111
Uninstalled within seconds. I'm trialling Hyperion launcher now, which seems pretty crisp.
Nova sold to shitheels, I switched to Lawn Chair a customizable FOSS Launcher
Lawn Chair looks ok, but unless they fix this issue I will not switch.
https://github.com/LawnchairLauncher/lawnchair/issues/2683
Basically you can't set the main "home page", ie where you end up on home press. I like to have it set up so the home is in the middle and then you can swipe left to go to another screen(s), and swipe right to go to other screen(s).
Forcing the home screen to be the first means you can only swipe right, and have to go through many useless screens to get to the one you want.
Doubt they will fix it either, as it has been open since 2022. Without knowing their stack it sounds like a really simple fix, just storw which is the main screen. Normally it is [1], 2, 3, 4. But let the user choose to put it as [3] for example if they want.
I've switched, but this really is my one major gripe. Good to see others see it as a priority too, but if it's been a conversation for 4 years then I'm not optimistic
and have to go through many useless screens to get to the one you want.
Two things.
Clean your shit up and prioritize. Everything I could ever dream of is on one screen.
Second, it's foss. Contribute.
Classic "the product/UX doesn't need fixing, you're just using it wrong" mentality. Not exactly how you win users on your side.
Second, it's foss. Contribute.
Agree on this point though
Lawn Chair is so good
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I've liked lawnchair better than Nova since it was in a pre-release state years ago. I admit I haven't used either in at least 5 years, probably longer, so this opinion might be grossly out of date, but when I last tried it I was 90% convinced that it was just the KitKat aosp launcher with a material skin. It just felt clunky. Lawnchair actually felt native to newer android versions while still having all the customizations I needed.
Again, I haven't used either launcher in forever, so take this whole thing with an agricultural block of salt
Uff I installed it last week but I haven't had the time to customize it and add all my shortcuts so I'm still using Nova. I definitely need to change it tomorrow
I just tried Lawn Chair. Started building my home screen by adding two games to a folder. It dropped the second game right on my home page as well as adding it to a folder. Then, when I tried to remove the duplicate, it crashed.
I'm guessing this is not at all typical and this is a "me" problem, otherwise nobody would ever recommend it. :P
oh damn :( I used to use it but that was several years ago and it seems quite a bit has changed...
I’m in the same boat; Nova was the first non-stock launcher I ever used. RIP to the memories
you either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain
If you'd like to try something different, i use Lynx launcher:
I have to imagine that anybody savvy enough to make the decision to install a third-party launcher is also savvy enough to immediately uninstall that shit.
Thanks for the warning. Disabled auto update in time.
I'm using Niagara right now and I like it, pretty different though.
I've been using Niagara forever (since at least early 2019) and it is different, but it really works for me. I've tried to use other launchers from time to time out of curiosity but keep coming back.
For anyone looking for more customization, Octopi Launcher has been the closest replacement for me. I've tried Lawnchair, Niagara, et al.
Plug for open source launchers like Lawnchair
I just checked out the website and I'm having a hard time understanding what the point of it is. I've never installed any sort of custom launcher, so maybe I'm missing out, but the application advertises itself on being very similar to the regular pixel launcher, not needing root access, and nothing else. Even in the FAQ I only see that it supports some plugin that upgrades some widget, unless you have root where it supports whatever you can do with the "recents api". Neither of those seem remotely worth it. So what does it actually do?
I have used Nova Launcher for years. Was surprised I hadn't already bought it. Discovered a 3 buxk playstore credit from google, so I paid 1 buck in the end. An easy decision.
Apparently it was in maintenance mode for years with a single developer who left in late 2025, and it was sold to a swedish company that plans to develop/support it further. Hopefully they do it well.
it was sold to a swedish company that plans to develop/support it further. Hopefully they do it well.
Narrator: They aren't
Perhaps. Software comes and goes, and paying a small one-off amount for something genuinely useful, after many years of service, is acceptable to me. There are alternatives too, which is good.
On the subject of android launchers, I gotta advertise: https://github.com/RoBoT095/win95_launcher
Made it in two days, released yesterday, still needs work but I want to know what people think of it.
EDIT: here is an image of it
I used Nova for as long as it's been a thing. Paid for pro. Abandoned it immediately after they released the news a few weeks ago about the tracking and ads.
I switched to Octopi Launcher. It's really good, and in active development. Author listens to his users and is always adding fun new features.
+1 for Octopi launcher. Very nice.
They asked for ad permissions so I uninstalled and now giving Niagara a go. Have a try, it's different.
I switched to Niagara a few years ago and can never go back. The alphabetized list of apps and slick scroll are super addictive.
Here's what it looks like: (ignore the use of Papyrus, I just use it because it drives my friends nuts)
Ive been using the FOSS launcher Kvaesitso for about a year now due to annoyances with Nova. It's a different setup entirely, but I always preferred the app drawer over having scattered icons on the homescreen so its worked great for me. Anyone interested in trying something new should check it out. :)
Will things still be okay if I disabled updates for it?
I would recommend switching to anther launcher already. Even if you don't get ads, Nova Launcher is tracking you and sharing your information with Facebook and other sketchy companies.
WTF is going on? I've never seen an ad in my Nova Launcher. I'll switch immediately if I ever see one. Did they add them to widgets? Does this only apply to the free version?
I would recommend switching already. Even if you don't get ads, Nova Launcher is tracking you and sharing your information with Facebook and other sketchy companies.
You know I'm still waiting to see any of these ads. Soon as they pop up I'll be switching but until that point I'm sticking with what I like.
I would recommend switching already. Even if you don't get ads, Nova Launcher is tracking you and sharing your information with Facebook and other sketchy companies.
this post was submitted on 30 Jan 2026
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