Nova Launcher: 5 Must-Have Features for Android
Nova Launcher: Enhancing Your Android Experience
Nova Launcher has become a highly regarded, though unofficial, choice among experienced Android users. This popularity stems from its extensive array of customization options, allowing users to personalize the visual appearance of their Android devices.
Beyond aesthetics, Nova Launcher incorporates practical features designed to streamline your workflow and improve overall efficiency.
Five Standout Features of Nova Launcher
We've compiled a list of five features that we find particularly beneficial.
- Gesture Control: Nova Launcher allows for the assignment of custom gestures to launch applications or perform specific actions.
- Icon Customization: Users can modify icon shapes, sizes, and apply icon packs to achieve a unique look.
- App Drawer Organization: The app drawer can be customized with various sorting options and tabbed interfaces.
- Notification Badges: Nova Launcher offers customizable notification badges for apps.
- Night Mode: A dedicated night mode reduces eye strain in low-light conditions.
This enables quick access to frequently used apps with a simple swipe.
This feature provides granular control over the visual elements of your home screen.
This facilitates efficient app management and quick location of desired applications.
These badges provide at-a-glance awareness of unread notifications.
This feature enhances user comfort during nighttime use.
These features collectively demonstrate Nova Launcher’s commitment to both personalization and usability.
Further Exploration: Understanding Custom Android Launchers and Their Benefits
Enhance Home Screen Functionality with Nova Launcher Swipe Actions
This feature has been previously covered in detail, yet its utility warrants a second mention. Nova Launcher incorporates a function enabling users to assign specific tasks to icons and folders via swipe gestures. For instance, the Maps icon can be configured to initiate navigation home with a swipe.
Similarly, the phone icon can be set to directly call a designated contact, such as a spouse. Folders can even be visually minimized as single icons, revealing their contents only upon swiping. This approach not only expands the functionality of home screen elements but also contributes to a more streamlined and organized device appearance.
Activating this capability is straightforward. A long press on the desired icon or folder accesses the “Swipe action” menu for customization. Given the versatility of this feature, a comprehensive tutorial detailing its full potential can be found here.
Setting Up Swipe Actions
- Long-press the icon or folder.
- Select “Edit” from the menu.
- Navigate to the “Swipe action” option.
- Choose the desired action to be executed upon swiping.
Swipe actions represent a powerful method for optimizing your Nova Launcher experience. They allow for quick access to frequently used functions, reducing the need to navigate through multiple screens or apps.
Customize Your Device with Home Screen Gestures
This functionality complements the previously mentioned feature, allowing for tailored actions triggered by gestures on your home screen, rather than just a simple upward swipe on an app icon. Nova Launcher can be configured to perform designated actions when specific gestures are executed. For instance, users who previously utilized the Google Now launch function via a swipe from the home button can replicate this behavior within Nova. Alternatively, frequent camera users can assign a two-finger swipe for instant access.
The range of possibilities is extensive, and each gesture is fully customizable to individual needs. To configure these gestures within Nova, navigate to the Settings menu by selecting the “Nova Settings” icon from the app drawer. Then, scroll down to the “Gestures & inputs” section, and subsequently to “Gestures.”
Each action offers three distinct categories: Nova, Apps, and Shortcuts. The “Apps” category provides the most direct method for launching applications with a gesture. However, the “Nova” and “Shortcuts” options unlock greater potential, with “Shortcuts” being the most adaptable. “Nova” actions control launcher-specific functions—such as opening the app drawer, expanding notifications or Quick Settings, or locking the device.
The “Shortcuts” category enables the assignment of highly specific tasks. This includes opening a designated Dropbox folder, initiating a call or text message to a particular contact, or creating a new spreadsheet within Google Sheets, among many other possibilities. Notably, these options dynamically adjust based on the applications installed on your device, ensuring a personalized experience. Exploring this feature is highly recommended, as it offers significant utility.
Enhance Your Phone’s Home Button Functionality
This feature is designed to maximize the utility of your home button. Regardless of whether your device features a physical button, such as the Galaxy S7, or utilizes on-screen navigation like the Nexus 6P, the home button can benefit from added functionality.
The core concept allows Nova Launcher to trigger a customized action upon a second tap of the home button. Essentially, from within any application, a double-tap can initiate an app launch, execute a specific task, or perform a similar function. As an example, my configuration is set to directly launch Google Now.
I personally found the new long-press functionality less appealing, as I greatly preferred the swipe gesture. However, this double-tap feature provides a beneficial combination – Now on Tap is accessible via a long-press, while Google Now is launched with a double-tap (or a single tap from the home screen).
