One of the best things about Android is the fact you can customise not only the way it looks but also how it behaves. One way to do this is by downloading a new launcher, an app that changes the stock interface with a shiny, new alternative. But, with so many to choose from, how do you decide which one to use? Hopefully we’ve taken some of the hard yards out with this round-up of the best Android launchers.
Another way to change how your phone looks is to replace the whole thing! If you’re considering an upgrade then be sure to also read our Best Android Phones guide to ensure you buy one that makes the step up worthwhile.
What is an Android Launcher?
When you use an Android phone or tablet the part that you interact with – the icons, navigation buttons and some settings – are all part of the user interface that sits on top of the operating system.
Unlike with iPhones, on Android this can be replaced really easily by downloading a launcher app that opens up new visual styles, offers additional features, and allows you to tailor the look and feel of the layout to your own personal preference.
One of the real advantages of launchers is that they give you the ability to keep your phone the same even if you move between different manufacturers. Many offer free versions with limited functionality but premium upgrades are usually cheap.
Another great thing about launchers is that you don’t have to root your phone to completely change the look and feel. Of course, if you don’t like a launcher you’ve applied, a couple of taps in settings and your phone will be back to the way it was before.
Nova Launcher
Cost: Free (£3.99/$4.99 for Prime Upgrade)
Download from Google Play Store
Nova has long been the refuge of many an Android user that wants to customise almost every aspect of their interface. The app has an enviable reputation and supports a huge number of icon packs that are available on the Play Store.
In the free version you can alter the general colour schemes, decide which way the app drawer moves, customise the dock to be scrollable or even contain widgets, and plenty more besides.
Upgrading to Prime unlocks various gesture controls, tabs and folders in the app drawer, plus animation effects when scrolling between screens and other useful features.
For all its options, Nova remains a well-designed and clean app that doesn’t overwhelm or confuse. It’s pretty nippy too.
Evie Launcher
Cost: Free
Download from the Google Play Store
Another popular app is Evie. Much like Nova, it allows you to make wholesale changes to the arrangement of icons on the home screens, tailor the dock to your requirements, create folders, and plenty of other standard stuff.
A universal search makes it easy to find numbers, contacts, apps, and pretty much anything else on your phone, plus there’s the incredible useful ability to create shortcuts to them by long-pressing on the results and dragging them to one of your home screens.
Best of all, Evie is free and regularly updated.
Microsoft Launcher
Cost: Free
Download from the Google Play Store
With Windows Mobile now consigned to the rubbish bin of technological history, you would be forgiven for thinking that Microsoft no longer has a horse in this race. Thankfully, that’s not the case, as its new launcher is rather excellent.
A Bing daily wallpaper gives your device a fresh look each morning, and there’s a screen to the left of the main home screen that contains various calendar, news, weather, and other information cards.
As you’d expect, there are settings for the dock, app drawer, and home screen that allow you to define how many things appear and the way they behave. It’s not as customisable as Nova or Evie, but the design is so elegant that you don’t find you want to change too much.
If you have a Microsoft account, and ideally a PC, you will find a number of cool and handy additional features in this app. These include being able to start reading a webpage on your phone and then automatically continue on your PC (so long as you’re running the Creators Update version of Windows), plus integration with a number of Microsoft apps.
Hola
Cost: Free (ad-supported)
Download from the Google Play Store
The tagline for Hola is ‘smaller, but bigger’ and in many ways this is true. The launcher is quick, has plenty of character, and is somewhat quirky when compared to the others on this list.
On the lock screen for example there is a performance monitor that lets you know the current charge of the battery, RAM that is being used, and how much storage is available. These can be optimised by a Hola Boost, which kills idle apps and those draining the battery unnecessarily.
The news feed is very nicely designed, and makes it easy to select the sources you prefer, while blocking certain less desirable outlets. There are plenty of interface adjustments that can be made, with icon sizes and labels, lock screen content, gesture controls, and other general tweaks.
Hola offers additional apps that can further enhance gestures, lock screens, and notifications, and the launcher does arrive with a few apps pre-installed.
The only real fly in the ointment are the ads that appear at various times. They’re not horrible, but can feel jarring when you’re moving from one function to another.
Hola isn’t for everyone, but it could certainly be fun to try if you’re getting bored with your current choice.
POCO Launcher
Cost: Free (ad-supported)
Download from the Google Play Store
The POCO Launcher was, unsurprisingly, designed for Xiaomi’s Pocophone F1. However, it’s great to see it it now available to all Android users, as it offers a sleek, modern design that is worth considering for your phone.
It’s very similar to Google’s ‘stock’ OS in many ways, just with a few visual tweaks. A particular highlight is the automatic grouping by category in the app drawer, although you can’t customise the names of these to your liking.
This is in addition to the regular alphabetized list, so you’re not sacrificing anything. Like many launchers, you can choose between light and dark mode, while there’s a neat implementation of hidden apps via a double right swipe of the app drawer.
Author: Martyn Casserly, Contributor
Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews for Macworld and its sister site Tech Advisor.