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How to manage your installed launcher with Android 4.4 KitKat

Nexus 5 launcher
© nextpit

The wonderful thing about Android is choice. Even down to the core, with Android you can choose what kind of launcher you’re using: the stock Android launcher, the new Google Experience launcher, or some other launcher that tickles your fancy. Before Android 4.4, the process of switching between launcher was a bit cumbersome and little unintuitive, but thanks to the latest OS update, it’s now a pretty streamlined process. 

Nexus 5 launcher
Choosing between launchers is a breeze with Android 4.4 / © NextPit

With the update to Android 4.4 KitKat, you can now switch between launchers fairly easy and on the fly. Once you’ve installed your first third-party launcher, asides from the Android launcher, a new menu will appear in your settings page called Home.

launcher
A new menu selection, Home, will appear once you've installed a launcher.  / © NextPit

With this option present, you can quickly switch between launchers in three easy clicks. It also gives you the option to delete any installed launcher without having to mess around further into the settings. This is great, as this is the first time I’ve experience around with changing between launchers and after having read about the previous process, this is light years in the right direction in terms of ease.

What launchers are you dabbling in right now? What’s your favorite? 

Source: CNET

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Sterling Keys

Sterling Keys
Freelance Editor

From all the way over on Vancouver Island, Sterling Keys started off his smartphone adventure with an HTC S710 equipped with Windows Mobile and knew there had to be something better. Over the next few years, and countless different operating systems, he has finally found his home on Android.

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11 comments
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  • Avinash Naik 3
    Avinash Naik Dec 1, 2013 Link to comment

    kk launcher is Best


  • 2
    Glostermeteor Dec 1, 2013 Link to comment

    I have a Nexus 7 with KitKat 4.4 and I don't have the home option available in settings. How do I add it?


  • 11
    Mark R. Dec 1, 2013 Link to comment

    I should clarify, you can install GEL preKitKat but you won't get the transparent notifications bar.


  • 11
    Mark R. Dec 1, 2013 Link to comment

    @Kirankumar it's short for Google Experience Launcher and a lot of folks were disappointed that it wasn't part of the 4.4 OTA updates. The AndroidPIT team posted a link in one of their recent news articles to download the apk which you can then install directly from your phone (after you have upgraded 4.4).


  • 1
    David Oddoye Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    @Morne I'm on 4.3 now....If u feeling adventurous check out xda forums. you'll be like me in no time


  • 2
    Kirankumar Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    Sir Kris Carlon can u tell me what is GEL ?


  • Nik Burin 7
    Nik Burin Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    Great to see that this function is now implemented in stock android,though as I'm a CyanogenMod user I had this option ages ago ;)


  • 2
    morne kruger Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    hi there admin. any news on when south africa will catch up? I have note 2 and still running 4.1.2? ?? what the hell, any advice on what I can try. already tried the usuak tricks. please any advise will be appreciated. thx. mr k


  • 11
    Mark R. Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    yes actually this is a great touch.


  • Kris Carlon 35
    Kris Carlon Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    I love the new KitKat Home menu. If you change launchers every five seconds like I do, it's perfect. I'm still rocking Solo launcher but I've got Nova, Apex, True, GEL and the stock launcher on my phone. So yeah... KitKat Home is brilliant!


  • iMaC74 5
    iMaC74 Nov 30, 2013 Link to comment

    Good info 👍 I'm rocking Nova Launcher Prime and I make my own icon packs as well as using some great looking icon packs from the Play Store, I've tried all the Launchers and found Nova to be my personal favourite easy to use and setup, each to there own depending on what you want, I also switch to the Themer Launcher which is nice, one click themeing totally changing your home screen 👌😉

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