How to install the new Google launcher on any Android device

One of the greatest advantages of Android 4.4 KitKat was the beautiful Google Experience launcher. Unfortunately it remained exclusive to the Google Nexus 5. In a recent update to the Google for Android app, the Google Experience launcher was renamed as the Google Now launcher on the Nexus 5, signaling that the launcher may eventually be available to other Android devices.

We previously posted a guide on How to install the new Google launcher and apps from Android 4.4 KitKat on any Android. Which showed that the Google Experience launcher could be manipulated to work on most Android phones. However, it has become much easier to install the launcher on Android, following the latest update to Google Now and Google Search.

• Download Google Search APK
• Download Google Home APK

Copy both APK files to your device, make sure that your handset has enabled installing APKs from unknown sources and install both files to your device. After installing both files, press the 'Home' button on your handset and you can select the Google Now launcher to load by default.

Even through the Google Now launcher has been designed specifically for the Nexus 5, we have found that it runs smoothly on the Google Nexus 4. It is also reported to work well on the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. However having tested it on our Motorola Xoom, we found that the launcher would crash, leading us to believe that it currently only works on smartphones and not larger tablets.

If you try the Google Now launcher on your Android device, please be sure to leave us a comment below and let us know which device you own.


source - RedmondPie