save a backup file to be used on any brand of phone?
Nova launcher easily saves a backup file which is imported into the new phone. It's TRIVIAL to re-install all the apps in the EXACT same place from the old phone to the new phone, even when you move from an LG phone to a Samsung phone.
There's no way any Samsung launcher could possibly do that, right?
blackhawk said:
One UI is rock solid stable on my device, no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only experience with One UI is that I originally saw it when I got a handful of Samsung Galaxy A32-5G phones from T-Mobile for free.
I didn't like it at all but maybe it does the two most important things that Nova free does?
1. Put any icon on any grid (or no grid at all), and,
2. Save a backup file of the homescreen to load onto any other device
Note that this backup file includes all installed apps in the location that they are installed in - which - for me - is important since EVERY app icon is placed in an EXACT location for a reason.
There's a third thing I love about Nova free launcher but I don't know if it's part of the launcher or part of Android 12, which is:
3. Place a widget INSIDE any folder on the homescreen
Is THAT last feature of being able to resize a widget and then place it INSIDE a folder on the homescreen part of Android 12 or Nova launcher? (If it's part of Nova, then can One UI do that too?)
blackhawk said:
After a 3rd party launcher boot looped me twice, back to back over 2 years ago I stopped sampling them. One UI won.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have nothing against One UI because my only experience with it was that it was the first launcher I saw when I received my free Samsung phones from T-Mobile and the last Samsung I had was about ten years or so ago (the S3) but what I asked on the Samsung groups what apps from Samsung were worth getting just about a month ago.
Is there any app in the Samsung Galaxy Store worth the login requirements?Note the screenshots show you can resize widgets and then place those resized widgets INSIDE folders on the homescreen.
That homepage is way too busy and not AMOLED friendly at all.
In 24 hours this is what One UI used...
One UI supports folders which are a lot better than burning up pixels. Over time this will happen. I rotate my icons, folders and widgets to spread out the wear. The icon packs are red for a reason, red pixels have the longest lifespan, blue the shortest. No wear if a pixel isn't light and it's easier on your eyes.
I'm not too concerned with backup. I want a clean load if I have to factory reset to avoid doing another one. The current load on this phone is over 2yo and running strong. I keep a screenshot to help with setup. SmartSwitch will preserve some homepage settings but it can also cause issues.
Apex Launcher Classic, get the PRO and Apex Notifier.
You can use ancient Launcher and Icon packs, I've kept many old Apex Themes from 2013 and on, and they all still work with the latest Apex Classic.
Offers the same features as Nova.
Its clean.
I understand you are looking for a FREE launcher, but with the launcher being so integral to your device experience, maybe thats the one app you should be prepared to pay for.
I have been using what I think is the most powerful and customizable launcher. Not only does it do the few things you mentioned:
Put any icon on any grid (or no grid at all), and,
Save a backup file of the homescreen to load onto any other device
Note that this backup file includes all installed apps in the location that they are installed in - which - for me - is important since EVERY app icon is placed in an EXACT location for a reason.
Place a widget INSIDE any folder on the homescreen (yes thats launcher specific)
So it does ALL what you listed (i know its a quick list), but also (among many MANY other things..)
Folders inside folders, inside folders.... and widgets n deep in the folder structure
Any widget can be Resized, Scaled (Different to resize which I think is more on the widget to resize itself), Rotated, transparency, Skewed (think parallelogram), positioned to a decimal pixel position
All visible (or even hidden transparent hot-spots) have complete control of the event (eg start ab app, start a script etc) or I *thinik* even multiple actions (I dont use that feature)
All items covered by 3 above also have short AND long press events (Tap, Long Tap, Swipe Left, Swipe Right, Swipe up, Swipe down) I personally have transparent hot-spots (on top of other widgets that respond to their default tap), that I swipe uy[p on to turn on AUID and down to turn off AOD. I also have a long press on my navigation, which turns on GPS, Bluetooth (to connect and call handsfree), starts my music player, starts playing the music and finally starts the Navigation app ready to navigate.
Lots of visual effects such as shadow of the text
Control of the Font, Size, position/offset
"Reflections" on the icons, as if they are hovering above a crystal clear pool/puddle of water
You can have/add code to make your own things. There is an example out there how to add a analogue clock simply with code. Well beyond any of my needs.
and on and on and on...
My personal experience is, if you can imagine it, then there is a way to do it. I have been using it since gingerbread, and as I upgrade device and/or ROMs, I use the backup / restore to get the launcher config started. NB: The private widget data/config doesn't come across in the launcher backup, but a "fallback" image/placeholder is show, reminding you of how you previously had it set up. So although there is a steep learning curve, and with ALL the different options/function can take some time to set up how you want, a lot will transfer onto your next device or ROM. But since its a paid app, you can only run it on one device at a time.
Now, the thing to REALLY take note of, the default set-up on first install is utter TOTAL rubbish ,and so are the preview/demo images on the PlayStore. It really is a case of "if you can imagine it, you can do it"
Oh, and the launcher is called "Lightening Launcher Extreme"
The following are some screen shots I qui8ckly snapped, but the actual config is of course very personal. And because its so customizable, I can do things others will hate I just quickly flashed through the screens I personally use the most in set-up, but didn't scroll through anything or ensured I got everything that is beyond the screen and there are many more options/features I dont use; or even know about.
