Last updated on 16 March 2023

Android device manufacturers attach great importance to the user interface as well as the physical composition of the devices. The experience provided by each device must always outclass the competitor’s product in the same segment. Otherwise, if we take a look at the physical frames, all of them are bar type phones, all of them have similar cameras, they can all make phone calls in some way. At this point, manufacturers aspire after attracting the attention of users with their unique touches on the devices they release. From this point of view, the user interface of the devices and the home screen that welcomes the user when the device’s screen is unlocked is called Launcher. In this article, we will review exactly what launchers can do and cannot do, and which manufacturers use which launchers. At the end of the article, I will share the most popular third-party launcher applications for Android as of 2023.

What is a launcher and what is it for?

Launchers allow to manage the appearance of the home screen, the apps and the layout of the components that enable to perform some functions of these apps easily, and the dock panel where the system applications such as dialer, browser, messages are used to perform basic phone functions. The user can customize the launcher by using the color scheme and wallpaper of his/her choice. In the open-source and fully customizable Android operating system, every manufacturer can use their own launcher; users can prefer launcher apps published by independent developers as well.

Third-party launcher apps can completely take over the default launcher installed on the phone. Once the necessary permissions are granted, it can access settings and notifications. It has the rights and permissions to make changes on the system. It can utilize weather, traffic information, calendar and reminder services by obtaining location-based services.

What can’t Launchers do?

There are a few things that the launchers can not juggle with, now we’ll try to clarify these: The launcher cannot change or upgrade the installed android version / rom. It cannot force the system into radical changes. Installing a launcher does not void the device’s warranty. It cannot Access the SIM pin code or screen lock password on the boot screen.

Which Launchers are used by the Popular Manufacturers?

Samsung: OneUI

Having been using Touchviz for many years and later the Experience interface, Samsung has gone through a radical change and completely renewed the interface on its devices. The One UI interface is fully accessible

Xiaomi: MiUI

Xiaomi, which has been using its interface called MiUI for years, offers the same interface to users on Redmi and Poco sub-brands, with its special design for these phones. This interface is also fully accessible. In this interface, application Drawer and desktop layout, or classic layout can be preferred. For a detailed explanation about arranging home screen on MIUI interface, see the article below:

How to Edit Home Screen Layout on MiUI interface

Huawei: EMUI

The EMUI interface, which is short for Emotion UI, is very popular among the users, although it does not offer Google services. It is mostly accessible and offers a pretty smooth experience. .

Oppo: ColorOS

The interface of Oppo devices is called ColorOS. Curiously enough, it has been expressed that users of this interface generally prefer using a third-party launcher. Source: phonearena. Although there are partial accessibility problems in this interface, these problems do not affect the use of the device.

Most popular launchers 2023

In my opinion, Nova Launcher, which has kept up its style for years, can take the top place in this list. It lets you customize everything on the home screen, rename app icons, sort apps in classic list view or tabbed view. App actions are accessible as well.

Yet another most popular launcher is Microsoft Launcher. With Microsoft Launcher, which is very simple and fast, you can place as many application shortcuts as you like on the home screen.

Launchers such as Hyperion and Lawnchair 2, which are developed based on the launcher on Google Pixel phones and bring the Pixel experience to all Android phones, are also very popular and accessible.

Finally, I should add the Smart Launcher, which is on its way to being accessible, and is quite lightweight despite offering a lot of customization. Smart Launcher automatically categorizes your apps and defaults to a tabbed view instead of an app drawer. It gives the feeling that the applications installed on your phone are the function or part of the launcher app.

Conclusion

In this article, I tried to explain what the Launchers on Android phones are, what the launchers can or can not do. I hope it will be useful for those who are new to using Android.