Nova
Nova Launcher Gets a New Owner in 2026 – 5 Big Changes Including Ads
Nova Launcher is once again in the spotlight, but not for reasons longtime Android users were hoping for. After months of uncertainty and what many believed was the end of one of Android’s most iconic customization tools, Nova Launcher has returned with new updates, a new owner, and an unwelcome surprise: ads.
Nova Launcher changes hands again
Nova Launcher was previously acquired by Branch Metrics in 2022. At the time, founder and original developer Kevin Barry continued working on the project, keeping the launcher aligned with its power-user roots. That stability ended in September last year when Barry announced his departure from Branch, effectively declaring Nova “dead,” as he had been the sole active developer.
Despite this, Branch quietly pushed a few maintenance updates later in the year, fixing issues like the persistent app drawer crash. Now, ownership has officially shifted again. Nova Launcher has been acquired by Swedish company Instabridge, best known for its Wi-Fi discovery services.
Instabridge says it does not plan to radically redesign Nova Launcher overnight. Instead, it aims to keep the core experience intact while finding a sustainable business model to fund ongoing development and maintenance.
Ads arrive sooner than expected
That business model, however, is already raising concerns. Instabridge has stated that it is exploring both paid tiers and ad-supported options for free users, while promising that Nova Prime will remain ad-free. In practice, ads have already begun appearing.
According to community findings, Nova Launcher version 8.2.4 includes additional tracking frameworks, including Facebook Ads and Google AdMob. These join the Branch analytics code that was introduced in earlier updates. While not all users are seeing ads yet, the presence of these trackers suggests that ad integration is no longer theoretical.
What this means for Android users
For many fans, Nova Launcher represented the golden era of Android customization, where users had complete control over their home screens without compromises. The return of active development is welcome, but the introduction of ads and expanded tracking may push privacy-conscious users to reconsider updating or even look for alternatives.
Nova Launcher may be alive again, but its future identity now depends on how Instabridge balances sustainability with the trust of a fiercely loyal user base.
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Nova
Nova Launcher update causes major bugs after ownership change, users report crashes and missing icons – 2026
Nova Launcher update causes major bugs for Android users following the app’s recent ownership change, with reports of crashes, missing icons, and broken home screen setups surfacing across multiple devices. Long-time fans of the popular Android launcher are now questioning the stability and future of the app after its latest update rollout.
Nova Launcher update causes major bugs for Android users
After months of silence, Nova Launcher began receiving updates again in November, shortly before its ownership officially changed hands. The app was sold by Branch Metrics to the Swedish company Instabridge, a move that immediately sparked concern within the Android community. Soon after the transition, groundwork for in-app advertisements appeared, and the latest updates have introduced widespread stability issues.
Many users believe the Nova Launcher update causes major bugs due to rushed changes introduced after the ownership transition.
The most recent beta and stable release, version 8.2.8, began rolling out in late January. Shortly after installation, several users reported that Nova Launcher crashes instantly during setup. In many cases, attempting to reopen the app triggers repeated “keeps stopping” error messages, effectively making the launcher unusable. Reinstalling the app or resetting permissions has not resolved the issue for affected users.
Why the Nova Launcher update causes major bugs after ownership change
Crashes are not the only complaint surfacing after the update. Some users are also experiencing disappearing app icons after unlocking their devices or switching between apps. These bugs appear across multiple Android brands, including Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus devices, suggesting the issue is not limited to a specific manufacturer or Android skin.
While not every Nova Launcher user is impacted, the bugs appear most commonly during the initial setup process. As a temporary workaround, users are downgrading to older APK versions and disabling automatic updates on the Play Store until a fix is released.
How users are reacting to Nova Launcher update causes major bugs
Instabridge has stated that advertisements will not be shown to Nova Prime users and that its goal is to act as a responsible owner. However, the rocky rollout of updates has already shaken user confidence. This marks Nova Launcher’s second ownership change in just a few years, following its acquisition by Branch Metrics in 2022.
The growing reports show that the Nova Launcher update causes major bugs that Instabridge will need to address quickly to regain user trust.
With stability issues and ads arriving at the same time, many long-time users are now questioning whether Nova Launcher can maintain its reputation as the best Android launcher moving forward.
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