diff --git a/AndroidManifest.xml b/AndroidManifest.xml
index c3ddfd6..fde22eb 100644
--- a/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
     <permission
         android:name="com.android.launcher3.permission.READ_SETTINGS"
         android:permissionGroup="android.permission-group.SYSTEM_TOOLS"
-        android:protectionLevel="normal"
+        android:protectionLevel="signatureOrSystem"
         android:label="@string/permlab_read_settings"
         android:description="@string/permdesc_read_settings"/>
     <permission
diff --git a/quickstep/res/drawable/ic_empty_recents.xml b/quickstep/res/drawable/ic_empty_recents.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5183733
--- /dev/null
+++ b/quickstep/res/drawable/ic_empty_recents.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+<!--
+Copyright (C) 2018 The Android Open Source Project
+
+   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+    limitations under the License.
+-->
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="92dp"
+    android:height="80dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="92.0"
+    android:viewportHeight="80.0"
+    android:tint="?android:attr/textColorPrimary">
+    <path
+        android:fillColor="#AAFFFFFF"
+        android:pathData="M18,6H2C0.9,6,0,6.9,0,8v64c0,1.1,0.9,2,2,2h16c1.1,0,2-0.9,2-2V8C20,6.9,19.1,6,18,6z M16,69.25
+        c0,0.41-0.34,0.75-0.75,0.75H4.75C4.34,70,4,69.66,4,69.25v-58.5C4,10.34,4.34,10,4.75,10h10.5c0.41,0,0.75,0.34,0.75,0.75V69.25
+        z M90,6H74c-1.1,0-2,0.9-2,2v64c0,1.1,0.9,2,2,2h16c1.1,0,2-0.9,2-2V8C92,6.9,91.1,6,90,6z M88,69.25c0,0.41-0.34,0.75-0.75,0.75
+        h-10.5C76.34,70,76,69.66,76,69.25v-58.5c0-0.41,0.34-0.75,0.75-0.75h10.5c0.41,0,0.75,0.34,0.75,0.75V69.25z M64,0H28
+        c-2.21,0-4,1.79-4,4v72c0,2.21,1.79,4,4,4h36c2.21,0,4-1.79,4-4V4C68,1.79,66.21,0,64,0z M64,75c0,0.55-0.45,1-1,1H29
+        c-0.55,0-1-0.45-1-1V5c0-0.55,0.45-1,1-1h34c0.55,0,1,0.45,1,1V75z"/>
+</vector>
diff --git a/quickstep/res/values/dimens.xml b/quickstep/res/values/dimens.xml
index b751e0d..e354193 100644
--- a/quickstep/res/values/dimens.xml
+++ b/quickstep/res/values/dimens.xml
@@ -36,4 +36,8 @@
     <dimen name="recents_adjacent_trans_x">140dp</dimen>
     <dimen name="recents_adjacent_trans_y">80dp</dimen>
     <fraction name="recents_adjacent_scale">150%</fraction>
+
+    <dimen name="recents_empty_message_text_size">16sp</dimen>
+    <dimen name="recents_empty_message_text_padding">16dp</dimen>
+
 </resources>
diff --git a/quickstep/res/values/strings.xml b/quickstep/res/values/strings.xml
index c36e1ff..bd37a06 100644
--- a/quickstep/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/quickstep/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -32,4 +32,7 @@
 
     <!-- Content description for the recent apps panel (not shown on the screen). [CHAR LIMIT=NONE] -->
     <string name="accessibility_desc_recent_apps">Overview</string>
+
+    <!-- Recents: The empty recents string. [CHAR LIMIT=NONE] -->
+    <string name="recents_empty_message">No recent items</string>
 </resources>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/RecentsViewStateController.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/RecentsViewStateController.java
index d8f206c..5f94bca 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/RecentsViewStateController.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/RecentsViewStateController.java
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
         mRecentsView.setTranslationXFactor(translationFactor[0]);
         mRecentsView.setTranslationYFactor(translationFactor[1]);
         if (state.overviewUi) {
+            mRecentsView.updateEmptyMessage();
             mRecentsView.resetTaskVisuals();
         }
     }
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@
             });
             updateAnim.setDuration(config.duration);
             builder.play(updateAnim);
+            mRecentsView.updateEmptyMessage();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackRecentsView.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackRecentsView.java
index 032d753..251e958 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackRecentsView.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackRecentsView.java
@@ -16,8 +16,10 @@
 package com.android.quickstep;
 
