The app formerly known as Google Experience Launcher is now officially called the Google Now Launcher in honor of its most prominent feature, Google Now. Only problem is, this launcher is still exclusive to the Nexus 5 smartphone.
Thankfully, "exclusive" in the world of Android means anything but, as we've shown you with the previous "exclusive" Google Experience. If you're looking to check out the latest and greatest Google Now experience, we've got you covered.
Step 1: Install Google Now Launcher & Search
In order to get the newest Nexus 5ish launcher experience, you need to install the Google Now Launcher and Google Search APKs onto your device. Together, these make up the Google Now Launcher. Make sure you have "Unknown sources" enabled, then download the two files from the direct links below.
Google Home will replace your current version of Google Launcher (if you had one installed already), and Google Search will replace its counterpart on your phone.
You may run into a problem with installation where the Launcher does not install properly. If that's your case, uninstall Google Launcher and Google Search, then reinstall Google Search from Google Play, and reinstall the Launcher again from the link above.
Step 2: Choose the New Launcher
Pressing the Home button should now bring up the option to choose a default launcher. Select the Google Now Launcher and hit Always.
This can be changed at anytime in the App Manager in your Settings app. Just select the Launcher from the list and tap on Clear Defaults. The next time you hit the Home button, you'll be asked to pick a launcher again. Use TouchWiz home if you want to go back to normal.
Step 3: Check Out the New Look
The Google Now Launcher is undoubtedly cleaner and right off the bat tries to de-clutter your home screen with automatic smart folders. The black Status bar at the top has also been swapped out for a transparent one.
If you have noticed that your widgets have been removed, they can be added by hitting the Menu button and selecting widgets from the new menu screen.
You can also add apps to the pages by dragging and dropping them from the new app drawer, which has a darker background and subtle animations when scrolling the pages.
And don't forget that Google Now is embedded into the launcher. You can say "OK, Google" and the voice-activated search will launch from any home screen.
The Google Now Launcher is very simple and clean and will help keep the clutter to a minimum. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.
Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.
11 Comments
hmmm Something happened but my status bar in my samsung s3 doesn't turn transparent. Thanks for the tip and can you help me to get it transparent?
It will only turn transparent if you are on KitKat, and stock S3 roms are not there yet. You should check out our guide on tricking out your status bar.
Thanks! i will try that link
Hi Faisal !
So I tried installing the Google Search but it just told me application not installed. As for the launcher it said that there is a problem parsing the package. do you have any idea what the problem might be ?
I attached screenshots of both outcomes.
I have a galaxy note II running stock unrooted android 4.3
guess what, my GS3 T999L did the same thing & said not installed/trouble parsing package. I tried twice, no luck. Wonder what to do now?
I just tried again and am able to install just fine. Remember, Google Search FIRST, then the Google Now Launcher.
Usually, the parsing error happens when you install out of order, or get a bad download. I check both of the links and they work fine. If you continue you have problems, try downloading via Wifi.
I just tried again and am able to install just fine. Remember, Google Search FIRST, then the Google Now Launcher.
Usually, the parsing error happens when you install out of order, or get a bad download. I check both of the links and they work fine. If you continue you have problems, try downloading via Wifi.
Hi,
I've installed the Google Search apk first followed by the Google Now Launcher, and when I launch Google Now Launcher i get a prompt asking me to update my Google Search, I did so and when I attempt to launch the Launcher, again I am being prompted to update Google Search.
I am showing on box you ran out of bandwidth so it is not letting me download the files. Could you put the files somewhere else to i could get them?
Sorry about that! Mirror is up!
has anyone used this app on the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition? If so does it run smoother than the TouchWiz? Basically does the tablet run better using this verses the one that it came installed with or is it just better aesthetics? Also, will installing this without having the KitKat update being released for this specific tablet yet, be an issue when Samsung updates the galaxy note 10.1 2014 Edition to the newest version of their TouchWiz software in the future? Which I'm thinking from what I've read is going to be pretty soon since the other Galaxy Pro tablets are already running the latest has anyone used this apps on the galaxy note 10.1 2014 Edition? if so does it run smoother than the TouchWiz, basically does a tablet run better using this verse the one that it came installed with or is it just better aesthetics? also, will installing this without having the KitKat update be an issue when galaxy updates this to the newest version of their TouchWiz in the future which I'm thinking from what I've read is going to be pretty soon since the other pro tablets are already running the latest version
Share Your Thoughts