There was a time when Nova Launcher was the best Android launcher in the world. If you purchased the premium version, you may feel compelled to continue using it. Sadly, now is the time to let go.
What happened to Nova Launcher?
It used to be the best
Nova Launcher was once the undisputed king of Android, but its fall has been slow and painful. It all started back in 2022 when the app, along with Sesame Shortcuts, was bought by Branch Metrics, a company that specializes in mobile analytics and deep connection.
At the time, the original developer, Kevin Barry, assured the large community of loyal users that Nova would remain independent and that development would continue as usual. For a while, it seemed that way, but the reality of buying companies ended up being destroyed. In August 2024, the Metrics Department was laid off, leaving more than a hundred employees. This defacement included almost the entire Nova Launcher team, as well as the long-time community manager and other original developers. Kevin Barry was left as the sole designer maintaining the project, which hindered future improvements or innovations.
The final nail in the coffin came in September 2025, when Kevin Barry officially announced his departure from Sector Metrics. He spent his last months trying to clean up the app’s codebase with the good intention of releasing Nova Launcher as an open source project for the community to maintain. Unfortunately, Branch management stopped this open source effort, leaving the app in a state of limbo.
Shortly after Barry’s exit, the remnants of Nova Launcher were sold to a Swedish company called Instabridge. What was once a passion project built by a dedicated group of enthusiasts has now run out of steam, moving on to something else.
Why is it dangerous to use now?
Money always spoils good things
Now, it is not only in the hands of the shadow, but it can be very dangerous to use. Remember that the launcher needs deep system access, including permission to see your device usage, manage your storage, interact with your widgets, and monitor your screen activity. When Nova Launcher was managed by its original team, people hoped that this huge level of access was being handled responsibly. But the recent acquisition by Instabridge has dashed that hope.
A recent survey of recent developments has revealed a depressing shift towards aggressive monetization and data collection. Independent developers and privacy advocates examining the app’s code discovered integrations with third-party tracking frameworks, including Facebook Ads, Google AdMob and the Moloco SDK. The app still calls servers, exchanges background information, and builds a user profile based on device interactions.
Basically, you give the data mining process unlimited access to your daily phone routines. Continuing to use Nova Launcher means intentionally installing software that monitors what apps you open, when you open them, and how you interact with your device. Big yikes, indeed.
What alternatives do you have?
There are still good alternatives out there
Letting go of an app you’re used to is never easy, but the Android ecosystem is full of amazing, privacy-friendly alternatives that can easily fill the void left by Nova Launcher. If your primary goal is to replicate the classic, much-loved experience that Nova provided, the Lawnchair is undoubtedly the best replacement. Built on the foundation of the open source Android speaker, Lawnchair offers a clean, Pixel-like aesthetic while offering an incredible amount of control over graphics packs, grid sizes and port configuration. And because it’s completely open source, you can be sure that there are no hidden trackers or malicious networks lurking behind.
Another great option for those looking for a new way to manage their home screen is Smart Launcher. Instead of relying on manual folder creation and tedious organization, Smart Launcher automatically divides your apps into smart, easily accessible tabs. It has an incredibly powerful theme engine, allowing you to change the colors, fonts and shapes of the widgets to perfectly match your wallpaper.
For those of you who want to increase your productivity and reduce distractions, Niagara Launcher offers a completely different, minimalist philosophy. It ditches the traditional grid layout in favor of a sleek, straight menu that’s been optimized for one-handed use on modern large smartphones. By displaying your most important notifications and favorite apps directly on your home screen, Niagara keeps your interface clean and focused.
Nova Launcher is no longer needed
Finally, it’s important to note that offline system launchers have improved significantly over the past few years. Whether you’re using Google’s Pixel Launcher or Samsung’s One UI Home, you’ll likely find that the built-in software already offers enough customization, stability, and speed to keep you happy without needing to install a third-party app at all. In fact, I tried all the starters on this list and ended up going back to my default speaker after a while.
#trusted #Android #app #harvesting #data