Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps
Home
Android

Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed

Apr 3, 2017 10:54 PM
Apr 4, 2017 04:44 PM
Smartphone screen displaying application icons.

The Galaxy S8 and S8+ haven't even hit shelves yet, but some of the stock apps from Samsung's latest flagships have already been leaked. The biggest one so far is the new Samsung Experience Launcher, which replaces TouchWiz Home, and is quite a bit different from anything you'll find on previous Galaxy models.

Amazingly enough, developer takerhbk has already ported the leaked launcher to work on older Galaxy devices. At the moment, the new home screen app only works on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, but it brings you most of the cool new features—including the ability to swipe up on your dock to open the app drawer.

Requirements

Clear Data & Uninstall Updates on TouchWiz Home

Before you install the new launcher, you'll need to clear the data on your old TouchWiz home app and uninstall any updates to prevent issues with incompatible app data. Do note that this step will erase your current home screen configuration—it's nothing serious, but you will have to rearrange your icons after the Galaxy S8 launcher has been installed.

First, head to the Applications menu in Settings, then select "All apps" from the drop-down menu. From there, use the three-dot menu to enable "Show system apps," then select "TouchWiz home" from the list.

Settings menu options on a smartphone screen.
App settings menu with options for viewing applications, managing permissions, and accessing system apps.
Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed
Settings menu options on a smartphone screen.
App settings menu with options for viewing applications, managing permissions, and accessing system apps.
Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed

Next, tap on "Storage," then hit "Clear Data" on the following screen, and confirm the data wipe by tapping "Delete" on the popup.

Application info screen showing mobile data, battery, storage, and memory details.
Storage settings screen showing total, used, and cache data for an app.
Storage application data warning message.
Application info screen showing mobile data, battery, storage, and memory details.
Storage settings screen showing total, used, and cache data for an app.
Storage application data warning message.

Next, head back to the Application Info screen for TouchWiz home, then tap the three-dot menu button at the top of the screen and choose "Uninstall updates." After confirming your choice, wait a few seconds, and the app will be restored to its factory state.

Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed
Settings menu of an application showing mobile data, battery status, storage, and memory information.
Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed
Settings menu of an application showing mobile data, battery status, storage, and memory information.

Download the Galaxy S8 Launcher

There are currently two versions of the Galaxy S8 launcher: The unmodified stock version straight from the S8 itself, and the modified version which attempts to correct a reported installation error. Download both of the APKs just to make things a bit easier in case the stock version gives you any errors. You can delete the downloads after successfully installing one of them.

Install the Downloaded APK

After you've downloaded both versions of the Galaxy S8 launcher, go ahead and install the stock version. To do that, simply launch the TouchWiz20home APK with any file browser, then tap "Install." If the stock version fails to open or install, give the modified version a shot, it should work.

Update prompt for an application installation on a smartphone.
App terminated message on mobile device.
Update prompt for an application installation on a smartphone.
App terminated message on mobile device.

Enjoy Your New Launcher

Once the app has been installed, simply hit the home button and check out your brand new launcher. (Make sure to select "TouchWiz home" if asked.) The current consensus is that S8 launcher is much smoother, and has far less redraws than the one included with the Android Nougat update for the S7 and S7 Edge. Then, of course, there's the new swipe gesture to open your app drawer, so it's good stuff all around.

Screenshot of a smartphone home screen displaying a weather app, time, and various application icons.
Smartphone screen displaying various app icons including calendar, social media, and music applications.
Screenshot of a smartphone home screen displaying Google apps and services.
Screenshot of a smartphone home screen displaying a weather app, time, and various application icons.
Smartphone screen displaying various app icons including calendar, social media, and music applications.
Screenshot of a smartphone home screen displaying Google apps and services.

Not much will seem different visually, but we have it on good authority that a couple of widgets from the Galaxy S8 will be ported over for the S7 and S7 Edge soon. If you liked this mod, check back, because we'll be covering similar S8 features as they leak. In the meantime, share your thoughts on the new Samsung Experience launcher in the comment section below.

Cover image and screenshots by Kevin M./Gadget Hacks

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!