Setting Nova Launcher as Your Default Android Home Screen

Nova Launcher is a popular app that can transform the look and feel of your Android phone. It offers many customization options and can make your device more user-friendly. If you’ve decided to try Nova Launcher, here’s how to set it up as your default home screen.

What is Nova Launcher?

Before we dive into the setup process, let’s understand what Nova Launcher is. It’s an app that replaces your phone’s built-in home screen. Think of it as a new coat of paint for your phone’s interface, but with added features and flexibility.

Getting Started

Step 1: Download Nova Launcher

First, you’ll need to get Nova Launcher on your phone:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for “Nova Launcher”.
3. Tap on the Nova Launcher app in the search results.
4. Press the “Install” button.
5. Wait for the app to download and install.

Step 2: Open Nova Launcher

Once the installation is complete:

1. Tap the “Open” button in the Play Store.
2. Your phone will switch to the Nova Launcher interface.

Making Nova Launcher Your Default

Now that you’ve installed and opened Nova Launcher, you’ll want to set it as your default home screen. There are a few ways to do this:

Method 1: Using Your Phone’s Home Button

1. Press your phone’s home button (or swipe up if you use gesture navigation).
2. You’ll see a pop-up asking which launcher you want to use.
3. Select “Nova Launcher” from the list.
4. Tap “Always” to make it your default.

Method 2: Through Nova Launcher Settings

If the pop-up doesn’t appear, you can set Nova as default through its settings:

1. Open Nova Launcher.
2. Long-press on an empty area of the home screen.
3. Tap on “Settings” at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll down and find “Set as default launcher”.
5. Tap on it and select Nova Launcher.

Method 3: Using Your Phone’s Settings

You can also make Nova your default through your phone’s main settings:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Look for “Apps” or “Applications”.
3. Find and tap on “Default apps” or “Choose default apps”.
4. Select “Home app” or “Launcher”.
5. Choose Nova Launcher from the list.

Customizing Nova Launcher

Now that Nova Launcher is your default, you can start personalizing it. Here are some things you can do:

Adjusting the Home Screen Grid

1. Long-press on an empty area of the home screen.
2. Tap “Settings” at the bottom.
3. Go to “Home screen” > “Desktop grid”.
4. Change the number of rows and columns to fit more or fewer icons.

Changing Icon Sizes

1. In Nova Settings, go to “Look & feel”.
2. Tap on “Icon style”.
3. Adjust the size slider to make icons bigger or smaller.

Creating App Groups

To organize your apps better:

1. Open the app drawer.
2. Long-press on an app.
3. Drag it onto another app to create a folder.
4. Name the folder something that makes sense to you.

Using Gestures

Nova Launcher lets you open apps or perform actions with gestures:

1. In Nova Settings, go to “Gestures & inputs”.
2. Choose a gesture (like double tap or swipe up).
3. Select an action or app to launch with that gesture.

Backing Up Your Nova Launcher Settings

Once you’ve got everything set up just right, it’s a good idea to save your settings:

1. Open Nova Settings.
2. Scroll down to “Backup & import settings”.
3. Tap “Backup”.
4. Choose where to save the backup file.
5. Give it a name and tap “OK”.

This backup can be useful if you get a new phone or need to reset your current one.

Nova Launcher Prime

While the free version of Nova Launcher offers many features, there’s also a paid version called Nova Launcher Prime. It adds extra customization options like:

• More gestures
• Hiding apps in the drawer
• Custom drawer groups
• Icon swipes

If you enjoy using Nova Launcher, you might consider upgrading to Prime for these additional features.

Wrapping Up

Setting Nova Launcher as your default home screen is a straightforward process. Once it’s set up, you can enjoy a more personalized Android experience. Take some time to explore the various settings and find what works best for you. Remember, you can always switch back to your original launcher through your phone’s settings if you decide Nova isn’t for you.

Nova Launcher offers a great way to freshen up your phone’s look and feel without having to buy a new device. With its many customization options, you can create a home screen that’s uniquely yours and works just the way you want it to.