STOCKHOLM, Jan 21, 2026, 12:23 (CET)
- Instabridge announced it has acquired Nova Launcher and plans to continue its development.
- The new owner says it’s considering adding ads to the free version but plans to keep Nova Launcher Prime free of ads.
- Users and tech sites report that ad tracking code is already embedded in the latest build.
Swedish app developer Instabridge has taken over Nova Launcher, the widely used Android home-screen replacement. The company is currently exploring the possibility of adding ads to the free version, with some users already noticing ads appearing in the app drawer.
This move brings back a product many Android fans thought was heading for neglect following ownership shifts and months of update doubts. With over 100 million downloads on Google Play, Nova Launcher’s business model changes are now under the spotlight for its new owner.
Instabridge posted on Nova’s website Tuesday, clarifying that “Nova is not shutting down.” The team’s “immediate focus” now is maintaining launcher stability and ensuring compatibility with the latest Android versions. (Novalauncher)
The company stated that Nova requires a “sustainable business model” and is considering options like paid tiers alongside ad-supported plans for the free version. Instabridge also committed to keeping data collection “minimal and purpose driven,” emphasizing that it does not sell personal data.
Android Authority revealed that the newest Nova Launcher update packs ad-related software kits, including code used for serving ads and tracking clicks, connected to Meta’s Facebook Ads and Google’s AdMob. Along with this, the update introduces new permissions for ad services. Some users have already noticed ads popping up in the app drawer. (Androidauthority)
Nova Launcher’s Google Play page now names Instabridge Sweden AB as the developer and marks the app with “Contains ads.” It also reports over 100 million downloads. (Google)
Instabridge quickly stabilized Prime pricing following a short-lived spike. 9to5Google noted the company priced Nova Launcher Prime at $3.99 after an apparent mistake caused a higher rate, assuring that current Prime owners would keep their access. (9To5Google)
The question of whether Nova will go open source—making its code publicly available—remains unresolved. Instabridge said it’s considering the move, while Nova’s creator Kevin Barry told The Verge that open sourcing “has to be a component” of regaining trust, suggesting at least a “code drop of Nova 8.1.” (Theverge)
Yet the ad issue could be trickier to resolve. A launcher is central to how people use their phones every day, and introducing ad networks plus trackers only raises privacy red flags—even if ads don’t appear in the paid version. This is especially true if the rollout happens before the company clarifies what users will encounter and why. (Technetbooks)
For those unhappy with the current direction, options remain. Open-source launchers like Lawnchair, paid competitors such as Niagara, and Microsoft’s Launcher all offer alternatives, according to tech sites and community forums. (Findarticles)
