Good Launcher 6 is my favourite Android launcher

We’re most likely loads alike relating to launchers. I’ve been bouncing between them for years, making an attempt each out, getting enthusiastic about updates after which being let down after they provided nothing new. I’ve paid for professional launchers and tried going with the locked down inventory launcher on a Google Pixel, however nothing actually caught, till Good Launcher 6.

My Redmagic 10 Professional is my present each day driver. Nonetheless, its inventory launcher is the definition of “simply ok to get by.” It really works, however it’s bland. I did what each Android proprietor does and went on a launcher spree. I wasn’t anticipating a lot after I landed on Good Launcher 6. I had skipped it prior to now, however this time, it clicked. Now it’s my go-to launcher.

What’s Good Launcher 6?

The launcher is developed by a gaggle known as The Good Launcher Group, based mostly out of Italy. They’ve been at it since 2014 and have by some means managed to stay utterly impartial and unfunded. The workforce consists of round 50 individuals working remotely internationally, in response to their web site.

They make a number of fascinating apps along with Good Launcher 6. There’s Icon Pack Studio, the place you’ll be able to design your individual icon packs. And one among my favorites is The Drums, a groove station app that does nothing however present superb background beats.

The very first thing that stood out after I loaded the launcher was the app drawer. Good Launcher 6 doesn’t dump all of your apps into one endless checklist (one of many curses of Android). As an alternative, it mechanically organizes them into classes like Communication, Internet, Video games, Productiveness, and so forth. I may even create new classes if I would like, however I’m proud of the default setup.

Then there’s the good search bar. The devs took some inspiration from iOS right here, as a result of I can swipe down from the middle of the display and it’ll floor a search bar together with some apps it thinks I would like to make use of. The app solutions have been a little bit chaotic at first, however after a couple of days of attending to know me, the launcher turned very correct. The search bar permits me to go looking every little thing, from the online to information on my gadget.

Good Launcher additionally learns what I take advantage of and when. I at all times open Pocket Casts within the morning after my bike journey and the launcher now suggests it for me. No have to open something. Simply faucet and go.

One function that took me without warning was the left-side information feed. It really works loads just like the outdated Google Now tab. I’m a yearly Professional subscriber and with that I can add my very own RSS feeds to the tab, and now after I swipe left I get a customized feed with no advertisements.

Then there’s pop-up widgets. I’ll be trustworthy, I’ve by no means been massive on widgets (particularly on Android). I really feel like they appear unhealthy, muddle the homescreen, and haven’t any consistency between them. However Good Launcher 6 has a intelligent resolution. I can assign a widget to an app icon, after which double-tap that app on my dwelling display to pop the widget open. It’s clear and surprisingly helpful. My calendar widget is tucked into my calendar icon, and I’ve set the climate widget to the clock.

The visible design choices of Good Launcher 6 deserve a particular point out. Good Launcher had a frosted glass look earlier than Apple began speaking about “liquid glass.” It’s refined and trendy. Plus, options like adaptive icons, nightly backups, and an intuitive customization panel make this one polished launcher.

Nothing is ideal, and Good Launcher 6 isn’t with out its flaws. For starters, a lot of its greatest options are locked away behind a professional subscription. Fortunately a yearly sub was cheap for me, round $30. I’m pleased to pay for one thing I really use, and I like supporting groups constructing nice apps.

It really works effective on my Redmagic Nova pill, but it surely doesn’t wow me prefer it does on my cellphone. It does all the identical issues, but it surely doesn’t actually benefit from all that additional display actual property. I really feel there’s a missed alternative right here to be the corporate that really cares about Android tablets. It might put them in a really small minority of launchers certainly.

The opposite day I spotted I haven’t gone in search of a brand new launcher in months. Good Launcher 6 has stayed on my cellphone (and pill) longer than some other launcher in years. It suits how I take advantage of my cellphone as a substitute of forcing me to vary how I work together with Android. I don’t spend time fussing with icon packs or layouts.

It’s quick and good. It makes my each day routine smoother. I now not hold half a dozen launchers on my gadget as a backup “simply in case.” Good Launcher 6 will get the basics proper and excels at turning my gadget into an precise good software. That’s every little thing I would like from a launcher.