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Android’s most beloved launcher may be done for good (www.androidpolice.com)

submitted 1 month ago by ardi60@reddthat.com to c/technology@lemmy.world

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[-] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 201 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I hate being hinted and asked to click on the link, so I save you a click:

It’s the end of an era: the founder and original developer of Nova Launcher — Kevin Barry — has stepped away from the development of the iconic custom launcher. This essentially marks the end of the road for the launcher, as it is unlikely to receive updates or new features. For years now, Nova Launcher has been the go-to launcher for power Android users, standing out for its plethora of customization options and features.

Now that Nova is in literal limbo, if not allegedly in the hands of some data miner, there should be talk about substitutes.

This app may share these data types with third parties
This app may collect these data types

[-] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 76 points 1 month ago

That talk about substitutes happened when it was initially handed over to said data miner, and anybody concerned should have switched back then. I did, moving to Lawnchair, and never looked back. Oodles of other options are doubtlessly available.

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[-] 0x0@infosec.pub 13 points 1 month ago

I would be so happy if Kevin got accidentally 'hacked' and the source leaked, by now im so ingrained in nova that it just feels wrong switching.

[-] Kissaki@feddit.org 10 points 1 month ago

I hate being hinted and asked to click on the link, so I save you a click:

Are you using a different client? Without teaser texts? The Lemmy website mentions Nova in the teaser.

[-] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

I'm on the PC and using Firefox, viewing Lemmy directly rather than on mobile.

Android’s most beloved launcher may be done for good

I see only this.

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[-] themurphy@lemmy.ml 93 points 1 month ago

In a Reddit AMA, the then-Branch CEO Alex Austin also revealed that if Kevin ever left Branch, they would open-source Nova Launcher's code and release it to the community.

We still have hope if they keep their promise!

[-] noodlejetski@piefed.social 46 points 1 month ago

https://teslacoilapps.com/nova/solong.html

[-] themurphy@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 month ago

Big unlucky.

[-] can@sh.itjust.works 38 points 1 month ago

Read a bit further:

Two years later, Kevin Barry left Branch and is no longer involved in Nova’s development. In his announcement, Barry revealed that he had been the sole developer for the past year, spending recent months preparing to open source Nova Launcher and clean up its codebase. However, Branch ultimately asked him to stop both development and his open-sourcing efforts.

[-] themurphy@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 month ago

Yeah, I read it. But they still promised open source, nothing about Barry working on it or not.

That's why I said "keeping their promise"

[-] rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 29 points 1 month ago

The fact that the company forced him to stop getting ready to open source it strongly suggests they aren't interested in it being open sourced.

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[-] cRazi_man@europe.pub 69 points 1 month ago

For those coming looking for alternatives, this mega comparison chart is what I used to select an alternative launcher when I switched.

I would strongly recommend checking this site for the trackers in an app if you're at all concerned about privacy. Links to each app's exodus privacy report is also at the end of the table linked above.

[-] thax@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 month ago

Nice list. I recently started using Fossify Launcher and have been pretty happy with it. It's simple but does what I need. Thought I'd mention it as it's absent from that list.

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[-] glitchdx@lemmy.world 66 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

if it's nova launcher I'm gonna be pissed.

edit: it's nova launcher. fucking fuck.

[-] hansolo@lemmy.today 9 points 1 month ago

Seriously, one of the few apps I've ever paid for - and this is what I get?!

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[-] 9point6@lemmy.world 65 points 1 month ago

I might be misremembering but wasn't it bought out by one of those data harvesting companies a while ago?

[-] Covenant@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 month ago

Yes

[-] Tetsuo@jlai.lu 56 points 1 month ago

I'm very thankful to Kevin for this amazing launcher that I'm still using to this day.

Also a bit disapointed he trusted Branch and gave them the opportunity to ruin it.

[-] neclimdul@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago

Man probably needed to eat. What a system we've got.

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[-] kaitco@lemmy.world 36 points 1 month ago

I don’t even know how to use Android without Nova…

Why does nothing good ever last?

[-] Dran_Arcana@lemmy.world 20 points 1 month ago

I switched to Niagara a few years back because Nova didn't have good support for foldables and tbh I haven't looked back. It's very different but once you get used to it it's much faster than a traditional launcher.

[-] spacejank@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 month ago

I've been using Niagara for about 6 months now and love it. Having the alphabet down the side of the home screen for immediate 2 tap access to any app is so slick.

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[-] overload@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 month ago

Yep, have been using and currently using Nova for the last 8 years I think. Suuucks to see it go as I couldn't find a viable search based launcher like Nova when it was sold.

[-] gilokee@lemmy.world 32 points 1 month ago

Fuck, I've been using this since I got an android phone in 2008. RIP.

[-] ripcord@lemmy.world 26 points 1 month ago

God DAMMIT.

I don't know why, but this is some proverbial straw for me today. Motherfuck.

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[-] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 22 points 1 month ago

Its Lawnchair or nothing for me.

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[-] Gaja0@lemmy.zip 21 points 1 month ago

Mine for the last 3 years

https://f-droid.org/packages/fr.neamar.kiss

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[-] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 20 points 1 month ago

I've been using kvaesitso. I like it!

https://f-droid.org/packages/de.mm20.launcher2.release/

[-] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 8 points 1 month ago

Yeah, it's open sauce, has shortcuts, widgets, & works fine.

[-] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 6 points 1 month ago

I also really like the tagging feature.

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[-] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Oh, this is great news. I have Nova tweaked to work almost exactly like this. Excellent, thank you.

[-] DrDystopia@lemy.lol 19 points 1 month ago

KISS has been the only reasonable launcher ever since Android ruined it's overview system.

[-] BlackEco@lemmy.blackeco.com 16 points 1 month ago

Does anyone have recommendations to replace Nova?

[-] cRazi_man@europe.pub 32 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

There's no direct replacement. The features I use are in Pear launcher so I use that. You have to look through launcher comparisons to find the features you need.

Also, I'm surprised purple are still using Nova. I thought most people abandoned it after it got sold.

[-] Holytimes@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 month ago

I installed it on my HTC one and have used the exact same wallpaper and layout ever since. Change is scary and let's be real.

Who the ACTUAL fuck pays attention to the launcher they are using. They find one they like and then unless something breaks they forget they are even using one.

[-] cRazi_man@europe.pub 11 points 1 month ago

It has been owned by a data mining company for a number of years.

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[-] ardi60@reddthat.com 11 points 1 month ago

because it is much more stable, plenty of customisation and ofc one time payment.

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[-] chtk@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 month ago

It's very much not a classic launcher and takes some getting used to, but Kvaesitso is nice.

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[-] ScrotusMaximus@lemmy.zip 13 points 1 month ago

Niagara launcher has been my go to for years now

[-] anguo@piefed.ca 6 points 1 month ago

I find the ckncept interesting, but I often don't remember the name of an app. I need to see its icon.

[-] ScrotusMaximus@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 month ago

It shows native icons by default

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[-] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 13 points 1 month ago

These companies lack any sort of common sense. Nova is used (and suggested) by Android users that are at least minimally tech-savvy. What on earth would make them believe that news like this one would remain secret, and therefore allow them to keep the userbase to suck on their data?

[-] cheers_queers@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 month ago

Niagara is my favorite by far, i have been paying for pro for years

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[-] NaClKnight@fedia.io 10 points 1 month ago

gahdam...end of an era. This sucks.

[-] Lileath 10 points 1 month ago

Am I the only person that uses KISS launcher on this site? Once I got used to how it functions switching to something different will be hard.

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this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2025

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