Google Pulled the Android Launcher I Just Recommended from the Play Store

The developer of Rootless Launcher revealed over the weekend that Google has pulled the app from the Play Store.

“My Play Store release got suspended [because] apps that cause users to download or install applications from unknown sources outside of Google Play are prohibited,” Amir Zaidi explained.

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As you may recall, I just recommended Rootless Launcher, and I did so for two reasons. It brings what is essentially Google’s Pixel launcher to more phones. And it lets you access the Google feed to the left of the home screen, something that is otherwise not possible on phones I really like, such as the OnePlus 6 and Galaxy S8/9/+.

That latter capability necessitates an in-app software install, as I had described last week. (“That latter capability requires you to install the Rootless Pixel Bridge, which you’ll be promoted to do.”) But that’s not allowed by the Google Play Store, as it’s the type of thing a malicious app might attempt. Understandable, but surely there’s a way to make this happen, as with in-app purchases.

“I need to find an alternative solution,” Zaidi continues.

And in other bad news, it appears that whatever coming replacement he makes will require users to reinstall from scratch. And that means configuring the app shortcuts and locations all over again.

For now, you can still acquire the Rootless Launcher directly from Zaidi, plus the separate Rootless Pixel Bridge, which adds the feed.

 

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Conversation 12 comments

  • wunderbar

    Premium Member
    04 September, 2018 - 10:52 am

    <p>It's a simple fix, he just have to remove the automatic download the of the piece that allows for Google feed.</p><p><br></p><p>i'm actually surprised it took this long for it to be pulled, becuase google is really strict about this exact thing in the play store.</p><p><br></p><p>There are a bunch of other launchers that have the capability of adding in google feed, but all don't let you do it automatically from inside the launcher, you have to do the process manually.</p>

    • ReformedCtrlZ

      Premium Member
      04 September, 2018 - 11:01 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#314101">In reply to wunderbar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Nova works the same way – you have to download the other piece from outside the play store to enable the functionality.</p>

  • evan_prytherch

    04 September, 2018 - 10:55 am

    <p>You can actually do this very easily with Nova Launcher</p><p><br></p><p>Just Google </p><p><br></p><p>how-to-get-google-feed-in-nova-launcher</p>

  • burog25c

    04 September, 2018 - 10:55 am

    <p>How does it compare to the Microsoft Launcher? Why should I switch?</p>

  • chrishilton1

    Premium Member
    04 September, 2018 - 11:03 am

    <p>I used this on Samsung s9+ and it had all the Samsung icons for apps such as phone and messaging? </p><p><br></p><p>I had also tried the Microsoft launcher, and had to re-install it, but it retained all the customised apps and icons, which I wanted to get rid of. I couldn't find a way to re-set it as such.</p>

  • micklord

    04 September, 2018 - 11:45 am

    <p>Try Action Launcher 3 – that supports the Google feed and the Pixel look very simply.</p>

  • Polycrastinator

    04 September, 2018 - 12:05 pm

    <p>Such a shame that Google doesn't just put it into the play store. They used to, and their camera software too. i'd love to have that, in particular (and you can get it, but you need to trust that a random site linked to in XDA isn't hosting malware).</p>

  • Silversee

    04 September, 2018 - 3:41 pm

    <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And it lets you access the Google feed to the left of the home screen, something that is otherwise not possible on phones I really like, such as the OnePlus 6 and Galaxy S8/9/+"</span></p><p><br></p><p>This has been possible for a long time with Nova Launcher, and using the same method: a "bridge" APK downloaded from outside the Store. Nova is also configurable enough to pretty much mimick Pixel Launcher features as well.</p><p><br></p>

  • mhavlicek

    04 September, 2018 - 3:42 pm

    <p>Am I missing something here? Why not just use Google Launcher? Works great on my Galaxy S7. Been using it for some time, especially because of the Google feed to the left of the home screen, which I really like.</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    05 September, 2018 - 4:43 am

    <p>Curios. Is there anything which prevents one app from storing app shortcut configuration and location to a file in the cloud and either the same app or another app reconfiguring apps shortcuts using such cloud-based files?</p>

  • dontbe evil

    06 September, 2018 - 5:46 am

    <p>meanwhile they don't pull malwares from play store and chrome extensions… but luckily they focus on windows security, and I really appreciate it… that's google</p>

  • Steve Martin

    Premium Member
    06 September, 2018 - 5:21 pm

    <p>Sounds like my Pixel 2XL resolves this issue in a simpler way.</p><p><br></p><p>Just sayin'</p>

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