It’s 2025, and the Pixel Launcher nonetheless can’t do these 6 staple items

Because the proprietor of the Android cell working system, it is solely pure that Google has constructed out its personal native launcher expertise. Often known as the Pixel Launcher, this piece of software program sits atop the OS and gives entry to elementary person interface parts like the house display screen and the app drawer.

With the Pixel Launcher, it is clear that Google’s goal is to supply a clear and easy interface that will get out of the best way and that does not bombard the person with litter. Not like many third-party OEM Android skins or launcher replacement apps, the Pixel Launcher does not provide a lot in the best way of customization instruments. I can admire Google’s method of balancing simplicity and suppleness, however I do really feel that the corporate’s launcher is in want of just some extra house display screen settings so as to attain its full potential.

Listed here are six lacking parts inside Google’s Pixel Launcher that I would like to see applied in a future software program replace, so as to obtain function parity with a lot of the competitors within the Android house.

1

Third-party icon packs do not work

Contemplating the various ecosystem of Android icon packs, Pixel’s lack of help is a missed alternative

The Google Play Retailer is crammed to the brim with high-quality icon packs from third-party builders. These icon alternative apps are available all sizes and styles, permitting you to effortlessly change up the aesthetic of your Android’s house display screen. Most launchers combine flawlessly with icon packs, as do some skins from {hardware} makers. Others, like Samsung, have elected to implement their very own customized theming engines reasonably than supporting base-level icon packs.

I would like to see Google faucet into the prevailing icon pack ecosystem with the Pixel Launcher, which might doubtless deliver icon packs additional into the mainstream (and maybe compel Apple to help icon theming on the iPhone). Because it at present stands, you may solely apply an underbaked tinted icon design on Pixel telephones, with the choice to alter icon shapes doubtlessly coming someday down the street.

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2

At a Look and Google Search are obligatory

I ought to be capable of strip again my house display screen to the necessities if I so need

One in every of my greatest contentions with the out-of-box Pixel software program expertise is the shortcoming to take away Google’s At a Look and Search widgets from the primary house display screen web page. I’ve no drawback with these being right here by default, however I ought to have the choice to toggle them off if I really feel inclined to take action. Whilst you can flip At a Look off, it does not really take away the widget — the date stays completely affixed to the highest of the display screen, taking over house for no cause.

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3

Apps cannot be simply hidden from view

Why do I’ve to fiddle with the cumbersome Personal House function?

The power to rapidly cover put in apps from view inside the house display screen and app drawer interfaces is a staple throughout most Android launchers. Not so with the Pixel: there is no solution to natively obscure an app with out leaping by hoops. Google does provide a Personal House function that sits inside the app drawer and that hides apps behind a lock, but it surely creates a second occasion of every app, and setting it up requires the person to dig deep inside the system’s settings app. Against this, on a Samsung Galaxy cellphone I can cover apps by way of the devoted house display screen settings menu, and on an iPhone it solely requires a fast lengthy press to disclose the perform.

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4

Apps cannot be pinned to the app drawer

I would love the choice to pin apps and folders to the highest of the primary apps checklist

Prior to now, I’d’ve thought-about the flexibility to pin apps and folders to the highest of the app drawer to be a superfluous choice at greatest, however I’ve lately grow to be a significant fan of the idea. As a quick-and-easy solution to place apps for fast entry with out taking over house on the house display screen, the app drawer suits the invoice completely. On Nothing OS, for instance, I’ve pinned Google Authenticator, Discover Hub, the Play Retailer, and Important House to the highest of my drawer — all are apps that I exploit semi-frequently, however not sufficient to justify incomes a slot straight on my house display screen.

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5

The house display screen format cannot be locked

A small-but-useful setting that is sorely lacking from the Pixel expertise

A easy high quality of life addition discovered throughout most Android gadgets, the flexibility to lock or freeze your property display screen format is completely absent from the Pixel house expertise. If you happen to’re like me and typically by accident muck up your format of apps and widgets with out realizing it, locking all the things in place provides simply sufficient friction for peace of thoughts. This setting will be particularly helpful if handing a tool to a younger little one, preserving each side of the house display screen precisely as organized.

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6

Residence display screen administration is missing

Dragging and arranging apps on a Pixel cellphone is an train in frustration

Surprisingly, the Pixel Launcher is missing within the app and residential display screen administration departments. Dragging apps is a one-at-a-time course of, and shifting a great deal of apps rapidly turns into a tedious course of. It is also not potential to rearrange present house display screen pages, view pages in a birds’ eye view, or set a particular house display screen because the default first web page. In Google’s quest to make Android approachable, I really feel the corporate has overcorrected on this one. Even Apple provides the flexibility to govern house display screen pages and to maneuver a number of apps on the identical time, and my HTC Wildfire S from 2011 may do the identical factor, too.

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