Microsoft’s overlooked Android launcher showed me everything Pixel Launcher is missing

When you think of Microsoft, the likes of Windows, Office, and Bing probably come to mind. I doubt that “creator of a brilliant Android launcher” would spring to mind. Since receiving a Pixel 8, I’ve struggled to bend its home software to suit my needs. I’ve learned to live with Pixel Launcher more than I have grown to love it. Naturally, I’ve been exploring several alternatives. After giving Microsoft Launcher a week on my device to prove itself, I admit there’s much to like about Redmond’s home screen experience, even on Google’s best smartphones.

Believe it or not, Microsoft Launcher is over a decade old, but I haven’t used it in earnest until now. Launched in late 2015, it has undergone several iterations, but its original design philosophy remains: build an Android launcher for a Microsoft product user. But this only skims the surface. The launcher offers much more for those seeking broad customization and functionality, regardless of their allegiance to the company’s products.