Mastering Nova Launcher: A Guide for You
So you want to know how to make the most of Nova Launcher? You’ve come to the right place! I’m here to share some tips and tricks that will help you navigate through this powerful tool and customize your Android experience. Let’s get started!
Getting Started
First things first, let’s make sure you have Nova Launcher installed on your Android device. If not, head over to the Google Play Store and download it. Once it’s installed, you’re ready to dive into the world of customization!
Setting Nova Launcher as Your Default
When you first open Nova Launcher, you’ll be prompted to set it as your default launcher. This means that whenever you press the home button on your device, Nova Launcher will be the one to greet you. Don’t worry, you can always change this setting later if you change your mind.
Customizing Your Home Screen
The home screen is where you spend most of your time, so let’s make it yours! Tap and hold on an empty space on your home screen to access the customization options. From here, you can add widgets, change the wallpaper, and even create custom icons.
Widgets are like mini-apps that you can place on your home screen for quick access to information or actions. Simply tap and hold on an empty space, select “Widgets,” and choose the one you want to add. You can resize and rearrange them to your heart’s content.
If you’re tired of the same old wallpaper, Nova Launcher lets you change it with a few simple taps. Tap and hold on an empty space, select “Wallpapers,” and choose from the available options. You can even set a different wallpaper for your home screen and lock screen.
Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can create custom icons for your apps. Nova Launcher gives you the freedom to choose any image from your gallery and apply it as an icon for your apps. Just tap and hold on the app you want to customize, select “Edit,” and choose “Icon” to unleash your creativity.
Making It Yours
Now that you’ve customized your home screen, it’s time to explore more of Nova Launcher’s features. Here are a few more ways to make your Android device truly yours:
Gestures
Gestures are like secret handshakes with your device. They allow you to perform actions by simply swiping or tapping on the screen in a specific way. For example, you can set a gesture to open your favorite app, launch a shortcut, or even toggle your device’s flashlight. To set up a gesture, go to Nova Settings > Gestures & Inputs and let your fingers do the talking.
App Drawer
The app drawer is where all your apps reside. Nova Launcher lets you customize the app drawer to your liking. You can choose how apps are sorted, create custom tabs, and even hide apps you rarely use. To access the app drawer settings, long-press on the home screen, select “Settings,” and choose “App & widget drawer.”
Night Mode
When the sun sets, Nova Launcher can transform into a sleek night mode. It dims the colors and minimizes distractions, creating a more pleasant viewing experience. To enable night mode, go to Nova Settings > Night Mode and choose your preferred theme.
Final Thoughts
With Nova Launcher, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to spruce up your home screen or unlock hidden functionalities, this launcher has got you covered. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make Nova Launcher truly yours. Happy customizing!
Hey there! Are you looking to customize your Android device and make it truly yours? Well, you’re in luck! We have a fantastic application called Nova Launcher that’s used by millions of Android smartphone owners, just like you. It allows you to completely transform your device’s user interface to match your personal style and preferences.
If you’re interested in trying out Nova Launcher, it’s super easy to get started. Simply head over to the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for “Nova Launcher”. You’ll find both a free version and a premium version called Nova Launcher Prime, which costs $4.99. I recommend starting with the free version to get a feel for it, and if you fall in love with it (which I’m sure you will!), you can always upgrade to the paid version later for even more awesome features.
Setting up Nova Launcher is a breeze:
Alright, so you’ve gone ahead and downloaded Nova Launcher onto your Android phone or device. Now, it’s time to dive in and get it all set up. If you’ve used Nova Launcher before and have a backup of your settings, you can easily restore them onto your new device. But if you’re new to Nova Launcher, just tap on the “next” button and we’ll guide you through the process.
First, you’re going to have to make a decision. Do you want a dark or light theme for everything? It’s up to you to choose. Once you’ve made up your mind, tap on the next button again.
Alright, let’s talk about picking your App drawer style. You’ve got two options: card style or immersive. It’s all up to you and your personal preferences. And don’t worry, if you decide to switch it up later on, you can always change it.
Alright, so here’s what you need to do: first, tap the “next” button to move on to the app drawer action style. You’ve got two options: button or swipe up. Pick one that suits your style. Once you’ve made your choice, just tap “Apply” and your settings for Nova Launcher will be saved.
Getting Familiar with Nova Launcher
If you want to make Nova Launcher your default, here’s what you need to do:
- First, swipe down from the top of your Android Smartphone to open the shade.
- Next, look for the gear-shaped icon and tap on it to open the settings.
- Now, scroll down to find “Applications” and tap on it.
- Under the “Phone” section, scroll down and select “Default applications”.
- On the “Default applications” screen, find “Home screen” and tap on it.
- Choose Nova Launcher from the options presented.
- Finally, press the home button to make Nova Launcher your default Home screen launcher.
Alright, let’s dive into personalizing your Android experience, both on the overall system and within the Nova Launcher app. This is where things get really interesting! To get started, head to the bottom of your Android mobile device’s screen and find the application drawer. If you prefer, you can also swipe up from the lower part of your Android screen to open the app drawer, if that’s how you set it up.
Alright, so first things first. You’re gonna need to search for apps. Right below that, you’ll see Nova settings. Go ahead and tap on Nova Settings.
This is where you can really make your Android phone your own. In Nova Settings, you have complete control over how your phone looks and feels, from top to bottom. You can customize:
- Desktop – Control how everything is arranged, choose cool effects when you scroll, and decide if new apps appear on your home screen. If you’re more advanced, you can even choose if your widgets can overlap, lock your desktop from changes, and add a shadow effect at the top and bottom of your screen.
- App & Widget Drawers – Here you can pick the size and appearance of the app grid, choose how icons are laid out, and show your most-used apps at the top. You can also choose different styles for the app drawer, decide if cards have a background, and even swipe up and down on your dock for easy access. Pretty cool, right?
- Dock – You can have a dock at the bottom of your Android screen. You can customize how it looks, how many pages it has, and the number of icons you can see. You can also adjust the size and layout of the icons, and even make the dock scroll forever. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can set the dock to appear as an overlay.
- Folders – Folders can be a stack, grid, fan, or line. You can choose the background shape, or even make a custom design. Pick how the folder opens, and adjust the background color, transparency, and icon layout.
- Look & Feel – This is where you can change the appearance of your icons and how everything moves. You can choose between a Marshmallow or system icon look, adjust the size, orientation, and speed of scrolling. And of course, you can pick how apps open and if you want the notification bar to be shown or invisible.
- Night Mode – You can set Nova Launcher to switch to a darker mode at certain times or leave it on all the time. It’s up to you.
- Gesture & Inputs – This is where the fancy stuff comes in. Some features are only available in the Prime version, which you have to pay for. But you can still set a home button action and use “Ok Google” as your voice command.
- Backup & Import settings – If you want to import a layout from another launcher, you can do that here. You can also back up your current settings so you don’t lose anything. And if you want a fresh start, you can reset Nova Launcher or use the quick start option.
We’ve walked you through downloading, installing, and setting up Nova Launcher. Now it’s time for you to play around with the settings and make it truly yours. It’s packed with features, even without the Prime upgrade. But if you want the full experience and you love it, the Prime version is definitely worth the $4.99.
Oh, and one more thing. I have to mention that when I used Nova Launcher in Always on Night Mode, it actually saved some battery life on my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Pretty impressive, right? I heard rumors about it before, but now I can vouch for it.
Enjoy using Nova Launcher and make sure to let us know what you think. Leave a comment below. Thanks!