I really like the Google Pixel Launcher, however it is nonetheless lacking 5 giant options

The Pixel Launcher has picked up some long-requested options over the past 12 months. We can conceal icon labels and take away the At A Glance widget, and there are some AI icon packs that may upload some amusing and aptitude to your own home display screen. Even with the ones enhancements, there are nonetheless numerous options the Pixel Launcher is lacking, and those are those I would like essentially the most.

The AI-generated icon packs that Google added some time in the past are higher than not anything, however they’re nowhere as just right as the massive number of icon packs to be had at the Play Store. Icon packs were part of Android customization for over 16 years, so that you’re spoiled for selection whilst you glance throughout the retailer.

For a very long time the one approach to make use of icon packs was once to obtain a customized launcher, however that began to modify over the previous couple of years, and now Samsung, OnePlus, and different Android OEMs assist you to use an icon pack with the inventory launcher. Google is among the few that hasn’t added fortify but, and I’d love for that to modify.

Of all the options in this checklist, that is the only I would like essentially the most. Widget stacks, because the identify suggests, assist you to stack widgets on best of each other and scroll via them. It approach you’ll have handy get entry to to your whole widgets and app icons with out spreading them throughout a number of house displays.

It’s a easy function, however whilst you get used to it, it’s onerous to surrender. When I purchased my Pixel 10 Pro closing 12 months after years of the use of Samsung telephones, widget stacks had been some of the issues I neglected maximum, and that hasn’t modified virtually a 12 months later.

The Pixel launcher has 4 presets for grid sizes. That may well be sufficient for the general public, however I’ve at all times discovered it restrictive and would really like in an effort to tweak the grid dimension. Once telephones followed a taller side ratio, I began so as to add an additional row of icons, and that’s now not one thing I will do on a Pixel.

It will get much more irritating for those who’re the use of a Pixel pill or foldable. I love to unfold out at the greater display screen dimension, however that’s onerous to do when the grid choices are restrictive.

Big folders are, because the identify suggests, folders which might be larger than the standard 1×1 dimension. Big grid sizes are nice on huge telephones, foldables, and capsules, however giant folders shine on smaller units like my Pixel 10 Pro or Galaxy S25. Instead of opening the folder whilst you faucet on it, giant folders assist you to open the apps contained inside of by way of tapping on their icon when the folder is closed.

So, even supposing the Fold 7 within the screenshot above has a grid dimension of seven×4, I will have the similar selection of icons at the display screen as I might with an 8×6 grid. Tapping the ground proper nook of the folder opens it generally. It’s an identical in idea to widget stacks, striking all the icons you want well in a single position with no need to make use of a couple of house displays.

Pixels have had double-tap to wake because the authentic Pixel got here out just about a decade in the past, however Google hasn’t been as fast so as to add double-tap to sleep. Instead of attaining for the ability button to place your telephone to sleep, some telephones assist you to double-tap an empty space at the house display screen or lock display screen as a substitute, which is regularly more uncomplicated relying on the way you’re conserving your telephone or for those who’re the use of it whilst it’s on a table.

I do know none of those options are giant or game-changing, however they don’t want to be. Small adjustments could make a large distinction, and now that customized launchers like Nova aren’t as standard or as usable as they as soon as had been, I’ll take no matter I will get within the inventory launcher. I’ve at all times liked Android for the way customizable it’s, and I would like extra of that, now not much less.