Part of the problems Nova is having maybe the same that ones Samsung is having dealing with scoped storage and other changes starting with Android 10. I have 2 N10+'s, one still running on Pie, the newer one on 10. The look and behave almost identically except the Android 10 has a 100 or more small Samsung system apks.
I prefer Pie because it's easier to troubleshoot and provides better functionality for trusted apps. I don't even want to see what 11, and especially 12/beta 13 look like. Maybe it's not so much Nova but rather Android that has turned to the dark Apple side...
imonxda said:
Apex Launcher Classic...
Offers the same features as Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that suggestion of the Apex Launcher to replace the functionality of the Nova free launcher, specifically:
a. Place homescreen folders on any grid, or no grid at allb. Export homescreen and import into ANY brand of phonec. Resize widgets and place widgets INSIDE folders
Assuming the free version of the Apex Launcher is this one...
Apex Launcher by Android DOES teamFree, contains ads, contains in-app purchases, requires GSF,rated 4.2 out of 354K reviews with 10M+ Downloads
That sucks in terms of requiring GSF (Nova free doesn't spy on us with GSF, and no app should ever need to use GSF calls) and requiring ads (again, Nova free doesn't have any ads and no launcher should, IMHO); but unfortunately, the description on the Google Play Store doesn't say whether Apex Launcher can do the three most important things that I feel ANY "best" launcher should do (see above).
Bear in mind there are a billion app launchers, where there's a good REASON Nova free was almost universally hailed as the best out there.
If Branch Analytics didn't take over TeslaCoil software, I wouldn't even be LOOKING for a better app launcher... (sigh)... but no free app launcher with ads and lack of privacy can possibly be on the list of the "best" there is.
That's just impossible (IMHO of course).
No app can be the "best" if it has ads and if it sucks out your privacy.
BTW, I know full well what I'm asking is NOT an easy question to answer... otherwise I'd have found the answer already, but I do appreciate the suggestions.
In order to be "better" than Nova free, it can't be worse.
GalaxyA325G said:
Thanks for that suggestion of the Apex Launcher to replace the functionality of the Nova free launcher, specifically:
a. Place homescreen folders on any grid, or no grid at allb. Export homescreen and import into ANY brand of phonec. Resize widgets and place widgets INSIDE folders
Assuming the free version of the Apex Launcher is this one...
Apex Launcher by Android DOES teamFree, contains ads, contains in-app purchases, requires GSF,rated 4.2 out of 354K reviews with 10M+ Downloads
That sucks in terms of requiring GSF (Nova free doesn't spy on us with GSF, and no app should ever need to use GSF calls) and requiring ads (again, Nova free doesn't have any ads and no launcher should, IMHO); but unfortunately, the description on the Google Play Store doesn't say whether Apex Launcher can do the three most important things that I feel ANY "best" launcher should do (see above).
Bear in mind there are a billion app launchers, where there's a good REASON Nova free was almost universally hailed as the best out there.
If Branch Analytics didn't take over TeslaCoil software, I wouldn't even be LOOKING for a better app launcher... (sigh)... but no free app launcher with ads and lack of privacy can possibly be on the list of the "best" there is.
That's just impossible (IMHO of course).
No app can be the "best" if it has ads and if it sucks out your privacy.
BTW, I know full well what I'm asking is NOT an easy question to answer... otherwise I'd have found the answer already, but I do appreciate the suggestions.
In order to be "better" than Nova free, it can't be worse.
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Yes, absolutely correct, Apex Launcher DOES NOT have all the features your looking for, but AndroidDOES has brought back the Classic launcher (I'm assuming because of popular demand) it is called Apex Launcher Classic - this is FAR superior to the new-ish Apex Launcher. BTW, some of the best features of Apex Classic are unavailable without the paid Pro but most features work with free version.
As for privacy concerns, you can use something like My Android Tools Pro, it will tell you exactly what an app like Apex is doing behind the scenes and it gives you control over all hidden activities. https://www.myandroidtools.com/ it has been kicked out of Google play store, I don't know the reason, but I've been using this app for years, I have never seen any evidence of malware in it, and it has revealed the spying, reporting activities, and ad activities of all other apps I use and I can actually STOP these activities, I trust it.
It takes a bit of getting-used-to, but it works great once you do (get used to it). Some advice, check the About in settings for automatic detection of newly installed or updated apps feature, and check the Apps tab at the bottom, then select any app and then tap "see all component info", this is really helpful and easily overlooked feature.
@DiamondJohn That's a cool Launcher I've never heard of, I will certainly check it out
GalaxyA325G said:
Nova launcher used to be (arguably) the best free Android launcher - until now - so what's better?
Unfortunately, the day after Branch Analytics acquired Nova launcher, it grew in size by 150% (8MB to 12MB) without anyone noticing that "something" huge (but as yet unknown) is going on inside of the previously venerable Nova launcher.
So now, I, like anyone else who is logical, is in the market for a new "best Android launcher" app APK.
But which Android app launcher replaces the venerable Nova free APK?
Mostly what I loved about Nova was that the homescreen could be organized by any grid - or no grid (see screenshot example below).
What best launcher do you recommend to replace Nova [now that Nova was sold out and as such, it has (apparently) gone over to the dark side]?
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Love Niagara launcher
Pear Launcher - Apps on Google Play
Download Pear launcher — a launcher designed for performance and customization.
play.google.com
Just started using this app and it's pretty good so far