Just this week, Android Police reported that the upcoming Nexus phones would be getting an exclusive launcher this year. Dubbed "Nexus Launcher," this rumored home screen app was said to feature Google Now integration, a swipe-up app drawer gesture, and a few other finishing touches.
Amazingly enough, the Nexus Launcher went from rumor to reality in less than 24 hours, as Antonio Luciano leaked a copy of the home screen app on his Google+ page. The post has since been deleted, but not before the APK made its way across the internet, so we can now give this launcher a test drive.
Even though the launcher is rumored to be exclusive to Nexus devices when it officially launches, this leaked version can be installed on many other phones and tablets. You don't need to be rooted to try it out (though it helps), so read on below to get a taste of the Nexus experience.Non-Root Method
There are two different methods for installing the leaked Nexus Launcher. The first method we'll cover does not require root, but it comes with a few bugs. Mainly, the integrated Google Now page won't work, and you can't set a new wallpaper if you install it this way—but if you just want to try it out, it's an easy process. However, if you're rooted with a custom recovery installed, skip ahead to the "Custom Recovery Method" section below to make sure you get these extra features.
Install the APK
With this method, you'll just need to have "Unknown sources" enabled in Settings under Security. Then point your device's web browser to the following link, and the Nexus Launcher APK file will begin downloading automatically.
From here, tap the Download complete notification to launch the APK, then press "Install" when prompted—that's all there is to it.
Set Nexus Launcher as Your Default Home Screen
To wrap things up, press your device's home button, then select "Nexus Launcher" from the list, and choose "Always" to make it your default home screen app. If you'd like to get a tour of the features, skip to the bottom of this article where I'll explain all of the cool new stuff.
Custom Recovery Method
Using this second method will make the Nexus Launcher run almost flawlessly on your device, so if you're rooted with a custom recovery installed, it's definitely the way to go.
Download the ZIP
First up, head to the link below to grab a copy of the Nexus Launcher flashable ZIP. Once the file has finished downloading, go ahead and boot into custom recovery.
Flash the ZIP in Recovery
Just to be on the safe side, you should make a NANDroid backup before you begin. With that out of the way, though, start by tapping the "Install" button on TWRP's main menu. From here, navigate to your Download folder, then select theNexusLauncher.zip file.
Next up, just swipe the slider at the bottom of the screen to install the Nexus Launcher, and when that's finished, tap "Reboot System."
Set Nexus Launcher as Your Default Home Screen
When you get back up, you should be prompted to pick a new home screen app. Choose "Nexus Launcher" from this menu, then tap "Always" to set it as the default, and you'll be all set to go.
Nexus Launcher Features
At this point, you should be greeted by your new home screen. Some of the standouts here are a non-removable date widget in the top-right corner, which is flanked by a Google tab. Tapping this tab will let you perform a quick Google search, but the animation is misaligned, presumably because Nexus Launcher was built for a newer Google App version that hasn't been released yet.
You might notice the standout feature right off the bat. The Nexus Launcher doesn't have an app drawer button, which makes room for another icon on your dock. But this doesn't mean that there's not an app drawer, because all you have to do is swipe up from the dock area to see all of your apps. The animation is quite smooth here, and all it takes is a downward swipe from the top of your apps list to minimize this interface.
These next two features won't work if you used the first method, because they require that the Nexus Launcher is installed as a system app (which is what the flashable ZIP does).
The Nexus Launcher has a Google Now page baked right into the home screen, and this can be accessed by swiping left from your leftmost home screen.
This last feature also requires the flashable ZIP method, but it's rather interesting.
If you long-press any empty space on your home screen, then select "Wallpapers," you'll find a menu full of beautiful images. The pictures are categorized, and when you select any category, you can choose any image that suits you. But perhaps the best feature here is the "Daily wallpaper" setting—choose this one, and you'll see a new image from this category every day.
Google seems to be stepping up the unique features in its Nexus devices this year, and the Nexus Launcher is hard evidence of this. Combine that with all of the signs pointing to an early release this year, and it looks like Google is hoping to give the iPhone 7 a run for its money with its upcoming Nexus offerings.
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