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Android Basics: How to change launchers on the Google Pixel

The Google Pixel ships with the Pixel Launcher, but — as with any Android device — you’re not stuck with it if you don’t want to be. Actually, you have plenty of options, including Google’s own Now Launcher, Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, and more. If you’re looking to find out how you might use one of these third-party home screen replacements, keep reading…

Google would almost surely prefer that you use their own Pixel Launcher, and that’s evident by how deep the setting to change this is within the Settings app. But if you just head over to the Play Store and download a new launcher, you’ll find the OS asking you if you’d like to permanently use the new launcher the next time you tap the home button to go home.

Otherwise, if you already have a few launchers installed and you want to know how to change between them, simply follow the below steps:

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Scroll down and tap Apps
  3. Tap the setttings gear at the top-right corner
  4. Tap on the Home app option
  5. Choose the launcher you want!

Alternative launchers for Google Pixel

As I mentioned, there are plenty of great launchers you might want to try to customize your experience with the Google Pixel. They all have different pros and cons, but you should be able to find something that you like. Personally, I’m too much of a fan of the Pixel Launcher and Google’s stock experience to change anything up, but that’s just me.

Here are some great popular options with links straight to the Play Store:

 

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Avatar for Stephen Hall Stephen Hall

Stephen is Growth Director at 9to5. If you want to get in touch, follow me on Twitter. Or, email at stephen (at) 9to5mac (dot) com, or an encrypted email at hallstephenj (at) protonmail (dot) com.