[APP][4.0+] Apex Launcher - 2.0.2 - May 20, 2013

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Apex Launcher is a highly customizable launcher replacement based on the AOSP 4.2 Launcher. Android 4.x (Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean) is required to run Apex Launcher.

http://www.apexlauncher.com/







Basic Features

• Customizable homescreen grid size and up to 9 homescreens
• Scrollable dock with up to 7 icons per page and up to 5 pages
• Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen, drawer and dock)
• Fancy transition effects (tablet, cube, etc.)
• Hide elements as you want (persistent search bar, status bar, or even the dock)
• Customizable icons and labels for shortcuts and folders
• Choose different folder preview styles and background
• Multiple drawer styles (transparent/opaque, horizontal/vertical, paginated/continuous)
• Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)
• Hide apps from the drawer
• Lock your desktop to prevent accidental changes
• Enjoy homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down, double tap)
• Advanced theme engine (icon packs, skins, etc.)
• Backup/restore settings and data
• Optimized for both phones and tablets
• Lots of other customization options!

Pro Features

• Powerful drawer customizations (unlimited drawer tabs, folders in drawer)
• Unread count notifications (provided by Apex Notifier)
• Dock swipe actions (swipe up and down actions)
• More gesture options (two-finger gestures)
• Additional transition effects (accordion, cross, etc.)
• Flexible theme options (ADW, LauncherPro, Go Launcher themes)
• Enhanced folder support (batch add, merge folders)
• Advanced widget options (widgets in dock, overlapping widgets)
• More features on the way!

Suggest/Vote for New Features

Search before posting new feature requests!


Help Translate

Apex Launcher Theme Tutorial

A good place to download some Apex themes: http://eseth.net/themes/android/apex-launcher

Apex Launcher Notifications API

Download & Install

Download from Google Play Store
Apex Launcher
Apex Launcher Pro

Download Stable Version APK
Apex Launcher APK

Download Beta Version APK
Apex Launcher Beta APK

Install as regular app (root not required)

adb install ApexLauncher.apk

Or you may also copy/download the apk file on your device and install it using Astro etc.

Note: Due to limitations of the Android framework, you won't be able to add widgets from the app drawer without root access. If your device is rooted, please enable the Root Helper via Settings > Advanced settings > Enable Root Helper.

Install as system app (root required)

adb remount
adb push ApexLauncher.apk /system/app

Or you may also move the APK file to the /system/app directory manually. Make sure you set the file permission properly. To uninstall, please remove ApexLauncher.apk from /system/app manually.

When Apex Launcher is installed as a system app, the Root Helper will be disabled automatically and the in-drawer widgets feature should work without it. If it doesn't, please reboot your device and try again.


Tips

• Pinch the screen to access screen previews (like Exposé or HTC Sense).
• Long press an icon to drag and drop it over another one to create a folder.
• Long press icons/folders on the desktop and choose edit from the popup menu to customize icons and labels.
• Drag, hover, and drop app icons over the delete button at the top of the screen to quickly uninstall apps.
• Long press an app in the hide apps list to quickly launch that app.
• Switch to single screen wallpaper mode to fix wallpaper zooming issues.
• Enable the Root Helper in advanced settings (root required) to add widgets from the drawer.

Permissions

• ACCESS_SUPERUSER/BIND_APPWIDGET: Required to add widgets from the drawer (Android 4.0 only).
• CALL_PHONE: Create direct-dial shortcuts on the homescreen.
• EXPAND_STATUS_BAR/SET_WALLPAPER/SET_WALLPAPER_HINTS/VIBRATE: Standard launcher functions.
• GET_TASKS: Display warning about other running launcher applications.
• INTERNET/ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Check for updates and anonymous usage/error reporting (optional).
• READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE/WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE: Backup/restore settings and data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apex Launcher is on Facebook

v2.0.2 (May 20, 2013)

• Added uninstall quick action for desktop icons
• Fixes for DashClock and AccuWeather widgets
• Updated translations

v2.0.1 (May 14, 2013)

• Added folder background transparency option
• Added transparent notification bar option for HTC devices (may requires root)
• Fixed Apex menu bug (manage drawer)
• Fixed folder sorting in app drawer (pro)
• Minor UI improvements
• Updated translations

v2.0.0 (May 8, 2013)

• Added vibration duration option
• Minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v2.0.0beta3 (Apr 30, 2013)

• Fixed FC in settings

v2.0.0beta2 (Apr 29, 2013)

