Set LaunchBox as a Default Home App on Android
📋Summary
Introduce the option for LaunchBox on Android to be set as the default home launcher, enabling users to boot directly into LaunchBox when powering on their handheld device or pressing the home button.
❗Problem
Many users running LaunchBox on Android-based handhelds (e.g. Retroid, Anbernic, Odin) want a console-like experience, where the device boots directly into the frontend without passing through the standard Android launcher.
Currently:
LaunchBox cannot be selected as a default home app.
Users must manually open LaunchBox after each reboot or wake.
Competing frontends like Daijisho support this feature and are gaining traction among handheld users.
However, past attempts to implement this were rolled back due to compatibility issues with Samsung DeX and similar Android desktop modes, which rely on their own launcher environments. Enabling launcher functionality could break setups for users on tablets or phones using these extended modes.
💡Proposal
Offer optional support for LaunchBox to register as a launcher, with the ability to:
Be set as the default home app by the user.
Boot directly into LaunchBox at startup or after waking the device.
Include a toggle in the settings so it’s completely opt-in, minimizing impact on users with incompatible setups (e.g., Samsung DeX).
✅Benefits
Enables a console-style experience for handheld users.
Provides parity with competing frontends on Android.
Makes LaunchBox feel more immersive and device-native.
Still preserves compatibility for users who opt out or use hybrid tablet/desktop modes.

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Comments3
Jan 27
PinnedHi Folks,
With the release of 1.21, this feature has now been implemented. LaunchBox for Android can now be used as an optional Home Screen launcher. Enable this feature from the Options menu.
Thanks for bearing with us while we got this implemented. For more info on this release, check out the summary here:
LaunchBox for Android - 1.21
Cheers,
ChunkyLoverMark
Jul 7, 2025
Again it’s not something I would use as I use Launchbox on my phone but if I had a
dedicated Android gaming machine this feature would be essential.
Eyebrows Cat
May 27, 2025
It's a feature I don't need, but I understand some people need it and some don't, and it should be an option rather than forcing it into the home app.