The Android community is facing a pivotal moment as the future of one of its most beloved apps, Nova Launcher, hangs in the balance. Kevin Barry, the founder and sole remaining developer of the iconic Android home screen replacement, has departed from its parent company, Branch Metrics. His exit was prompted after he was reportedly instructed to cease all work on the launcher itself and a critical project to open-source its code.
This development follows a series of tumultuous events for Nova Launcher. In 2022, the app was acquired by mobile analytics firm Branch Metrics. Later, in 2024, nearly the entire Nova team was laid off, leaving Barry as the only developer. His recent departure marks a significant and concerning turning point for the app's legacy.
A Broken Promise on Open-Sourcing
Central to the community's concern is a promise made by Branch's then-CEO, Alex Austin, at the time of the acquisition. Austin publicly stated on Reddit that if Kevin Barry were to ever leave the company, it was contractually obligated that the Nova Launcher code would be open-sourced and handed over to the community for continued development. With both Austin (who left in 2023) and Barry now gone from Branch, users are waiting to see if the company will honor this commitment.
So far, there has been no indication from Branch that it plans to follow through. The company's current leadership appears to have a different focus, and Nova Launcher may no longer be a priority. The app's official website now returns a 404 error, though it remains available for download on the Google Play Store, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its status.
Community Reaction and Calls for Action
The news has been met with disappointment and concern from long-time Nova Launcher users and Android enthusiasts. Many see open-sourcing as the only way to preserve and continue the development of an app that has been a staple of Android customization for over a decade.
In response, the community has begun to mobilize. A change.org petition has been launched to pressure Branch Metrics into open-sourcing the project. Cliff Wade, Nova’s former customer relations lead, endorsed the petition, calling it a "great start" to apply necessary pressure. He expressed a lack of faith that the new leadership at Branch would "do the right thing" without significant urging from the public, stating, "I think they simply just don’t care and don’t want to invest time."
What Open-Sourcing Would Mean
Open-sourcing the Nova Launcher codebase would be a monumental gesture for the Android community. It would allow:
- Community Development: Developers from around the world could fork the project, fix bugs, and add new features, ensuring the launcher continues to evolve.
- Long-Term Preservation: It would prevent the app from becoming abandonware, preserving a key piece of Android history.
- Transparency and Trust: Users could verify the code for security and privacy, a growing concern with any app.
Wade summarized the prevailing sentiment, arguing that the community "deserves" for the launcher to be open-sourced and that Branch must "honor what they as a company have stated." The ball is now in Branch Metrics' court to decide the fate of this iconic Android application and whether it will uphold the promises made by its previous leadership.
