Can the Nokia X run a custom Android launcher? Yes, and here is a video proof

posted by Victor H. / Feb 26, 2014, 9:27 AM

Can the Nokia X run a custom Android launcher? Yes, and here is a video proof

Nokia has just unveiled the Nokia X family of smartphones at MWC, the first devices made by Nokia and running on Android, but they run on a “forked” version of Google’s operating system, so they look more like a mix of Windows Phone and Asha with their tiles and Fastlane panels. Is there a way to revert back to more traditional Android looks?

The answer is yes. Nokia has said that you can sideload any app (via an APK) on the Nokia X, X+ or XL, but we had to test this ourselves to believe it. And what do you know, it worked just fine.

We sideloaded Apex Launcher on the Nokia XL and it gets rid of the tiles and transforms the looks of the XL into nearly stock ones. Sure, some of the elements like the core apps and notification center retain Nokia’s modifications, but all else looks pretty stock. There is, of course, a large variety of custom launchers on Google Play, so while not all may work, it seems that you won’t have a problem bringing the X series to stock looks. Check out the video below to see for yourselves.

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26 Comments

1. darkvadervip

Posts: 366; Member since: Dec 08, 2010

Can a custom rom be put on the phone to get the play store

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:32 AM 3

2. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Too early to tell I bet. Depends on what Nokia does to protect the bootloader. I bet they have it locked even though it isn't a contract phone.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:37 AM 0

6. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Nokia could have had a sizzling hot seller on their hands if they had gone down the Android path instead of WP. So much lost opportunity (sighs).

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:55 AM 9

16. Skoms

Posts: 118; Member since: Feb 03, 2014

Elop killed that company with wp

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 12:16 PM 3

24. james004

Posts: 486; Member since: May 15, 2013

Why not install Google experience launch (GLE)(nexus 5 launcher)

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 4:15 PM 0

26. Nexus_bear

Posts: 32; Member since: Nov 19, 2013

Too early to yell but hearing the lengths that Nokia went to yo strip all of googles services to make way for Microsoft's cloud I don't think that the Google now launcher is a reality. With out Google Mobile Services I doubt that it will be able to link to Google Now. Removing a lot of the perks of the GNL.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 8:07 PM 0

10. alterecho

Posts: 1106; Member since: Feb 23, 2012

"Depends on what Nokia does to protect the bootloader. " Depends on what >Microsoft< does to protect the bootloader.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 10:14 AM 5

13. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Doesn't matter either way, this is too low key a phone to merit that kind of development. Also, you don't need a custom rom to load the play store, that can be just side loaded most likely.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 11:11 AM 1

14. sprockkets

You cannot side load the play store - it needs to run with elevated permissions to thus set the permissions of each program installed for security purposes.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 11:30 AM 0

15. corporateJP

Posts: 2458; Member since: Nov 28, 2009

Give XDA a chance with this thing first...

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 11:46 AM 5

20. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

No lag at all....great work Nokia with just 1ghz dual core processor and 512mb ram.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 1:25 PM 1

22. akki20892

sorry. >768MB

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 1:31 PM 2

23. NFSHesham

Posts: 297; Member since: Feb 04, 2014

it scored sol little on Antutu , just short of 8000 , and you all say it'll give the Moto G A run for its money , Yeah Right . and it's an Android Jelly Bean for sure (4.1 most probably ) , not 4.4

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 1:34 PM 0

3. ZiadMohamed

Posts: 21; Member since: Jan 09, 2013

Awesome :D....I hope I can install the google play store and other services via side loaded method ;)

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:38 AM 2

8. tadaa

Posts: 267; Member since: Apr 18, 2013

i doubt you'd be able to install play services and vending.apk on stock nokia x rom. perhaps if rooted you can push google play to system/app but i don't think you would be able to install play services. you can download google apps (youtube, drive, etc) but you won't be able to log in and sync w/o play services

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 10:04 AM 1

4. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

That's awesome!

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:45 AM 1

5. jael206

Posts: 147; Member since: Jul 18, 2012

I'm in love!! This will surely be my new secondary phone this year.. After I get my Android flagship, of course.. Lol

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:54 AM 2

18. Skoms

nokia needs an Android Flag ship phone with Android And real Android not microsoft closed thing!

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 12:18 PM 3

7. toink unregistered

Do side load intructions come with the package?

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 10:00 AM 0

9. Mrmark

Posts: 389; Member since: Jan 26, 2013

I am glad Nokia went with Windows platform.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 10:10 AM 2

17. Skoms

But Elop flopped

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 12:17 PM 1

19. Droid_X_Doug

MS also let Nokia down. Features that have been part of Android for 2+ years are only now starting to appear on WP. Regardless, Nokia could have been leaps and bounds ahead of where they presently find themselves if they had gone down the Android path sooner. Oh well.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 12:42 PM 2

11. lalalaman

Posts: 638; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

Hey pa, what about buttons?? Multi tasking, home button? ? There only back button on this phone what I see.....whats the deal?

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 10:39 AM 4

21. akki20892

Hold that back button.

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 1:29 PM 1

25. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

The Fastlane is supposed to replace the recent apps switcher, so once you install a custom launcher, you lose that functionality (seriously, are we the only ones concerned about this?)

posted on Feb 26, 2014, 5:53 PM 0

12. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

Microsoft in a few weeks will OWN most of nokia's Mobile assets including the new Nokia X, X+ and XL smart phones there unfortunately for Microsoft millions of DIE HARD android USERS who will not switch to Windows smart Phones however Microsoft can Make HUGE amounts of money selling Music, Movies and other Microsoft services through the Nokias store on the Nokia X, X+ and XL smart phones to the Android community. Microsoft do not be so Windows Only minded and make money off of the Die hard android Fans