There are lots of great Android launchers targeted at different audiences, from those that offer more customization to those that are simple and minimalist. I’ve tried a lot of them, but I keep coming back to my phone’s default launcher.
1
Seamless Integration With the OS
Those other launchers might have more surface-level features, but I prefer my phone’s default launcher because it’s built for the device and well-integrated. It works well across every aspect, from widgets to transitions and animations. Additionally, using the default launcher provides a consistent experience from the user interface (UI) to the user experience.
If you’ve used a third-party launcher, you know that the key change they bring is the ability to customize the look of your app drawer and home screen while everything else stays the same. As someone who has taken UI design lessons, switching between two different design languages across the main interfaces on my phone can be an eyesore.
2
No Compatibility Issues
The great thing about using your phone’s default launcher is that you won’t encounter as many compatibility issues. Since the launcher is made by the same company, more resources are invested in its development, ensuring that even with a new major version of Android, it still works well.
That has significantly influenced my decision to use the default launcher. I prefer to update my phone immediately once an update is out rather than wait for a third-party launcher to be compatible first.
In the past, I’ve experienced issues with widgets not playing nicely after upgrading to a new major Android version, forcing me to return to the default launcher instead, despite spending hours customizing a third-party one.
As I write this piece, there are several threads on r/NovaLauncher about users running into different issues with the launcher, especially after updating their device, such as screen freezing, widget compatibility issues, crashing, and more. With the default launcher, I don’t have to worry about this.
3
Long-Term Reliability and Support
For smartphone manufacturers, the launcher is part and parcel of the device and, hence, a unique selling point. That’s why you rarely see a smartphone sold with stock Android. Unlike third-party launchers, default ones aren’t at risk of being abandoned or acquired.
Case in point: Branch Metrics acquired Nova Launcher in July 2022 and laid off nearly everyone in August 2024, except one full-time developer who was also the original creator. So, if you’ve been rocking Nova Launcher and haven’t received a single update since May 2024, that’s why.
That’s also why many issues affecting Nova are on Android 15, since it hasn’t been updated to fully support it.
If this can happen to one of the best third-party Android launchers, then no alternative is safe. On the other hand, default launchers are updated alongside the OS, thus making them more reliable.
And thanks to the big budgets dedicated to the teams working on default launchers, there’s excellent support, unlike third-party alternatives, which may be developed by a handful of developers or, worse, one person, making support harder to come by at times.
4
I Love the Simplicity of the Default Launcher
I use a Google Pixel 6a, which runs on the Pixel Launcher. The main selling point of the Pixel Launcher has been its simplicity and speedy updates, which have been the case for a long time. As someone who loves simplicity, the Pixel Launcher meets my needs.
The interface is straightforward, and the key features are a swipe away or in front of me. For instance, I can instantly access Google Discover by swiping to the right from the home screen.
The At a Glance feature shows me relevant content on the home screen, such as my upcoming tasks and events. I can also search for different things across the phone with the universal search feature on the home screen or atop the app drawer. T
That said, I know that the Pixel Launcher isn’t the most customizable or feature-packed on the market, but I’ll take simplicity over everything else at any time.
Third-party launchers may offer many customizable features, but I prefer to use the default one on my phone. The default may not be fancy, but it’s simple, seamlessly integrates with the OS, offers a consistent user experience, and is guaranteed to be more reliable and supported in the long term.
