lemmy - Link to source

Nova Launcher's Sad End: Founder Says Development Is Over

Nova Launcher's Sad End: Founder Says Development Is Over

Nova Launcher founder Kevin Barry confirmed that he has left the project after its acquisition by Branch, leaving Nova's future in doubt.
Jean Leon (Android Headlines)
#android
in reply to nfreak

lemmy - Link to source

gedaliyah

I've been using Kvaesisto as my daily, which is a nice hybrid of the drawer-style launchers and search-based launchers. It's coded from the ground up, has an impressive number of integrations, themed widgets that slide out of sight, etc.

KISS launcher is the original and still the best of the search based launchers. Okay, I have no idea if it is really the original, but it's been around for over a decade now, and still has an active development community. It's been forked hundreds of times into similar projects which add some additional features, but if you want a minimal launcher that gets out of your way, then this is what you're looking for.

A similar, minimal style launcher is OLauncher, which has also been around for a few years and has been forked like crazy.

One of the best traditional drawer-style launchers is Lawnchair, which has sprung back to life after a hiatus from updating. It's built on the Android launcher, with lots of additional customizations.

I don't know of any current project that approaches the maximal customization philosophy of Nova Launcher. It was really one of a kind. All of the above are FOSS, but even in the closed software space, I don't think there is anything like Nova.

KISS Launcher

Blazingly fast launcher for Android
kisslauncher.com
in reply to candyman337

lemmy - Link to source

node815

I made a switch to Smart Launcher which has been quite fantastic. They don't rely on a subscription model like most other launchers which is a huge plus in my book. They offer quite a bit of options for customizing your screen. Not as much as Nova, but it's still good. I used Nova for a long time as well, but this has made it easier to transition to. Aside from that, Hyperion Launcher has plenty of options as well.
in reply to GenderNeutralBro

lemmy - Link to source

Eagle0110

You can deny network permission in any Android builds, without root it can be done via a mock VPN client so that all traffic is directed through an app who can block or control traffic per app. And on devices with root this can be done via iptable configurations.

There are multiple apps for doing both approaches.

Especially why wouldn't you have root anyway, in this day and age if you don't have root, well may Google has mercy on you LMAO (hint: they won't lol)

This entry was edited (Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1:34 PM)
in reply to ORbituary

lemmy - Link to source

androidisking

I would have just switched to another launcher at that point. There are plenty of Launchers (Lawnchair) that have all the features Nova had, if not more. Plus, it values privacy and consumer first.

Nova arguably died a long time ago. People only wanted to stick with it this long due to the nostalgia and the fear of letting it go. It's a bloated app full of bugs.

in reply to fne8w2ah

lemmy - Link to source

Raccoonn

I’ve been a user of nova for quite a while now, and over time it’s become something I don’t really think about. My setup is minimalist and nova has always blended into that seamlessly. It doesn’t demand attention; it just works, letting me use my phone the way I want. For me, as long as this phone keeps on working, nova will stay right where it is, simple, reliable, and exactly what I need. Even if this phone gives up the ghost, I'll probably still consider using nova on whatever phone I get next....
in reply to fne8w2ah

lemmy - Link to source

Sips'

Niagara Launcher is a great, but different launcher.
A modern + minimalist Android home screen optimized for one-✋ access and staying focused. Designed by a German team who really cares, believe they group just went fulltime after having been done with university. They also allow you purchase the apk to avoid Google. They have a free version and a trial of the premium version.

niagaralauncher.com/

Niagara Launcher 🔹 fresh & clean homescreen for Android

A modern + minimalist launcher optimized for one-✋ access and staying focused.
niagaralauncher.com
in reply to Darren

lemmy - Link to source

gedaliyah

Most launchers have an adjustment period, so it's not just you. Some are more customizable than others and some are build around a more rigid design philosophy.

You might also want to have a look at Lawnchair, which is designed to be a more "stock" experience, but with some additional customizations.

Lawnchair

The official website of Lawnchair Launcher, the customizable Pixel Launcher.
lawnchair.app
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