New essential Android apps thread

f666 · 18 Sep 2025 at 18:35

heman said:
Will the thief not be able to use the launcher to find hidden apps?

No the hidden apps are PIN code and pattern and fingerprint locked (combo of Microsoft launcher and Xiaomi app locks)

heman · 18 Sep 2025 at 19:08

f666 said:
No the hidden apps are PIN code and pattern and fingerprint locked (combo of Microsoft launcher and Xiaomi app locks)

This is good. But the phone and banking apps are similarly already locked right?

f666 · 18 Sep 2025 at 19:14

heman said:
This is good. But the phone and banking apps are similarly already locked right?

Yeah, just an extra level of hidden. Helps keep the kids out of my apps and setting also.

heman · 18 Sep 2025 at 19:21

OK, totally get the keeping kids out bit.

V_R · Saturday at 07:42

Had a bit of a play with Smart Launcher, feels the closest to Nova so far, going to need premium to make the most of it though.

So if the worst happens and I/we have to jump ship from Nova I think that's the best option so far.

wsh · Sunday at 14:19

V_R said:
Had a bit of a play with Smart Launcher, feels the closest to Nova so far, going to need premium to make the most of it though.

So if the worst happens and I/we have to jump ship from Nova I think that's the best option so far.

Try Octopi. That's what I settled on last week after having Nova for years and years.

edit: I saw you've already tried it. They are improving it by adding new features each week by request.

V_R · Sunday at 14:24

Couldn't get on with octopi.

wsh · Sunday at 14:25

V_R said:
Couldn't get on with octopi.

No? How come?

V_R · Monday at 11:06

Just couldn't get it set up as I wanted, like Nova. Smart Launcher is almost perfect.

V_R · Tuesday at 09:41

I've discovered the icon pack studio in/with Smart Launcher. Amazing!