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Scratchpad Launcher

A minimal launcher with an always-visible scratchpad. Zero ads.
New in version 2026.10.5
- With the clock on top, the note starts right under the date
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.
  • app screenshot
  • app screenshot

Versions

Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.

Download F-Droid
  • Version 2026.10.5 (21) suggested Added on Oct 27, 2026

    This version requires Android 7.0 or newer.

    It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • Access hidden profiles
      Allows the app to access hidden profiles.
    • expand/collapse status bar
      Allows the app to expand or collapse the status bar.
    • android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS
    • query all packages
      Allows an app to see all installed packages.
    • request delete packages
      Allows an application to request deletion of packages.
    • app.scratchpad.launcher.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
    • set an alarm
      Allows the app to set an alarm in an installed alarm clock app. Some alarm clock apps may not implement this feature.

    Download APK 3 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log

  • Version 2026.10.2 (18) - Added on Oct 25, 2026

    This version requires Android 7.0 or newer.

    It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • Access hidden profiles
      Allows the app to access hidden profiles.
    • expand/collapse status bar
      Allows the app to expand or collapse the status bar.
    • android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS
    • query all packages
      Allows an app to see all installed packages.
    • request delete packages
      Allows an application to request deletion of packages.
    • app.scratchpad.launcher.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
    • set an alarm
      Allows the app to set an alarm in an installed alarm clock app. Some alarm clock apps may not implement this feature.

    Download APK 3 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log

    • New in version 2026.10.1
    - build: reproducible release for F-Droid (disable ArtProfile, sign with apksigner 34)
  • Version 2026.10.1 (17) - Added on Oct 14, 2026

    This version requires Android 7.0 or newer.

    It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • Access hidden profiles
      Allows the app to access hidden profiles.
    • expand/collapse status bar
      Allows the app to expand or collapse the status bar.
    • android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS
    • query all packages
      Allows an app to see all installed packages.
    • request delete packages
      Allows an application to request deletion of packages.
    • app.scratchpad.launcher.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
    • set an alarm
      Allows the app to set an alarm in an installed alarm clock app. Some alarm clock apps may not implement this feature.

    Download APK 3 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log

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