To use a third-party launcher on a Google Pixel, install it from Google Play, then select it as the phone’s default Home app in Settings > Apps > Default apps. These are separate steps: installing a launcher alone does not make it the Home app that opens when you go to the Home screen.
1. Install the launcher
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Open the Google Play Store and search for the launcher you want.
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Review the app’s listing and requested permissions, then tap Install.
This guide explains how to set a launcher as the default; it does not compare individual launcher apps or establish which one is best.
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2. Set it as the default Home app
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Open Settings.
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Go to Apps > Default apps.
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Open the default-app category for Home—often labeled Home app—and select the launcher you installed.
Google’s general instructions for changing a default app use Settings > Apps > Default apps. The exact labels can vary by Android version or device configuration, and Google notes that some instructions apply only to Android 14 and newer. If you cannot find the Home option, search Settings for Default home app. That search wording is a practical fallback reported in a Pixel Community reply dated July 26, 2023, rather than an official Google support instruction; community advice may be outdated or unverified.
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3. Arrange the Home screen
Pixel’s Home screen supports apps, shortcuts, and widgets. To reach Pixel Home settings, touch and hold an empty area of the screen. A third-party launcher may have its own settings and arrangement controls; Pixel’s standard Home-screen instructions do not describe those launcher-specific options.
4. Change the default or clear it
To switch launchers, return to Settings > Apps > Default apps, open the Home category, and choose a different app. Google also documents clearing an app’s default through that app’s Open by default settings; when the relevant action is performed again, the phone can ask which app to use.
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5. Keep system navigation separate
Navigation mode is a separate Pixel setting. Find it under Settings > System > Navigation Mode, where Google documents gesture navigation and 3-button navigation. The available information does not establish that every navigation gesture behaves identically in every third-party launcher.
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- Rugged Multi-Layer Defense: Featuring dual-layer construction with a rigid shell and internal rubber layer, our case exceeds 3X military drop standards (MIL-STD-810G 516.6), crafted from over 35% recycled plastic for eco-conscious resilience.
- Secure Grip, Streamlined Protection: Rely on the OtterBox legacy with Commuter Series—total protection with rubber-gripped edges for a secure hold. It's a slim, easy-to-install case providing durable quality and a precise fit for hassle-free defense
- Wireless Charging Compatible: Its slim profile is pocket-friendly, offering protection and ease for your on-the-go lifestyle
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