I didn't expect Microsoft to nail an Android launcher. Here's why it stuck
I didn't expect Microsoft to make my favorite Android launcher.
After years of chasing third-party home screens, modifying icons, grids, themes, and feeds, the idea that a major desktop-first company would finally get it right on Android felt unlikely.
Whether I'm swapping between my personal phone and a work device or just organizing apps and widgets the way I actually use them, Microsoft Launcher has found that sweet spot between power user control and everyday simplicity.
What is Microsoft Launcher?
Microsoft Launcher originated as Arrow in the mid-2010s and officially rebranded in 2017, positioning itself as a productivity-centered alternative to stock launchers.
It offers deeply integrated productivity tools, a personalized feed for your calendar, tasks, and documents, and a home screen experience that bridges your phone and other devices.
A launcher that lets you build your own environment
Open Microsoft Launcher's settings, and the first thing you notice is the sheer volume of options.
You can customize grid sizes, icon scaling, labels, gestures, dock behavior, your feed, and search behavior.
There's a clear focus on giving users control over how the launcher behaves.
Gesture options alone are abundant. You can assign actions to swipes, double taps, and even specific areas of the screen.
Want a swipe down to open search, swipe up to expand notifications, double-tap to lock the screen, or a two-finger swipe to launch an app? It's all there.
What I appreciate most is that Microsoft Launcher doesn't assume you want its idea of productivity. You can lean into Microsoft's ecosystem, ignore it entirely, or mix and match with Google services without hitting roadblocks.
I've used it without signing in to a Microsoft account at all, and it still works beautifully.
Your feed: A better idea than Discover
In its current form, Your feedis one of the biggest reasons Microsoft Launcher finally clicked for me.
Earlier versions of Microsoft Launcher split Your feed into two tabs: Glanceand News.
News acted as a thin wrapper around MSN News and came loaded with the usual problems: cluttered layouts and questionable headlines.
In the latest versions of Microsoft Launcher, News is gone, and Your feed is now focused entirely on Glance-style informational cards.
By default, it can display cards pulled from Microsoft services, such as Calendar events, Microsoft To Do tasks, OneDrive documents, Sticky Notes, screen time, recent activity, and frequently used apps.
Every card is optional. You can reorder them, remove them, or strip the feed down to nothing if you want.
Turning Glance into a Google-powered dashboard
What finally sold me on Microsoft Launcher wasn't how well it worked with Microsoft's own services; it was how easily I could bend Glance into something completely different.
I treated it as an empty canvas and rebuilt it into a Google-powered dashboard, and it worked far better than I expected.
I started by stripping Glance down. I swiped right on the home screen, tapped the Settings iconat the top, and selected Glanceto make the modifications.
Then I added what I actually rely on daily by tapping Add a widget. Google's At a Glancewidget became the anchor, with weather, upcoming events, and commute info in one clean strip.
Below that, I pinned a Google Keepnote I reference constantly, followed by my Google Calendaragenda so I can see what's coming up without opening an app. I even added Finance Watchlist for quick market checks.
The result is a scrollable dashboard that shows me everything I need in under a second.
Glance outclasses both widgets-only setups and Google Discover.
Widgets alone can feel scattered across home screens, while Discover mixes useful information with endless content bait.
What I appreciate most is that Microsoft Launcher doesn't nag me to sign in.
I swipe right, get a clean snapshot of my day, and swipe back to my home screen. There's no doomscrolling or distractions.
That's the kind of launcher behavior I didn't know I was missing.
An app drawer that stays flexible
Microsoft Launcher doesn't offer the extreme grid freedom of Nova Launcher, but it gives you something far more usable out of the box.
The app drawer supports a comfortable 5×8 layout, which strikes a good balance between density and readability. Icons aren't cramped, and you don't waste space either.
One standout feature is the alphabetical jump list on the right side. Dragging along it lets you jump instantly to the app you want.
Search also works well here. App icons appear at the top, with web results pushed below.
However, there are some limits. You won't find the extreme drawer customization Nova Launcher users swear by, and that's fine.
I no longer want to micromanage icon spacing or animation curves. I want an app drawer that stays out of my way and doesn't make me rethink my setup every few weeks.
Where Microsoft Launcher still falls short
Although Microsoft Launcher won me over, it's not flawless.
First, customization has a ceiling. You get plenty of control over grids, gestures, and layout, but it's nowhere near the depth offered by something like Nova Launcher.
The feed experience, even in its current trimmed-down form, can also feel underdeveloped compared to what it promises.
Glance depends heavily on widgets and manual setup to shine.
Out of the box, it doesn't immediately feel better than alternatives.
Why Microsoft Launcher stuck
Microsoft Launcher gives you control where it matters: layout, gestures, feed content, and app access.
The best part is that it does not lock you into an ecosystem.
The irony is not lost on me.
Microsoft, of all companies, has created an Android launcher that prioritizes user choice more than many alternatives developed for Android.
I do not require a Microsoft account, nor am I dependent on Microsoft apps .
The launcher integrates seamlessly with my preferred way of using my phone, which primarily involves Google services and a few selected widgets.
And that is why, after trying everything else , this is the launcher that finally stuck.
PERSONALIZATION
Price: Free
4.7
