Andy Walker / Android Authority
If you’ve been using Android phones as long as me, it’s impossible that you haven’t dabbled in Nova Launcher at some point. In fact, I’d say that Nova Launcher has been the go-to app for Android customization for well over a decade. It earned that well-deserved status by giving users more control than stock launchers ever could, from how icons looked to how gestures worked to how the app drawer was laid out. But all good things come to an end, and the development of the app has drawn to a close.
Anyone following the industry would’ve seen the writing on the wall when the app got taken over by Branch Metrics a while back. All that to say that updates and future compatibility remain unlikely. And if you haven’t been keeping up with alternate launchers for a while now — I know I haven’t — well, it’s time to start planning for what comes next. The good news is that Android’s launcher scene has grown rich and varied, and I’ve spent time testing and revisiting a wide range of options that will appeal to you not only if you’re looking for a Nova alternative, but also if you want to try something fresh. These are seven of my favorite Nova Launcher alternatives that stand out right now.
With Nova’s future in doubt, what launcher are you turning to next? 84 votes Niagara 24 % Lawnchair 19 % Action Launcher 10 % Hyperion 6 % Smart Launcher 11 % Octopi 7 % Kvaesitso 11 % Something else 13 %
Niagara Launcher
Andy Walker / Android Authority Niagara
Niagara sits at the top of my list because it doesn’t try to copy Nova at all. It’s a ground rethink of what a launcher should be by stripping everything back to a vertical list that you can easily scroll with one hand. Notifications integrate directly into the list, and the whole experience feels designed for speed and focus. On big phones, it’s a relief to stop stretching across the screen to reach icons. And the simplistic interface quickly becomes muscle memory for reaching out and launching apps without even looking at the screen. More than that, though, I’ve been on a minimalism kick, and the pared-back experience has helped me a lot with cutting down digital noise.
Of course, this means Niagara doesn’t replicate Nova’s granular customization. You don’t get grid layouts or multi-layered docks. There’s a single slot for widgets, though you can swipe through them carousel style. But what you lose in customisation, in return you gain a cleaner interface that reduces distractions and makes your phone feel like a tool instead of a toy. Once you live with it, it’s hard to go back to the clutter.
Lawnchair
Andy Walker / Android Authority
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