Kevin Barry, the founder and original developer of Nova Launcher is stepping away from the forever-loved Android launcher app. Why they are stepping away is an important question and goes back to Nova Launcher’s acquisition by Branch back in 2022.
Originally, not much was supposed to change for Nova Launcher. We assumed Branch’s services would get baked into the launcher, which was fine, but according to Barry, the company isn’t honoring the words of then-CEO and founder Alex Austin. Long story short, Barry has been readying the Open Source release of Nova Launcher, work that included cleaning up the codebase, reviewing licenses, removing or replacing proprietary code, and coordinating with Branch’s legal team to ensure a proper release.
Apparently, instead of being cool, the company has instead asked Barry to cease efforts to make Nova Launcher open source and to stop working on Nova Launcher entirely. According to Barry, he is the only person to work on Nova Launcher for the past year.
It’s important to note that Branch’s then-CEO wrote on reddit that if Barry were to ever leave, “it’s contracted that the code will be open sourced and put in the hands of the community.” It seems Branch isn’t honoring that based on the tone of Barry’s open letter to the community, which we recommend you read (linked below).
If you wanted a sign to stop using Nova Launcher, this is it. In our book, it’s RIP to Nova Launcher. An absolute OG app that will go down in Android history. Thank you, Kevin, for all of the work and energy you put into Nova.
It's still working on my pixel 10 xl, however I noticed that digi-cal widget is having issues displaying event colours etc..
Not sure if that's caused by digi-cal or Nova running on Android 16
Anyone using digi-cal calendar?
If there was ever a time for the Launcher Pro rewrite to finish, it's now.
F 🙁
Damn, I've used Nova for a dozen years. Every phone and tablet my family has and ever had runs it as it just simplifies the UI for everyone, no needing to learn the nuances of different brands' interpretations of a launcher. This sucks.
Damn thats sad. That's one of the OG must have apps that I like to use from my back pocket.
With the arrival of my Pixel 10 Pro XL, I finally switched to the Pixel Launcher after years of using Nova. I'll miss it, but it's dying.
Purchased in 2012 and been using it ever since. I try others but keep going back.
Smart Launcher and Lynx Launchers are the others I've been using.
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Well, this sucks massively. I've been using Nova for years. Loved the customization with colors, icon shapes, icons, etc. Plus, the fact that it made it pretty easy to save my home screen layouts to import to another device…
Guess it's time to find an alternative…
I've never stopped using nova for over a decade. Does Google launcher allow custom icons?
Nova is the only launcher I use on my S23. This truly sucks.
Yeah, I use it on my S25+ as well as all other prior owned Samsung phones. I totally dislike Samsung's launcher. I'm going to have to find one similar to Nova I guess.
yea guess I'll continue to use it until it stops working. but what's a good alternative just in case that comes sooner than later?
Samesies.
I've been using Action Launcher for years now. Hasn't been updated in awhile and it does have a few bugs, but I love how Covers (folders) work. Tap to open the first app in the folder, swipe to see the rest/open them. I haven't found that feature in any other launcher 🙁
Then you shouldn't update your phone to Android 16.
I'm running Android 16 (beta) on the Galaxy S25 Ultra for a few months now, so far so good, not found any concerning limitations yet. It is disappointing knowing no new updates are coming to keep it current and compatible, no doubt it will eventually cease to be a good option. I was thinking of checking out Niagara, seems like that's a big shift though and not necessarily gaining more utility just avoiding the OneUI. I second the request for best launchers of 2025!
Just me over here still waiting on the Launcher Pro rewrite.
IYKYK
As long as it still works, I'll keep using it. I have yet to find another launcher that comes close for the way I use my phone.
Dont sell your company/product if you want to actually retain control.
On side note: If you have the contract that specifically states it will be Open Source and released then you could sue for that to happen under breach of contract.
I need these in my launcher –
* Tabs in app drawer. I have Google, Games, Themes, Others.
* Folders in app drawer and homescreen.
* Swipe up + Swipe down gestures on homescreen icons.
* Gestures on homescreen. (Double tap to search, swipe down to pull down notification panel etc.)
These 4 are my must have. Any other launcher has these?
I'd settle for just th2 first two.
Smart Launcher is the one try it!!
Pour one out for my Nova Homies. This app- without question- has been the first app I've loaded onto every device I've purchased since ~2013 or so. Hey @Tim and/or @Kellen- I know you've done some "Best Launchers" articles before, but how about an updated one for this (very sad) news?
Pourin' out that St. Ides fouty wata for the OG Nova Launcher….still using Nova, but hopefully Kevin just makes a new launcher that we can switch to. ????
Can't this guy start his own company and create a new launcher????
Yea unless he signed a non-compete cause with it
Doesn't matter if he signed a non compete clause.. If they don't honour Nova going open source then they broke the contract anyway…
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Nova's main bugs result from Google's anti-launcher behaviour and are therefore present in other launchers. Except the Pixel "launcher" which doesn't have the features which make real launchers so useful.
Stopped using Nova when I started using foldables, but getting it $0.10 all those years ago was never not worth it.
The second it was sold to Branch we all knew this was coming. We knew for certain in 2025 when Barry announced then he was the only one working on the app and to not expect many updates. It's sad to see such an amazing launcher die a slow, miserable death so to speak. I will continue to use it until it no longer functions. After that who knows. There aren't many launchers like Nova these days. Most have gone in the opposite direction of what made Nova so appealing.
If I'm never able to use a scrollable dock I don't know that I'm going to do. My backup phone (S22 Ultra) is running stock OneUI. Every time I use it compared to my daily driver S24 Ultra running Nova, I cringe at how just about everything takes 1 to 2 steps more when accessing main or hardly used apps.
THIS. Scrollable dock will be MISSSSSSSED.
It's surprising that it lasted this long.
I will continue to use it probably until it simply stops working due to not targeting a recent enough API. Also F* Branch and their leadership, I hope they tank in disgrace.
Decompile the apk, update it, recompile.
I was able to update several little things based on Android changes over the last year
We've seen this familiar pattern before. Anyone remember what happened to
QuickPic and ES Explorer?
This is what happens when big companies buy out the small developer.
I'm trying to recall. Did Cheetah Mobile buy those apps?
ES Explorer.. ????
I miss that too… Using solid Explorer now but used ES for years…