Third-Party Launchers May Bring 'Recent Apps' Customization on Rooted Androi Pie Devices

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Android Pie has introduced some cool new features to the world's almost popular mobile operating system. One such feature is 'Overview' that marks a massive departure from how the 'contempo apps' screen worked in Oreo.

First and foremost, the carousel at present scrolls horizontally instead of vertically, which means users will accept to scroll right/left (rather than up/down) to run into their contempo apps.

However, the code for Recent Apps is now integrated into the stock launcher, which means Overview requires organization permissions to piece of work the manner it was intended to. That being the case, the feature will be largely exist restricted to OEM launchers, with tertiary-party software, such as Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher etc. unable to integrate it with their software. At least, non without root access.

In rooted devices, though, Overview will reportedly exist available for all 3rd-party launcher developers to integrate with their software.

According to XDA, Lawnchair Launcher is ane of the first third-party launchers to accept incorporated the Overview features into its software, with the programmer reportedly figuring out a style to become their launcher to be recognized every bit the default handler for the contempo apps overview, replacing the Pixel Launcher on a Pixel two XL unit running a stock, rooted build of Android Pie. The implementation, withal, is nonetheless a piece of work-in-progress, and a long style abroad from public release.

So users won't necessarily need a custom ROM to accept advantage of the characteristic, as was previously feared. That existence the example, users with root access tin, potentially, use third-party launchers without losing the horizontal app switcher or swipe-upward app drawer, as long as that launcher supports the new feature(s).

While XDA didn't have the permission to reveal how the Lawnchair developers managed to do it, the blog's editor-in-main, Mishaal Rahman, says that getting the right permissions for the app was 'surprisingly unproblematic'. He also promises that more details volition be revealed once the new build gets closer to a public release.

Either way, now that the developers of Lawnchair have at to the lowest degree shown that it's possible to implement the new recent apps UI in a third-party launcher, it will be interesting to encounter how long it takes other launcher developers to bring the new feature to their own software.