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Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
When I wrote about Nova Launcher\u2019s demise<\/a> nearly six months ago, I never imagined it would be revived in 2026. Yet, here we are \u2014 somehow, Nova Launcher has returned.<\/p>\n After the app was sold by its founders to the analytics firm Branch in 2022, it remained under a thin veil of dust for years. In 2025, the developers confirmed<\/a> that the app would no longer receive updates. It was, for all intents and purposes, presumed dead. However, in recent months, we noted a steady stream of patches rolling out. Something was happening.<\/p>\n Then, last month, some good news arrived. Nova Launcher was bought by Swedish developer Instabridge<\/a>, which \u201clong admired\u201d the launcher and was intent on being \u201cresponsible owners.\u201d After years of decay, it sounded too good to be true.<\/p>\n Are you using Nova Launcher in 2026?<\/p>\n 1517 votes<\/p>\n Yes, and I have no plans to ditch it.<\/p>\n 35%<\/p>\n Yes, but I\u2019m growing concerned about recent developments.<\/p>\n 21%<\/p>\n I use it on and off with other launchers.<\/p>\n 6%<\/p>\n No, I ditched Nova Launcher when it was first sold in 2022.<\/p>\n 15%<\/p>\n No, but I only ditched Nova Launcher after the recent updates.<\/p>\n 14%<\/p>\n I\u2019ve never used Nova Launcher on my phone.<\/p>\n 8%<\/p>\n Welcome to the era of ads and trackers<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Nova Launcher has a slew of legacy users who grew accustomed to one of Android\u2019s best ad-free apps for years. However, it\u2019s clear that things need to change to keep the app relevant and, more importantly, financially viable.<\/p>\n After Nova update 8.2.4 was issued on the day of Instabridge\u2019s purchase announcement<\/a>, users discovered several ad- and tracker-related strings added to the app\u2019s codebase. Then, a flurry of grabs from Reddit users\u2019 home screens offered visual indications of how these changes would affect Nova \u2014 ads on the home screen and in the app drawer.<\/p>\n Instabridge did hint that it was \u201cevaluating ad-based options for the free version,\u201d but that\u2019s a lot more ponderous and pandering than \u201cThe free next version of Nova will be the first to include ads.\u201d This surprise development was the first blow to fans who\u2019ve already been burned once before.<\/p>\n Considering I use my launcher far more than any other app, and the depth of access it has, I find the addition of new trackers particularly unsettling.<\/p>\n Beyond the sudden arrival of ads, the new version of Nova Launcher also packed another surprise that wasn\u2019t mentioned in the announcement post \u2014 even more trackers.<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Trackers are necessary for developers, whether it\u2019s to monitor an app\u2019s health, gather practical user feedback to improve it, or serve ads to ensure a steady income stream. I don\u2019t necessarily mind apps that have trackers \u2014 some of my favorite apps have plenty \u2014 but what I do mind is the unannounced implementation of these within an app that previously lacked them.<\/p>\n According to Exodus Privacy data<\/a>, Nova Launcher 8.1.6, launched before the Instabridge purchase confirmation, had just two trackers. That\u2019s about normal for many of the launchers I tested in 2025. In comparison, Nova Launcher 8.3 has eight.<\/p>\n Considering I use my launcher far more than any other app, and the depth of access it has, I find the addition of new trackers particularly unsettling.<\/p>\n Years of standing still left Nova Launcher behind<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n When Nova was at its prime, there were few Android launchers that could challenge it. Some users believe that it still deserves this legacy status. But in 2026, there are so many alternatives supported by established developers that offer a clear development path and a history of trust. After switching owners more often than a used car, I have no idea what to expect in Nova Launcher\u2019s future.<\/p>\n I ditched the app the moment it was offloaded by its original developers. It was a sad day, yes, and it did wreck my workflow for several months afterward, but looking at the app\u2019s last four years and judging by what I\u2019ve seen so far from the new custodians, I\u2019m happy I made the decision back then.<\/p>\n Do you think Nova Launcher is still the best Android launcher?<\/p>\n 791 votes<\/p>\n Yes. It was and still is.