It's 2026, why are people still using custom launchers? Serious question from a former Nova Prime user.
I don't want a big search bar on my home screen, and there's no way around it with the Pixel Launcher except use a different launcher.
Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
81–90 of 173 posts
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#82It was sold back in 2022 to Branch Metrics https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/branch-strikes-... August 2024 everyone working on it was laid off except the original dev https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/9/24217077/nova-launcher-lay... September 2025 the original dev left after being told to stop work on open sourcing it https://www.theverge.com/news/773937/nova-launcher-founder-l...
Seems like there might be enough coverage that Nova Launcher is ready for a Wikipedia article now. Previously it was deleted. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Launcher
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
> my battery is no longer draining for no apparent reason Oh man. I just replaced the battery on my 5 year phone - for the sole reason of not having to reconfigure Nova on a new phone :\
You know you can export your Nova configuration and import it on a new phone, right?
I offer a Nova-configuration-transfer service for $49.95. Send me your old and new phones, a printed list of passwords, and a prepaid return envelope.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#84It's 2026, why are people still using custom launchers? Serious question from a former Nova Prime user.
Honestly... I just wants a launcher with tabs to sort apps in categories (no not app groups).
Nova Prime almost gone, before that Apex Launcher...
And every other launcher seems to just love to just present a search bar to find your apps and use some magic sorting algorithm to sort your apps...
I want predictable, user ordered apps in tabs so I can open one by heart with my eyes closed.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#85I recently switched to a OnePlus 15 and Nova Launcher had a really annoying 0.5-1 second delay every time you went back home. I've been a paid Nova user and used it on every android device for the past 10 years or so. I ended up migrating to the stock OnePlus launcher and it's actually surprisingly good, other than you have to disable the stupid google recommended page every time you reboot the phone, so I'm still op…
Unfortunately OnePlus has been doing sketchy things too. I wouldn't trust them with your data.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#86Ugh, quite annoying. My next phone might be an Android (instead of the current iPhone), and I was looking forward to returning to Nova Launcher, after having used it many years ago as my favorite launcher. This feels like a big no-go now. What are other good customizable launchers on Android nowadays?
I know this is weird, but.......
I'm really happy with Microsoft Launcher.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#87Haven't used Nova for a while and at first was curious if this was good for bringing it back from unmaintenance. The heavy focus on sustainability and marketing in this blog makes it seem unlikely though.
Switched to Pear when Nova got unstable after a Pixel upgrade and I noticed it hadn't been updated in years. Been working well though will keep any eye on any other recommendations that show up in this thread.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#88I recently switched to a OnePlus 15 and Nova Launcher had a really annoying 0.5-1 second delay every time you went back home. I've been a paid Nova user and used it on every android device for the past 10 years or so. I ended up migrating to the stock OnePlus launcher and it's actually surprisingly good, other than you have to disable the stupid google recommended page every time you reboot the phone, so I'm still op…
Unfortunately OnePlus has been doing sketchy things too. I wouldn't trust them with your data.
Like what? I just checked and it shows that the system launcher on OnePlus has used exactly 0 data.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#89Thanks for the lawnchair recommendations, y'all. It's been real, Nova Launcher. Sleep now my sweet prince.
Re: Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher
#90It blows my mind how many stories hit the front page, every day, that bottom out on whining about proprietary software. I've literally been talking about the Win10/11 whining for 3+ years, and yet EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK THERE ARE MORE. Lawnchair is *EXCELLENT*. I say that as a former Nova Launcher user. And Lawnchair is fully OSS and actively developed. I just cannot fathom people who enjoy this non-stop BS rollercoaste…
Lawnchair blacklists/used to blacklist apps they did not like. That does seem user friendly.