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Nova Launcher could soon add a proactive AI assistant that sucks up all your data
(www.androidauthority.com)
What have they done to my boy
this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2026
297 points (97.7% liked)
Technology
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Somebody please give me a lightweight alternative.
Had the pro version for years. I dont want niagra or lawnchair. The pixel launcher sucks.
Smart launcher will let you import your nova backup and transition seamlessly. That's my recommendation.
I hate this suggestion but it is the only one I've been able to stomach as something that operates like Nova: Microsoft Launcher
Its actually quite decent and mostly seems to be a forgotten piece of software so it hasn't been enshitified.
i used it for a long time, then moved to nova
I did come across it and it looked good but I cant instlall it. Its bad enough google are on my phone.
I did install Niagra and it seems better than before.
Total enshittification.
If anyone is stubborn enough and until someone makes a near 1:1 version, do backup the existing settings, uninstall the app, roll back to the pre-2022 version, sideload install, then from GPlay disable auto-updating for the app. Yeah, and put restrictions on the app from trying to do telemetry.
Oh yay creepware. Anyone know a good launcher with support for tablets?
Neo Launcher is a near 1-1 clone of Nova Launcher imo, and it's open source
I switched from Nova to Smart Launcher.
Missing a few things I liked but still super capable
Lawnchair?
Kvaesitso
Moved to action launcher after the sale. Enshittification was inevitable.
Other people are still rocking Action Launcher? I thought I was the only one left. Covers are my favourite feature.
I'm surprised people are still using this. I haven't used Nova for almost a decade.
I've been quite happy with Niagara for the last few months.
+1 for Niagara, plus even though you don't have to, pro features can be purchased outside of Google Play.
+2 for offering a lifetime purchase option (though it is kinda pricey)
What a great advertisement for almost any other launcher.
Lawnchair is my go to if anyone wants a pretty simple and customizable launcher that respects your privacy.
It sounded interesting so I gave it a look and realized that I've been using it for years now and it's just so unobtrusive that I forgot about it.
+1. Just last week they added the ability to import Nova backups.
I second this. Lawnchair is great.
Switched about a year ago and it works perfectly!
I downloaded the APK for the old version before they added the spyware and bloatware, but i turned off auto updates and Google Play keeps trying to get me to update Nova launcher to the newest version 🥱
Not going to happen and the best part is there was no forced update within the app so im going to keep using the old one till it breaks.
I've tested several popular ones and landed at Lawnchair as well. Plus point for being FOSS.
What possible use could AI be in a launcher?
I don't think anybody is pretending it's a legitimate reason. We all know the reason. The developer knows the reason. It's exactly what you think it is
there have been enough reasons to ditch nova in the past years, in case someone is still using it
- 2022 acquired by branch metrics, data harvesting company https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/branch-strikes-twice-with-nova-launcher-and-sesame-search-acquisition
- 2024 nearly everyone laid off https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/9/24217077/nova-launcher-layoffs-only-original-developer-remaining
- 2025 original dev left after being told to stop working on the open source efforts https://www.theverge.com/news/773937/nova-launcher-founder-left-kevin-barry-branch-open-source-android
- 2026 fb and google ads tracking https://lemdro.id/post/lemdro.id/35049920
- 2026 (this post) evidences for built-in AI that harvests your data https://www.androidauthority.com/nova-launcher-ai-plus-subscription-apk-teardown-3658932/
Yeah the only words they needed in the headline were "Nova Launcher sucks"
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I was still using it because I was too lazy to migrate things over to another.
And then I saw this post, so I guess it was time. Only took half an hour to figure out how to get Lawnchair doing basically what I wanted it to.
Octopi Launcher is damn near a replacement. Learn nothing new, muscle memory for swiping up or down on dock icons to open other apps.
Those were my requirements and it nails it.
Never heard of it but this thing looks fully featured and very polished. I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before since I've gone looking for decent launchers!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.otp.octopilauncher
Its a shame its not FOSS. Just checked it for trackers, and according to this site, there are none.
https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.otp.octopilauncher/latest/
Whahahaha motherfucker you just made my day!
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I switched from Nova to Niagara a couple years ago and I'm very happy with it
Niagara is great, I don't miss pages with icons at all
>Downloads Niagara to minimalise my phone, reduce distractions
>Buys Pro, re-enables icons
Am I a heathen
Niagara, my beloved
Used Nova for close to ten years. Switched last year to Kvaesitso.
I recommend everyone still using Nova to look into options and switch. It's not as scary as it seems.
What could I use to keep macros like double-tapping my screen to open a specific app?
Excellent. Lawnchair it is then.
I don't hate Lawnchair. I just hate Nova making the switch necessary.
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