Since a few folks seem unaware of this, I’m posting anew for visibility.

  • atomWood@lemm.eeEnglish
    831·
    6 months ago

    Are there comparable alternatives? I never found another launcher that I like as much.

    • Hubi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      581·
      6 months ago

      I switched to Lawnchair 2. It’s free, open source and quite versatile. Probably not as much as Nova, though it’s been a few years since I last used it.

      • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        30·
        6 months ago

        It is significantly less than Nova. People keep suggesting it but it’s not a true replacement for those that were actually using Nova to its full potential. They’re frankly isn’t a replacement right now that goes all out on providing users customization options. That’s not in vogue anymore, apparently.

      • DannyBoy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        Lawnchair 2 isn’t available for my phone since the app is too old, and I’m only on Android 12.

        Edit: this only applies to the Play Store version

      • FrameXX@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        Lawnchair 2 is no longer under development. The development team always starts to develop a new launcher based on the latest stock launcher every time a new Android version is released (so basically every year). This way the app usually never gets past the alpha or beta builds till they already move on to start from scratch. I don’t understand their strategy.

    • aleph@lemm.eeEnglish
      372·
      6 months ago

      Free - Lawnchair | Kvaesisto
      Paid - Niagara Launcher

      • spankinspinach@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        121·
        6 months ago

        Shoutout for Niagara. High quality reliable launcher. Only switched away after 2+ years cuz I got a little bored of the interface

      • FrostKing@lemmy.worldEnglish
        41·
        6 months ago

        I used Niagara free for quite a while. It does have a fair few features locked behind the paywall, but it’s certainly usable.

      • AmbientChaos@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        21·
        6 months ago

        Niagara’s free version is still pretty great too. I usually pay for apps but don’t want a subscription for my launcher, so I use it in free mode. Despite the limitations it’s methodology of getting you to the app you’re looking for as quickly as possible is a game changer. I don’t know if I’ll be able to go back to icons and folders + app drawer launchers haha

    • lemmyng@lemmy.caEnglish
      15·
      6 months ago

      For me Hyperion ended up giving me the closest out of the box experience to what I wanted.

    • shadshack@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      71·
      6 months ago

      This will be down voted, but I also tried a bunch of launchers and never found one I liked better than Nova. I ended up installing TrackerControl and Nova has its internet connection fully disabled. It doesn’t need Internet for any features I use, so I felt like this was a good compromise, personally. I ended up starting to block trackers in all my apps now because of it, so I see it as a net win.

    • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
      83·
      6 months ago

      You can download the APK of Nova 7, which was the last version before the buyout. It’s perfectly clean.

      Just don’t update it.

      Plan to just keep using it myself until it’s no longer viable, at which point I’ll look for a launcher that hopefully reached feature parity.

    • 0x2d@lemmy.mlEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      i’m just using the stock launcher

      since niagara can be buggy

    • BossDj@lemm.eeEnglish
      54·
      6 months ago

      Maybe not a popular reply, but if you’re already in Windows ecosystem, the Microsoft launcher is pretty impressive features-wise.

    • Volume@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      6 months ago

      I haven’t found anything yet, Nova has always been the best. I’ve been using Nova since the early years like version 2 or something like that. When I heard they were going to be bought and uninstall went to vanilla Google launcher, and searched high and low for another launcher. I tried dozens over a few months and literally nothing was close to Nova. So here I am, typing this to you in an app that was launched through Nova…

      Please, please, please someone make a good launcher.

      I’ll probably try lawnchair again, but it isn’t nearly as good.

    • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      6 months ago

      Nope. And since so far they’re doing nothing, Nova it is for the time being. There just isn’t anything remotely as customisable.

  • RBG@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    736·
    6 months ago

    Anyone here not using an open source launcher after this announcement is seriously learning nothing from this. You are just trusting the next company that either already or eventually will go the same way. Like the dude mentioning Microsoft launcher as alternative, that one has branch analytics baked in as well as far as I remember.

    • ammonium@lemmy.worldEnglish
      392·
      6 months ago

      Be aware that using open source doesn’t protect you completely from this, look at what happened to Simple Mobile tools, best install your open source applications from f-droid.

