Android may be a trademark owned via Google, however, the fact. That it is actually an open-source platform is what makes it the largest contender in the mobile market today. When the pure Android experience basically has its upsides, the customized flavor of Android that OEMs. Just like Samsung brings with its unique features and design elements also make its Galaxy lineup stand out as well. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Get the Unread Count Bubble on App Icon on Android 8.0 Oreo Update. Let’s begin!
Along with the release of Android 8.0 Oreo for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8, also came a bunch of new features. However, Samsung also brought in the brand new Samsung Experience 9.0 UX as well.
But there’s a lot we love about it, one fact that we surely don’t is that the South-Korean company has removed some beloved features actually. One of these features is basically the unread message bubble count on the app icons, which once was a prized feature of Galaxy devices.
Further
Thankfully, you can depend on 3rd party solution for the Play Store (APK). Home screen launchers such as Apex Launcher Pro and Nova Launcher Prime basically offer a lot of features. However, for those whose world is crashing down due to gone features such as notification badge icon. Then these apps do bring back this important feature.
We’ve broken down the entire process for you into a step-by-step tutorial, so you don’t have to go into unchartered territory alone.
How to Get the Unread Count Bubble on App Icon on Android 8.0 Oreo Update
Well, there are basically two ways. Both of which also involve a great 3rd party home screen replacement app. And its companion app for this very purpose as well. Sadly, a standalone app is not available on the Play Store actually. Or at least we couldn’t find one — that can also do the job right away. So, you have to install either of the Nova and Apex launchers and then their own add-on app, in order to do this.
The difference between the two methods here, that is, getting the unread badge through the Nova launcher (plus TeslaUnread) and Apex launcher (plus ApexNotifier) actually.
Well, the Nova launcher basically counts the number of unread threads for the purpose, not the no. of unread messages actually. So, if you guys have 10 unread text messages from one contact (crying for help?). That also forms just one thread in your messaging app, it will just show ‘1’ as a count on Messaging app’s icon as well. Not ’10’. This may also work out for some people, however, others may prefer the count ’10’.
Because that’s the real no. of unread SMSes actually. Of course, if you guys have 2 unread messages from two different contacts. That also becomes two unread threads in the messaging app, and it would show ‘2’, which is fine.
However, the first case may not be for many folks, who may want to know the no. of unread messages. No matter who sent it how many times actually. In that case, you have to try the Apex launcher given below.
Get notification count via Nova Launcher Prime
One of the oldest customization tools available for the Android OS actually. Nova Launcher has been evolving in order to bring a user interface that is truly unique to each and every user. However, Nova Launcher is absolutely free to use, you have to purchase the Nova Launcher Prime app. In order to unlock the full potential of the app, also including the unread count feature.
So all you have to do is purchase Nova Launcher Prime for $4.99, and then download Nova Launcher and its companion app for the purpose as well. The TeslaUnread for Nova Launcher. Links have also been provided below.
Download Nova launcher and required other apps:
- Download Nova Launcher
- Install Nova Launcher Prime [$4.99 in the US, just INR 70.00 (or $0.99) in India]
- Download TeslaUnread for Nova Launcher
Steps
- When you guys have all three apps downloaded and installed, then just open the Nova Launcher app on your device.
- On the welcome screen, proceed via tapping Next and then continue on to selecting your presets for the Overall theme, App drawer style, and also Open app drawer action.
- Along with the Nova Launcher all set up, it is now time to turn on the Notification badges from the Nova Settings app on the home screen.
- Scroll down to the app settings in order to find the Notification badges tab and choose it to view the options.
- You can also tap on the tab next to select a style and choose from the options – Dynamic Badges, Dots, and also Numeric Badges.
Further
- When choosing Numeric Badges, you guys can even choose the Position and Size, Preset designs, Colors. And Corner Radius of the Notification Badges as well.
- Now head over to the TeslaUnread app from the app drawer and then open it to choose those apps. That you want the Notification badges to appear as well.
- Using the toggle switch right next to each of the app icons. Then you guys can enable or disable the Notification badge feature for them.
- You will now be able to enjoy the good old notification badges you once did on the older Galaxy devices too.
That’s just it.
Get notification count via Apex Launcher Pro
If you guys need a more detailed count on the number of unread messages within the Messages. And many other social media apps too, the Apex Launcher Pro is actually your best bet. Unlike Nova Launcher Prime that also uses its Notification badges feature to only highlight the number of threads that are unread. Apex Launcher takes into account each and every single unread message there is within the app as well. You can start off via purchasing the Apex Launcher Pro app for $3.99. That is a buck cheaper than its competitor.
Install Apex launcher and other required apps:
Steps
- When you have all the three apps downloaded and installed. Then launch the Apex Launcher app on your device and set it as your default Home as well.
- Unlike Nova Launcher Prime, you guys don’t get to start off on a guided user interface, however, the default one.
- From the new home screen, you can also find the Apex Settings icon and open it.
- In the Apex Settings, now scroll down in order to find Notification settings and you’ll be introduced to the Apex Notifier add-on.
- Tap on the toggle switch at the top of the screen in order to enable the feature. And you may be notified along with a pop-up window in order to install the Apex Notifier if you haven’t already.
Further
- In the Notification Settings menu, you can now turn on to feature and even customize the notification badge via changing attributes just like the Badge shape, Badge color, Badge size, and also even the Badge position.
- Just scroll down to the Apps section in order to set your defaults for the Phone app, SMS app, Calendar app, Email app, and many others.
- You can now head back to the home screen. And also see the app icons with the numbered notification badges in action.
That’s all.
However, both Nova Launcher Prime, as well as Apex Launcher, deliver on the promise of bringing the notification badges to your Android device actually. Hence showing the unread message count on the app’s icon on the home screen, and there are also subtle differences as we’ve mentioned above.
Nova Launcher Prime is basically the undisputed king whenever it comes to complete UI customization. However, we’ll be siding along with the Apex Launcher in this case for the fact that it takes into account each and every single unread message rather than grouping all of them together. For a dollar cheaper than the competitor, it does what you guys expect of it.