<\/p>\n 30%<\/p>\n Yes, but the lack of active development is challenging that status.<\/p>\n 30%<\/p>\n It was in the past, but newer Android launchers are better (elaborate in comments).<\/p>\n 24%<\/p>\n No, it was never the best Android launcher.<\/p>\n 5%<\/p>\n I\u2019m not sure; I haven\u2019t used it in ages.<\/p>\n 7%<\/p>\n I have never used Nova Launcher.<\/p>\n 5%<\/p>\n I hopped aboard launchers that offered far more practical solutions. Octopi Launcher<\/a> bests Nova on foldable phones and larger display devices, allowing for multiple individual screen setups. Then there\u2019s Niagara Launcher<\/a>, which excels as a focused, productivity-first approach to app management. Kvaesitso<\/a> and AIO Launcher<\/a> \u2014 my current solution \u2014 offer me all the information-rich widget support I could want and vertical scrolling designs. While Lawnchair<\/a> is a richer, open-source version of Pixel Launcher with loads more options. In comparison, Nova feels stuck in the past, serving an Android that no longer exists.<\/p>\n After switching owners more often than a used car, I have no idea what to expect in Nova Launcher\u2019s future.<\/p>\n Of course, I understand those who just can\u2019t let go of Nova Launcher. Choosing a launcher is particularly personal, and switching an app as integral as it is extremely difficult, especially if you\u2019ve fully embraced its customization potential. You might have years of configuration files, a specific aesthetic honed over hours of tinkering, and a love for the unnoticed, unique features that only Nova possesses.<\/p>\n There are ways you can keep the warm glow of yesteryear on your cheek for a little longer.<\/p>\n Install an older version of Nova Launcher and ensure you\u2019ve backed up that APK: I\u2019d recommend version 7.057 for the pre-Branch experience or 8.1.6 as the latest version with minimal trackers. While these solutions let you enjoy Nova Launcher as you remember it just a little bit longer, these are temporary measures \u2014 at some point, you\u2019ll have to upgrade the app to function on newer versions of Android. At some point, you\u2019ll have to come to terms with the fact that Nova Launcher, as we once knew it, is no more.<\/p>\n Good luck, Nova Launcher, but I\u2019m not coming back<\/p>\n Dhruv Bhutani \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Although it appears that Nova Launcher is entering a new stable era, I can\u2019t help but feel that this is another false dawn.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that new custodian Instabridge got off to a bad start. It should\u2019ve been more exact with its ad-related language in its announcement post. It shouldn\u2019t have skirted around the new tracker inclusions, either. That said, we all make mistakes, and \u2014 I\u2019ll be charitable here \u2014 the developer seemingly has the best of intentions. It hasn\u2019t rolled out any substantive features yet, but the focus on refining rather than revolutionizing the launcher is welcome. It has been far more frank about its plans than Branch, and that alone is refreshing. The developer seems genuinely committed to Nova\u2019s long-term support and growth.<\/p>\n Sure, if you can look past the ads, trackers, stunted development, and many alternatives on offer, there is a lot to be excited about as a Nova fan \u2014 some of our readers still are. But I find it hard to support an app that has disappointed its userbase for so long. Perhaps things will change, and I genuinely hope they do, but I won\u2019t be reinstalling the launcher any time soon \u2014 perhaps never again. And if you aren\u2019t beholden to it like the few holdouts out there, I suggest you consider moving on too.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n![\"nova](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nova-launcher-2026-privacy-settings-1.jpg\"\/ "\\"nova")
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\nDisable automatic updates in the Play Store: This will prevent Nova from updating to the latest version in the background.
\nUse Private DNS or an ad-blocking app: If you\u2019ve already installed a newer version of Nova and don\u2019t want to roll back, you can mitigate the ads and trackers<\/a> to a degree by preventing Nova from communicating with tracker and ad domains. This should offer some degree of privacy.<\/p>\n![\"Nova](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Nova-Launcher-integration-with-sesame-launcher.jpg\"\/ "\\"Nova")
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