      Do you have any good open source alternatives for Nova Launcher?

      • RBG@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        121·
        6 months ago

        Of course, but when something like that happens to a popular app there will be an outcry. If you are not a tech person you might miss that, but I’d argue if you care about what launcher your phone has and you care about this issue to go foss you are probably the type of person who’d hear about it.

        I use KISS launcher but there are many other options mentioned here that are also good. Yes, nothing is exactly like Nova. But lots of other stuff is good too.

        • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
          112·
          6 months ago

          Yes, nothing is exactly like Nova. But lots of other stuff is good too.

          Then they aren’t good alternatives, they’re passable.

          Seems crazy to me that the software that’s owned by an analytics company is also the one focused on giving the user the most customization options. None of the FOSS alternatives have the same mentality as Nova. They’re all focused more on minimalism, or evoking Pixel, or pushing a specific niche type of interface of their own design. None of them provide anywhere near as many tools to the user.

          If I have to use a closed source app provided by an analytics company just to get a launcher that actually empowers the user, so be it. Maybe more of the FOSS alternatives could start taking note of why Nova is the most popular.

    • slimarev92@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      5 months ago

      I backed up the APK of the last “clean” version before the sale. I’m going to keep using it until some OS update breaks it.

      • Scrollone@feddit.itEnglish
        161·
        6 months ago

        You don’t have to do it! :)

        One of the original maintainers of Simple Mobile Tools forked the project and he’s adding new features and fixing bugs.

        The project is called Fossify and you can already download the apps from both Play store and F-Droid

  • Snapz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    502·
    6 months ago

    Lawn chair is the main FOSS alternative.

    Be aware that there is a play store version that is not updated (version 2) and a beta that is actively maintained (version14.2 now)

    They are quite different.

  • passepartout@feddit.deEnglish
    441·
    6 months ago

    Lawnchair is a fork of the original pixel launcher that gives some quality of life upgrades to an already good piece of software, like being able to remove the search bar, resizable / reshapable icons and fonts usw. Its also open source, so feel free to check out the github.

    There is no app store release right now but they are working on it. I’ve used the alpha versions for two years now and it has worked fine so far.

    https://lawnchair.app/downloads/

    • Godort@lemm.eeEnglish
      8·
      6 months ago

      I just made the switch after seeing this article.

      Is there a way to get an icon to open the app drawer? Or am i forced to live with a gesture?

      • passepartout@feddit.deEnglish
        7·
        6 months ago

        The choice gesture vs. nav button is usually part of android itself. In my case (pixel with therefor nearly stock android) its in settings -> system -> navigation mode (or something similar since its in german in my case). If you can’t find it, search for “navigation button your phone model”.

        Edit: sorry, i just realized you meant the app drawer, not the overview of currently opened apps. I don’t know the answer to that.

        Edit edit: ok i found something in lawnchairs settings. The last setting is called gestures. If you have navigation buttons enabled instead of nav gestures (see above) you could bind the home button to open the app drawer.

        • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          6 months ago

          The last setting is called gestures. If you have navigation buttons enabled instead of nav gestures (see above) you could bind the home button to open the app drawer.

          That would mean unbinding it from another feature. It feels kind of ridiculous that I have to devote my home button to something that should just be tappable on screen if three button navigation is being used.

      • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        6 months ago

        Yeah I tried it too and that’s a major no go right there. The fact it’s based off pixel launcher is killing my interest out of the gate, but I at least hoped that it would provide the same degree of customization options and tools as Nova. Doesn’t look like it, and no ability to call the app drawer without swiping.

        Frankly any app that pushes gestures as the default navigation method without respecting people that just want to use buttons and taps, I can’t say I’m interested.

        Guess I’m sticking with Nova 7 until it just stops working.

    • FutileRecipe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      I’ve used the alpha versions for two years now and it has worked fine so far.

      They released a beta about a month ago.

      https://lemmy.world/post/13864258

      Edit: which your download link has. Just wanted to make sure you and others don’t use a 2 year old alpha instead.