• Added badge size option (pro)
• Improved activity picker
• Improved wallpaper chooser
• Settings UI tweaks
• Disabled auto update checks by default
• Fixed "create folder" menu bug
• Fixed apps disappearing after removing folders
• Fixed a sorting bug within drawer folders
• Fixed a bug with adding certain apps to custom tabs
• Fixed drawer refresh bug after uninstalling apps
• Fixed a wallpaper scaling issue
• Updated translations

v2.0.0beta1 (Apr 25, 2013)

• Folders in the app drawer (pro)
• Integration with Apex Notifier (pro)
  • Support for new apps and options
  • Also works with DashClock (Android 4.2+)
• Notification badge style options (pro)
  • Badge shape, color, position
• Default on for external notifiers (pro)
• Re-organized and improved settings menu
• Removed permissions for notifications
• Fixed bugs with accessibility
• Various fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.4.4 (Mar 12, 2013)

• Minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.4.4beta1 (Feb 28, 2013)

• Merged changes from Android 4.2.2
• Improved theme support
• Fixed a widget scaling bug
• Updated translations

v1.4.3 (Feb 3, 2013)

• Updated translations

v1.4.3beta2 (Feb 1, 2013)

• Fixed FCs

v1.4.3beta1 (Jan 31, 2013)

• Added list drawer style
• Added widget padding option
• Improved theme support
• Updated translations

v1.4.2 (Jan 16, 2013)

• Added previous launcher warning
• More fixes for icon resizing
• Fixed FCs
• Updated translations

v1.4.1 (Jan 14, 2013)

• Added menu key long-press action
• Added search and voice search Apex actions
• Fixed a bug with icon resizing
• Fixed GO UI 3.0 themes
• Fixed root helper on x86
• Misc fixes
• Updated translations

v1.4.0 (Dec 18, 2012)

• Added support for Next Honeycomb LWP
• Fixed flip transition effect (pro)
• Updated translations

v1.4.0beta3 (Dec 13, 2012)

• Import desktop data from other launchers (Stock, Sense, Blur, TouchWiz, ADW, LauncherPro, Trebuchet, Holo, Nova)
• Added dock swipe gesture on folders (pro)
• Bugfixes and optimizations
• Improved theme support
• Updated translations

v1.4.0beta2 (Dec 5, 2012)

• Fixed home key bug
• Fixed quick settings action
• Fixed TouchWiz widget issues
• Fixed FCs and minor bugs
• Improved theme support
• Updated translations

v1.4.0beta1 (Nov 28, 2012)

• Merged changes from Android 4.2
• Option to change icon size
• New Apex action to expand quick settings
• Fixed shortcut picker for Android 4.2
• Other bug fixes and optimizations
• Updated translations

v1.3.5 (Nov 15, 2012)

• Fixed dock and QSB for Android 4.2
• Optimizations

v1.3.4 (Nov 14, 2012)

• Fixed FC under Android 4.2
• Updated translations

v1.3.4beta2 (Nov 8, 2012)

• Misc bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.3.4beta1 (Oct 31, 2012)

• Option to close drawer after launching apps
• Option to toggle home screen alpha effect (leave it off for smoother transitions)
• Improved icon label handling (labels will not be cut off or hidden automatically)
• Various bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.3.3 (Oct 24, 2012)

• Fixed drawer tab scrolling issue
• Added bring-to-front/send-to-back for overlapping widgets (pro)
• Other bugfixes
• Updated translations

v1.3.3beta2 (Oct 18, 2012)

• Fixed icon label bug after screen rotation
• Fixed missing icon bug on tablets
• Updated translations

v1.3.3beta1 (Oct 15, 2012)

• Merged changes from AOSP 4.1.2
• Added drawer margin option
• Added dock swipe feedback animation (pro)
• Minor bugfixes
• Updated translations

v1.3.2 (Oct 10, 2012)

• Added option for custom dock background
• Added support for external notifiers (pro) (Apex Launcher Notifications API)
• Improved vertical drawer tab switching
• Increased maximum grid size for 10" tablets
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.3.1 (Sep 24, 2012)

• Fixed FC on startup

v1.3.0 (Sep 23, 2012)

• Activities and Apex actions shortcuts
• Misc bugfixes
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta6 (Sep 15, 2012)

• Improved vertical drawer style
• Fixed icon scaling bug on 7" tablets
• Fixed some FC issues
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta5 (Sep 7, 2012)

