I've been using kvaesitso. I like it!
this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2025
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Oh, this is great news. I have Nova tweaked to work almost exactly like this. Excellent, thank you.
Yeah, it's open sauce, has shortcuts, widgets, & works fine.
I also really like the tagging feature.
Oh yeah, I don't often use it, but it helps me sometimes for apps I rarely use (but have tagged).
Also the button to disable all work (profile) apps is neatly placed.
These companies lack any sort of common sense. Nova is used (and suggested) by Android users that are at least minimally tech-savvy. What on earth would make them believe that news like this one would remain secret, and therefore allow them to keep the userbase to suck on their data?
Am I the only person that uses KISS launcher on this site? Once I got used to how it functions switching to something different will be hard.
I love KISS launcher. I can't go back to normal launchers. Been using it for years.
It's that vertical one aye? Used it for oldie backup phone and it was a blessing. But if you use more apps, it's not worth it imo
Searching is way faster than trying to keep stuff organized in folders and screens. You get at least two clicks anyway and you keyboard is already there.
Dunno, organised my shit once and done, I can now get to my shit faster than I type so yeah.
if it's nova launcher I'm gonna be pissed.
edit: it's nova launcher. fucking fuck.
Seriously, one of the few apps I've ever paid for - and this is what I get?!
I'm sorry, brother. My condolences. I actually get my launcher from Fdroid and so I'll probably also be fucked.
Hey by any chance do you have the last APK file and the SHA256 of that file ?
Oh wait, it this it ?
Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.1.1-81001_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 11970405 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 30bccfdd995969089ad364a7a6bb7bbea482a703fbfb30ebccad6418aa977fec
Is there an x86_64 version ?
Just making sure we've got the last version saved
Oh wait, it's not open source ? And they've been acquired in 2022 ?
date of acquisition 2022-07-19
Ok, last one before the acquisition, just in case
Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.0.2-80002_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 12580956 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 61a760413387dde99f2a2ef4b065caf278b575c8028cc5b3092f05192cfee258
I hate being hinted and asked to click on the link, so I save you a click:
It’s the end of an era: the founder and original developer of Nova Launcher — Kevin Barry — has stepped away from the development of the iconic custom launcher. This essentially marks the end of the road for the launcher, as it is unlikely to receive updates or new features. For years now, Nova Launcher has been the go-to launcher for power Android users, standing out for its plethora of customization options and features.
Now that Nova is in literal limbo, if not allegedly in the hands of some data miner, there should be talk about substitutes.
- This app may share these data types with third parties
- This app may collect these data types
I hate being hinted and asked to click on the link, so I save you a click:
Are you using a different client? Without teaser texts? The Lemmy website mentions Nova in the teaser.
I'm on the PC and using Firefox, viewing Lemmy directly rather than on mobile.
Android’s most beloved launcher may be done for good
I see only this.
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I hate clickbait too. Just downvote posts like this
That talk about substitutes happened when it was initially handed over to said data miner, and anybody concerned should have switched back then. I did, moving to Lawnchair, and never looked back. Oodles of other options are doubtlessly available.
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I just use the Fairphone 2 Launcher and it's fine 🤷🏻
I used Nova on my last phone and it worked great, I paid for pro. So I know what I'm missing, not worth it to get back in the Google Play Store system though. I like being anon with no Google account, especially considering Nova sold to a company that data mines user data?
For those coming looking for alternatives, this mega comparison chart is what I used to select an alternative launcher when I switched.
I would strongly recommend checking this site for the trackers in an app if you're at all concerned about privacy. Links to each app's exodus privacy report is also at the end of the table linked above.
Help a brother out, which one is closest to Nova? I don't mind paying for good work, I just want home screens and being able to place my icons where I want, also widgets!
There's no direct replacement. The features I use are in Pear launcher so I use that. You have to look through launcher comparisons to find the features you need.
I've made a post about this and some people are giving recommendations. Check out comments here: https://europe.pub/post/4256799
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Damn.I need to find an alternative. I also like the Microsoft Launcher, but it's Microsoft...
In a Reddit AMA, the then-Branch CEO Alex Austin also revealed that if Kevin ever left Branch, they would open-source Nova Launcher's code and release it to the community.
We still have hope if they keep their promise!
Read a bit further:
Two years later, Kevin Barry left Branch and is no longer involved in Nova’s development. In his announcement, Barry revealed that he had been the sole developer for the past year, spending recent months preparing to open source Nova Launcher and clean up its codebase. However, Branch ultimately asked him to stop both development and his open-sourcing efforts.
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Mine for the last 3 years
KISS is so good. It's 100% the fastest way to get to where you wanna be when you pull up your phone.
I'm very thankful to Kevin for this amazing launcher that I'm still using to this day.
Also a bit disapointed he trusted Branch and gave them the opportunity to ruin it.
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I might be misremembering but wasn't it bought out by one of those data harvesting companies a while ago?
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God DAMMIT.
I don't know why, but this is some proverbial straw for me today. Motherfuck.
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i use oxshell
Are you alright?
pretty waves backgrounde,
I don’t even know how to use Android without Nova…
Why does nothing good ever last?
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