      • Paragone@lemmy.worldEnglish
        61·
        6 months ago

        Having participated in many “charities”, you’d be a fool to believe an operation just because it is registered as a “not for profit”.

        Look at the executive-pay, and if it is over 2x the cost-of-living, you’re looking at a money-funneling-to-executives scam, that is masquerading as a not-for-profit.

        The amount of spine required to have real integrity, in this planet, is apparently greater than the amount of spine available in a human life?

      • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        6 months ago

        I’m a little worried about Niagara, since they have a sponsored result for every time I’ve searched for another launcher. Is it a paid launcher? Usually the heavily advertised stuff I see on the play store has all kinds of issues.

          • youmaynotknow@lemmy.mlEnglish
            3·
            6 months ago

            I used Niagara back in the Cyanogen days. I guess it’s time to give it another shot. Thanks for the tip. Now, to retrain my old brain.

          • d4rko@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            6 months ago

            I believe they have Google Analytics in their privacy policy. I made the compromise a while ago, it is so good I am willing to concede that.

    • TedZanzibar@feddit.ukEnglish
      5·
      6 months ago

      I like Niagara but it’s insanely expensive, especially as a subscription. I don’t know how people justify it.

      Edit: The above was based on me getting duped by a Play Store sponsored search result and installing some crap that charges £70 for a lifetime licence. In comparison Niagara feels like much better value, but it’s still expensive compared to most apps and I still don’t like subscribing to software in general.

      • exanime@lemmy.todayEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        Subscription? That sucks… I bought it outright a bit back, it was pricey, maybe $15 CAD? (Can’t remember)

        Sorry to hear it has gone up so much… But that does seem to be the way of the app world… Pricey, subscription (even when they cannot possibly justify it) or both!

      • d4rko@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        It is 30 bucks for lifetime. I don’t think it is that insane. It is well worth it IMO. Also they have a fair policy in prices across the globe.

        • TedZanzibar@feddit.ukEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          Gotta hold my hands up and admit that in my initial haste to confirm the price I fell victim to the Play Store putting sponsored results ahead of what you actually searched for and I installed some crap called minimalist launcher, which charges £70 for a lifetime license. That’s what my “insane” comment was based on.

          In comparison it’s nowhere near that bad for Niagara, but it is still pricey compared to most apps, and I balk at paying a subscription for software in general so that still stands.

          Might give it another go after all…

      • パンダ@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        Simple—just don’t pay for the premium tier. Free one is good enough for most.

      • Ricky Rigatoni@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        I looked at the paid features and none of them look useful to me so I’m just not going to give them money.

    • flyingjake@lemmy.oneEnglish
      51·
      6 months ago

      Same here, I was a big fan of Nova until I discovered Niagara about a year ago. It’s a totally different concept from the icon based launchers. I love the minimalist approach to widgets and the self optimizing app list. Tying it in with sesame has led me that product as well and I’m finding the whole solution to be really nice

        • Paragone@lemmy.worldEnglish
          11·
          6 months ago

          Read the linked-to article:

          Sesame was aquired with Nova Launcher.

          They’re both part of the analytics-tentacles company, now.

    • CascadingSymmetry@mander.xyzEnglish
      32·
      6 months ago

      Niagara launcher is worth the time it takes to change your habit. Once you understand it you just can’t conceive how people waste their time with normal home screens and organisation. It’s just so damn fast to get to where you want to be with Niagara launcher.

      • Agrivar@lemmy.worldEnglish
        41·
        6 months ago

        What the fuck are you even doing with your phone that this even matters? Are you running multiple Fortune 500 companies from it? solely?

        Honestly, your comment reads so much like advertising copy that I half-suspect you’re a bot.

  • nul9o9@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    6 months ago

    Well damn. I’ve been on Nova launcher for years. Even bought prime and all that.

      • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        81·
        6 months ago

        You can stay on Nova 7, it’s not going to stop working. Nova 8 is what you want to avoid, so you just can’t let it update to a new version that will have all of the bullshit put in.

        Obviously that’s not a permanent solution but there’s no reason to throw away Nova 7 right now if it’s works for you.

