How to Change the Launcher on an Android Tablet

What a launcher is

The launcher is the Android app that draws the home screen: the app grid, widgets, shortcuts, wallpaper and, on many tablets, the gestures that open the app drawer and recent apps. It is the first thing you see when the tablet finishes starting, and it is what appears when you press the home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Because the launcher is an ordinary app, it can be replaced without any modification to the system. Android is an open source operating system, and the home screen is not locked to one design. Learn more about the Android user interface.

Most tablets ship with a launcher made by the tablet's manufacturer, so the home screen can look quite different from stock Android. That arrangement is not permanent. You can install a different launcher from the app store, and it will run on the same Android system, on top of the same apps and files. Tablets are one of the form factors covered in the ENERGY STAR computer program, and they share the same operating-system idea as a laptop: a full interface that you can customize.

Why change the launcher

People switch launchers for practical reasons. A third-party launcher can provide a denser app grid, which suits a large tablet screen where more apps fit per page. It can change icon size and shape, add extra dock rows, and offer wallpaper and folder options that the built-in launcher does not. If you want a tidy home screen with everything placed where you reach for it, a launcher gives you controls that the default may hide. Organizing your home screen starts with the launcher you choose.

Launchers are also a way to adjust how the tablet feels. Some factory home screens load news, store suggestions and other content; a leaner launcher can show only what you choose. This is useful if you find the default crowded, or if the tablet feels slow when you go home. A lightweight launcher can make the home screen more responsive, though it does not change what happens inside other apps. Speed up a sluggish tablet with the right home screen app.

Install a launcher

Open the app store on the tablet and search for launcher or home screen. You will find many options, from well-known launchers with many settings to small minimal ones, and most have a free tier that is enough to change the look. Install the launcher like any other app. No rooting, bootloader unlocking or system removal is required; replacing the home screen is a normal Android capability. Managing apps works the same way for a launcher as for anything else.

After installation, press the home button or swipe to go to the home screen. Android will prompt you to choose a home app: your current launcher and the new one. Select the new launcher and choose Always to set it as the default. If the prompt does not appear, open Settings, go to Apps or Default apps, tap Home app, and select the new launcher from the list. Setting default apps is where that control lives.

Set the default and switch back

You can keep several launchers installed and switch freely. To move from one to another, open Settings, go to Apps or Default apps, tap Home app, and pick a different one. Returning to the launcher that came with the tablet works the same way. Because a launcher only redraws the home screen, your apps, accounts, files and settings stay exactly where they were. Set up multiple user accounts if you share the tablet with someone else.

Not every tablet exposes the Home app setting. Android itself is open source and the ecosystem supports replacement home screens, but a few entry-level or locked-down models, and some enterprise-managed devices, do not allow a default home app change. If the option is missing, check the manufacturer's support documentation; on some tablets the launcher is controlled by the maker and cannot be swapped.

Customize the new home screen

Once a new launcher is set, open its own settings screen, usually from a gear icon on the home screen or a long-press on an empty area. Most launchers let you set the app grid to a specific number of rows and columns, which is helpful on a large-screen tablet, and adjust icon size, shape and label visibility. You can also set the wallpaper separately for the home screen and the lock screen, and add widgets to the new layout. Choosing a screen size helps you decide how much fits per page.

Gestures are another common launcher feature. You can assign actions such as swiping down for notifications, swiping up for the app drawer, or a custom shortcut for a two-finger swipe. Many launchers also include a backup option so you can save your layout and restore it later. If you experiment too far, the launcher's own settings usually include a reset to its defaults.

Launchers and performance

The launcher uses the tablet's processor and memory to draw the home screen, so your choice can affect how quick the tablet feels. A lightweight launcher with few animations can help an older or lower-powered tablet feel more responsive. A feature-heavy launcher with live wallpapers, weather widgets and constant animations may feel slower on the same hardware. RAM size and processor basics both play a part in that.

If the tablet feels slower after switching, look first at the launcher's settings: reduce animations, remove live wallpapers and unused widgets, and try a simpler icon layout. Remember that the launcher only controls the home screen. A slow app or a nearly full storage drive will not be fixed by changing the launcher. Free up storage and speed up the tablet at the system level instead.

Launchers for kids and family use

For a child's tablet, a launcher can serve as a simple gatekeeper: a home screen that shows only the apps you select, with larger icons and no access to the full app drawer. Before installing any launcher aimed at children, check what data it collects and how it handles advertising. The Federal Trade Commission's Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule places requirements on online services directed at children under 13, so privacy practices matter here. Set up parental controls and see kid-focused tablets that pair well with a simple launcher.

Android also supports multiple user profiles, giving each person a separate home screen and app set. This works well alongside a custom launcher: keep your own launcher on your profile and the default layout on a child profile. You can manage those profiles in Settings under System or Users.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Is it safe to change the launcher on an Android tablet?

Yes. The launcher is just the home screen app, and Android is designed to allow replacement. Your apps and data are not touched, and you can return to the original launcher at any time from Settings.

Will changing the launcher delete my apps or data?

No. A launcher only redraws the home screen. Your apps, files, accounts and settings stay where they are.

Do I need to root the tablet to install a launcher?

No. Launchers install like any other app from the app store. No system modification is required.

Why is there no Home app option in my Settings?

Some entry-level, kid-mode or enterprise-managed tablets lock the launcher and do not allow a default home app change. Check the manufacturer's support documentation for your model.

Can I have more than one launcher installed at once?

Yes. Install several and switch between them in Settings under Apps or Default apps, then Home app.

Will a new launcher make my tablet faster?

A lightweight launcher can make the home screen feel more responsive, but it will not speed up slow apps or fix a nearly full storage drive.