@shanecraigtech Why is that? I'm switching between Octopi, Nova and Niagara depending on the mood while supporting all the developers via premium account. Every app has its like quirks. Octopi is already more than usable on a daily and fits the needs for foldable devices the most - by far actually.
Seconding this one. I'm switching from Z Fold6 to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the OctopiLauncher is working great for me so far (honestly the only option I've found with no compromises). Seems like a complete replacement for the Pixel launcher with a lot more customization options, but also feels like OneUI (Samsung's launcher) with the separate inner and outer screen layouts. Nothing frustrating so far. Once you're in the beta and install it, you simply enable or disable it like any other launcher. There is no need to sacrifice having weird screen oddities opening and closing your Fold with something like Nova or Lawnchair launchers.
@@BradAwesomeness Why did you switch devices? I'm using the Fold 6 since release and had the 5 before. Love the form factor and the software besides being sluggish from time to time. What made you switch?
@@HuffmasterFLEXX Undergoing a huge effort to take my privacy back. Pixel phones are the only one's that allow you to unlock/relock your bootloader, so you can switch OS's/ROMs very easily without any crazy steps to root your phone. I love my Fold6, so I'm shifting over to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to not have any compromises. Loaded GrapheneOS on it, with some tweaks like the Launcher, testing out and shifting to FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) alternative apps where I can, etc. The OS 'sandboxes' the Google Play Store and services so they don't have hidden, over-arching permissions; same with any other invasive apps I choose to install. TL:DR shifting all my data away from Google and limiting access to my data on phones, computers, etc. This is just a piece of the puzzle.
I couldn't switch from the pixel launcher because the way ive grown so fond of the quick google search without needing to open an app is AMZING. I google search everything and having it at the tip of finger always on screen is great
I liked Microsoft Launcher, seemed to work well with folder placement and apps. only issue I have is sometimes, when you select/ try to open a folder it will open the keyboard to change the name of the folder. to fix this you click the power button then re-open the phone.
I'm a big fan of Nova; I've used it since the Nexus days! My only problem is that it doesn't switch to two pages when unfolded, so the layout and widgets I have are compromised on both. Sadly, the team was massively scaled down this year. I think they are down to just one full-time dev for the launcher, so I don't expect improvements anytime soon.
Square Home. If you want a fun Windows Phone-like experience, this one is definitely worth checking out. Doesn't do the greatest when my Fold is opened, but love it when just using the outer screen.
Can you make one for the Z Fold? While I'd probably stay on One UI, I do like seeing new launcher options. Reminds me of my distro hopping days on Linux haha
I have been used to Samsung Fold logic of separate outer and inner screen but since I use Pixel Folds alternatively, I also changed Samsung settings to the same logic of "outer screen is a half of the inner screen". The good thing about Samsung firmware is that you can choose, Google should "copy" this too 😊
Total Launcher - It's a "colossal pain in the rear," to setup but it's my go-to launcher ever since I joined the Z Fold line. I used to use Nova, but it falls well short of what I think a foldable launcher should be.
I'm guessing the one you left out is Microsoft Launcher, which I really like. I've also used Nova Laucher but some of the Pixel features don't work with these launchers. The thing that drives me crazy with the Pixel Laucher is that you cannot lock your screen layouts.
Give the smart launcher a proper chance. I've used it for years on regular slab phones but using it on my Pixel 9 pro fold has been a very nice experience.
The one gripe I have with Android is how janky the gesture animations on 3rd party launchers feel compared to the system default without rooting the device
@VivekSingh-fu8yj Yeah I used to have all my Tiles on 1 page like the old Windows phones used to be but that's when I noticed the lack of smoothness the most but once I spread my tiles over 3 pages instead of 1 I noticed the lack of smoothness a whole lot less. I think it's in the Start Screen settings of the Launcher 10 app.
@shanecraigtech Oh I agree wholeheartedly, it's why I flick between it and back to pixel launcher - I like my widgets and what Niagara offers is good but not enough. It handles foldables better than anything else I've tried
One of the many reasons i prefer Android over iOS is the launchers. I use Launcher 10 and i used to use Action Launcher. As far as Launcher 10 it allows to use more than one start screen and i have another start screen as a widget tray. I wonder how that works on foldables.
I prefer the stock launcher on Pixel, also one of the reasons I switched to pixel. However I little more customization would be nice. I would love to have the option of removing the top side (at a glance).
Do any of the launcher still work with bottom taskbar on the Z Fold 6 phone? On Nova Launcher I can't access the taskbar by swiping up from the bottom. So I can't do multi-windows by swiping up like on the default Samsung launcher.
None of the third-party launchers can fix the issue with orientation in horizontal mode on the Pro 9 fold, correct? I wish you could do vertical view of multitasking apps not stuck to horizontal mode.
It's called getting a different launcher. I just posted a comment about how that's the reason I'll never change from the stock launcher how often I use the search bar.
