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Ok, so I'm trying to find a decent launcher for the HDX. I'm going to chronicle my struggle with this great launcher deficit. I do realize there is a "Working Launcher Thread", but it's rather strewn about and disorganized. I would like to make my first contribution to this forum a comprehensive Launcher list, with a quick n' dirty prognosis of each item.
Kindle Fire HDX 7"
Stock ROM Version 13.3.2.4
Rooted with Towelroot
OTA Updates Disabled
I was just going to flash a new ROM, but I was not able to boot into any ROM Manager. If anyone could point me in the direction of a good ROM and ROM Manager that works with the KFHDX7, I'd be highly appreciative. Now, I digress.
Key:
Glitchy and/or Sucky
Mediocre
Awesomesauce
Tested the following launchers:
Otter(aka stock "Home"): Obviously, this one sucks the proverbial balls. No customizability, no widgets. My whole motivation for rooting.
Next Launcher 3D 3.10: Looked pretty, but unfortunately too glitchy.
GO Launcher HD: Stable thus far. Somewhat busy. GO Widgets work, if you have Google Play.
KitKat Launcher 1.14: Stable, minimalist design. Surprisingly, did use slightly more RAM than relatively cluttered GO Launcher(without Widgets activated)
Holo Launcher HD 2.0.4: Worked great until I rebooted. Sent my device into epileptic crisis.
Galaxy/Touchwiz Beta v5: Always in landscape mode, would not react to moving device to portrait mode.
GEL/Google Now: Widget support! However, I did need the Xposed Framework and GEL Settings app to make things work properly.
Unfortunately, NONE of the launchers had native widget support. They would simply crash when trying to add a launcher to the homescreen. I'm guessing this has something to do with the KFHDX OS itself. The exception to this was GO Launcher, which had working GO Widgets. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed by the GO Widgets.
Also, another common theme was issues with the screen orientation.Several launchers had problems with device orientation. When in landscape mode with Next, you could not move icons around. The screen would invert, and you would 'drop' the icon. When in portrait mode, the persistent launcher frame with the Home/Back/Apps/Search button would cause the Next launcher bar to overlap some of the icons on the screen, thereby rendering them inaccessible. The same thing happened with KitKat as far as being unable to move icons around when in landscape mode. However, there was no issue with overlapping elements, so this was less of a deal-breaker.
I use Nova on mine. Everything works great widgets and all.
I'm using the everythingme launcher. Its my new favorite.
Sent from my KFAPWI using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Everything me crashed on me every time
Nova prime and Apex both working perfectly. Widget support, wallpapers etc
I installed KK Launcher from the Play Store. Once downloaded you can all install the KK Locker which will replace your Amazon lockscreen with KitKat style one. In the settings of KK Locker choose the disable default lockscreen option and it will take you to the amazon lockscreen options, then back out of it. Reboot device. The amazon lockscreen will appear for a few seconds, then disappear. From then on, the KK Locker screen always appears, no double lockscreen. If you download Android L Wallpapers by AKWS, you can use it to change wallpapers. You can also change the keyboard by installing keyboard of your choice and then finding it under keyboard languages. I installed Android L keyboard from the Play Store and found it under languages as "English (United States)" and checked it. There is another option with same name already checked and that was the Amazon Keyboard, which I unchecked. Then selected the checked keyboard under default and voila. Now my Fire HDX looks like an AOSP Android L (except when entering settings).
BTW - If you go to the app drawer within the launch and select manage apps, it will open the Amazon app manager, but you will lose your onscreen buttons at the bottom of the screen. I did this while typing this post ... still trying to get them back Maybe I can figure out how to load the AOSP buttons in their place:fingers-crossed:
KK Launcher : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kk.launcher&hl=en
KK Locker : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kk.locker&hl=en
Android L Wallpapers : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=alexanderkazmin.androidlwallpapers&hl=en
Android L Keyboard : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.e.android.softkeyboard&hl=en
First a preamble....
