We can’t get enough of Android’s customization capabilities. You can change the default look and feel of the default home screen with app icons. The Play Store is packed with dozens of launchers and icon packs to tweak the overall experience to your preference. And getting a theme-supported Android app launcher is definitely a bit of a hassle.
Users prefer third-party Android launchers to change the theme, customize every aspect of the UI to create a personalized experience. Speaking of a personalized experience, you can apply a theme engine for a fresh look to the UI.
Phone manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei offer a built-in theme store to apply skins with one tap. Asus and OnePlus add the ability to change the accent color on notification toggles and buttons. That leaves us with Google’s Pixel lineup, other device manufacturers, and phones running stock Android. This is where third-party launchers come into play.
In this post, we will talk about five best Android launchers that can help you change the look of the UI to your favorite color, including app drawer, dock, folders, and more. Lets start.
1. Microsoft Launcher
The Microsoft garage app, officially known as Arrow Launcher, has been renamed Microsoft launcher. It has come into the limelight of the software company as it prepares to launch Android-based devices in 2020.
Microsoft launcher mostly focuses on the productive side but comes with some of the best customization options. One such function is the theme engine.
You can go to Launcher Settings > Themes and choose from various options. They include dark, light and transparent themes. It allows you to adjust the blur opacity and apply the effect to all screens.
Another great touch is the ability to change the accent color. It consists of a variety of color options, including Blue, Red, Orange, Green, Purple and more.
Theme functionality is just the tip of the iceberg. Other features include my broadcast menu, Windows Timeline integration, news plugin, bing search, and more. The application is free to use.
Windows 10 users will appreciate the seamless synchronization between phone and laptop.
2. Nova Launcher
Nova one needs no introduction. The fan-favorite Nova launcher is known for its excellent customization capabilities. You can change every detail of the user interface in the settings menu.
First, let’s talk about the theme options. What can you change and how can you do it?
Go to Nova Settings and you will see various sections to customize. Unlike Microsoft, Nova does not give you a single menu to manage colors. You have to go to each menu to make the changes.
For example, you can go to the Home screen menu and change the page indicator color. You can change the background color, scrollbar color and transparency in App Drawer.
Nova’s night mode lets you apply a gray or all-dark theme to the search bar, app drawer, drawer icon, and folders.
Other functions include gesture support, Sesame integration, hiding apps, customizing the home screen, app drawer, and more. The app is free to use, but some functions fall under the premium umbrella.
3. Action Launcher
If you think Microsoft’s theme style is too little and Nova is over the top, you’ll find the perfect balance with the Action launcher.
It offers a Quick Theme option in the settings menu. From here, you can change the color of the Search box, Action Search background, App Shortcuts, All apps background, dock background, folder background, and more.
I like that the action launcher keeps all the options under one roof. It also allows you to change the transparency in all sections. You can see the live preview from the app itself.
There is a nice option to color your home screen to match the wallpaper. The app takes cues from the applied wallpapers and changes the color accordingly. I always prefer this.
Other options include quick drawer (big fan), Google feed menu, gestures, popups, and more for immediate access to apps. The biggest selling point of the action launcher is quick access to all apps and widgets with one tap.
The action launcher is free to use, but functions like popups and a few customization options come with a one-time $5 price tag.
4. Smart Launcher 5
All the above options allow you to change the color of UI parts like home screen, app drawer, dock and more. And they require you to go through countless options for the desired result. None of them provide ready-to-use themes from a dedicated store. This is where Smart Launcher comes into play.
Go to Smart Launcher Settings > Themes and select download themes.
With a single tap you can change the look of the search bar, app drawer, icons and apply a matching wallpaper.
Most themes are free, but some are paid. So, keep that in mind. Besides that, I like how Smart Launcher 5 gets rid of the traditional app drawer and opts for a personalized menu with app categories.
Other theme options include ambient theme, blue effect, dark mode and rounded corners.
Smart Launcher 5 competes closely with Microsoft Launcher and costs $5 to unlock all options.
5. HiOS Launcher
HiOS is a completely theme-based launcher. It relies on its looks to attract users. The launcher offers special sections of themes and wallpapers.
Theme store allows you to change wallpaper, themes, fonts and icons with a single tap. When you swipe left, you can access the default wallpapers from the feed menu.
I like how the launcher integrates Twitter trends into the search bar. It’s a great addition for power users.
In general, the launcher looks like Chinese skins from Oppo, Vivo and Redmi. If you are a fan of this style, you will definitely appreciate the HiOS launcher.
Play with Colors on Android
The light/dark themed default Blue accent repeats itself on Android. For users like me who want to apply different colors in the interface, the above launchers give the ability to make changes to their personal taste. Use them and share your ultimate home screen in the comments section below.
Next: Some Android launchers come with annoying ads. Read the post below to see Android launchers ad-free.
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