My dream launcher to use would be Square Home as an old Windows Phone enthusiast. But sadly I couldn't reach the developer. Because he says it's foldable compatible but it isn't. If I make my home screen as I would like it to have and unfold it, the whole screen is shaking up and my layout is broken. Would be awesome to have two different home screens with it. Folded a Windows Phone, unfolded more like a Windows 8 tablet mode. Sadly I couldn't reach the developer for some feedback 😭😭😭
I use square home to me the best!, I have it in my surface duo 2, even though the problem with a single screen home. I have not change to newer phone as I can't find anything that operates like the surface duo 2 with square home.
@@22oscarb maybe its better on your device because of the two screens instead of the one large unfolded pixel fold 1 screen. I guess it should be easy to implement for the developer but there's no email address or something to leave feedback. On Playstore I left feedback but the answer was it is foldable compatible but it isn't enough
I managed to reach the developer months ago, but all they did was link me back to the info on their page about foldable. Not at all helpful. I feel the same way... If this launcher worked on the open inner screen it would be awesome.
@BGLisNr this is sad. He has one of the best windows phone launchers but doesn't care anymore about it. And slowly the memory is disappearing about Windows phone and it's usability so there will be no more other options like those two launchers.
Why is Samsung the king of Android sales in the US dwarfing Pixel sales? One UI. So I don't get why either Google or a 3rd party hasn't copied it to a launcher we could all use on Pixels. Samsung has created a UI that's far superior to Google's UI.
Samsung does nothing special and has been around the longest (in the premium space) I'll never use a Samsung strictly because of bloatware. If Samsung was forced to sell the Exynos chip In the US they would be fucked
@@strangebaazaDefault Pixel Launcher desperately needs to be able to have a single icon represent a folder and use icon packs. True personalization like letting users remove the at-a-glance and search widgets also needed...then great.
No Octopi? 2 different layouts for inner and outer screen! Although still in beta 😜
If I'm remembering correctly, it's also extremely frustrating to use lol
@shanecraigtech Why is that? I'm switching between Octopi, Nova and Niagara depending on the mood while supporting all the developers via premium account. Every app has its like quirks. Octopi is already more than usable on a daily and fits the needs for foldable devices the most - by far actually.
Seconding this one. I'm switching from Z Fold6 to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the OctopiLauncher is working great for me so far (honestly the only option I've found with no compromises). Seems like a complete replacement for the Pixel launcher with a lot more customization options, but also feels like OneUI (Samsung's launcher) with the separate inner and outer screen layouts.
Nothing frustrating so far. Once you're in the beta and install it, you simply enable or disable it like any other launcher. There is no need to sacrifice having weird screen oddities opening and closing your Fold with something like Nova or Lawnchair launchers.
@@BradAwesomeness Why did you switch devices? I'm using the Fold 6 since release and had the 5 before. Love the form factor and the software besides being sluggish from time to time. What made you switch?
@@HuffmasterFLEXX Undergoing a huge effort to take my privacy back. Pixel phones are the only one's that allow you to unlock/relock your bootloader, so you can switch OS's/ROMs very easily without any crazy steps to root your phone. I love my Fold6, so I'm shifting over to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to not have any compromises.
Loaded GrapheneOS on it, with some tweaks like the Launcher, testing out and shifting to FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) alternative apps where I can, etc. The OS 'sandboxes' the Google Play Store and services so they don't have hidden, over-arching permissions; same with any other invasive apps I choose to install.
TL:DR shifting all my data away from Google and limiting access to my data on phones, computers, etc. This is just a piece of the puzzle.
I couldn't switch from the pixel launcher because the way ive grown so fond of the quick google search without needing to open an app is AMZING.
I google search everything and having it at the tip of finger always on screen is great
I'm surprised that there's as many launchers that support foldable as there are. I still remember on my fold 3 when it was Niagra and only Niagra.
I liked Microsoft Launcher, seemed to work well with folder placement and apps. only issue I have is sometimes, when you select/ try to open a folder it will open the keyboard to change the name of the folder. to fix this you click the power button then re-open the phone.
Yep. That's the one I use as well.
Octopi is my go to for sure, easy and different setups on both screens.
I'm a big fan of Nova; I've used it since the Nexus days!
My only problem is that it doesn't switch to two pages when unfolded, so the layout and widgets I have are compromised on both. Sadly, the team was massively scaled down this year. I think they are down to just one full-time dev for the launcher, so I don't expect improvements anytime soon.
I might have missed it but i saw someone on the galaxy fold reddit today recommend the Wide Launcher
Have you tried Square Home?
Not for a good while, always preferred Launcher 10
Square Home. If you want a fun Windows Phone-like experience, this one is definitely worth checking out. Doesn't do the greatest when my Fold is opened, but love it when just using the outer screen.
Can you make one for the Z Fold? While I'd probably stay on One UI, I do like seeing new launcher options. Reminds me of my distro hopping days on Linux haha
I have been used to Samsung Fold logic of separate outer and inner screen but since I use Pixel Folds alternatively, I also changed Samsung settings to the same logic of "outer screen is a half of the inner screen". The good thing about Samsung firmware is that you can choose, Google should "copy" this too 😊
Total Launcher - It's a "colossal pain in the rear," to setup but it's my go-to launcher ever since I joined the Z Fold line. I used to use Nova, but it falls well short of what I think a foldable launcher should be.
