Changing the appearance of your smartphone is not just a whim, but a way to personalize the device to suit your own needs. The standard interface offered by the manufacturer is often overloaded with unnecessary elements or simply does not suit your taste. Changing the shell allows you to completely transform Android, making it more convenient, faster and aesthetically pleasing. You can change icons, animations, the location of widgets and even the logic of the menu.
Many users confuse the concepts of firmware and launcher, believing that to change the design you need to reflash the phone. In fact, launcher replacement is a safe procedure that does not require root access or deep intervention in the system. The whole process takes a few minutes, and the result is visible instantly. The main thing is to choose the right tool from the huge assortment available in Google Play Market.
In this article we will look at what tools are needed, how to install a new application correctly and what nuances should be taken into account when setting up. You will learn about popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, and will understand how to return everything back if you don't like the new style.
Let's understand the terminology: Launcher vs. Firmware
Before taking action, you need to clearly understand the difference between the system shell and launcher. Firmware (ROM) is the operating system as a whole, including the kernel, drivers and basic applications. Changing the firmware (custom firmware) is a complex process that carries the risk of losing warranty and data.
In contrast, Launcher is a regular application that is only responsible for displaying the desktop, application menu, dock panel and widgets. It works on top of the system without affecting its deeper layers. It is the launcher that you see when you press the "Home" button or unlock the screen. Androidwithout affecting its deep layers. It is the launcher that you see when you press the Home button or unlock the screen.
Changing the launcher gives flexibility not available in standard solutions from Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei. You get full control over the icon grid, gestures and animations. At the same time, if the new application starts to work incorrectly, you can simply delete it, and the system will automatically return the standard interface.
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers, for example Huawei or Honor on new models, may block the installation of third-party launchers at the system level. In such cases, changing the shell may not be possible without complex manipulations.
Choosing the right launcher for your device
The market for customization applications is huge, and it’s easy for a beginner to get confused. The choice depends on what is more important to you: minimalism, functionality or visual beauty. Below is a list of popular solutions that work reliably on most versions Android.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher - a classic of the genre, offering incredible flexibility of settings and high performance even on weak devices.
- 🌿 Lawnchair - an excellent choice for lovers of clean Android style Pixel, open source and widget support Google.
- 🎨 Microsoft Launcher —ideal for those who use the Windows ecosystem, ensuring synchronization of notes and calendar between PC and smartphone.
- ⚡ Smart Launcher —automatically sorts applications into categories, saving time searching for the apps you need.
When choosing, you should pay attention to support navigation gestures and the ability to create backup copies settings. This will allow you to quickly restore your familiar environment on a new device or after a system reset. Free versions often have limitations, so for full access to functions you may need to purchase Prime or Pro versions.
Step-by-step guide for installation and activation
The process of installing a new one The launcher is extremely simple and does not require special skills. All actions are performed through the official application store or the downloaded APK file. Follow the algorithm to avoid errors during the first setup.
☑️ Preparing to change the shell
First go to Google Play Market and find the name of the selected application. Click the "Install" button and wait until the download completes. After installation, do not open the application immediately - first you need to set it as the default launcher in the system settings.
Go to menu Settings → Applications → Default applications. In this section, find the "Work Screen" or "Launcher" item. The system will offer a list of installed applications that can perform this role. Select a new launcher from the list. Now, when you press the "Home" button, a new interface will open.
⚠️ Attention: If there is no "Default applications" item in the list, use the search in settings by entering the query "launcher" or "home screen". The path may differ depending on the version Android.
After activation, the system may ask if you want to import the icon layout from the old launcher. It is recommended that you agree to avoid installing applications manually. However, please note that some widgets may not transfer correctly due to differences in the API.
What to do if the Home button does not work?
Sometimes after changing the launcher, the navigation button may temporarily not respond. Try rebooting your device. If the problem persists, go to the settings of the new launcher and check the “Gestures and Keys” section, resetting them to default values.
Deep customization of the interface and widgets
After successful activation, the most creative stage begins - customization. Most advanced launchers allow you to change the grid size, which affects the number of icons on the screen. The standard grid is usually 4x5 or 5x6, but it can be expanded to 10x10 for maximum minimalism.
To change the parameters, go to the launcher settings (usually a long tap on an empty space on the desktop). Here you will find the sections "Desktop", "Applications Menu" and "Dock". Changing the parameter Grid Size instantly rearranges the arrangement of elements. This is a great way to fit more apps on one screen without using folders.
| Settings Option | Impact on Interface | Recommended Value |
|---|---|---|
| Grid Size | Number of icons on the screen | 5x6 for balance |
| Icon size | Visual scale of elements | 110-120% for convenience |
| Scrolling animation | Smooth transition between screens | Accel/EaseInOut |
| Google search | Presence of a search bar at the top | Optional |
Special attention deserve icons. The standard set often looks boring. In the launcher settings, you can use a third-party Icon Pack. Download your favorite icon pack from the store and activate it in the “Appearance” section. This will change the style of all applications at once, creating a single visual concept.
Use the new launcher's widgets for quick access to functions. For example, the "Application Search" widget allows you to find a app by the first letters of its name without scrolling through the menu.
Solving common problems and conflicts
Despite its simplicity, sometimes users encounter problems after installing a new shell. The most common of them is lags and slowdowns of the interface. This is often due to the fact that the selected launcher is too heavy for your processor or conflicts with the system's battery optimization.
If you notice that your phone is running slower, check your power saving settings. The system may limit the background activity of the new launcher, considering it a third-party application. Add it to exceptions or select the "Unlimited" mode in the battery settings for a specific application.
Another problem is the incorrect display of notifications or the absence of_badge_ (counters on icons). Make sure that notification support is enabled in the launcher settings and all necessary permissions are granted in the menu Settings → Applications → [Launcher name] → Permissions.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with a shell MIUI or ColorOS sometimes you need to manually disable autorun of third-party launchers in the system manager so that they do not fly out of memory.
The stability of the launcher directly depends on system permissions and energy saving settings. Do not ignore access requests when you first start.
How to return the standard shell back
If the experiment with the new interface failed or you are simply tired of the unusual controls, returning to the factory look is very easy. You do not need to delete the application, just change the default settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Home screen. From the list that appears, select the system launcher (usually called "System Launcher", "One UI Home", "MIUI Launcher" or simply "Android"). The interface will instantly return to its original state.
After this, you can remove the third-party launcher if you no longer need it, or leave it for occasional use. Clearing the data of a third-party application will also reset all your personalizations, but will not remove the application itself from the device.
Does changing the launcher affect battery life?
Yes, it can. Complex animations, live wallpapers, and constant searching for widgets consume more CPU resources. Lightweight launchers, on the contrary, can even save battery power due to the absence of unnecessary software.
Is it possible to install two launchers at the same time?
You can install as many as you like, but only one can be active at one time. Switching between them occurs through the “Default Applications” settings.
Do you need root access to change icons?
No, modern launchers allow you to change icon packs, fonts and gestures without obtaining superuser rights. Root is only needed for deep modification of system files.