✎
Scribble-to-search
Write anywhere on the home screen. Strokes are recognized as you go and matching apps surface instantly.
v2.2 · Google Play + GitHub Releases
Write.
Write.
Launch.
Done.
Dash is a handwriting-first Android launcher. You already know what you want to open — so just write it. No keyboard. No search button. No friction.
- 100% on-device recognition
- Free, no ads, no tracking
- Android 9+
write a letter → the app appears
Why Dash
Less tapping. More opening.
Everything is built around one idea: your intent is faster than your keyboard.
✦
Gesture Shortcuts
Map apps to @letter or symbol shortcuts. Draw @G for Gmail, @YT for YouTube, or # for any app you choose — all recognized by ML Kit on-device.
⇥
Auto-launch
When exactly one app matches your scribble, it just opens. No tap required — configurable delay and minimum length.
📅
Calendar Agenda
See today's events at a glance. Smart Join highlights meetings with a direct Join button when you're within 15 minutes. Supports Meet, Zoom, Teams, and Webex.
🎨
Three Layout Styles
Minimal (fast, text-only), Classic (full widgets, screen time, Google search), or Doodle Pop Ink (warm paper aesthetic with ink-bordered sticker cards).
⚓
Pinned dock
Keep your essentials in thumb reach. Long-press to edit, drag to reorder — with haptic feedback throughout.
⌛
Usage-sorted recents
Your most-used apps surface first, based on real 30-day usage — not guesses. Requires one-time Usage Access.
▤
All Apps drawer
Swipe up to browse everything, sorted your way — recency or A–Z — with instant search when you need it.
👤
Work Profile Support
Personal and Work profile tabs in the app drawer. Work apps launch in their correct profile, with badged icons.
🗂️
Icon Packs & Tinting
Install any Arcticons-compatible icon pack. Optional adaptive tinting intelligently recolors monochrome icons to match your theme or accent — full-color icons always pass through unchanged.
◐
True-dark themes
AMOLED black, deep navy, or clean light — plus eight accent presets, all WCAG AAA contrast-checked.
Aa
Accessibility Fonts
Dyslexia-friendly Monolexic and high-contrast Monolegible typefaces, plus a bold text toggle. Choose your typeface during onboarding or from Settings.
⚿
On-device & private
Handwriting runs entirely on your phone via ML Kit. Your scribbles never leave the device.
◔
Screen time card
An optional, glanceable daily usage card with a goal — awareness without nagging.
Latest update
Gesture Shortcuts — now smarter.
Version 2.2 turns every letter and symbol into an instant direct route to your favorite apps.
@letter shortcuts
Draw @G, @YT, or any @word to jump instantly to your chosen app.
Symbol shortcuts
Assign any symbol — #, !, >>, or ⌘ — with multi-stroke support, no artificial unistroke limit.
Long-press to assign
Long-press any app on your home screen or in the drawer to set or update its shortcut instantly.
Interaction model
The whole launcher in a handful of gestures.
Draw a letter, draw a shortcut, or just tap. Your call.
WriteScribble anywhere to search
Swipe leftErase the last character
Swipe upOpen the All Apps drawer
Tap appLaunch it
Long-pressPin, unpin, or drag to reorder
@GJump directly to Gmail — your custom shortcut
# or !Draw any symbol to launch its assigned app
Long-press appSet a gesture shortcut instantly, no Settings needed
Swipe downClose the drawer, back home
Make it yours
Three layouts. Three moods. Eight accents.
Pick a layout style, then dial in your color and contrast.
09:41
Phone
Messages
Camera
Browser
⌃
Fast & text-only
09:41
Wed, Jul 29
Full widgets & dock
09:41
JUL 29
★
Favorites
ink sticker
Sticker cards & grid
Three layout styles × three color modes × eight accent presets. Every combination WCAG AAA checked.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How do gesture shortcuts work?
Long-press any app on the home screen or in the app drawer and tap "Gesture Shortcut". Draw @G for Gmail, @YT for YouTube, or any symbol like # or !. Shortcuts are recognized by the same on-device ML Kit model that powers handwriting search — no extra setup, no cloud.
Do you support third-party icon packs?
Yes. Install any icon pack compatible with the Arcticons / Nova Launcher standard (org.adw.launcher.THEMES). Select it from Settings → Appearance → Icon Pack. You can also enable adaptive tinting to colorize monochrome icons.
Can I see my calendar on the home screen?
Yes, in the Classic layout. Enable Calendar mode from home display settings. Events refresh automatically and show a Smart Join button for in-progress or imminent meetings.
Why does Dash ask for Usage Access?
To sort your apps by what you actually use. Dash reads aggregate last-used timestamps from Android's UsageStats API — nothing else. Without it, the launcher falls back to alphabetical order.
Does my handwriting get uploaded?
No. Recognition runs fully on-device using Google's ML Kit Digital Ink. The English (US) model downloads once on first launch; after that it works offline.
Do I have to set it as my default launcher?
Yes — Dash replaces your home screen. The app walks you through it on first run, and you can switch back anytime from system settings.
Which Android versions are supported?
Android 9 (Pie) and newer. Works best on Android 12+.
Is it finished?
No — it's an active beta. New features land regularly, but the core scribble-to-launch loop is stable and used as a daily driver.
Feedback
Got an idea? Found a bug?
Dash is a solo project, built from what people actually ask for. Tell me what's missing, broken, or what you'd love to see next.
You know what you want.
Just write it.
Free. No ads. No tracking. Available on Google Play and as a direct APK on GitHub Releases.
Free · No ads · No tracking · Android 9+