The Uncertain Nova Launcher Future and What It Means for Android Customization
The story of Nova Launcher is also the story of Android itself — open, messy, and at times fragile — and as corporate interests tighten their grip, its loss raises hard questions about whether the era of playful, independent tinkering is coming to an end.
For more than a decade, Nova Launcher has been the go-to tool for Android users who wanted their phone to look and feel like their own, and I have been obsessed with the app for the longest time. It was the launcher that balanced power with polish, letting you change grid sizes, animations, and even the smallest interface quirks without bogging down performance. Now, its future looks uncertain.
A Legacy Built on Personalization
Back in 2011, when Kevin Barry first released Nova Launcher, Android was still rough around the edges. Manufacturers layered on heavy skins, and stock Android offered little flexibility. Nova changed that. It gave users the keys to their own home screen — subtle tweaks for minimalists, deep customization for power users.
Over the years, Nova became more than an app. It was a community. Enthusiasts traded setups, wallpapers, and widget combos online. For many, installing a new phone wasn’t complete until Nova Launcher Prime was downloaded.
Acquisition and Decline
Things started to change in 2022 when Nova was acquired by Branch Metrics, a data analytics firm. At the time, Barry reassured users that the launcher would eventually be open-sourced if he ever left the project. That promise gave the community hope.
But in 2024, Branch cut nearly the entire Nova team, leaving Barry to carry the torch alone. He continued updating the app and even prepared to open-source it — a move that would have secured its survival. Then came the announcement in September 2025: Barry was leaving Branch, and with him went the last thread keeping Nova alive. The company has no plans to release the source code.
With no developer, no updates, and no open-source path, Nova Launcher’s future is hanging by a thread.
The Community Pushback
Fans haven’t taken the news quietly. A Change.org petition is calling on Branch to release Nova’s code so the community can continue development. Thousands have signed, echoing the same message: Nova is too important to be abandoned.
For Android power users, this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about losing a tool that defined how they interacted with their devices.
What Comes Next for Android Customization?
Nova’s decline doesn’t leave Android without options. Action Launcher, Niagara Launcher, and Lawnchair are all active projects offering rich customization. Samsung users can also turn to Good Lock, which provides deep personalization baked into One UI.
Still, none of these carry Nova’s legacy. They may fill the gap, but they don’t replace what Nova meant: a single launcher that stood the test of time, consistently reliable through Android’s many evolutions.
Saying Goodbye to an Icon
Nova Launcher may continue to sit in the Google Play Store for a while, but without active development it risks fading into irrelevance. Compatibility issues, missing features, and security concerns will eventually catch up.
If this really is the end, Nova will remain a symbol of what Android once promised — freedom to make your device your own. It’s a reminder of how one independent developer shaped the way millions used their phones. And it’s a loss that leaves the Android ecosystem a little less open, and a little less fun.
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