Nova Launcher bids farewell: the end of an Android legend

A new chapter unfolds in the world of Android. Perhaps the most famous and widely used alternative launcher for over a decade, Nova Launcher, has officially been discontinued.

Kevin Barry, its founder and long-time developer, confirmed that he is no longer involved in the project and has been asked to halt both its development and the open-source initiative he was preparing.

Nova Launcher: From Glory Days to Final Curtain

Launched over 10 years ago, Nova Launcher was synonymous with customization on Android. With a smooth interface, endless settings, and advanced gestures, it became an essential alternative to the sometimes cumbersome skins of manufacturers.

In 2022, Nova was acquired by Branch Metrics, a company specializing in mobile analytics. At that time, CEO Alex Austin assured that if Kevin Barry left, the project would be turned over to the community as open source. However, since his departure in 2023 and the subsequent layoffs of the entire team in 2024, that promise appears to have been forgotten.

The news has prompted reactions from many fans on Reddit and elsewhere. Many praise the “legendary” contribution of Nova to Android, with some recalling its role in shaping the ecosystem’s identity. Kevin Barry himself responded to several messages, stating that “it was a tough day” for him.

Following this, a petition on Change.org has been launched to request the release of Nova’s source code. It has already surpassed 2,200 verified signatures.

What’s the Future for Launchers Today?

It’s true that third-party launchers no longer play the same role as they did when Android was highly fragmented. Manufacturer interfaces (such as One UI, ColorOS, etc.) have significantly improved, and Google has refined the Pixel experience itself.

However, for customization enthusiasts, the end of Nova is a significant loss.