Key points:
- Pixel Launcher will finally display full app names in the app drawer and search results with Android 15.
- This optional toggle allows users to see complete app names on two lines, improving clarity and navigation.
- The feature is currently in beta and may undergo further refinement before the final release.
For many Pixel phone users, the frustration of truncated app names in the launcher is a familiar one. Cramming icons into a grid often forces the Pixel Launcher to shorten app names like “Adobe Acrobat” or “Amazon Shopping,” making identification a guessing game. This not only disrupts workflow but also highlights a limitation compared to third-party launchers that offer full app name displays.
Fortunately, a recent discovery in the Android 15 Beta 1.2 update hints at a long-awaited solution. Android expert Mishaal Rahman unearthed a hidden feature – a “show long app names” toggle nestled within the “apps list settings” of the Pixel Launcher. When enabled, this feature breaks the single-line constraint, allowing app names to elegantly wrap onto a second line for both the app drawer and search results.
While a seemingly minor change, the ability to view full app names can significantly improve user experience. Scrolling through the app drawer becomes a more streamlined process, as complete names eliminate the need to decipher icons or guess truncated titles. This functionality is particularly valuable for users who have a vast app collection or those with apps that boast lengthy names.
It’s important to note that this feature is currently in beta testing and might exhibit inconsistencies. The screenshots reveal that the effectiveness of the toggle can vary depending on screen size and resolution. For instance, enabling the setting on a Pixel 6a displayed the full name for “Niagara Launcher” but not for “Nano Teleprompter.” Similarly, the Google Pixel itself didn’t exhibit any change in app drawer names upon toggling, possibly due to its unique aspect ratio.
Despite these potential refinements, the introduction of the “show long app names” toggle marks a significant step forward for the Pixel Launcher. This long-requested functionality caters to user preferences and brings the Pixel Launcher closer to feature parity with its competitors. As Android 15 progresses through the beta stages, we can expect further optimization and a more polished implementation of this welcome addition.
