Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking • Hacker News Board

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#21

Post by ipcress_file » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:32 AM UTC

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #15

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I haven't used an android launcher over a decade, stock LineageOS launcher works well for me i.e. to open app drawer and to click on apps. What do you folks use 3rd party launchers for?

I've been using Nova Launcher to mimic webOS for almost 10 years. I might be slightly too resistant to change!

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#22

Post by cromka » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:34 AM UTC

planetafro wrote: post #10

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I use Niagra. So good once you get used to it.

3. Types of Data collected Among the types of Personal Data that this Application collects, by itself or through the listed Data Processors, there are:

Unique device identifiers Approximate geographic position (city level) IDs (package names) from installed apps Usage Data Cookies

Oh boy...

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#23

Post by Atlas-Marbles » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:35 AM UTC

Plenty of great open-source launchers on F-Droid.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#24

Post by dcreater » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:39 AM UTC

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

celsoazevedo wrote: post #2

For those still using Nova Launcher (custom launcher for Android), it seems that it's owned by a new company and the latest update comes with the Facebook Ads and Google AdMob SDKs and require extra permissions. 8.1.6: - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash report) 8.2.4: - Facebook Ads (advertisement) - Google AdMob (advertisement) - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash reporting) - Google CrashLytics (crash reporting…

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

Its ok to just stay on v7 no? Thats what im doing.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#25

Post by array_key_first » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:41 AM UTC

toast0 wrote: post #8

dcl wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much am I missing out by using the standard launcher my Pixel comes with? I haven't played with different launchers since the Nexus 4 and Android 2/3 (I think).

I don't like the stock launcher because I can't remove the search bar and I never use the search bar. Nova feels like a no nonsense launcher that does what I need. I think last time it came up, the recommended option was missing something for me so I stayed with Nova, but the writing is on the wall. Checked again and I don't see a way to get a button to show the app drawer on Lawnchair, and I don't want to use a gest…

I switched to Nova for the same reason. I paid for it, too. I pay and donate for good software all the time, but this is another sober reminder to never pay for proprietary software.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#26

Post by aspbee555 » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:43 AM UTC

I have been trying to figure out why my phone has beep going stupid and laggy with the launcher lately, now I know why

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#27

Post by notpushkin » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:44 AM UTC

Fire-Dragon-DoL wrote: post #9

canthonytucci wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lawnchair is not as fancy but it works

It doesn't support adding pages to the home,sadly

Did you mean tabs (to the drawer)? You totally can add new pages to the home – try moving an icon beyond the screen border.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#28

Post by mkozlows » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:45 AM UTC

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #15

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I haven't used an android launcher over a decade, stock LineageOS launcher works well for me i.e. to open app drawer and to click on apps. What do you folks use 3rd party launchers for?

For not using the default Samsung launcher, which sucks.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#29

Post by BLKNSLVR » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:51 AM UTC

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

celsoazevedo wrote: post #2

For those still using Nova Launcher (custom launcher for Android), it seems that it's owned by a new company and the latest update comes with the Facebook Ads and Google AdMob SDKs and require extra permissions. 8.1.6: - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash report) 8.2.4: - Facebook Ads (advertisement) - Google AdMob (advertisement) - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash reporting) - Google CrashLytics (crash reporting…

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I moved to Lawnchair when I recently-ish migrated to GrapheneOS. I can't remember why I didn't go with Nova Launcher again, might have been related to the permissions required.

Lawnchair has fewer options, ie. is simpler, but I haven't, in practice, noticed any memorable differences.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#30

Post by DanOpcode » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 3:53 AM UTC

kenrick95 wrote: post #17

fireflash38 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I switched to KISS Launcher several years back and had been loving it. I like the philosophy of search-based launcher. This way, if I don't actively search for an app, I won't be distracted into opening one

I made the switch to KISS some time ago. Really like it! I haven't missed anything. Simple and does the job. No distractions.