Most Android launchers try to pack in as many features as possible. However, if you’re looking for a cleaner way to handle apps and notifications without the clutter, Niagara Launcher takes a different approach.

Instead of adding more widgets, customization options, and visual noise, it strips everything down to what helps you get things done faster. If you’ve been frustrated with how many taps it takes to do simple tasks on your Android phone, this might be worth checking out.

OS

Android

Developer

Peter Huber

Niagara Launcher is a minimalist, ergonomic Android homescreen designed for one-handed use. It features a streamlined list layout, adaptive notifications, and a focus on efficiency to reduce distractions and declutter your phone.

Niagara Launcher changes how you use your phone

The standard Android interface is bad for focus

While some people prefer to stick with the default Android launcher, the traditional Android launchers spread your apps across multiple home screens, which means a lot of swiping. The first thing you’ll notice after installing Niagara Launcher is that your home screen is gone. Instead, it organizes everything into a single vertical list called the Wave Alphabet that you can scroll through with your thumb.

Your favorite apps sit in the middle of the screen, right where your thumb naturally rests. To access other apps, swipe along the right edge of the display to reveal an alphabetical index. Slide your finger onto a letter, and the app drawer jumps to that section. It’s faster than typing in a search bar and far more intuitive than flicking through pages of icons.

The entire philosophy is built around ergonomic efficiency. The layout also adapts to one-handed use. Since everything is stacked vertically and aligned to one side, you don’t need to stretch your thumb across the screen to reach anything. On larger phones, this makes a noticeable difference.

Interact with notifications without opening apps

The home screen becomes your command center

One of Niagara’s standout features is its notification handling. Instead of stacking them in a notification shade, the launcher displays them directly next to the relevant app on your home screen. A small preview appears beside the app icon, showing you the message content without requiring you to open anything.

Tap the notification preview to expand it into a larger bubble. From there, you can read the full message, reply inline, or dismiss it. For messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, this means fewer interruptions and quicker responses. This approach also reduces the tendency to get drawn into apps. When I open Instagram to check a comment, I often end up scrolling for ten minutes. But with Niagara, I just handle the notification and move on.

The notification dots are subtle but informative. A small indicator appears next to apps with unread alerts, so you always know what needs attention at a glance.

Pop-up folders and swipe actions speed up your workflow

Access your essential shortcuts with a single gesture

Niagara lets you group apps into folders, but they don’t work like traditional folders. Instead of opening a separate screen, tapping a folder triggers a pop-up bubble that floats over your home screen. You select the app you need, and the bubble disappears. It’s a small change, but it helps you avoid losing context when switching tasks.

Swipe actions add another layer of efficiency. You can assign a left or right swipe gesture to any app on your favorites list. For example, swiping right on your browser could open a specific website, or swiping left on your phone app could jump straight to your recent calls.

These gestures take a bit of setup, but once configured, they eliminate extra taps. I have mine set so swiping on the camera opens my gallery, and swiping on Slack opens a specific workspace. It’s the kind of customization that saves seconds each time—but those seconds add up.

It forces you to prioritize what actually matters

Hiding the clutter helps you stay in the flow

Niagara only allows a limited number of apps on your home screen—eight in the free version. This constraint sounds restrictive, but it pushes you to think about which apps genuinely deserve quick access. Everything else stays just a swipe away, but not constantly visible.

The search bar doubles as a quick calculator and unit converter. When you type a simple equation, the result appears instantly below the search bar. You can also search contacts, settings, and apps from the same bar, which cuts down on navigation time. If your current launcher feels cluttered or slow, Niagara is worth a look. It’s not trying to reinvent your entire phone experience, but it does make multitasking feel less chaotic.