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  • Nova Launcher returns under Instabridge with ad-supported plan, but updates trigger crashes and missing icons
    January 28, 2026, 12:10 AM EST. Nova Launcher, a popular Android launcher, has resurfaced under Instabridge after Branch Metrics sold it. Updates since November introduced an ad-supported free tier and, users say, bugs. The latest beta and stable build, 8.2.8, began rolling out in late January. Reddit reports describe crashes during initial setup and icons vanishing after unlocking or switching apps. Workarounds-reinstalling, disabling auto-update, or sideloading an older APK-haven't helped everyone. The problems span multiple devices, including Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus models. Instabridge says Nova Prime remains ad-free for paid users, but fans worry about the ownership change triggering more issues. Verification from independent users is ongoing.