Zelyft - MINIMAL LAUNCHER

How to use Zelyft Launcher

Last updated March 2026
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🚀 Getting Started

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What is Zelyft Launcher?

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Zelyft is a minimalistic Android launcher that replaces your home screen with a clean, text-only interface. It's built for people who want fewer distractions, more focus, and useful productivity tools — all without giving up their data.

How do I set Zelyft as my default launcher?

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After installing, open the app's settings and tap "Set Zelyft as your default launcher." Android will prompt you to choose a launcher — select Zelyft and tap "Always." If the prompt doesn't appear, go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Home App → select zelyft.

Will Zelyft replace my current launcher permanently?

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No. You can switch back to your previous launcher anytime from Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Home App.

Does Zelyft work on all Android phones?

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Zelyft works on Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) and above. It's built with Jetpack Compose, so it performs best on Android 10+.

Do I need to create an account to use Zelyft?

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No. No account, no sign-in, no email required. Ever.

Is Zelyft free?

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Yes. Completely free. No ads, no in-app purchases, no premium tier.

Why can't I see my app icons?

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Zelyft is intentionally text-only. App icons are replaced by app names for a cleaner look. This is a core design decision, not a bug.

How do I add apps to the home screen?

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Open the app drawer → long-press any app → select "Pin to Home." You can pin up to 6 apps.

Can I pin more than 6 apps to the home screen?

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No. The 6-app limit is intentional — it forces you to keep only what you truly need front and center.

How do I remove an app from the home screen?

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Long-press the app name on the app drawer → select "Unpin."

Can I add folders to the home screen?

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Not directly. Use App Groups in the drawer to organize apps, and pin the group shortcut if needed.

How do I access the app drawer?

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Swipe up from the home screen Or click on Apps from home screen.

Can I add widgets to the home screen?

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Zelyft's built-in widgets (Task Manager, Quotes, Time Progress) are accessible from within the app.

How do I open the app drawer?

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Swipe up from anywhere on the home screen.

How do I search for an app?

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The app drawer has an integrated search bar at the top. Start typing the app name to filter results instantly.

Why does the search bar also show Google results?

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The search bar is integrated with Google Search — if no app matches your query, it offers to search Google instead. This is intentional for quick access without switching apps.

Are all my installed apps visible in the drawer?

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All apps are shown except those you've explicitly hidden using the Hidden Apps feature.

How are apps sorted in the drawer?

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Apps are sorted alphabetically by default.

What are hidden apps?

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Hidden apps are completely removed from the app drawer. They don't appear in search, aren't visible to anyone browsing your phone, but can still receive notifications and run in the background.

How do I hide an app?

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Open the app drawer → long-press the app → select "Hide App."

How do I access a hidden app after hiding it?

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Long press on settings icon from home screen

Does hiding an app uninstall it?

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No. The app remains fully installed and functional — it's just invisible in the drawer.

Can hidden apps still send notifications?

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Yes. Hiding in Zelyft only affects visibility in the drawer. Android notification permissions are unaffected.

What are App Groups?

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App Groups let you organize apps into named collections — like "Work," "Social," or "Morning Routine" — for cleaner navigation in the drawer.

How do I create an App Group?

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Open the app settings → tap the App Groups → tap "+" → name your group → add apps (by clicking on the group).

Can an app be in multiple groups?

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Yes. An app can belong to as many groups as you want.

How do I delete an App Group?

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Open the app settings → tap the App Groups → tap "..." → delete. This only deletes the group, not the apps inside it.

Can I rename an App Group?

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Yes. Open the app settings → tap the App Groups → tap "..." → rename.

What is the Distracting Apps feature?

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When you mark an app as "Distracting," Zelyft intercepts every open attempt with a mandatory 22-second breathing session. You must complete it before the app opens.

How do I mark an app as distracting?

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Open the app drawer → long-press the app → select "Mark as Distracting."

Why 22 seconds specifically?

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22 seconds is long enough to break the automatic, unconscious tap-and-open habit, but short enough that it doesn't feel punishing. It gives your brain time to make a deliberate choice.

Can I skip the breathing session?

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No. The breathing session cannot be skipped — that's the point. If you could skip it, it wouldn't work.