Customizing Your Home Button Action
The possibilities for customization are extensive. A simple tap can be configured to initiate a phone call or send a text message to a contact. You can also launch applications, navigate to designated locations, or even lock your device, among other options.
This is a feature that warrants exploration to discover its full potential. To configure this setting, navigate to Nova Launcher’s Settings menu, then select “Gestures & inputs.” The first option presented within this menu is “Button actions,” which is where you’ll find the relevant controls.
Tap the “Home Button” option to begin experimenting with different combinations and determine what best aligns with your usage patterns.
- Launch Applications: Quickly access frequently used apps.
- Direct Dial/Text: Initiate calls or messages with a double-tap.
- Location Navigation: Open maps to a pre-defined location.
- Device Security: Instantly lock your phone for enhanced security.
Nova Launcher provides a powerful way to personalize your mobile experience, and this home button customization is a prime example.
Automate Night Mode on Your Home Screen
Related: The Detrimental Effects of Artificial Light on Sleep and Necessary Adjustments
It’s a common habit for many to use their smartphones in bed before sleep. Despite knowing the recommendations against this practice, it appears unlikely to change soon. Fortunately, Nova Launcher offers a way to improve this experience, making nighttime phone use more comfortable for your eyes—and considerate of those nearby—by shifting the color scheme of the search bar, app drawer, icon, and folders towards a darker aesthetic.
Several scheduling options are available for this feature. These include “Follow system,” which synchronizes with your device’s existing Night Mode settings (available on Android N and later); “Auto,” which intelligently determines optimal times based on your location and time zone; “Custom,” allowing you to define specific activation times; and “Always,” for users who prefer a consistently dark theme.
Configuring Night Mode Schedules
- Follow system: Mirrors your device’s built-in Night Mode.
- Auto: Automatically adjusts based on location and time.
- Custom: Enables personalized scheduling.
- Always: Maintains a dark theme continuously.
Individual settings can also be tailored. For instance, you can prevent the App Drawer icon from changing color by simply deselecting the corresponding option. This customization is straightforward and simple.
The level of control offered ensures a personalized experience, allowing users to fine-tune the Night Mode settings to their exact preferences.
Stay Informed with Unread Badges
Determining the number of pending notifications for frequently used applications is straightforward if your notification panel remains uncluttered. However, if you prefer a clean notification bar, Unread Badges provide a solution. This feature displays a small indicator on an app's icon, signifying the count of unread notifications – a functionality similar to that found by default on iOS.
This allows you to quickly check for new messages in Gmail without launching the application, and prevents notifications from accumulating in your main panel. Notably, it also functions with platforms like Facebook, even when in-app notifications are disabled, which is a significant advantage.
Setting Up Unread Badges
Unlike other Nova Launcher features, Unread Badges necessitate the installation of a separate application. TeslaCoil Software, the creators of Nova Launcher, offer a companion app specifically for this purpose, called TeslaUnread. Enabling the feature within Nova will automatically prompt you to download it from the Play Store if it isn't already installed.
Alternatively, you can proactively install TeslaUnread to ensure it's readily available when you're ready to configure the badges.
To activate Unread Badges in Nova Launcher, navigate to the Settings menu (via the app drawer > Nova Settings) and locate the “Unread count badges” option. A toggle switch in the top-right corner enables the feature. If TeslaUnread isn't present, the system will guide you to install it.
Customizing Badge Appearance
You have the ability to customize both the position and size of the notification badge. The default setting, located in the bottom right corner with a small font size, is generally the most practical and visually appealing. However, you can adjust these parameters to your preference.
Further customization options allow you to modify the badge's visual style and colors, as well as adjust the curvature of its corners.
Configuring App-Specific Badges
Finally, access TeslaUnread’s settings (a direct link is available within the Unread Count Badges section in Nova) to designate which applications should display badges. For instance, if you rarely clear your email, you might choose to disable badge notifications for Gmail to avoid seeing a large number.
Conversely, you can enable badges for applications like Messenger or Facebook to stay informed about new messages. This feature offers flexibility, allowing you to tailor the badge system to your specific needs. Or, you can simply choose not to use it – personal preference is key.
Nova Launcher offers a wealth of customization options beyond Unread Badges. It’s a remarkably powerful tool for Android users, enabling icon theme changes, app hiding, and much more. It also provides a more streamlined, stock-like experience for phones with heavily customized user interfaces.
- Related: How to Hide Apps from Android's App Drawer with Nova Launcher