I’ve always used custom launchers on Android. The stock launchers like One UI Home and Launcher3 just don’t cut it for me.
Despite that, I’m hard pressed to find any open-source launcher that meets my expectations like Smart Launcher does.
Any suggestions?
I’ve been using KISS launcher for ages. I just can’t go back to a “normal” launcher again. No more swiping through pages to find and open an app. Just type a letter or two of the app name and voila.
10/10 - Would FOSS again.
Same. And I was a Nova pro user years ago.
LOL! Me too, I started using a lot the search function and I ended up moving to a FOSS alternative that is search-focused (and a lot lighter)
I’ve tried pretty much any FOSS launcher out there, and I always return to Kvaesitso.
It feels very natural and smooth, while being minimalistic and extremely functional.
Especially the search is the best there is. The built in calculator (“1+1”; “3 inch in cm”; etc.) is so fucking useful and finding stuff is blazing fast.
Kvaesitso user here too, can confirm. It took two tries for me to really appreciate it and set it up as I wanted, but now I don’t look back anymore.
I really love Kvaesitso but I wish I could adjust the unit conversions. Im so used to entering a query lkke “15c to f” which works in search engines and Apple’s spotlight search buy Kvaesitso doesn’t work with that.
Yes but as the other commenter related, semi-improper (Ex. 15min instead of 15 min) or in my case, not having to go searching for a degree sign when I just want a quick conversion. If nearly ever search engine and other assistants can understand without it being proper, I should at least be able to introduce a custom conversion if Kvaetsitso can’t.
I have been really happy with Kvaesito. It’s beautiful and functional
I want gesture support so badly like in Nova Launcher.
Swipe up for one app, swipe down for another app, etc.
smart launcher does exactly one gesture (double tap) and is woefully inadequate for me.
Does lawn chair offer that?
Second Lawnchair. AFAIK it’s the only FOSS launcher that supports Graphene OS’ Private Space.
I’ve been using Lawn Chair for several years and really like it
I’ve been really liking the KISS Launcher, it’s power is in it’s simplicity. It also looks relatively comparable with Smart Launcher. What’s super impressive about the KISS Launcher is that 93% of users that try it for a week are still active users after 3 years! So definitely worth a gander for sure.
Octopi Launcher (Early Access) it’s still in Early Access but I am using it as my daily driver and I love it. it creates a separate home screen for each orientation and or aspect ratio. I use this on a pixel 9 fold to have separate home screens on the standard phone screen versus the tablet screen.
Not popular opinion I know but if smart launcher is good for your needs keep using it. If you have privacy concerns just cut off it’s internet access
this is what I do currently (GrapheneOS Network Permission), but I’m just curious if there are any other alternatives out there. it’s slightly easier to have trust the software I use from the get-go, not hinder it so it can be trusted, if that makes sense
I also use a proprietary launcher (Niagara) with network permission off. I tried kvaesito, kiss and lawnchair before but none of them are in my experience as polished as Niagara and smart launcher.
