Transforming open-source Android launcher into a tailored MVP

We developed a mobile launcher app for Android based on an open-source solution, adapting and customizing it into a product-ready MVP.*

Industry Media & Entertainment

Employees 20+

Region UAE

Services IT outstaffing

Client since 2025

Client overview

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The client is a media and entertainment company developing digital products to enhance mobile user engagement. They wanted to test a custom Android launcher as a new channel for delivering personalized content and entertainment experiences.

Further details about the client and product vision remain under NDA.

The Innowise developer we've been working with has been a great addition to our team. He quickly got up to speed, is always communicative, and has a solid understanding of the Android ecosystem. He’s been adapting the open-source launcher to meet our needs, while constantly working on improving performance, user experience, and stability. We’re already seeing a lot of value from his proactive approach and expertise.

Product Manager of a client company

Challenge

The client approached us with a clear goal: adapt an open-source Android launcher into a custom MVP that could serve as the foundation for a future commercial product. While the initial codebase offered a functional starting point, turning it into a stable, responsive, and extensible launcher required deep customization, clean UI implementation, and performance-aware engineering.

Adapting open-source code for commercial use. The client needed to repurpose an open-source base and make sure the MVP met their functional and UX standards.
Custom features with future potential. Core functionality had to be built in a way that allowed future integration of monetization and product extensions (e.g. advertising, personalized recommendations).
Delivering an MVP on a tight timeline. With tight timelines and evolving priorities, the team needed to stay laser-focused on delivering a usable MVP, while keeping technical debt low.

Codebase adaptation. The inherited open-source code (AOSP Launcher3) required significant refactoring and restructuring to align with the client’s expectations and use cases.
UX and feature customization. Core interface elements like the onboarding flow, app search, and home screen behavior needed to be reimagined and implemented from scratch.
Performance bottlenecks. The launcher had to run smoothly across Android devices, demanding careful memory usage, efficient icon rendering, and strict permission handling.

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Solution

To meet the client’s needs, we adapted an open-source launcher to support future development and growth. Our Android developer worked independently but stayed closely aligned with the client’s product owner, sharing regular updates and demo builds to keep development transparent and flexible.

Lean delivery process & communication setup

From the beginning, the project was structured around lean, MVP-focused development. With a single Android developer on board, the focus was on fast iterations, direct communication, and clear scope definition. We started by selecting and analyzing the open-source launcher codebase that would serve as the foundation of the product.

We adopted an incremental approach, sharing regular demo builds with the client and refining features based on feedback. Weekly asynchronous updates kept everyone aligned, ensuring full transparency without the need for frequent meetings. This approach allowed the client to see progress in real-time while maintaining a high development velocity.

Codebase adaptation & technical foundation

We began by forking an open-source Android launcher (AOSP Launcher3) and preparing it for custom development. The goal was to make the codebase maintainable and ready for future scaling.

Refactored project structure

Reorganized layouts and activities to simplify future feature integration.

Cleaned up codebase

Removed unnecessary permissions and outdated dependencies to improve security.

Optimized performance

Tuned icon rendering and resource usage for smoother operation on low-memory devices.

Added release essentials

Implemented analytics and build obfuscation to ensure reliability and safe deployment.

This groundwork created a stable and lightweight technical foundation for MVP development.

Feature development & performance tuning

Once the foundation was ready, we focused on building and refining key user-facing functionality.

Custom home screen: Redesigned layout and added search integration for intuitive navigation.
Onboarding flow: Guided users through replacing the default launcher with the custom version.
Content customization: Replaced the default Google News feed with curated materials.
User settings and info pages: Added Settings, About, and FAQ screens for usability and support.
Future monetization setup: Scaffolded ad-support features for potential product extensions.

Throughout this phase, we focused on keeping the launcher responsive, stable, and consistent across different Android devices.

Technologies

Platform

Android (Java, XML)

Codebase

Adapted and extended from AOSP Launcher3 (open-source base)

Tools

Monday, Notion; Slack; U-Track, internal spreadsheet

Team

Android Developer

Expected results

Project duration

June - November 2025

After several months of development, the launcher MVP was successfully delivered and handed over for further evaluation. The result is a stable, customizable Android launcher that meets the client’s initial goals and sets a strong foundation for future product expansion.

Product outcomes

Core launcher implemented: The main home screen, onboarding flow, and supporting features were completed and tested across target devices.
Optimized performance: Icon rendering and memory usage were refined, and unnecessary permissions removed for improved stability.
Future-ready architecture: The codebase is now cleaner, easier to maintain, and ready for further extensions such as monetization and analytics.

Project outcomes

Efficient delivery process: The project stayed on schedule under a single Android developer, maintaining steady communication and quality.
Transparent collaboration: Frequent demo builds and early testing cycles helped the client stay involved and provide timely feedback.
Positive client experience: The product manager praised the developer’s clarity, structured updates, and proactive attitude throughout the project.

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