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.graphics.Canvas;
 import android.graphics.Rect;
 import android.util.AttributeSet;
+import android.view.View;
 
 import com.android.launcher3.DeviceProfile;
 import com.android.launcher3.Insettable;
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@
     public FallbackRecentsView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs, int defStyleAttr) {
         super(context, attrs, defStyleAttr);
         setOverviewStateEnabled(true);
+        updateEmptyMessage();
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -40,6 +43,18 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public void onViewAdded(View child) {
+        super.onViewAdded(child);
+        updateEmptyMessage();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onViewRemoved(View child) {
+        super.onViewRemoved(child);
+        updateEmptyMessage();
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public void setInsets(Rect insets) {
         mInsets.set(insets);
         DeviceProfile dp = mActivity.getDeviceProfile();
@@ -65,4 +80,10 @@
                 grid.widthPx - targetPadding.right - insets.right,
                 grid.heightPx - targetPadding.bottom - insets.bottom);
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public void draw(Canvas canvas) {
+        maybeDrawEmptyMessage(canvas);
+        super.draw(canvas);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/LauncherRecentsView.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/LauncherRecentsView.java
index 861b5fa..34c3e4f 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/LauncherRecentsView.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/LauncherRecentsView.java
@@ -19,10 +19,12 @@
 
 import android.annotation.TargetApi;
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.graphics.Canvas;
 import android.graphics.Rect;
 import android.os.Build;
 import android.util.AttributeSet;
 import android.util.FloatProperty;
+import android.view.View;
 import android.widget.FrameLayout;
 
 import com.android.launcher3.DeviceProfile;
@@ -103,19 +105,12 @@
     @Override
     protected void onLayout(boolean changed, int left, int top, int right, int bottom) {
         super.onLayout(changed, left, top, right, bottom);
-
-        int width = right - left;
-        setTranslationX(mTranslationXFactor * (mIsRtl ? -width : width));
         setTranslationYFactor(mTranslationYFactor);
     }
 
     public void setTranslationXFactor(float translationFactor) {
         mTranslationXFactor = translationFactor;
-        setTranslationX(translationFactor * (mIsRtl ? -getWidth() : getWidth()));
-    }
-
-    public float getTranslationXFactor() {
-        return mTranslationXFactor;
+        invalidate();
     }
 
     public void setTranslationYFactor(float translationFactor) {
@@ -123,7 +118,24 @@
         setTranslationY(mTranslationYFactor * (mPagePadding.bottom - mPagePadding.top));
     }
 
-    public float getTranslationYFactor() {
-        return mTranslationYFactor;
+    @Override
+    public void draw(Canvas canvas) {
+        maybeDrawEmptyMessage(canvas);
+        int count = canvas.save();
+        canvas.translate(mTranslationXFactor * (mIsRtl ? -getWidth() : getWidth()), 0);
+        super.draw(canvas);
+        canvas.restoreToCount(count);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onViewAdded(View child) {
+        super.onViewAdded(child);
+        updateEmptyMessage();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void onTaskStackUpdated() {
+        // Lazily update the empty message only when the task stack is reapplied
+        updateEmptyMessage();
     }
 }
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/RecentsView.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/RecentsView.java
index 8901e6d..f75d6bc 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/RecentsView.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/views/RecentsView.java
@@ -29,8 +29,14 @@
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences.OnSharedPreferenceChangeListener;
+import android.graphics.Canvas;
+import android.graphics.Point;
 import android.graphics.Rect;
+import android.graphics.drawable.Drawable;
 import android.os.Build;
+import android.text.Layout;
+import android.text.StaticLayout;
+import android.text.TextPaint;
 import android.util.ArraySet;
 import android.util.AttributeSet;
 import android.util.FloatProperty;
@@ -46,6 +52,7 @@
 import com.android.launcher3.Utilities;
 import com.android.launcher3.anim.AnimatorPlaybackController;
 import com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags;
+import com.android.launcher3.util.Themes;
 import com.android.quickstep.PendingAnimation;
 import com.android.quickstep.QuickScrubController;
 import com.android.quickstep.RecentsModel;
@@ -130,6 +137,15 @@
     // Keeps track of task views whose visual state should not be reset
     private ArraySet<TaskView> mIgnoreResetTaskViews = new ArraySet<>();
 
+    // Variables for empty state
+    private final Drawable mEmptyIcon;
+    private final CharSequence mEmptyMessage;
+    private final TextPaint mEmptyMessagePaint;
+    private final Point mLastMeasureSize = new Point();
+    private final int mEmptyMessagePadding;
+    private boolean mShowEmptyMessage;
+    private Layout mEmptyTextLayout;
+
     public RecentsView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs, int defStyleAttr) {
         super(context, attrs, defStyleAttr);
         setPageSpacing(getResources().getDimensionPixelSize(R.dimen.recents_page_spacing));
@@ -143,6 +159,17 @@
         mModel = RecentsModel.getInstance(context);
 
         onSharedPreferenceChanged(Utilities.getPrefs(context), PREF_FLIP_RECENTS);
+
+        mEmptyIcon = context.getDrawable(R.drawable.ic_empty_recents);
+        mEmptyIcon.setCallback(this);
+        mEmptyMessage = context.getText(R.string.recents_empty_message);
+        mEmptyMessagePaint = new TextPaint();
+        mEmptyMessagePaint.setColor(Themes.getAttrColor(context, android.R.attr.textColorPrimary));
+        mEmptyMessagePaint.setTextSize(getResources()
+                .getDimension(R.dimen.recents_empty_message_text_size));
+        mEmptyMessagePadding = getResources()
+                .getDimensionPixelSize(R.dimen.recents_empty_message_text_padding);
+        setWillNotDraw(false);
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -247,6 +274,7 @@
         TaskStack stack = loadPlan != null ? loadPlan.getTaskStack() : null;
         if (stack == null) {
             removeAllViews();
+            onTaskStackUpdated();
             return;
         }
 
