- The only Nova Launcher developer will no longer update it
- It can still be downloaded, but it probably will not be a viable option for too much longer.
- However, there are many other Android pitchers available
Nova Launcher is one of the best and oldest Android pitchers, that is, overlaps that you can download to replace the manufacturer put on your phone. But despite its lasting popularity, it is now essential.
Its creator Kevin Barry has issued a statement saying that he has been the only one working in Nova Launcher during the past year, and is now leaving Branch (which Nova acquired in 2022).
In preparation for that, Barry has been working on an open source launch of Nova Launcher so that he can live, but his apparently he has told the branch that he stops working on this. Therefore, it seems that Nova Launcher will not continue in any way.
Other options
If you have trusted Nova Launcher, this will surely be disappointing news, but there are some promising alternatives.
There is Niagara’s pitcher for one, which is another popular option (although not in the same league as Nova Launcher). This is more minimalist than Nova Launcher but is still quite customizable.
Then there is Hyperion Launcher, which is perhaps a little less known than Niagara’s pitcher or the Nova Launcher, but is full of things in a similar way and is customizable for the latter, which makes it a good alternative if you want to approach Nova Launcher as much as possible.
There are also Smart Launcher, which automatically classifies its applications into categories, will automatically change the color of the topic to match its wallpaper and is totally customizable. In addition, developers have really published help for Nova users who want to change Smart Launcher.
Or if it finds comfort in a great name, it is Microsoft Launcher, which provides customizable icons, Bing daily wallpapers, a personalized and more diet. It is well reviewed and has been downloaded more than 50 million times.
In any case, for now Nova Launcher is still available on Google Play Store, but if it stops updating, as it seems, then its days of being useful or even compatible with new devices and Android versions are probably numbered.
