I like to call myself a pro-Android user. I’ve been using an Android smartphone since 2009, when it was known as Cupcake (Android 1.1). I never settle for the stock setup that companies offer and always customize my phone to suit my preferences. During the process, I tried my hand at the very popular Niagara Launcher, and although it took me some time to get used to it, I could see the benefits.
Niagara Launcher is different from other launchers because it swaps the traditional grid for a simple list. Thanks to this launcher, my screen time plummeted; I started having only the apps that mattered on my phone, and, most importantly, my phone’s battery life increased. Here’s what makes Niagara Launcher one of the best minimalist launchers.
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Stock launchers offer fewer customization options
Niagara Launcher keeps things minimal and clutter-free
I use a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as my daily driver. I’ve seen the home launcher evolve from the crappy TouchWiz UI to the now much better One UI. With the Good Lock app, you get a huge variety of One UI home screen customization options. However, being a pro-Android user, that feels limiting.
Enter Niagara Launcher. It takes your phone’s home screen away from colorful icons and other distracting stuff and brings accessibility and minimalism. It offers a clean, list-based interface where apps are sorted based on their first letter.
Right after installation, it asks you for all of your favorite apps that you wish to show on the home screen for quick access. While Niagara can arrange apps based on the frequency of usage, I like that it gives me the option to have my favorites up on the list.
There is a good collection of themes, which you can apply with just one tap. Unfortunately, in the free tier, only the first three themes are available. You have to unlock the Pro version by paying a subscription fee to apply other themes. There is a good collection of wallpapers as well.
After using it for a few months, my muscle memory has sharpened. Now, I don’t have to scan for icons anymore. I know that I have to slide to “W” for WhatsApp and “S” for Slack.
- OS
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Android
- Developer
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Peter Huber
Being minimal doesn’t mean no customization
The customization freak in you won’t miss a thing
You can tweak elements of the home screen by opening the Niagara Launcher Settings menu. Niagara Widget lets you customize the calendar, clock, and media widgets. You can change the look, add a custom widget, or move the widget to the home screen.
There is a hidden apps section where you can hide all of your unused apps, but important apps. I use this for keeping my banking apps and other apps that I don’t want people to use. They are accessible only when you search for them.
You can also choose which of your favorite music streaming apps should show up on the home screen, though this is a paid option.
Another nifty option available in Niagara Launcher is the Usage Breaker. Think of it as your wife who comes and reminds you to take a break from gaming. It sends you a notification reminding you to take a break from apps that you use more than you like.
Then there are clutter arrangement tools such as Folder Pop-up, where you can keep apps, shortcuts, notifications, and even widgets for quick access, all meant to tidy up the home screen.
Gives me more juice out of my phone’s battery
Less screen time, more battery life
Yes, Niagara Launcher is all good and stuff, but what is it better than other launchers? You will find launchers that offer better customization and features. So what makes Niagara Launcher the one to try out?
The one thing that clearly stands out for Niagara Launcher is that it makes your phone’s battery happy. After using the launcher for some time, I noticed improvements in my phone’s battery life. How did it happen?
Yes, Niagara Launcher is minimal and lightweight and uses fewer resources. But that minimalism forces you to focus on what matters, changing your usage patterns. Now, I don’t spend 30 minutes tweaking the widgets or getting distracted by colorful icons. Niagara Launcher helps reduce screen time. No icons, no unnecessary lighting up of pixels.
Thanks to the change in how I use my phone, I usually end the day with significantly more battery than before. So, I would not say doubled, but I can see my battery with more juice left in the tank. But to get the full experience, you need to get Niagara Pro, which costs $13.99/ year or $42.99 for a lifetime.
Not for everyone
To be honest, Niagara Launcher isn’t for everyone. If you think that even after spending thousands of dollars on your smartphone, it is a waste to think about battery life, etc., then the Play Store has a lot of options. If you were to take my advice, I would suggest Smart Launcher. But if you are looking for a minimal home screen setup that also helps save battery life, then Niagara Launcher is hands down one to check out.
