Launcher 8 Windows Phone for Android

Launcher 8 Windows Phone recreates a Windows Phone 8-style home screen on Android, replacing icons with a vertical tile grid and a typography-focused look. The developer Timo Kujala builds this personalization tool for Android users who want a structured, tile-driven interface. It offers deep per-tile appearance control, a theme engine for sharing layouts, and a scrolling app list, making it appealing to enthusiasts and users who prefer an ordered, grid-based launcher alternative.

How do you edit and arrange tiles on the home screen?

Editing uses a long-press to enter edit mode, where you drag tiles to reposition them and use corner arrow controls to change size, including 1x1, 2x1, and 1x2 options. Individual tiles accept custom icons and transparency values. The app also places Android widgets inside the tile grid, and widgets sit inside resizable tiles so a single gesture manages both shortcuts and widget placements.

How does it handle app navigation and organization?

The app drawer follows a vertical, alphabetical layout with a built-in search field; you access it by swiping left from the main grid. Alphabetical sorting and search let you jump to apps without scrolling the entire list. The launcher also includes a theme engine that saves, loads, and shares complete layout configurations, so you can export a tile arrangement and import it on another device or after reinstalling.

What visual elements and system UI replacements does it add?

The launcher reproduces the typography-heavy Modern UI aesthetic and supports transparent tiles so wallpapers show through individual tiles. It offers optional replacements for the status bar and lock screen to extend the Windows Phone feel across the device. These replacements are configurable and can be disabled if you prefer to keep the platform's default status and lock screens.

What about performance, compatibility, and maintenance?

The launcher is described as lightweight and suitable for older Android hardware, and it historically ran on early Android releases. However, it's a legacy project and has not received major updates in several years, so compatibility with recent Android versions is not guaranteed. Expect minimal background presence on devices where it works, but be prepared for occasional stability issues on newer phones due to lack of recent maintenance.

Good fit for enthusiasts, limited by legacy compatibility

Launcher 8 is a focused option for Android users who want an authentic Windows Phone 8 tile interface and who value per-tile control and shareable layouts. Because the project lacks recent updates, users on modern devices may face compatibility gaps; collectors and owners of older hardware get the clearest benefit. For anyone aiming to recreate a Windows Phone desktop, it delivers the look and layout, though ongoing stability depends on device age.