• Fixed missed call notifications (pro)
• Fixed homescreen overscrolling bug
• Fixed icon scaling bug
• Fixed icon and folder layout issue
• Fixed bugs in the theme engine
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta4 (Aug 31, 2012)

• Added drawer grid settings
• Added activity animation options
• Fixed some FC issues
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta3 (Aug 22, 2012)

• Added option to use tablet UI on phones and 7" tablets
• Fixed preview bug
• Fixed manage screens bug
• Fixed cube animations
• Fixed search bar style
• Fixed icon ordering bug in folders
• Fixed bugs in the theme engine
• Other bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta2 (Aug 4, 2012)

• Added custom widget picker (requires JB or root)
• Fixed widget resizing bug
• Fixed issues with widget overlapping (pro)
• Fixed quick search bar widget position bug
• Fixed animation with transparent drawer
• Fixed bugs in the theme engine
• Misc fixes and optimizations
• Updated translations

v1.3.0beta1 (Aug 1, 2012)

• Rebuilt based on Android 4.1.1 Launcher, lots of JellyBean goodness
  • When placing widgets on the screen, everything else automatically moves to make room
  • When they are too big, widgets resize on their own to fit on the homescreen
  • Quickly remove apps/widgets by flinging them to the edge of the homescreen
  • Major performance boost for homescreen and drawer
  • New app enter/exit animations (JB only)
  • Switched to phone layout on 7" tablets (e.g., Nexus 7)
  • Added background for widgets in the drawer
  • Fixed icon ordering bug within folders
• Other improvements and bugfixes
  • Unlimited drawer tabs and new drawer management UI (pro)
  • Improved drawer tab switching for vertical drawers (pro)
  • Fixed Play Store widgets on JellyBean
  • Fixed paid theme (icon pack) issue on JellyBean
  • Lots of other improvements and enhancements
  • Updated translations

v1.2.5 (Jul 11, 2012)

• Improved unread Gmail notifications (pro)
• Option to choose search bar style (ICS or JB)
• Add widgets from drawer w/o root (JB only)
• Fixed voice search icon bug in JB
• Fixed direct dial shortcut for SGS3/TouchWiz
• Updated translations

v1.2.4 (Jul 2, 2012)

• Fixed FCs for Android 4.1 Jellybean
• Updated some graphics to Jellybean style
• Minor bugfixes
• Updated translations

v1.2.3 (Jun 22, 2012)

• Separate home screen preview and management UIs
• Launch screen management from Apex menu or settings
• Reduced vertical margins for vertical drawer
• Updated translations

v1.2.2 (Jun 11, 2012)

• Updated translations

v1.2.2beta2 (Jun 8, 2012)

• New homescreen preview UI with management capabilities (add, remove, re-order screens)
• Minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.2.2beta1 (May 30, 2012)

• Added dock as overlay option
• New wallpaper mode (Multiple screen, non-scrolling)
• Improved dock gestures
• Fixed icon scaling bug on tablets
• Other minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.2.1 (May 23, 2012)

• Better theme support
• Improved desktop and dock gestures
• Fixed a layout issue on phones
• Fixed a drawer tab custom icon bug
• Fixed dock margin and toggle dock bug
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.2.0 (May 20, 2012)

• Added CM9 settings integration
• Up to 10x10 grid on phones
• Better support for icon packs
• Fixed app drawer icon issue
• Fixed a bug with toggle dock
• Updated some icons
• Updated translations

v1.2.0beta3 (May 18, 2012)

• Added toggle dock and recent apps options for gestures and Apex actions
• Better theme support
• Fixed a bug with launching apps using gestures
• Fixed landscape layout issues on phones under custom DPI settings
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.2.0beta2 (May 14, 2012)

• Fixed invisible widget resize handle bug
• Fixed a wallpaper position issue
• Fixed wallpaper chooser FC
• Fixed a bug with icon scaling
• Fixed two finger gestures on tablets
• Other minor bugfixes
• Updated translations

v1.2.0beta1 (May 12, 2012)

• Added support for selecting desktop icons from LauncherPro and Go Launcher icon packs
• Added support for Apex Launcher themes (Apex Launcher Theme Tutorial)
• Added support for ADW Launcher, LauncherPro, and GO Launcher themes (pro)
• Unread count notifications for icons in folders (pro)
• Improved desktop gestures
• Fixed a scrolling issue on tablets
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.1.1 (May 2, 2012)