I'm guessing the one you left out is Microsoft Launcher, which I really like. I've also used Nova Laucher but some of the Pixel features don't work with these launchers. The thing that drives me crazy with the Pixel Laucher is that you cannot lock your screen layouts.
Give the smart launcher a proper chance. I've used it for years on regular slab phones but using it on my Pixel 9 pro fold has been a very nice experience.
It’s been about 3 years since I last used a launcher. Still good info.
The one gripe I have with Android is how janky the gesture animations on 3rd party launchers feel compared to the system default without rooting the device
I use launcher 10 for the windows phone look on my Razr 2024... Look so dope on the small external display.
I am using it on my OnePlus open. It looks cool but far from smooth. Any suggestions?
@VivekSingh-fu8yj Yeah I used to have all my Tiles on 1 page like the old Windows phones used to be but that's when I noticed the lack of smoothness the most but once I spread my tiles over 3 pages instead of 1 I noticed the lack of smoothness a whole lot less. I think it's in the Start Screen settings of the Launcher 10 app.
Niagara is the goat on foldable phones
It does work well, it's just a bit too minimal for my use
@shanecraigtech Oh I agree wholeheartedly, it's why I flick between it and back to pixel launcher - I like my widgets and what Niagara offers is good but not enough. It handles foldables better than anything else I've tried
Please, make a video about camera settings and features
One of the many reasons i prefer Android over iOS is the launchers. I use Launcher 10 and i used to use Action Launcher. As far as Launcher 10 it allows to use more than one start screen and i have another start screen as a widget tray. I wonder how that works on foldables.
I prefer the stock launcher on Pixel, also one of the reasons I switched to pixel. However I little more customization would be nice. I would love to have the option of removing the top side (at a glance).
Do any of the launcher still work with bottom taskbar on the Z Fold 6 phone? On Nova Launcher I can't access the taskbar by swiping up from the bottom. So I can't do multi-windows by swiping up like on the default Samsung launcher.
None of the third-party launchers can fix the issue with orientation in horizontal mode on the Pro 9 fold, correct? I wish you could do vertical view of multitasking apps not stuck to horizontal mode.
No, that's a system thing.
Do they let you stretch the widgets across both inner screens???
@@upordown7960 Octopi does.
Boost for reddit still works?
If you patch it
Much love for chris cornell
What’s your favorite fold?
Pixel
Zfold6 vs 9PF pls!
www.youtube.com/@shanecraigtech/search?query=Pixel%20vs%20Fold%206
Do some one can remove Google search bar from bottom of pixel launcher?
It's called getting a different launcher. I just posted a comment about how that's the reason I'll never change from the stock launcher how often I use the search bar.
I continue to use Microsoft Launcher.
I really like MS launcher too but it breaks so much on my use on foldables
My dream launcher to use would be Square Home as an old Windows Phone enthusiast. But sadly I couldn't reach the developer. Because he says it's foldable compatible but it isn't. If I make my home screen as I would like it to have and unfold it, the whole screen is shaking up and my layout is broken. Would be awesome to have two different home screens with it. Folded a Windows Phone, unfolded more like a Windows 8 tablet mode. Sadly I couldn't reach the developer for some feedback 😭😭😭
Maybe you have more reach to tell the developer a better way to sell the launcher to fans 😜
I use square home to me the best!, I have it in my surface duo 2, even though the problem with a single screen home. I have not change to newer phone as I can't find anything that operates like the surface duo 2 with square home.
@@22oscarb maybe its better on your device because of the two screens instead of the one large unfolded pixel fold 1 screen. I guess it should be easy to implement for the developer but there's no email address or something to leave feedback. On Playstore I left feedback but the answer was it is foldable compatible but it isn't enough
I managed to reach the developer months ago, but all they did was link me back to the info on their page about foldable. Not at all helpful. I feel the same way... If this launcher worked on the open inner screen it would be awesome.
@BGLisNr this is sad. He has one of the best windows phone launchers but doesn't care anymore about it. And slowly the memory is disappearing about Windows phone and it's usability so there will be no more other options like those two launchers.
Square launcher is work better on foldable
Why is Samsung the king of Android sales in the US dwarfing Pixel sales? One UI. So I don't get why either Google or a 3rd party hasn't copied it to a launcher we could all use on Pixels. Samsung has created a UI that's far superior to Google's UI.
Samsung does nothing special and has been around the longest (in the premium space)
I'll never use a Samsung strictly because of bloatware.
If Samsung was forced to sell the Exynos chip In the US they would be fucked
Pixel launcher is 💩
Not true. It's simple but great! So smooth, easily the smoothest launchers out there
Yes 💩 😂
@@strangebaazaDefault Pixel Launcher desperately needs to be able to have a single icon represent a folder and use icon packs. True personalization like letting users remove the at-a-glance and search widgets also needed...then great.
I wouldn't go that far. It needs a few things here and there, but it's a solid launcher.