I am thinking this might be better placed in the themes and apps section, but I am not sure.
If you have read all of the posts about bricking, you would know that flashing a replacement Rom is both dangerous and bound to fail because we do not have an unlocked boot loader yet.
Be careful with implementation, but if you want to experiment with alternate roms, head over to the developer section, read everything about Dagestan for your particular device, and then have a it. Be sure the first thing you do is back up your current Rom. Then make a new slot, and only make changes on new slots.
Okay with that our of the way...
As others have stated, I use Nova. It is quite nice.
For those of you who have issues with typical Android things like wallpapers and widgets, Amazon left out some apps that run those services. Some launchers do not need those services to implement those things. Most do.
You can install those services safely (without locking up your device) by using Kindle Free. It is an app that is in the play store. I just used the free one.
I was happy to discover that even Amazon Native apps come with widgets that can be used once the fix is applied.
I am on the OEM Rom, rooted.
Good luck. Sorry if this comes across as pejorative, but a lot of people are bricking their devices and I would hate for that
T to happen to anyone else.
Apex works well for me. Love that you can resize widgets. Wallpapers work well. That being said, there is the occasional glitch that is fixed with a reboot.
rootnooby said:
Apex works well for me. Love that you can resize widgets. Wallpapers work well. That being said, there is the occasional glitch that is fixed with a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon Kindle doesn't open when I use Apex. Haven't tried other launchers but expect the same thing to occur. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix that?
Thanks
November 30 EDIT: This was written for Developers Preview. Probably much will apply to later releases, but it needs updating.
Here's a place to discuss Lollipop, unrelated to doing the update. (Bibikalka's how-to-update thread is here.)
Got Lollipop? What's your take on speed/stability/UI? Got a favorite tip or workaround--or just want to compare notes? Me, too. I'm posting here!
For people trying to decide about upgrading, here's my quick take:
Speed (subjective, depends on use) I don't use Fire for gaming. To me, speed seems same as 4.5.4
Stability (EDIT day 12): So far, just great. Hung it once with some cross-purpose Xposed modules, but it booted out no problem.
UI improvements: Lockscreen wallpaper; normal-looking launcher; add wallpaper/widgets/shortcuts to launcher; Lolli-style nav bar, notifications and recents (see attachments)
UI cons (for me): Can only add widgets to stock launcher (won't stick on custom), but stock has no Settings so gotta live with stock icons, persistent amazon.com search bar, 1-page dock, non-customizable status/nav bar, and more
EDIT day 7: People have already posted workarounds for some of these, as well as thoughts on speed and stability. I highly recommend installing Xposed; it's turning out to be very useful.
EDIT day 12: We have widgets! (post #34) Try converting custom launcher to system app. Works for Nova, anyway
EDIT Aug 16: Kindle Reader is broken. You can access books through Bookstore app or offline with hacked app. (post #37)
EDIT Aug 22, OS 5.2.2: Sure, Play Store is broken --fortunately, HDXposed module makes it work--but Books and other Amazon apps are fixed. See @meganoahj posts here
Random thoughts:
- What's with the Developer Preview not having developer options? (EDIT! Oh, heck, it's there! Just multi-tap the serial number, like since forever!)
- Expanded external market link choices! Haha! They include: Ask, go to appstore, don't go to appstore. "Don't go" just means do nothing; still need to block appstore to make in-app links open Play Store.
(attachments)
1 - pull-down notifications on lockscreen
2 - stock launcher w/clock widget
3 - Nova w/transparent nav bar/status bar (no widgets!)
transparent nav bar and widgets
Do you have translucent navbar/status bar on stock lollipop launcher? (I could swear I did until I set something in Nova and rebooted. Now they're both 100% black on stock.) Also, anyone found a way to get widgets on a custom launcher? Thanks!
Hey is there any chance you can see if hangouts will push notifications on lollipop update? I don't receive notifications until the app is open on 4.5.4 thanks!