• Added option to keep Apex in memory
• Added dock options for tablets
• Long press menu key to start search
• Improved tablet transition effect
• Fixed margin settings on tablets
• Fixed wallpaper issue under single screen mode
• Fixed a bug with desktop data backup/restore
• Other bug fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

v1.1.0 (Apr 27, 2012)

• Minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.1.0beta4 (Apr 20, 2012)

• Added Root Helper (enable it in advanced settings to add widgets from drawer with root access, system app not required)
• Replaced wallpaper scrolling option with wallpaper mode (switch to single screen mode to fix wallpaper zooming issues)
• Fixed drawer refresh bug for ungrouped apps (pro)
• Fixed a bug with vertical drawer
• Fixed a few FC bugs
• Updated translations

v1.1.0beta3 (Apr 17, 2012)

• Improved unread count notifications (pro)
• Fixed FCs
• Updated translations

v1.1.0beta2 (Apr 16, 2012)

• Improved performance and reduced redraws
• Improved pinch in and double tap gestures
• Added ungrouped drawer group (pro)
• Fixed a landscape dock bug
• Fixed a few FC bugs
• Updated translations

v1.1.0beta1 (Apr 12, 2012)

• Added pinch in gesture option
• Added launch shortcut option for gestures
• Added vertical dock margin option
• Multiple configurable drawer tabs (pro)
• Unread count notifications (pro)
• Dock swipe gestures (pro)
• Two finger gestures (pro)
• More transition effects for homescreen and drawer (pro)
• Batch add option for folders (pro)
• Option to merge folder contents (pro)
• Widgets in dock (pro)
• Overlapping widgets (pro)
• Some bugfixes

v1.0.5 (Apr 4, 2012)

• Merged changes from Android 4.0.4
• Fixed force close after reboot
• Fixed transparent drawer bug
• Other minor bugfixes

v1.0.4 (Mar 30, 2012)

• Fixed force close when loading drawer
• Fixed icon size issue on tablets

v1.0.3 (Mar 29, 2012)

• Minor bug fixes and updated translations

v1.0.3beta1 (Mar 19, 2012)

• New infinite scrolling option (bounce)
• Added option to check for updates now
• Added changelog in new version notification
• Added cube (inside) transition effect
• Improved homescreen/drawer/dock transition effects
• Improved preview/drawer animations
• Fixed a widget resize bug
• Fixed bug with removing icons from folders
• Fixed drawer app listing bug when sorting by mostly used
• Other minor bug fixes
• Updated translations

v1.0.2 (Mar 12, 2012)

• Improved swipe gestures
• Updated translations

v1.0.2beta1 (Mar 11, 2012)

• Improved swipe gestures on scrollable widgets
• Fixed duplicate dock icons bug
• Fixed bugs with folders in the dock
• Updated translations

v1.0.1 (Mar 9, 2012)

• Added option to hide folder names
• Fixed tablet compatibility issue
• Fixed none folder background bug
• Fixed a folder scrolling bug
• Updated some icons
• Updated translations

v1.0.0 (Mar 8, 2012)

• Homescreen and dock margins
• Customize folder icons
• Hide shadows on top and bottom of screen
• Changed Android Market to Play Store
• Revamped launcher icon
• Fixed preview layout bug
• Fixed widget overlap bug
• Updated translations

Beta v0.8 (Mar 6, 2012)

• Folder preview and background
• Hide icon labels inside folders
• Option to show persistent search bar in landscape mode only
• Changed scrolling speed option to minimum scrolling time
• Improved scrolling and transition effects on certain devices
• Fixed homescreen and preview bugs
• Fixed application picker bug
• Fixed custom icons scaling bug
• Fixed vertical drawer bug on tablets
• Updated language translations

Beta v0.7 (Mar 3, 2012)

• Vertical drawer implementations
• Separate portrait and landscape grid size options for homescreens
• Overscroll effect option for homescreens
• Scrolling speed options for desktop, drawer, and dock
• Fixed a folder label bug
• Fixed screen orientation setting
• Fixed a homescreen animation bug
• Fixed font size bug
• Updated language translations

Beta v0.6 (Feb 29, 2012)

