Just got a new work phone: Galaxy S22. Wanted a pixel but it was out of stock in our internal allocation. Already tired of samsung’s UI and interested in something new.

So what do you like? Bonus points if it works with android enterprise’s profile mode dual app drawers.

    • Reliant1087@lemmy.worldEnglish
      01·
      2 years ago

      I was a huge fan until their acquisition by the shady company. I keep the pre-acquistion version on older phones.

    • countstex@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      Been using Lawn Chair for the past year or so. Looks good, does what I want and stays out of my way the rest of the time. Top marks for me.

    • Marxine@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Long time user of lawnchair (4+ years), never felt like changing it to anything else, it works amazingly well.

  • wilberfan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 years ago

    NOVA. Every single time I’ve tried an alternate launcher, I always return to NOVA within 24 hours.

  • win98@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    2 years ago

    I’ve been using nova launcher prime since forever. Make a backup on my old phone when getting a new one, and import it on the new phone.

      • Someology@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        :( I used Nova Prime for many years, and I don’t like this one bit. I hope that the devs got a good payout, and best wishes to them, but it makes me uncomfortable. Luckily, while it’s definitely no Nova, Samsung’s launcher has finally on the most recent version gotten to a point of usability. Everything is more awkward to do, and you have to install extra Samsung apps (Good Lock with applets) for a lot of the customization, but most of my favorite features from Nova are finally there. So, for the first time in many years, I’m running the Samsung default OneUI 5.1.

          • Someology@lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            2 years ago

            Yes, I do think they are, but by choosing a Samsung smartphone, I’ve already decided to be OK with that on some level. I turn off features that connect to outside companies for the most part, and I’ve chosen to believe that Samsung does what it claims with the settings that users have available to them on the phone. It doesn’t mean that I’m just fine with handing everything over to any other random company. Samsung states that they use Branch for searches inside their Galaxy Store. Some claims have been made that Branch powers the Finder (search) function on Samsung phones (althugh I can’t find confirmation), but this Finder Customization Service is a feature you can disable on a Samsung Galaxy phone. You can also turn off search suggestions for Finder and disable it’s ability to open links. You can disable Google and Samsung’s browsers and Internet searches as well.I am the sort of user who checks permissions of apps before downloading them (and disables everything I don’t use), and I don’t want my launcher (which I paid for) on a device I paid a not small sum of money for, to send every single tap back to a marketing firm directly.

            • jjnjjlr@lemmy.worldEnglish
              11·
              1 year ago

              Ok, but with even a little bit of research and looking around in Nova launcher itself, you would’ve found that you can opt out of usage analytics and all permissions. Branch even says this themselves on their discord.

  • rimmytea@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    2 years ago

    I use Niagara Launcher mostly for the minimalist look. But also because Nova was bought by an analytics company a bit ago.

    • pianoplant@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      21·
      2 years ago

      I installed it but def need to give it some time. Pretty confusing at first. Seems like a super neat idea though! How long did it take you to get used to it?

    • vegskret@kbin.social
      2·
      2 years ago

      Second this. Niagara Launcher allows me so much easier access to apps. Cleaner home page and all apps in an easy to navigate alphabetical list. Super easy

  • CodyCannoli@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    I use Action Launcher, great for doing things from your home screen without needing a bunch of widgets. Also Samsung’s One Hand Operation app is a lifesaver, no need to awkwardly shift my plone down to reach the notification shade.

    • misery mansion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      Another vote for action launcher. Switched back to it after Nova was sold off. I have had the same basic home screen for years now, and because everything is so easily accessible using covers/folders etc, most of my single home screen is a picture of the cat

  • pakhrom@vlemmy.netEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    I used Niagara Launcher, but it’s not free, so I moved to Lawnchair 12.1. I also really like Kvaesitso launcher

    • jjnjjlr@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      I’m going to piggy back on this comment for all the people who don’t want to do the research on Nova and their recent acquisition by Branch. You can opt in or out of usage statistics and all permissions in the app. The new mods on their discord have a FAQ that expresses this also. I have no way to prove otherwise but if all we have is their word then you should take all apps usages disclosures with a grain of salt.

      Edit: funny enough I just installed and read the first few paragraphs of Niagra’s privacy policy which says it collects and shares user analytics. To each their own I guess.

      • OmarDontScare@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        2 years ago

        Protip: If you are somewhat skeptical of the Branch integration, you can disable network permission in Android for the Nova Launcher. It doesn’t need to connect to anything to work fine generally speaking. Without network permisson, the launcher can’t send anything to the internet.

      • KilgoreTheTrout@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Yeah I just turned off automatic updates on Nova the minute I found out about branch. I’m just going to stick with the pre-branch version of the app until it doesn’t function anymore or I find a suitable replacement.

        But you’re right, a lot of the alternatives aren’t all that much better in terms of their privacy policy. Being owned by a shady data company… It’s absolutely discouraging. Obviously something like Microsoft launcher probably isn’t that much better in terms of privacy of course.

        • KilgoreTheTrout@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Happened like a year ago or something. If you go look at the ratings on the Play store by recent a lot of people were upset. I still use Nova but I haven’t updated it to the new branch version of the APK. I’m sure eventually I’ll have to find a new launcher

  • bucciarati@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    If you want to try something alternative check out “niagara launcher”. You need some time to get used to it, but the UX is really clever IMO