I pm'd you.
EDIT: No, Hangouts didn't notify. Gmail & G+ do, xda sometimes. FB, idk. What's the deal?!
I have to toggle WiFi to get it to connect sometimes. Do we loose root after factory reset?
Stability seems rock solid, speed is the same. I disable as many Amazon apps as I can. Running Xposed w/ GB and a few others, works flawlessly (for the most part). I've had trouble getting Viper audio working, though.
IMO it's a decent update, worth daily use.
pcrhckyman said:
Stability seems rock solid, speed is the same. I disable as many Amazon apps as I can. Running Xposed w/ GB and a few others, works flawlessly (for the most part). I've had trouble getting Viper audio working, though.
IMO it's a decent update, worth daily use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of exposed are you running?
Edit: Oh, found siegesoldier's post in the other thread. Looking forward to trying out Gravity Box on this!
pcrhckyman said:
Stability seems rock solid, speed is the same. I disable as many Amazon apps as I can. Running Xposed w/ GB and a few others, works flawlessly (for the most part). I've had trouble getting Viper audio working, though.
IMO it's a decent update, worth daily use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this let's you have google search instead of Amazon search? I might get in on this. I don't xposed before, is it necessary to using this? What do you use it for?
argrr101 said:
Which version of exposed are you running?
Edit: Oh, found siegesoldier's post in the other thread. Looking forward to trying out Gravity Box on this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YMMV with GravityBox, but I think it's better suited for Lollipop on this device... Amazon seems to have made less modifications to Android this time, making it possible to modify multitasking and the navbar, which was never possible with KK.
dardack said:
So this let's you have google search instead of Amazon search? I might get in on this. I don't xposed before, is it necessary to using this? What do you use it for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, though all I did was disable the "Unified Search" apk. After installing Google Search, setting it to default and a reboot, it seems to have replaced it everywhere.
pcrhckyman said:
Stability seems rock solid, speed is the same. I disable as many Amazon apps as I can. Running Xposed w/ GB and a few others, works flawlessly (for the most part). I've had trouble getting Viper audio working, though.
IMO it's a decent update, worth daily use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wich launcher is this?
meganoahj said:
Wich launcher is this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex Launcher
Replace or delete Amazon.com search bar
Thanks @pcrhckyman for this! I've added a small variation. (Note: The "Unified Search" app is com.amazon.kindle.unifiedSearch)
To replace with Google search bar:
pcrhckyman said:
. . . all I did was disable the "Unified Search" apk. After installing Google Search, setting it to default and a reboot, it seems to have replaced it everywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To delete:
Just disable the Unified Search app. If the bar turns white and doesn't disappear, reboot. FWIW, the stock browser actually uses Google search engine now, not Bing.
Everything running fine, feels just as fast as 4.5.3 as least. I haven't had any bugs of fcs yet! Running Nova Launcher and xposed (some tweaks with gravity box but that's it). Worth mentioning some things in gravity box don't work, for example I can't get expanded desktop or get rid of the navigation bar.
cerice74 said:
Hey is there any chance you can see if hangouts will push notifications on lollipop update? I don't receive notifications until the app is open on 4.5.4 thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Push notifications aren't working for me at all since updating to Lollipop. Has anyone been able to get them to work?
argrr101 said:
Everything running fine, feels just as fast as 4.5.3 as least. I haven't had any bugs of fcs yet! Running Nova Launcher and xposed (some tweaks with gravity box but that's it). Worth mentioning some things in gravity box don't work, for example I can't get expanded desktop or get rid of the navigation bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using "Force Immersive Mode" module for expanded desktop. It's per-app and I use it on (stock) launcher. Also enabled translucent decor in GB. It works on both bars in launcher (nice look, I think) but only on status bar in some apps. (You know, Nova had its own expanded desktop option, which seems to have gone missing, kinda like widgets. You can't get widgets on Nova, right?)
