WP Launcher (Launcher 8)

WP Launcher (Launcher 8) is an Android home screen replacement that recreates a Windows Phone-style Start screen, built around colorful, resizable tiles and animated transitions.

It is for people who want a tile-based layout with deep control over how shortcuts, widgets, and system features appear on the home screen, especially if you miss the look and feel of the Windows Phone interface.

A Start screen built around tiles, not icons

WP Launcher swaps the usual icon grid for a tile layout where shortcuts are “pinned” to the home screen. Tiles can be moved around and resized, and you can adjust the look by changing details such as the tile color and image. Editing also extends to what a tile launches, so a tile can act as a shortcut to an app, a system shortcut, or a widget-style tile.

Personalization that goes beyond color

Customization goes past picking a theme color. Tiles can be tailored with options like titles, text color, icons, and style, and the launcher supports changing how the overall Start screen layout is arranged. If you enjoy building a very specific layout, the way tiles are defined and reused (so multiple tiles can share the same visual setup) encourages careful, consistent theming.

Live-style tiles and built-in tile types

Part of the appeal here is motion and activity on the Start screen. WP Launcher includes animated tiles, including contact-focused tiles, messaging-related tiles (such as an SMS counter), and calendar-style tiles. It also includes its own dedicated tiles, such as time, contacts, and gallery tiles, which help the launcher feel more like a complete UI theme rather than a simple icon rearrangement.

App list access, viewing modes, and decluttering tools

The app list sits one swipe away from the Start screen, and you can switch how that list is presented (including an alphabetical view and other layout options). From the app list, apps can be pinned to the Start screen, and there are controls to hide apps you do not want to see in the list. A search tool is also available from the app list area, which suits the launcher’s emphasis on quick navigation.

Widget support with a tile-first mindset

WP Launcher supports adding widgets to the home screen in a tile format, keeping the experience closer to the launcher’s visual identity rather than dropping standard widgets into a mismatched layout. If your goal is a Start screen that still benefits from Android widgets, this is one of the launcher’s most practical strengths.

Trade-offs to keep in mind

Some features are designed around companion components, for example the lock-related tile behavior that depends on an additional lock screen app. Also, the app is described as ad-supported, with an option to remove ads through an in-app purchase, which may matter if you prefer a cleaner interface by default.