Microsoft Launcher, formerly known as Arrow Launcher, is a home screen replacement app for Android devices. With over 10 million downloads from the Google Play Store, the launcher offers an intuitive and personalized experience to its users.
Features
Personalized feed
Microsoft Launcher offers a personalized feed that displays your most frequently used apps and recent activities. This feature allows you to access your important information with just a swipe to the right on the home screen.
Customizable home screen
The launcher allows you to customize the home screen with unique themes, icon packs, and wallpapers. You can also choose how many app icons appear on each row and column.
Gesture support
Microsoft Launcher supports various gestures, such as double-tap to lock your phone, swipe up to access your app drawer, and pinch to zoom out for an overview of all home screen pages.
Pros
Integration with Microsoft services
Microsoft Launcher offers integration with various Microsoft services, such as Office, OneDrive, and Cortana. This feature allows you to access and manage your files across different devices and platforms seamlessly.
Highly customizable
The launcher offers an extensive range of customization options, allowing you to personalize your home screen according to your preferences. This feature enables you to make your Android device look and feel unique.
Fast and lightweight
The launcher is lightweight and optimized for speed, making it one of the fastest alternatives in the market. The app is also designed to consume minimal battery and memory resources, ensuring your device runs smoothly while using it.
Cons
Learning curve
The app has a learning curve that requires you to spend some time customizing and exploring the different features. This process can be daunting for new users or those who prefer simpler interfaces.
Ads on the feed
The personalized feed has ads that might be intrusive and annoying to some users. Microsoft offers an ad-free version, but it comes at a subscription fee per month.
Comparison to similar apps
Compared to other home screen replacement apps such as Nova Launcher and Action Launcher, Microsoft Launcher stands out in its integration with Microsoft services and its personalized feed. However, it falls short in terms of customization options compared to Nova Launcher's extensive range of features.
Tips for using the app
Use custom gestures
Take advantage of Microsoft Launcher's gesture support by customizing them according to your preferences. For example, you can set a swipe up gesture to access your app drawer or a double-tap gesture to launch your favorite app.
Organize your home screen
Use the customizable home screen feature to organize your apps and widgets efficiently. Create folders and group similar apps together to reduce clutter and enhance your overall experience.
Sync your Microsoft account
To fully benefit from the app's integration with Microsoft services, make sure to log in to your Microsoft account and sync it with the launcher. This feature allows you to access your files across different devices effortlessly.
Conclusion
Overall, Microsoft Launcher is a fast and highly customizable home screen replacement app that offers unique features such as personalized feeds, gesture support, and integration with Microsoft services. Despite having a learning curve and ads on the feed, the app is an excellent choice for Android users who want to personalize their devices and stay connected to their Microsoft accounts. We recommend giving it a try!
Updated 04-21-2023
Overview
Microsoft Launcher, formerly known as Arrow Launcher, is a home screen replacement app for Android devices. With over 10 million downloads from the Google Play Store, the launcher offers an intuitive and personalized experience to its users.
Features
Personalized feed
Microsoft Launcher offers a personalized feed that displays your most frequently used apps and recent activities. This feature allows you to access your important information with just a swipe to the right on the home screen.
Customizable home screen
The launcher allows you to customize the home screen with unique themes, icon packs, and wallpapers. You can also choose how many app icons appear on each row and column.
Gesture support
Microsoft Launcher supports various gestures, such as double-tap to lock your phone, swipe up to access your app drawer, and pinch to zoom out for an overview of all home screen pages.
Pros
Integration with Microsoft services
Microsoft Launcher offers integration with various Microsoft services, such as Office, OneDrive, and Cortana. This feature allows you to access and manage your files across different devices and platforms seamlessly.
Highly customizable
The launcher offers an extensive range of customization options, allowing you to personalize your home screen according to your preferences. This feature enables you to make your Android device look and feel unique.
Fast and lightweight
The launcher is lightweight and optimized for speed, making it one of the fastest alternatives in the market. The app is also designed to consume minimal battery and memory resources, ensuring your device runs smoothly while using it.
Cons
Learning curve
The app has a learning curve that requires you to spend some time customizing and exploring the different features. This process can be daunting for new users or those who prefer simpler interfaces.
Ads on the feed
The personalized feed has ads that might be intrusive and annoying to some users. Microsoft offers an ad-free version, but it comes at a subscription fee per month.
Comparison to similar apps
Compared to other home screen replacement apps such as Nova Launcher and Action Launcher, Microsoft Launcher stands out in its integration with Microsoft services and its personalized feed. However, it falls short in terms of customization options compared to Nova Launcher's extensive range of features.
Tips for using the app
Use custom gestures
Take advantage of Microsoft Launcher's gesture support by customizing them according to your preferences. For example, you can set a swipe up gesture to access your app drawer or a double-tap gesture to launch your favorite app.
Organize your home screen
Use the customizable home screen feature to organize your apps and widgets efficiently. Create folders and group similar apps together to reduce clutter and enhance your overall experience.
Sync your Microsoft account
To fully benefit from the app's integration with Microsoft services, make sure to log in to your Microsoft account and sync it with the launcher. This feature allows you to access your files across different devices effortlessly.
Conclusion
Overall, Microsoft Launcher is a fast and highly customizable home screen replacement app that offers unique features such as personalized feeds, gesture support, and integration with Microsoft services. Despite having a learning curve and ads on the feed, the app is an excellent choice for Android users who want to personalize their devices and stay connected to their Microsoft accounts. We recommend giving it a try!