How to change the default launcher on Android
Switch your home screen app in under a minute on any Android phone, and switch back just as easily.
Updated 9 November 2026
The short version
Install the new launcher
Install it from Google Play. Installing alone doesn’t change anything.
Open Default apps
Open Settings, then Apps, then Default apps. If you can’t find it, search Settings for “Home app”.
Choose the Home app
Tap Home app and pick the launcher you want.
Press Home
Your new home screen appears. Your old launcher stays installed.
Many launchers, Pageless included, also offer a button during setup that opens Android’s own Home app dialog for you.
Where the setting is on your phone
| Phone | Path |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia | Settings › Apps › Default apps › Home app |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings › Apps › Choose default apps › Home app |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings › Apps › Manage apps › Default apps › Home app |
| OnePlus, OPPO, realme | Settings › Apps › Default apps › Home app |
| Any phone | Search Settings for “Home app” or “launcher” |
Menu names vary with Android version and phone maker. The search in Settings finds it when the path differs.
Trying a launcher safely
- Keep your old launcher installed for a week. Switching back takes ten seconds.
- Your old home screen layout is kept while another launcher is the default.
- If a launcher ever crashes on start, Android falls back to asking which Home app to use.
Looking for one to try? Our launcher comparison covers Pageless, Niagara, Nova, Smart Launcher, Lawnchair and Olauncher.
Questions
Will I lose my apps if I change launcher?
No. A launcher only shows your apps; it doesn’t own them. Every app, and your old launcher’s layout, stays on the phone.
How do I go back to the original launcher?
Repeat the steps and pick your phone’s own launcher (Pixel Launcher, One UI Home and so on) as the Home app.
Why does my phone keep switching back?
Some phones reset the default after a system update or if the launcher is closed by battery saving. Set it again, and exclude the launcher from battery optimisation if it keeps happening.
Can a launcher see my data?
A launcher can see which apps are installed so it can list them. Check its privacy policy: Pageless keeps everything on the phone and has no analytics. Read Pageless’s privacy policy.