Swedish company Instabridge has officially acquired Nova Launcher following the project’s loss of its primary developer in late 2025. The transition has brought immediate changes that contradict the company’s initial public statements.
Key Updates
- Ad Integration: Although Instabridge stated they are only “considering” advertising, users have already encountered ads in the free version of the launcher.
- Data Tracking: Reports indicate the introduction of Google and Facebook advertising trackers within the latest update.
- Open Source Status: The new owners claim to be “actively evaluating” a transition to open source, though no decision has been made.
Kevin Barry, the founder of Nova Launcher, confirmed to The Verge that Instabridge has not established contact with him regarding the acquisition or the future of the app.