In 2025 we focused on making Smart Launcher feel more complete in daily use: easier to navigate, easier to customize, and easier to switch to. Some of the biggest changes were not “new ideas” in Android, but features people expect from a launcher, done the Smart Launcher way.
The Smart Launcher Dock
Android has always had the idea of a dock, and many launchers have offered one for years. What we shipped in 2025 is our dock: flexible, designed to work well with Smart Launcher features, and built to scale from a simple setup to a more advanced one.
A better search
In 2025 we made Smart Search both faster and more useful, the kind of tool you can rely on multiple times a day.
You can now add your own websites and services as search providers, so it works the way you work, not the other way around. We also introduced shipment tracking for several carriers and unit conversions directly inside the search experience, so you can get answers without opening extra apps.
On top of that, we shipped a lot of smaller quality-of-life upgrades that make Search feel smoother, like drag and drop from the search panel to your home screen to create shortcuts and keep important things one gesture away.
More gestures
You asked for more gestures, and we spent real time on it this year.
First, we added four new full screen gestures you can use from the home screen to trigger actions instantly: pinch in, pinch out, rotate right, and rotate left.
Then we went one step further and made each icon more powerful. Double tap was already there, but now you can also assign swipe actions on icons, with a different action for each direction. That means one icon can do much more without adding extra shortcuts or clutter on your pages.
Swipe up to open a folder
And yes, we also covered a classic request: swipe up to open a folder.
This is a small detail, but it makes a big difference if you use folders heavily. It turns folders into fast “one tap apps” when you need speed, while keeping the full folder one gesture away when you want to browse. You may have seen this in other launchers, and now it’s available in Smart Launcher too.
Better support for foldables, tablets, and every screen shape
This year we improved Smart Launcher support for different screens in two ways.
First, we rebuilt a large part of the launcher UI to work better across different aspect ratios and sizes. This matters for tablets, but also for common situations where one side of the screen is “limited”, like using a phone in landscape, split screen, or on a stand.
Second, we introduced the ability to use different setups on different screens and orientations. Foldable users can keep one setup on the external screen and a more tablet-like layout on the internal screen. But it’s not only about foldables: you can keep your usual home screen in portrait, and switch to a dashboard-style layout in landscape, with different widgets and spacing that make more sense in that mode.
Whether you own a foldable or not, if you like your setup to adapt to your device instead of staying fixed, Smart Launcher is now one of the most solid options you can choose.
Nova Import
A few months ago we saw something we did not expect: many Nova users started looking for a new home. There was a lot of uncertainty around the project, and a good number of people decided to try Smart Launcher.
At that time we published a message with a simple promise: if you want to switch, we will help you do it without starting from zero. That is why we added Nova backup import in Smart Launcher.
Switching launchers is usually painful because your setup is personal, and rebuilding it takes time. Now you can import your Nova backup into Smart Launcher, exactly like it was a native Smart Launcher backup, and pick up from there.
Even if you never used Nova, this was still an important part of our year: new users brought new feedback, new ideas, and a lot of love. It made the community more active, and it helped us improve faster.
The last update before the Christmas:
Smart Launcher 6.6
Liquid Glass Theme
When Apple showed its new design language in June, many people asked the same question: can Android do something like that? We asked it too, and we started experimenting right away.
With Smart Launcher 6.6, Liquid Glass is now here. It gives your home screen widgets a translucent, glass-like look, with effects that react to what’s behind them, like refraction and light dispersion, so the result feels more dynamic and “real” instead of being a simple static blur.
A key point for us was doing this without sacrificing performance. We worked with Alexander Steenbergen to build an implementation that is optimized for Smart Launcher and designed to keep the launcher fast and responsive, even with the effect enabled.
And because this kind of effect is very personal, Liquid Glass is fully configurable. You can make it more subtle or more intense, increase or reduce blur, and add a dark overlay to keep text and content easy to read in every wallpaper and lighting condition.
Infinite Scroll
Infinite Scroll changes the way the home screen moves. Instead of treating your pages like a list with a first and a last, it turns them into a loop: keep swiping and you naturally come back around.
For some, this makes navigation faster and more fluid, especially if you use multiple pages. You stop thinking about “where the end is” and you simply navigate, always taking the shortest path.
So, if you used Infinite Scroll in the past with other launchers, you’ll feel at home right away.
A quick note about availability
Smart Launcher 6.6 should already be rolling out on Google Play, but the update was rejected during review, likely due to a false positive in the automated checks. We’ve already submitted an appeal and we’re waiting for their reply. With the holidays in the middle, it’s realistic to expect some extra delay, so most users won’t receive 6.6 before Christmas.
If you don’t want to wait, you can install the latest build from our official Telegram channel, where you will also find the full changelog.
What’s next
To close the year, we’re also running a special promotion: for the first time, Smart Launcher will have a full week of sale from December 24 to 30. The exact discount depends on your country, so the best way to check the offer is directly inside the app.
And 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year. We expect to release Smart Launcher 7 and at least one new app, with more announcements along the way.
One important detail: Smart Launcher 7 will not require a new license. So if you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this sale week is a good moment to do it and carry that upgrade into what comes next.
For now, we’re going to take a short break too. The team will enjoy a few holidays, recharge, and come back ready for what’s next. Thank you for being part of the Smart Launcher community, whether you’ve been here for years or you just joined recently. We wish you a great holiday season, and we’ll see you in 2026.