        The last clean version was Nova 7.0.57

        Install that APK, redownload the Nova prime app from Play store, they work together fine.

  • Copernican@lemmy.worldEnglish
    262·
    6 months ago

    Niagara is what I moved to from Nova. Less widget focused layout, but any app is literally 2 presses and one swipe away from the home screen.

    • Opisek@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      6 months ago

      I love Niagara. For me, it really eliminated distractions and stopped me from swiping mindlessly.

  • viking@infosec.pubEnglish
    3210·
    6 months ago

    Doesn’t matter, as long as you restrict internet access for it.

    Since there are no alternatives coming even close, I refuse to switch just because.

      • pulverizedcoccyx@lemmy.caEnglish
        122·
        6 months ago

        Adguard can firewall it. Now I’ll wait for somebody to reply to me saying how horrible adguard is for privacy haha

      • viking@infosec.pubEnglish
        71·
        6 months ago

        https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard

        The only caveat is that it’s setting itself up as a local VPN for the block/allow list, so you can’t use it in parallel with an actual VPN. My workaround is to have my actual VPN installed directly on the router both at home and at work, which covers 98% of my use cases.

      • player2@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        61·
        6 months ago

        Check out TrackerControl on the F-Droid app store. It lets you block Internet access to individual apps and selectively block trackers and other analytics. It does this by acting as a VPN in the android OS so it won’t work while on another VPN but that’s good enough for my needs.

        https://trackercontrol.org/

      • viking@infosec.pubEnglish
        51·
        6 months ago

        Ok so I just started digging for alternatives, thanks to your question.

        I had previously simply deactivated network access for Nova (Settings -> Apps -> App Management -> Select Nova -> Data Usage -> Disable Mobile Data, Disable Wi-Fi, and flick the switch for Background Data for good measure.

        Now, that will result in a toast on the main screen every time you unlock the phone “Data for Nova7 is disabled, you can activate it in the settings”. This might however be a OnePlus specific error, since searching for it only gives me a result in their product forum.

        Nevertheless, I dug around with LogCat Reader and found that the message is displayed by com.android.systemui. Not really surprising, but I wasn’t sure which exact system resource is responsible. So then I went ahead with AppOps and set the “Display Toast” permission to “Ignore”, and voila.

        Caveats:

        1. You need root to use AppOps
        2. You won’t get any toast now (I don’t actually remember seeing any useful ones in over a decade, but there might be something out there)
  • LordCrom@lemmy.worldEnglish
    221·
    6 months ago

    Fuck. Using nova kept me sane. Even though they say, nothing changes…it will. With an analytics company, if they spend that much on nova, they are either going to go behind a paywall, or start data mining the shit from every user.

    Remember, if the product is free, then you’re the product

  • Feral@feddit.ukEnglish
    256·
    6 months ago

    You can switch off Error & Usage option in advanced setting in Nova.

    • Chemical Wonka@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      112·
      6 months ago

      mostly yes but it will depend how you block your Internet connection, with exception GrapheneOS approach all the other ways to “block” internet on Android devices may leak some data.

      • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        94·
        6 months ago

        The chances of some data being leaked is always possible but I’ll roll the dice if it means getting to keep using a launcher that’s not god awful or pixel-based until some other launchers become more mature.

        If we’re were talking financial information or something, sure, the chance of leaks is a huge problem, but some usage analytics leaking is more annoying than anything else.

      • Azzu@lemm.eeEnglish
        41·
        6 months ago

        With xposed you can do everything, which is not graphene exclusive.

    • Demdaru@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      6 months ago

      Had an old, barely living phone. Tried very hard to die on sole fact it had to display icons. KISS actually made it usable once again. ^^

    • Tebbie@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 months ago

      I always assumed the stock launcher was always running under custom launchers. Is this the case?

    • WatTyler@lemmy.zipEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      Hi, I’ve installed KISS after reading this comment and there’s one thing I don’t understand. Is one supposed to manually select their ‘Favourites’ or are they populated by KISS with use? I couldn’t find an answer to this anywhere else.