Try nav bar tweaks in GB again. I definitely was able to disable nav bar (lol, good thing I had pie controls on!) Also, nav bar height is working.
Working smooth
No problem for me either.
Everything seems stable, no bugs.
thanks a lot.
DoLooper said:
I'm using "Force Immersive Mode" module for expanded desktop. It's per-app and I use it on (stock) launcher. Also enabled translucent decor in GB. It works on both bars in launcher (nice look, I think) but only on status bar in some apps. (You know, Nova had its own expanded desktop option, which seems to have gone missing, kinda like widgets. You can't get widgets on Nova, right?)
Try nav bar tweaks in GB again. I definitely was able to disable nav bar (lol, good thing I had pie controls on!) Also, nav bar height is working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh got rid of the nav bar, thanks!
And yeah, no widgets on Nova
Anyone able to login on SnapChat? I get an problem connecting to server every time I try
Am I going to have to revert to 4.5.3 to gain root or is there a way to gain it in the developer's build? I'm really new to using ADB and worried about screwing something up.
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Forums Pro.
ROMAddiction said:
Am I going to have to revert to 4.5.3 to gain root or is there a way to gain it in the developer's build? I'm really new to using ADB and worried about screwing something up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps, try the latest KingRoot, see what it does?
Otherwise there is no known way to get root from within 5.2.0 You need to have root and then install 5.2.0 while keeping root.
I'm using lineage os (7.1) and there is only one home app which is trebuchet launcher. Could anyone please recommend me any launcher (flashable zip) for my custom rom? Thanks.
@maztur10
Earlier, as you might know, Nova was the undisputed king of launchers having hell lot of the customizations along with the fluidity. But recently, Apex Launcher and Action Launcher has also caught upto it, if not crossed over; and there has been new entries in the game.
So following will be my top picks :
1. Nova Launcher (FREE | PRIME)
2. Apex Launcher (FREE | PRO)
3. Action Launcher (FREE)
4. Pixel Launcher by Google, (Android O) (PS | APKmirror)
5. LawnChair, your open source light-weighted launcher. This is the one I've been using from some time now. (gitHub releases | XDA thread)
Other worthy options
6. Google Now Launcher (FREE)
7. Evie Launcher (FREE)
8. Arrow Launcher by Microsoft FREE)
9. Z Launcher by Nokia (FREE)
Well there are a tons of them but these were my top picks. For fluidity and best user experience you should definitely go with Nova. LawnChair, I've been using, is also very good and comes for no cost. Nova can be customised and made to give you any kind of look with all those icon packs and customisations. But you don't want to do the hard work yourselves, Arrow Launcher is pretty good for UI. Z is good looking but isn't stable and hasn't been updated in ages. Apart from these there are like the Apus or Go or CM, which I would say are basically adwares; atleast that's what I like to think. Also there are these iOS and Mi like launchers which doesn't fetaure any application drawer and I find them very messy to manage. It takes so much time just to search for the app you want.
So now its totally upto you what you want to go with. My best wishes to you.
EDIT - One thing I forgot to mention is about Google Cards. Google Cards first came for the Pixels and later Nexus', which are basically google gathering all the relevant info from your google searches and on-screen activity on your phone and then displaying the relevant information. Its very useful and gives you continuous alerts about the traffic congestion or the weather and news updates relevant to you, or if their is a meeting coming up, or it's someone's birthday. So what I'm trying to say is, its pretty useful. Earlier you needed root permissions for this to use on other devices, but some time ago Nova and, I think, Action too has included this feature without root, so you can just swipe from left edge of your home screen to see your google cards. So that's definitely was a point worth mentioning. I don't know if any other launcher does provide this functionality. Hell even Google's Pixel Launcher doesn't (Google now too, ofcourse). But, then again, there's LawnChair too. Now, I remember why I'm hooked up to it from the last two months ;-B
Well, thanks @sasukay. I'm using Nova (prime) right now and it's great!