• Docks customizations (scrollable dock, dock icons, etc.)
• Option to join drawer tabs
• Desktop double tap action
• Multiple language support
• Improved tablet transition effect on phones
• Added homescreen indicator for tablets
• Long press to launch app from hide apps list
• Fixed empty preview screen bug
• Fixed a bug with loading widget previews in the drawer
• Fixed home key action bug
• Fixed position issue when adding widgets from the drawer
• Fixed widget resize bug
• Fixed transition effect bugs for tablets
• Various other improvements for tablets
• Other bug fixes and optimizations

Beta v0.5 (Feb 22, 2012)

• Fixed Quick search bar widget coming back after restart
• Fixed bugs with removing icons from folders

Beta v0.4 (Feb 22, 2012)

• Fixed FCs when reducing the number of screens
• Fixed drawer button feedback issue (only works in the dock)

Beta v0.3 (Feb 22, 2012)

• Customizable app icons and labels
• Support for shortcut to any activity within apps
• Scrollable folders (no more 16 icons limit)
• Quick search bar widget
• New homescreen and drawer transition effects (tablet and cube)
• New Apex actions (show notifications, toggle status bar, Apex menu)
• New option for gestures and desktop long press (show Apex menu)
• Option for home key to go to default screen
• Redesigned screen preview UI
• Improved pinch gesture on desktop
• Improved infinite scrolling
• Removable/editable app drawer icon in the dock
• Hover and drop apps on remove icon to uninstall
• Better widget resize support
• Auto hide desktop icon labels when there is not enough room
• Changed default homescreen grid to 5 rows on phones
• Disabled persistent search bar by default on phones
• Removed clings (on-screen tips) on first run
• Fixed wallpaper position issue when scrolling is disabled
• Fixed crash on certain devices under custom DPI settings
• Fixed exit drawer animation when none is selected
• Fixed apex actions not working after restart
• Fixed add widget position issue
• Fixed a bug with transparent drawer background
• Prep work for multi-language support (Help Translate)
• Various minor bug fixes and optimizations

Beta v0.2 (Feb 8, 2012)

• Apex actions
• Hide apps from drawer
• Drawer background transparency
• Drawer animation (none, fly, fade)
• Custom drawer tab icon (none, market, apex menu, any app)
• New option for gesture and home action to launch specified app
• Improved handling of pref changes (no manual restart required in most cases)
• Fixed FCs for certain non-stock ICS ROMs
• Fixed bug of editing folder labels when desktop is locked
• General cleanup and optimizations

Whats the difference between this and Nova?

I will have to give this a shot. Thank you!

Sent from my Droid Incredible 2

I gave it a shot and it appears the icon resizing is an issue. When you turn the grid to 7x7 all the icon labels are cut off.

To answer the earlier question. I don't think Nova has infinite scrolling. I would say they are both pretty smooth. There are a lot of options in this launcher. I'm looking forward to seeing updates.

Does this have notifications for the dock icons ? Reason I deleted Nova after 5min, no notifications for unread texts or missed calls. Other than that I did not notice any difference whatsoever between stock launcher and Nova. I like to run my ROM's as pure stock vanilla as much as I can.

GO Launcher EX has the missed notifications, but GO is not ready for ICS in my opinion,needs a big update.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Originally Posted by Zorachus

Does this have notifications for the dock icons ? Reason I deleted Nova after 5min, no notifications for unread texts or missed calls. Other than that I did not notice any difference whatsoever between stock launcher and Nova. I like to run my ROM's as pure stock vanilla as much as I can.

GO Launcher EX has the missed notifications, but GO is not ready for ICS in my opinion,needs a big update.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

You like to run your rom vanilla but are waiting for go launcher? Huh?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Originally Posted by adrynalyne

Whats the difference between this and Nova?

I'd have to ask the same thing. The feature list looks almost the same? What differentiates this from Nova?

Originally Posted by Bxsteez

I gave it a shot and it appears the icon resizing is an issue. When you turn the grid to 7x7 all the icon labels are cut off.

To answer the earlier question. I don't think Nova has infinite scrolling. I would say they are both pretty smooth. There are a lot of options in this launcher. I'm looking forward to seeing updates.

With the 7x7 setting, there is no space for icon labels. Sometimes you may see the text cut off, and we may need to handle that more elegantly by hidding the labels altogether. I also tried Nova on my Galaxy Nexus, and I don't see labels either under 7x7 in portrait mode or any grid size in landscape mode.

Regarding the differences, we have more customization options than Nova. I believe Nova does not have infinite/elastic scrolling yet and it does not support gestures as of the latest version (beta 12). We're working to add more features with future updates.

just installed this launcher.. really nice and smooth. love the features too.