@@ -283,8 +311,11 @@
         if (oldChildCount != getChildCount()) {
             mQuickScrubController.snapToNextTaskIfAvailable();
         }
+        onTaskStackUpdated();
     }
 
+    protected void onTaskStackUpdated() { }
+
     public void resetTaskVisuals() {
         for (int i = getChildCount() - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
             TaskView taskView = (TaskView) getChildAt(i);
@@ -700,6 +731,11 @@
         for (int i = getChildCount() - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
             getChildAt(i).setAlpha(alpha);
         }
+
+        int alphaInt = Math.round(alpha * 255);
+        mEmptyMessagePaint.setAlpha(alphaInt);
+        mEmptyIcon.setAlpha(alphaInt);
+
         setVisibility(alpha > 0 ? VISIBLE : GONE);
     }
 
@@ -708,4 +744,62 @@
         super.onViewAdded(child);
         child.setAlpha(mContentAlpha);
     }
+
+    public void updateEmptyMessage() {
+        boolean isEmpty = getChildCount() == 0;
+        boolean hasSizeChanged = mLastMeasureSize.x != getWidth()
+                || mLastMeasureSize.y != getHeight();
+        if (isEmpty == mShowEmptyMessage && !hasSizeChanged) {
+            return;
+        }
+        setContentDescription(isEmpty ? mEmptyMessage : "");
+        mShowEmptyMessage = isEmpty;
+        updateEmptyStateUi(hasSizeChanged);
+        invalidate();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void onLayout(boolean changed, int left, int top, int right, int bottom) {
+        super.onLayout(changed, left, top, right, bottom);
+        updateEmptyStateUi(changed);
+    }
+
+    private void updateEmptyStateUi(boolean sizeChanged) {
+        boolean hasValidSize = getWidth() > 0 && getHeight() > 0;
+        if (sizeChanged && hasValidSize) {
+            mEmptyTextLayout = null;
+        }
+
+        if (mShowEmptyMessage && hasValidSize && mEmptyTextLayout == null) {
+            mLastMeasureSize.set(getWidth(), getHeight());
+            int availableWidth = mLastMeasureSize.x - mEmptyMessagePadding - mEmptyMessagePadding;
+            mEmptyTextLayout = StaticLayout.Builder.obtain(mEmptyMessage, 0, mEmptyMessage.length(),
+                    mEmptyMessagePaint, availableWidth)
+                    .setAlignment(Layout.Alignment.ALIGN_CENTER)
+                    .build();
+            int totalHeight = mEmptyTextLayout.getHeight()
+                    + mEmptyMessagePadding + mEmptyIcon.getIntrinsicHeight();
+
+            int top = (mLastMeasureSize.y - totalHeight) / 2;
+            int left = (mLastMeasureSize.x - mEmptyIcon.getIntrinsicWidth()) / 2;
+            mEmptyIcon.setBounds(left, top, left + mEmptyIcon.getIntrinsicWidth(),
+                    top + mEmptyIcon.getIntrinsicHeight());
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected boolean verifyDrawable(Drawable who) {
+        return super.verifyDrawable(who) || (mShowEmptyMessage && who == mEmptyIcon);
+    }
+
+    protected void maybeDrawEmptyMessage(Canvas canvas) {
+        if (mShowEmptyMessage && mEmptyTextLayout != null) {
+            mEmptyIcon.draw(canvas);
+            canvas.save();
+            canvas.translate(mEmptyMessagePadding,
+                    mEmptyIcon.getBounds().bottom + mEmptyMessagePadding);
+            mEmptyTextLayout.draw(canvas);
+            canvas.restore();
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/PagedView.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/PagedView.java
index a1ac122..1e761e4 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/PagedView.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/PagedView.java
@@ -187,7 +187,6 @@
         mFlingThresholdVelocity = (int) (FLING_THRESHOLD_VELOCITY * density);
         mMinFlingVelocity = (int) (MIN_FLING_VELOCITY * density);
         mMinSnapVelocity = (int) (MIN_SNAP_VELOCITY * density);
-        setWillNotDraw(false);
 
         if (Utilities.ATLEAST_OREO) {
             setDefaultFocusHighlightEnabled(false);