Nova Launcher

What Nova Launcher does

Nova Launcher replaces the default Android home screen with a configurable layout for apps, folders and widgets. It suits users who want more control over spacing, icon appearance and navigation than their phone’s built-in launcher provides. You can arrange items on a finer grid, change icon shapes with supported icon packs, and adjust how the app drawer and home screens behave.

Useful tools for a tailored home screen

• Flexible placement: Position icons and widgets between standard grid lines to make better use of available space.
• Icon support: Apply third-party icon packs and use consistent shapes to give mixed app icons a more uniform look.
• Search: Find apps and contacts from the launcher, with additional quick results available in supported setups.
• Backup and restore: Save the launcher’s layout, folders and settings so they can be brought back when changing devices.
• Gestures: Advanced actions can be assigned to swipes and other touch inputs, although some productivity features are part of the Prime offering.

Who it suits

Nova Launcher is a practical choice for Android users who regularly reorganize their home screen, use widgets heavily, or want one layout across devices with different manufacturer interfaces. It also gives older phones a simpler alternative to feature-heavy stock launchers, though the large settings menu may take time to learn. Users who prefer a fixed, no-adjustment setup may find its range of controls unnecessary.

At a glance

Listed under Personalization, Nova Launcher is developed by Instabridge Sweden AB. It shows a rating of 2.645264 from 1,340,185 reviews and has reached 100,000,000+ installs. Those figures place it among the most widely used Android launcher replacements, while the rating suggests that user experiences are not uniformly positive.