Android 11 update broke default launcher setting for some Google Pixel & OnePlus users, issue likely more widespread

Android 11 hasn’t exactly been shy of bugs. Multiple users are now reporting an issue when using third-party launchers. In this, the default launcher preference occasionally gets reset automatically.

Now, this bug must obviously feel quite irritating, and the number of complaints testifies to that.

I installed Nova launcher but for some reason every once in a while when I use the gesture to go to the home screen it’ll open the stock pixel launcher. When I go back into the Nova settings it’ll show the option for “Default launcher” as “not set” and it’ll keep doing the same thing no matter how many times I set Nova as default. Anyone know if there is a fix this or is it just an Android 11 bug?
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I have the same issue. Started on my 3A after upgrade to 11. Have a new 4A and it’s now doing it as well. It doesn’t even ask me which launcher I want. It just sometimes switches directly back to stock when exiting apps with swipe up. When I go to set the default app back to Nova no launcher is selected.
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The issue seems to be pretty widespread and has been reported on several devices like the Pixels and some OnePlus devices. They have one thing in common though – all of them run Android 11.

Or at least most of them. A few Samsung users are affected as well, yet their devices are on Android 10. Could this suggest that the issue is more widespread than earlier thought? Probably.

Initially, it seemed that the issue is limited to Nova Launcher only. However, newer complaints showed that the problem occurs when using other launchers as well.

Take it easy, though, as we got a couple of workarounds for you to try.

1. Officially recommended workaround: The first thing you can do is trying this officially recommended workaround.

Actually stumbled on what seems to be a fix. If you set the pixel launcher as default, then go in and make your preferred launcher default, it seems to fix it. Still bloody annoying!
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2. Modify system settings permission: If that didn’t work for you, you many also try giving your launcher permission to modify system settings if available.

A couple of Nova Launcher users have reported that this fixed the issue for them. This permission can be toggled on from your respective launcher’s “App info” section, as shown in the image below.

I just found what might be a solution to this problem. Go to app settings for Nova Launcher and check the permissions it has. Give it permission to modify system settings. Since I did that I haven’t been prompted to set the default launcher.
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And that’s all for now. Let us know in the comments below if the above solutions worked for the Android 11 default launcher reset issue. Hopefully, Google will fix the issue soon, if the problem is from their side.

Be sure to also check out our dedicated Android 11 bug tracker for further coverage on such problems.

And for OnePlus specific Android 11 bug tracker, click here.

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