Is Google Getting Rid Of The App Drawer?
In early 2016 a short Google Maps video showed a Nexus 6P with no app drawer, and the web speculated that Google planned to drop it in Android N. The rumour proved wrong: Android N shipped as Android 7.0 Nougat, and the app drawer stayed.
What sparked the rumour
The Google Maps team posted a video that included a Nexus 6P home screen. Only three icons sat along the bottom: Phone, Contacts, and Camera. There was no drawer button, which suggested a home screen where every app lived on the desktop, much like iOS.
Why it was probably nothing
A promotional video is not a software announcement. The same frame showed a black bar behind the on-screen buttons, which looked like a design step backward, and Google never confirmed the change.
What actually happened
Android kept its app drawer. A later Pixel launcher refined it with a swipe-up gesture instead of a dedicated button, and the drawer remains part of Android today.
Why launchers matter
Android lets users replace the home screen app entirely. People who prefer everything on the desktop, or a tidier layout, can install a different launcher without waiting for Google to change the default.
Frequently asked questions
Does Android still have an app drawer?
Yes. Most Android phones keep an app drawer, opened by a button or an upward swipe.
Can the app drawer be removed?
A third-party launcher can place all apps on the home screen and hide the drawer.
Was the rumour ever confirmed?
No. Google never announced removing the drawer.