Google might be finally fixing the botched system animations when using third-party launchers on Pixel phones

Google might finally be fixing one of the most annoying problems with using third-party launchers on Pixel phones: broken system animations. If you’ve ever switched from the Pixel Launcher to something like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, you’ve probably noticed how clunky things can get. Animations for opening apps, closing them, or switching between tasks often look out of sync or downright messy.

But there just might be some good news — maybe. A Google employee recently marked the issue as “fixed” in the Android Issue Tracker, saying a fix is rolling out now. However, I’m not entirely sure if the fix that’s rolling is part of the latest QPR2 Beta 2 update. Upon checking, I was still seeing the usual botched animations when going home or tapping the back button when in an app.

I have also not seen any reports from users confirming that they’ve noticed any improvements in system animations when using third-party launchers. So, if you’re hoping for buttery-smooth animations on your favorite launcher, you might have to wait a little longer — or brace yourself for disappointment.

This has been a pain point for years, and it’s not just Pixel phones. People with devices from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others have also reported similar issues with third-party launchers. It seems to come down to how Android’s gesture navigation system plays with these custom launchers. The animations just don’t feel as polished as they do with the default launcher, and the experience can be frustrating if you care about smooth transitions.

I used to be an Android customization freak, setting up fresh home screens every week with icon packs, KWGT widgets, and whatnot. However, even since Google started ruining the animation experience when using third-party launchers, I always found myself resorting back to the default OEM launcher.

A few months ago, a Redditor floated around the question: “How do you live with the broken animations?” Many chimed in, admitting they’ve learned to tolerate the glitches because they love the flexibility of apps like Nova Launcher. Some even said they’ve turned to the Pixel Launcher.

If Google’s fix actually works, it’ll be a big deal for anyone who’s stuck it out with launchers like Smart Launcher, Niagara, or Nova Launcher. But until more users report improvements, it’s hard to say whether this is really the end of the issue or just another false start. If you’re running the latest beta, have you noticed anything better? Or are the animations still as choppy as ever?

For now, it’s a waiting game. If Google can deliver, third-party launcher fans will finally get the smooth experience they’ve been asking for. But if this so-called fix doesn’t pan out, it might just be another chapter in the long story of Android’s complicated relationship with custom launchers.