this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2025
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389
Android’s most beloved launcher may be done for good (www.androidpolice.com)
submitted 3 weeks ago by ardi60@reddthat.com to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 209 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (5 children)

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 80 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 94 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

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!

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 40 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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 31 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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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[–] glitchdx@lemmy.world 69 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

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

edit: it's nova launcher. fucking fuck.

[–] interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 14 points 3 weeks ago

Hey by any chance do you have the last APK file and the SHA256 of that file ?

Oh wait, it this it ?

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/teslacoil-software/nova-launcher/nova-launcher-8-1-1-release/nova-launcher-8-1-1-android-apk-download/

Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.1.1-81001_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 11970405 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 30bccfdd995969089ad364a7a6bb7bbea482a703fbfb30ebccad6418aa977fec

Is there an x86_64 version ?

Just making sure we've got the last version saved

Oh wait, it's not open source ? And they've been acquired in 2022 ?

date of acquisition 2022-07-19

Ok, last one before the acquisition, just in case

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/teslacoil-software/nova-launcher/nova-launcher-8-0-2-release/nova-launcher-8-0-2-android-apk-download/

Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.0.2-80002_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 12580956 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 61a760413387dde99f2a2ef4b065caf278b575c8028cc5b3092f05192cfee258

[–] hansolo@lemmy.today 10 points 3 weeks ago

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

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[–] cRazi_man@europe.pub 68 points 3 weeks ago (8 children)

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.

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[–] 9point6@lemmy.world 68 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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

[–] Tetsuo@jlai.lu 58 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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.

[–] arin@lemmy.world 47 points 3 weeks ago (7 children)

It's always capitalism

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[–] neclimdul@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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

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[–] kaitco@lemmy.world 39 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

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

Why does nothing good ever last?

[–] Dran_Arcana@lemmy.world 20 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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.

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[–] gilokee@lemmy.world 33 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 27 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

God DAMMIT.

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

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[–] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 23 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Its Lawnchair or nothing for me.

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[–] Gaja0@lemmy.zip 22 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Mine for the last 3 years

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

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[–] DrDystopia@lemy.lol 21 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 20 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I've been using kvaesitso. I like it!

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

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 8 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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

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[–] BlackEco@lemmy.blackeco.com 16 points 3 weeks ago (19 children)

Does anyone have recommendations to replace Nova?

[–] cRazi_man@europe.pub 34 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] ardi60@reddthat.com 11 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] Holytimes@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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

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[–] chtk@sh.itjust.works 14 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

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

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[–] Wildmimic@anarchist.nexus 10 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I love my Niagara Launcher ! it's a different concept than most launchers, and looks pretty spartan on first glance, but it's sleek, efficient and can look absolutely fabulous. The Pro stuff is a bit pricey, but it has a good privacy policy, autodelete data older than a year, and are GDPR compliant.

[–] noodlejetski@piefed.social 10 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

autodelete data older than a year

okay, but why do they collect the data in the first place?

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[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 15 points 3 weeks 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?

[–] ScrotusMaximus@lemmy.zip 13 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

Niagara launcher has been my go to for years now

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[–] NaClKnight@fedia.io 11 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] cheers_queers@lemmy.zip 10 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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

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[–] Lileath@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

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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