Hi,
In every other android based phone I've owned I've always had an option to hide apps I don't use allot so you just drag an app up to the top and there are usually two options: Uninstall and Remove which places it in a vault for safe keeping. This doesn't seep to be present on this phone and I HATE cluttered desktops so I'm a bit bummed about this so I thought I'd reach out and see if I'm not figuring this out.
I am now aware of the right swipe that brings me to some other settings but there is no app vault there for hiding apps I don't use.
Also is there a way to uninstall allot of the bloat ware this phone came with? I use Google apps for most of my needs and Opera as my main browser so having these other apps on board isn't much to my liking and again without a vault of some kind to take them off of hte desktop...... no fun!
I do know about the combining apps into "folders" and renaming them but I'd just like the apps GONE that I don't and never will use.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
You could just download another launcher with the option to vault apps and about the bloatware you can follow this tutorial right here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/redmi-note-7/how-to/remove-redmi-note-7-bloatware-root-t3925049
Can you recommend a launcher that's stable and good? I've tried a few on my tablets but ended up going back to the default as they were mostly unstable... I'm sure it's going to be different on a phone but it was a bit disheartening to try about 4 launchers on my Lenovo tablet and just didn't like them at all.
Thanks for the quick reply!
Nova Launcher is pretty good
Give a try to poco launcher.
Very stable.
I use Evie Launcher, lightweight amd simple to use
RAMWolff said:
Can you recommend a launcher that's stable and good? I've tried a few on my tablets but ended up going back to the default as they were mostly unstable... I'm sure it's going to be different on a phone but it was a bit disheartening to try about 4 launchers on my Lenovo tablet and just didn't like them at all.
Thanks for the quick reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try CPL (Customized Pixel Launcher) from playstore. I guess CPL is the best in term of stability, optimizations and LOTs of customization, you wont find in any launcher IMO
No need for Nova launcher or Poco ,new system launcher alfa version ,have new options , swipe up to app drawer..
Hmmm, but if there is an App Drawer in a newer version of the launcher that ships with this phone I wasn't aware of that but the main thing for me, besides the drawer or vault or what ever it's called (too many strange labels to understand what I'm trying to say ) I really need that bit when I'm dragging up to allow me to remove the app from the desktop. In the default there is that weird option that seems to replace the "remove" option.... called "Dual apps" which I have NO IDEA what that's all about and really don't care.
I'm using Poco and it's nice enough. I love the dark theme option but one thing I am missing is when one gets new phone calls or texts the icons in the lower bar area usually changes to indicate how many there are waiting. With the Poco set up there doesn't seem to be any indicators like that... or perhaps it's because I changed the icon set out?? Not sure what's caused that to stop working.... Weird.
Thanks for all the suggestions good people!
I noticed on the android 11 final version, and with a fresh install that when setting a home launcher that ain't the OnePlus original launcher. after different amount of time the when going to home, the phone keeps asking for the "what app to set to default"
So with the OnePlus launcher it sticks and won't ask ever again for default launcher.
But with 4 different launchers, Microsoft, Nova and more, after second and more, up to 20 times going to home screen, it asks for what app to set to default launcher?
Any one more than me experiencing this issue?
It's quite annoying to keep seeing the default launcher.... So please write here if you having this issue.
There's another thread regarding that issue and I've posted an answer: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=83684893&postcount=5.
I had this problem too. I solved it by setting Nova Launcher as default in the Nova Launcher settings... Afterwards i can see it in my OP8pro standard apps as well...
Cheers
Clark
I did that too. However, sometimes the machine switches to the OP Launcher - it must be some kind of error in the system.
Have Nova as default and still watching 11 behavior...
Deliting the launcher and reinstalling, then first time it says would u want nova launcher as default say yes and solved at least for me. Hope messages from developers
I don't know what happened to my phone, but since a few weeks I didn't experienced this issue anymore.