Sold in 2022, fired everyone in 2024: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_%28company%29

It was scummy for the past 3 years.

I just changed launchers on my Pixel 6 because I'm slowly degoggling and the google search bar on the default launcher was the last place that had Google as a default for search. I was thinking of going back to using Nova launcher since I had purchased it way back, but decided to give Lawnchair a try. Very happy with the change so far.

I had purchased it several years ago, but this is at least the 3rd concerning headline in the past 3 years. If you're still on that boat, jump ship.

Knew this sort of thing would happen eventually, glad I made the switch away a while back.

When Nova was bought out by Branch, we all knew it couldn't lead to anything good. But it sucks to switch away, and I know people kept using Nova because they could say "it's not doing anything sketchy yet."

With this news, seems safe to say that "yet" is finally "now." Tim to switch if you haven't already. I'm happily using Niagara now.

@K0Z Too bad, I really loved it. Sucks so bad that indie apps that were hugely successful back in the day are now just hot garbage...Anyway, I love Kvaesitso now.

An ad company added trackers to an app they bought? Wow. Shocker.

Glad I ditched Nova when they were initially acquired.

I've been using Nova since Android 4.x and I am really did not want to switch, but it sounds like I have no other option now.

It's going to be a pain; multiple family members use Nova on their smartphones/tablets and they are used to the interface.

Can Lawnchair be customized to replicate Nova?

Thats a big RIP. Though I never really liked Nova.

I was using Nova until about a year ago I switched to Niagara launcher. The interface is clean, intuitive and fast

Glad I bailed, sad to see this from a launcher I used for years, but big Ole YIKES to everything since they were bought out.

Using AIO launcher now. Don't care for the chat gpt feature it's pushing. But when you ignore that it's just a nice slimmed down minimal utilitarian UI.

FOSS bros stay winning

Here's me using it on gOS with network deny permission (suck it assholes, also haven't updated since years? ago). I'd use something else but I use KLWP for my UI and it gives the least friction...

TIL Nova still exists...

Newest version of Lawnchair already way better than Nova

Thanks for the heads up! End of an era. I've been dabbling in Lawnchair (the new update is an improvement but some bugs remain) and Niagara (great but lacks support for a widget page).

8.1.6 apk from uptodown.com.

And then find the app in your installed app list in Google Play and untick "install updates automatically" in the three dot menu.

I really want to switch but I need a launcher that lets me swipe on the dock left and right like how I can with home screen pages

I've been using Nova for, gods, something like five years now or more.

What are some good ones these days? When I started using Nova, it was very highly recommended.

Cheers OP for the heads up, sooooo glad I started blocking those domains a long while ago with OpenWRT > Tailscale exit node at home.

Frustrating sometimes since peeps link many charities and shit via FB, but easily circumvented via archive sites tor i2p etc.

Is it easy/possible to install older versions? I presume the APKs are backed up somewhere.

I need a launcher that lets me make the icons bigger and in a 3x3 grid. Galaxy S10. What should I use instead?

one should just grab a version of nova prime and patch out the bs with lucky patcher or similar tools. maybe just use russian hacked versions of it with network permission revoked lol (IME 4pda hacked releases of apps are actually cleaner than official ones...)

I switched to and paid for Action Launcher, which is not FOSS but has tons more features than Lawnchair.

I probably won't switch to something FOSS until I can use flexible folders. With Action I have everything I actually use on one screen, with the most obvious app in each category as the tap action on the folder. Eg I tap on the audio folder to open podcast addict but I swipe on it to open a music app instead

I've been using Niagara and it took a little getting used to but it's simple and nice. Privacy policy seems less bad than a lot of others?

Someone else just mentioned Octopi in another thread. I don't know much about it but downloaded it a few minutes ago and seems like a viable alternative to Nova.

Is this true only for the non-paid, free version Nova Launcher? I checked for info about Nova Launcher Prime, the paid version which I've used for years, and don't see anything about trackers being included.

As far as paid Android apps go, I will vouch for them. I paid for prime and have continued to use it, unlike many paid apps - such as weather apps - that after less than a year became worthless and were basically a ripoff. Nova Launcher has always seemed good.

Install this, go to Play Store and turn off Auto Updates for this app.

This is the free version? Last I read the paid version is ad/tracking free.

I see some recommendations to switch to Niagara and smart launcher but do those not have trackers as well? Is FOSS the only way to go?

Switched a few months ago. I'm really happy with Niagara. Took a few days to get used to it but now it's so much nicer than the standard launcher.