You pick up a phone with a cluttered, ad-filled home screen and want something that looks like stock Android again. Murine Launcher, made by Alex Sim, is built for that. It is a lightweight fork of Launcher3, the AOSP launcher, and is described as stock Android with a few extras.
A Launcher3 fork that stays close to stock
The one fact that defines this app is its base. Murine Launcher starts from Launcher3 and keeps the familiar AOSP behavior, then adds modest customization on top. The package is only 4.3 MB, and the developer says it carries no bloat.
The code is public on GitHub under the Apache-2.0 licence, so anyone can read what it does. The app is also tagged as open-source and ad-free.
What a typical session looks like on Android 8.0 and up
Murine Launcher 1.2.5 is a Launcher3 fork, so once you set it as the default home app you get a layout close to a Pixel-style stock home screen. Seven screenshots on the page show the interface before you install. Customization is described as essential rather than exhaustive, so expect a few adjustments and not a long settings tree.
The app needs Android 8.0 or newer. It first appeared on May 7, 2026, and the latest update is dated September 29, 2026.
Murine Launcher against Hex, Escape and Grace
Six alternatives are Hex Launcher, Launcher OS, Defang, Escape Launcher, Grace Launcher and Multi Launcher Home Screen. Features are not compared here, so no ranking is possible. What sets Murine apart is the combination of Launcher3 roots, open source, no ads and a price of free.
If stock behavior matters more to you than heavy theming, that profile is the reason to try it first.
Murine Launcher pros and cons
Pros
- Built on Launcher3, so the feel stays close to stock Android
- Free, with no ads
- Open source under Apache-2.0, with code on GitHub
- Small download at 4.3 MB
- Runs on Android 8.0 and newer
Cons
- Customization is described as essential only, so power users may want more
- Version 1.2.5 is the current release
- No Google Play rating or install figures
Is Murine Launcher safe?
The unmodified APK for Murine Launcher is stored here, and you can compare its SHA-256 checksum, 213d22374c2bbd2d17ea34c9b067fb8d46a6e826bd237730ea87e15ac724b827, against the file you download. The code is public under the Apache-2.0 license. The developer is Alex Sim, whose website is murinelauncher.app.
How to install Murine Launcher
- Download the APK with the button on this page and wait for it to finish.
- Compare the file with the SHA-256 checksum shown here if you want to confirm it arrived intact.
- Open the file on your phone and allow installs from this source when Android asks.
- Finish the install, then open Murine Launcher from your app drawer.
