Scratchpad Launcher

Scratchpad Launcher

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

mstcgalis Launcher

Screenshots

Screenshot of Scratchpad Launcher Screenshot of Scratchpad Launcher

Description

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.

What’s new (2026.10.1)

- build: reproducible release for F-Droid (disable ArtProfile, sign with apksigner 34)

Versions

Version Date Size Requires Android Download
2026.10.1 current
1b8a50578fceb474…
2026-10-14 3.0 MB API 24
1.1.11
9c717e8018388ed3…
2026-10-05 2.2 MB API 24
1.1.10
6263d38bab797fa4…
2026-10-02 2.2 MB API 24

Permissions

What the app asks the system for. Android only grants sensitive access after you confirm it.

  • EXPAND_STATUS_BAR
  • Installed appsSee which apps are installed.
  • REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES
  • alarm.permission.SET_ALARM
  • PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS
  • ACCESS_HIDDEN_PROFILES
  • launcher.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION

Comments