Personalization · Open source

Scratchpad Launcher

mstcgalis

A minimal launcher with an always-visible scratchpad. Zero ads.

Download

Opens the official F-Droid page

Scratchpad Launcher screenshot 1Scratchpad Launcher screenshot 2

About Scratchpad Launcher

Your phone as a piece of paper.

Scratchpad Launcher is a minimal Android home screen split in two: the top half is a plain text box that's always there, so you can write something down without opening any app. The bottom half is a small, fixed list of your most-used apps. Nothing else.

FEATURES:

Always-visible scratchpad: Saved as you type, survives reboots, stored locally and excluded from Android backups. Light markdown: Headings, bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, highlight, code, tappable links, lists and to-do checkboxes you can tick with a tap. Type to launch: Swipe up, type a few letters, and the app opens as soon as there's one match. Sync as scratchpad.md: Optionally mirror the scratchpad into a folder, such as an Obsidian vault. Minimal app list: A handful of apps, no icons, no clutter. Rename, hide and align them. Gestures: Double tap to lock screen. Swipe left or right to open apps. Swipe down for notifications or search. Readable: Separate text sizes for the scratchpad and the launcher, dark and light themes. Privacy: No data collection, no accounts, no tracking. FOSS, licensed GPLv3. Launcher features: Dual apps, work profile and private space support. Accessibility Service: Used exclusively to let you turn off your phone's screen with a double-tap gesture. It is optional, disabled by default, and doesn't collect or share any data.

This is a fork of Olauncher , a minimal ad-free launcher by tanujnotes, with the app grid cut down and a scratchpad put in its place.

How to install Scratchpad Launcher

  1. Tap Download — the app's official page on F-Droid opens.
  2. Install it with the F-Droid app (recommended, for automatic updates), or use the download button on that page.
  3. If Android asks, allow the F-Droid app or your browser to install apps, then tap Install.
  4. Open Scratchpad Launcher from your app drawer.

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