I ditched the Pixel Launcher for Octopi and finally fixed my home screen’s biggest flaws
I ditched the Pixel Launcher for Octopi and finally fixed my home screen’s biggest flaws
https://www.androidpolice.com/i-ditched-the-pixel-launcher-for-octopi-fixed-my-home-screens-flaws/
Publish Date: 2026-05-06 06:00:00
Source Domain: www.androidpolice.com
For years, the same names have dominated the “best Android launchers” lists. Nova Launcher, Niagara, Action, and Microsoft are all familiar names to those exploring third-party launchers.
But when Nova, perhaps the most popular third-party launcher, went dark in 2025 and was resurrected with ads, people left in droves to find an alternative to their beloved launcher.
I’ve always been happy with the default Pixel Launcher. It does everything I need it to, and I feel like I have the right amount of control over the layout.
Still, while exploring the aftermath of Nova’s ad-fuelled resurrection, I began noticing a new name being thrown around in discussions. All I can say is that I wish I had discovered Octopi Launcher a year ago.
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Most of the talk I saw initially about Octopi…