Google recently released its latest smartphones for 2017, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. As a fan of Pixel devices since their debut last year, I appreciate their commitment to providing an unadulterated Android experience. For me, Pixel devices excel not only in hardware but also in software, particularly with the intuitive Pixel Launcher. The Pixel 2 introduces significant enhancements to this beloved launcher, improving its usability even further. However, given the premium nature of Pixel phones, many Android users may find them financially out of reach. Despite this, there’s a solution for those who wish to emulate the Pixel experience without purchasing one.
While you may not have access to the original Pixel Launcher, you can still customize your Android device to mimic its appearance and functionality. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of achieving this. If you’ve ever wondered how to obtain the new Pixel 2 Launcher, here’s how:
Note: I use my Nexus 5X for this tutorial. However, this method works on any Android device. If your device doesn’t support on-screen navigation buttons, they won’t show up on the display.
Obtain Pixel 2 Launcher on Any Android Device
If you’ve followed our website, you know our fondness for Nova Launcher. It brings added functionality and swiftly incorporates features from newer Android versions to older devices. Beyond feature integration, it offers extensive customization options. Today, we’ll demonstrate using Nova Launcher to mimic the Pixel 2 Launcher’s appearance and behavior on your home screen. This guide may be lengthier than our typical ones, so follow each step closely to adopt the Pixel 2 Launcher.
1. The first step is to install Nova Launcher. If you’re not already using it, download the Launcher here. The free version provides most functionality, but some customizations require the paid version. I’ll mention these separately so you can decide.
2. Launch the app and follow the setup steps without overthinking. We’ll customize it later. Just tap ‘next’ until your Launcher is set up. Also, ensure it becomes your default Launcher when prompted.
3. To ensure everyone starts from the same point, clear the home screen by long-pressing on icons and removing them one by one.
4. In “Nova settings,” access “Settings” by long-pressing on the home screen.
5. Ensure the “swipe up to open the app drawer gesture” matches Pixel 2 Launcher. Select “App & widget drawers” and enable “Swipe to open” while disabling “Swipe indicator”.
6. Notice, no “app labels” on Pixel 2 Launcher’s home screen. For a clean look and label removal, tap “Desktop”, then choose “Icon layout”. Disable “Label”. Icons won’t have labels on the home screen.
7. In Desktop settings, make more changes. First, adjust height and width padding. Tap “Height Padding”, choose “Medium”. Repeat for “Width Padding”. This aligns icons and widgets on the home screen, resembling Pixel 2 Launcher’s look.
8. Make one more change in Desktop settings: scroll down to locate “Page indicator”, tap it, and select “None”.
9. Return from Desktop to the main settings menu. Tap “Dock”, choose “Dock Background”, and set “Transparency” to 100%.
10. Done with Settings. Go back to the home screen, long press, select widgets, and find “Quick Search Bar” widget under Nova Launcher, then add it.
11. Long press on the widget, choose “Resize”, and resize to match your screen width.
12. Long press on the widget, then choose “Edit”. Under “bar Style,” select the first option. Scroll down to “Logo Style” and pick the colored “G” icon. Additionally, enable “Search as overlay” for a smooth animation, akin to the Pixel 2 Launcher.
13. Drag the widget to the bottom of the display. Add your favorite app icons above to personalize your home screen. Also, download the Pixel 2 wallpaper and set it as your default for an authentic Pixel 2 look.
14. Only one task remains: adding the “At a glance widget” to display calendar events, time, and weather. Begin by downloading the “Business Calendar 2” app from the Play Store. Launch the app and swiftly complete setup by granting necessary permissions and tapping the next arrow.
15. On your home screen, long press to select the widget option and add the Business Calendar 2 widget. Resize it to fit the screen width by long pressing on it, then click the gear icon at the top right.
16. Here, tap on the “Colors” menu and then set the opacity to 0%. Then save. The widget won’t look exactly like the one on new Pixel phones, but it is very close. Moreover, it serves the function properly, as you can see in the pictures below.
My Nexus 5X resembles the new Pixel 2 Launcher. However, the above steps merely replicate its appearance. Besides aesthetics, since Pixel 2 Launcher is based on Android Oreo, it brings more functionalities. The “Notification Dots” are one such prominent feature. To enable these features on your device, you will need the paid version of Nova Launcher. We have covered the Notification Dot feature in a previous article, and you can learn how to enable it by clicking here. Additionally, to bring the improved search functionality of Pixel 2 Launcher to your phone, click here. For comparison with the Pixel Launcher, I have added a picture showing both side by side.
Get Pixel 2 Look on Your Android Device
The pictures above compare the original Pixel 2 Launcher with the one created using Nova Launcher. Minor differences exist, but the overall look remains consistent. Though the process is lengthy, it’s worthwhile. Try it out and share your experience with us. If you feel any Pixel 2 Launcher features are missing from the article, let us know for future updates. Lastly, we’re eager to hear your thoughts on the “Made by Google” event. Loved it or hated it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
