Getting Started

Getting Started

1. Install

ARK-launcher is distributed as a signed APK on the Releases page (it is not on the Play Store).

1. On your Android device, open the latest release and download the .apk asset.
2. Open the downloaded file. Android will ask to allow installing from this source the first time — allow it, then install.

Requirements: Android 11 (API 30) or newer.

Every release is built with R8 and signed with the same key, so a newer APK always installs cleanly over the old one. To update, install the newer APK from the Releases page (Settings ▸ Updates ▸ Check for updates opens it) or use Obtainium.

2. Set it as the default launcher

You have two ways:

• From the app: on first launch a welcome card appears with a Set as default launcher button. Tap it and confirm in the system dialog.
• From Android settings: Settings ▸ Apps ▸ Default apps ▸ Home app and pick ARK-launcher.

To switch back to another launcher later, use the same Default apps ▸ Home app screen.

3. First-run walkthrough

• Your home screen starts mostly empty with a dock bar at the bottom. Drag apps from the app drawer onto the home grid or the dock.
• Open the app drawer by swiping up from the home screen.
• Long-press an app for a menu (app info, shortcuts, rename, remove, uninstall). Long-press an empty area for the home options menu (add a widget, wallpaper, settings).
• Open Settings from the empty-area menu to customize columns, labels, gestures, icons, the status bar, and more.

4. Permissions (all optional)

The launcher asks for a permission only when you enable the feature that needs it:

Feature	Permission	How to grant
Notification dots / badges, status-bar notification icons, the notifications widget and the People widget	Notification access	Settings ▸ Notifications ▸ Notification access (a shortcut is provided in the app's settings; the People widget asks for it)
Status bar mobile signal	Read phone state	Requested when you turn the status bar on
Contact search in the drawer	Read contacts	Requested when you enable it in the drawer settings

None of these are required to use the launcher — skip the ones you don't want.

Next steps

• Explore everything in Features.
• Give your home a fresh look with an Icon Pack.
• Set up Backup & Restore so your layout is safe.