As Nova Launcher loses its last dev, Microsoft Launcher feels abandoned — for the first time in years, I need a new launcher

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It appears that the highly acclaimed Nova Launcher, known as one of the most popular Android launchers, has recently experienced a significant change. Kevin Barry, who’s been single-handedly developing Nova Launcher for the past year, has announced his departure from Branch and is no longer associated with the project.

For quite some time now, Nova Launcher has been renowned as one of the top-tier Android launchers. Its extensive customization options and exceptional performance set it apart amidst the competitive landscape of launchers. Recently, the app seems to have slowed down a bit, but its influence is indisputable – many features you see in modern launchers today were originally pioneered by Nova Launcher.

In 2022, the mobile analytics firm Branch Metrics bought Nova. Previously, when Alex Austin was the CEO, he mentioned that if Barry departed from the company, Nova Launcher would be open-source. Now that there’s a new CEO at Branch, it remains to be seen whether this will still happen as planned.

Barry is making preparations for Nova Launcher to become publicly accessible as open-source software. In his final message, he announced this intention.

Over the past few months, I have been diligently working on the open-source version of Nova Launcher. My responsibilities included tidying up the codebase, checking licenses, replacing or removing any proprietary codes, and collaborating with the legal team to ensure a smooth release. Since Branch purchased Nova in 2022, Alex Austin – then CEO and founder of Branch – made several public assurances about Nova’s future to the community.

Barry’s involvement with the launcher project has now been requested to be discontinued, encompassing efforts to convert the application into an open-source platform as well.

A petition on Change.org is currently underway, aiming to transform Nova Launcher into an open-source project. At the point of publication, this initiative had garnered 3,011 votes.

Is Microsoft Launcher abandonware?

Due to the departure of the founder and last developer of Nova Launcher, many are now seeking alternative launchers. In the past, Microsoft Launcher received high praise, but its development pace has noticeably slowed down in recent years.

According to official statements, the Microsoft Launcher application continues to be fully backed by the company. However, as of late, significant updates have been lacking, with the last one being implemented on July 22nd.

As a dedicated user, I’ve noticed that while there’s been some integration with Copilot in 2024, it doesn’t quite stand out compared to the AI-assisted Notepad in Windows 11. Regrettably, it seems like Microsoft Launcher has been left unattended for quite some time now, perhaps even years.

Discussing earlier this year, our Executive Editor, Jez Corden, and Senior Editor, Zac Bowden, highlighted five Microsoft products that had seen little development or advancement. Among them was the Microsoft Movies & TV application, which is now set for closure.

In that moment, I playfully suggested that Jez brought Movies & TV to Microsoft’s attention, leading the company to discontinue its support. Perhaps it might be unwise to write an article about Microsoft Launcher at this time.

Looking for a launcher in 2025

Back in the day, when personalizing one’s smartphone was all about third-party launchers, Microsoft stepped into the scene with Arrow Launcher. After some beta testing in 2015, it was finally released to the public in 2017, marking its debut. Since then, the smartphone landscape has undergone a significant transformation.

Enhancements in first-party launchers are significant, particularly those designed for optimal performance on specific device shapes like foldables. Often, for an ideal user experience, it’s recommended to utilize the launcher pre-installed on the device when using a foldable device.

While it’s worth browsing through the best Android launchers, it’s not vital in 2025.

Lately, I acquired a new smartphone and for the first time in quite some time, I decided against installing Microsoft Launcher. Instead, I chose to go with the pre-installed launcher on my device while exploring other potential options.

If the developer for Nova Launcher no longer continues their work, I might not explore alternatives for it. However, if the app becomes open-source and gets adopted by the community, my perspective could change.

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2025-09-09 16:41