What a launcher is and how to switch it

A launcher is the app that controls your Android home screen — what you see when you press the home button, how your apps are arranged, and what your icons look like. The default launcher comes built into your phone, but you can replace it with a different one in about two minutes.

To change your launcher, you read a new one from Google Play Store, open it, and tell Android to use it as your default. The next time you press home, you'll see the new launcher instead. Your old launcher stays on your phone; you're just switching which one is active.

Changing launchers does not affect your apps, photos, messages, or any other data. It only changes the appearance and behavior of your home screen and app drawer.

Key Takeaways

  • read a launcher from Google Play Store, open it, and Android will ask you to set it as default.
  • Common launchers include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara, each with different home screen styles and customization options.
  • You can switch back to your original launcher at any time by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Home and selecting a different one.
  • Changing your launcher does not delete apps or data; it only changes how your home screen looks and works.

Step-by-step: downloading and setting a new launcher

Open Google Play Store on your phone. Search for the launcher you want — "Nova Launcher," "Microsoft Launcher," or "Niagara" are popular choices. Tap the launcher name, then tap the blue Install button. Wait for the read to finish.

Once installed, tap Open. Android will show a dialog asking "Set as default home app?" or similar wording. Tap the button to confirm. Your home screen will when ready switch to the new launcher.

If Android does not show this dialog, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps (or Default Applications, depending on your phone). Find Home or Home App, tap it, and select the new launcher from the list.

Popular launchers and what they do differently

Nova Launcher gives you the most control over icon size, grid layout, gesture shortcuts, and animations. It has a free version with most features and a paid version that unlocks additional customization. Most people use the free version without issues.

Microsoft Launcher integrates with Microsoft services like Outlook and OneDrive. It shows a feed of calendar events and news on the left side of your home screen. If you use Microsoft apps regularly, this launcher keeps them more visible.

Niagara Launcher strips away the traditional grid of apps and instead shows a scrollable list. It is designed to be faster to navigate and uses less screen space for icons. It works best if you prefer simplicity over customization.

Google Pixel Launcher is the default on Pixel phones and can be downloaded on other Android phones. It includes Google Search at the bottom and a clean, minimal design. It is a good choice if you like the standard Android look.

Switching back to your original launcher

If you want to go back to your phone's original launcher, open Settings and go to Apps > Default Apps > Home (or Home App). You will see a list of installed launchers. Tap the one you want to use — usually labeled with your phone brand, like "Samsung Home" or "Pixel Launcher."

The original launcher is still on your phone even after you switch to a new one. You do not need to reinstall it. Switching between launchers takes a few seconds and does not affect anything else on your phone.

What happens to your apps and home screen layout

When you switch launchers, your apps stay exactly where they are. The new launcher will show all your installed apps in its app drawer. However, the arrangement of apps on your home screen will reset — you will see the new launcher's default layout, not the arrangement you had on the old launcher.

This means if you had apps arranged in a specific order on your old launcher, you will need to arrange them again on the new one. Your app data, messages, photos, and settings are not affected at all. Only the visual layout of the home screen changes.

Some launchers let you back up your home screen layout. Nova Launcher, for example, can save your icon positions and restore them if you switch back. Check the settings of your new launcher to see if this option is available.

Customization options available in most launchers

Most third-party launchers let you change icon size, the number of columns and rows on your home screen, and the style of your app drawer. You can usually add widgets, change the home screen background, and set up gesture shortcuts — like swiping down to open the app drawer or swiping up to open a specific app.

Some launchers offer icon packs, which change the look of all your app icons at once. Others let you hide apps from the app drawer, create folders, or add custom labels to your home screen. The exact options depend on which launcher you choose.

Free launchers usually include most customization features. Paid versions or premium tiers typically unlock additional themes, advanced gestures, or cloud backup. You can test the free version first to see if you like the launcher before paying for extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my launcher slow down my phone?

No. A launcher is just the app that displays your home screen. Switching to a different one does not affect your phone's speed or battery life. If a launcher feels slow, you can switch to a different one or go back to your original launcher.

Can I use multiple launchers and switch between them?

Yes. You can install as many launchers as you want. When you press the home button, Android will ask which launcher you want to use if you have more than one set as default. You can also go to Settings > Default Apps > Home to change which one is active.

Do I lose my apps or data when I change launchers?

No. Your apps, photos, messages, and all other data stay on your phone. Only the appearance of your home screen changes. If you switch back to your original launcher, your old home screen layout will not be restored unless you backed it up, but all your apps and data are still there.

What if my phone does not have Google Play Store?

Most Android phones have Google Play Store built in. If yours does not, you may have a different app store depending on your phone brand or region. Check your phone's app store for launchers, or contact your phone manufacturer for support.

Can I customize my launcher without paying?

Yes. Most popular launchers have free versions with full customization. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Niagara all work well without paying. You can test any launcher for free before deciding whether to buy a premium version.