Does the breathing friction work even if I open the app from a notification?

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No. The friction only activates when you open the app through Zelyft's drawer.

How do I remove an app from the Distracting list?

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Open the app settings → distracting apps → deselect the app.

What is the Task Manager widget?

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A simple to-do list built directly into zelyft. Add tasks, check them off, keep your day on track — no third-party app needed.

How do I access the Task Manager?

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It's already on home screen when you install zelyft. But it can be turned off from app settings, in that case: open app settings → toggle Task widget on.

How do I add a task?

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In the Task Manager widget, tap the "+" or the input field called set an intention..., type your task or event, and confirm.

How do I mark a task as complete?

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Tap the checkbox next to the task.

How do I delete a task?

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Tap the delete icon next to the task.

Does the Task Manager sync across devices?

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No. Tasks are stored locally on your device only. There is no cloud sync. Your data stays on your device.

What is the Quotes widget?

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A widget that displays a rotating quotes or affirmations on your home screen.

How do I access the Quotes widget?

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Open app settings → click Quotes.

How often do quotes change?

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Quotes rotate on a set interval or on each home screen visit, depending on your version.

Can I add my own custom quotes?

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Yes, only your added Quotes are visible. Quotes don't come preloaded.

Where do the quotes come from?

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Quotes are all yours. Nothing comes bundled.

What are the Time Progress widgets?

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Three widgets that show how much of the current day, month, and year has passed — as a percentage and Dots, where each dot may represent a week, a day, a month or 2 hours depending on the widget. A quiet reminder that time moves.

What do the three widgets track?

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Day Progress: How much of today is gone (midnight to midnight by default). Month Progress: How far through the current month you are. Year Progress: How much of the current year has elapsed.

How do I access the Time Progress widgets?

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Open app settings and go to widgets section.

Can I customize what the widgets display?

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You can only choose to add or remove from home screen.

Do the widgets update in real time?

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No, to save resources widget is updated at an interval.

What data does Zelyft collect?

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Zero. Zelyft collects no data whatsoever — no analytics, no crash reports, no usage tracking, nothing.

What permissions does Zelyft request?

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None beyond what Android requires for a launcher to function (reading installed apps to display them). No location, no contacts, no storage, no microphone, no camera.

Does Zelyft have ads?

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No. Zero ads. No ad SDKs are included in the app.

Does Zelyft connect to the internet?

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Only for Google Search integration in the app drawer, which uses your existing Google app.

Is my task list or any personal data backed up to a server?

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No. Everything stays on your device.

Can Zelyft see what apps I open or how long I use them?

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No. Zelyft does not log app usage, session length, or any behavioral data.

Where are Zelyft's settings?

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Tap on settings icon from home screen. At bottom right.

How do I switch back to my old launcher?

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Go to Android Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Home App → select your previous launcher.

What happens to my data if I uninstall Zelyft?

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All locally stored data (tasks, app group configurations, pinned apps, settings) will be deleted. This cannot be recovered.

Will uninstalling Zelyft affect my installed apps?

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No. Your apps remain installed. Only Zelyft's data is removed.

Can I use Zelyft alongside another launcher?

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Only one launcher can be active as the default at a time. You can switch between them through Android settings, but not run both simultaneously.

Zelyft crashed. What do I do?

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Force stop the app (Settings → Apps → Zelyft → Force Stop), then reopen it. If the issue persists, reinstall from the Play Store.

The breathing session isn't appearing for my distracting apps.

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Ensure Zelyft is set as your default launcher. If you're opening apps via notifications or other launchers, the friction won't trigger.

Zelyft isn't showing some of my installed apps.

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If an app is missing from the drawer, check your Hidden Apps list in Settings — it may have been accidentally hidden.

My widgets aren't showing up.

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Open app settings → Toggle widget Off and then toggle On again.

How do I report a bug?

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Leave a detailed review on the Play Store or reach out to Nuclosoft Studios at connect@nuclosoft.com.

How do I update Zelyft?

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Updates are delivered through the Google Play Store. Enable auto-updates for Zelyft or check the Play Store manually.

Who builds Zelyft?

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Zelyft is built solo by Shashi , under Nuclosoft studios.