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Android

the 8 best android launchers to personalize your phone (updated february 15 2025)

By Evelyn Reed

Published: 15 Feb 2025

My Phone, My Messy Canvas

Let's be honest, my phone's home screen is a chaotic masterpiece of apps, widgets, and misplaced shortcuts. It's a reflection of my brain, really—a vibrant, slightly disorganized explosion of information. But, that's the beauty of Android—the endless possibilities to personalize it! For months, I'd been stuck with the default launcher, feeling increasingly frustrated by its lack of flexibility. Then, I decided enough was enough. I dove headfirst into the world of Android launchers, and boy, oh boy, was I surprised!

a cluttered and disorganized phone home screen | Image: Supplied

Nova Launcher: The Customizable King

Nova Launcher immediately became my top choice. It's incredibly customizable, allowing me to completely rearrange everything to my liking. I could tweak the icon sizes, add scrolling widgets (oh my, the scrolling widgets!), and create folders that actually make sense. The gesture controls are fantastic too! I set up quick swipe-up actions to open my most used apps, saving me tons of time. I know a friend who uses it for his business and it's been a lifesaver for him.

Nova Launcher interface showcasing customizability | Image: Supplied

Action Launcher: The Pixel-Perfect Pick

If you're a fan of Google's Pixel launcher, you'll probably fall for Action Launcher. It mimics that clean, minimalist aesthetic, but gives you that extra boost of customization Nova provides. I particularly love the 'Quicktheme' feature, which automatically changes my wallpaper and icon styles to match the current time of day— super cool!. I was a little confused by some of the settings at first, but after reading a couple of online guides, it was easy peasy lemon squeezy. I'm not sure what's better: The customizability or the speed!

Action Launcher showcasing its Pixel-like design and customization options | Image: Supplied

Microsoft Launcher: For the Multitasker

Now, if you're deeply entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem, the Microsoft Launcher is a must-try. It seamlessly integrates with your Outlook calendar, OneDrive files, and even your to-do list, putting all your essential information at your fingertips. This one's great for productivity; I mean, who doesn't want to have everything linked?

Microsoft Launcher highlighting its integration with Microsoft services | Image: Supplied

Lawnchair Launcher: The Lightweight Champion

Sometimes, you want something fast and simple. Lawnchair Launcher, a lightweight alternative, fits the bill perfectly. It maintains a clean design and provides a decent level of customization without feeling heavy or bloated. If you're running an older device or want something that doesn't drain your battery, this launcher is your best bet.

Lawnchair Launcher demonstrating its clean and efficient interface | Image: Supplied

Hyperion Launcher: The Customizable All-Rounder

Hyperion Launcher sits somewhere between Nova's immense power and Lawnchair's minimalism. It strikes a great balance—offering extensive customization options without being overwhelming for a first-timer. It's extremely adaptive, so I can change my home screen's appearance whenever I feel like it. I particularly enjoyed the theming capabilities. There are literally thousands of themes to play with.

Hyperion Launcher showcasing its extensive theming capabilities | Image: Supplied

Niagara Launcher: Minimalism at its Finest

If you prefer simplicity above all else, Niagara Launcher is your perfect match. It prioritizes a clean, almost brutally minimal aesthetic, focusing solely on your most used apps. This launcher prioritizes readability and usability, so I don't have to scroll to death to find anything. It's like a breath of fresh air for those who want to minimize distractions.

Niagara Launcher showcasing its extremely minimalist design | Image: Supplied

Smart Launcher 5: The Smart Choice

Smart Launcher 5 takes a unique approach. It organizes apps intelligently based on their usage frequency and category. It automatically creates groups for apps that share similar functionalities. For those who love to keep things organized, it's like a dream come true! It is not perfect though, sometimes it takes a while to get used to how it organises everything.