Nova Launcher Acquired by Instabridge, Future Development Focuses on Stability

The popular Android launcher Nova Launcher has a new owner. Swedish company Instabridge acquired the application on January 20, 2026, from its previous owner, Branch, which had recently ceased development.

Instabridge has announced its intention to continue the active development and maintenance of Nova Launcher. The company states that Nova Launcher offers users speed, customization, and control, and its engaged community deserves a stable future.

The new owner plans to focus on improving the application's performance and ensuring compatibility with modern Android versions. Bug fixes and keeping pace with Android updates are also priorities. Instabridge also aims to actively gather community feedback before making significant decisions.

The paid version, Nova Prime, will remain ad-free. Instabridge is exploring various business models to ensure the application's future, including potential new pricing tiers. The company is also actively evaluating the possibility of releasing Nova Launcher as an open-source project, though no decision has been made yet.