Nova Launcher’s exit left a hole in the Android customization world, and one rival is moving quickly to fill it. Smart Launcher has issued a direct invitation to Nova’s devoted user base, promising a home screen that feels familiar without giving up the chance to try something new.
A welcome mat for Nova loyalists
In a public message addressed to former Nova users, the Smart Launcher team emphasized continuity and respect for the legacy of a beloved tool. The developers framed their pitch around two ideas: don’t force people to relearn their phone, and give them tangible reasons to stay. To that end, they’ve published a Q&A that tackles core concerns such as gesture parity, docks, app shortcuts, and how the app handles analytics and telemetry.
One detail that stands out is pace. The team points to an aggressive release cadence—over 50 updates in a single year—as proof that bug fixes, feature refinements, and platform changes won’t sit in a backlog. For longtime launcher enthusiasts who prize stability, that’s a practical signal, not just marketing.
Features that ease the switch
Smart Launcher leans into muscle memory. It supports popular gesture behaviors, including icon-based swipe actions, so you don’t need to rethink how you launch apps or shortcuts. A dock—presently labeled experimental—is being readied for wider rollout, while the option to pin pages means you can nominate any screen as your true “home.”
The launcher’s modular design is another selling point. Instead of stitching together multiple add-ons, Smart Launcher builds in conveniences such as a news page and native widgets, reducing the number of companion apps you rely on. It already supports icon packs and deep appearance tweaks, and its categorized app drawer remains a signature feature for users who like order without manual folder management.
Migration, privacy, and the 12‑month roadmap
For anyone wary of losing a carefully tuned setup, the headline commitment is migration support. The team says it is working on the ability to import backups from Nova, making it easier to carry your layout and preferences across. While not every nuance of a legacy setup can be guaranteed during cross-app migration, even partial import substantially lowers the friction of switching.
Privacy is addressed plainly: the developers state they do not collect your list of installed apps unless you enable optional features that need it. That stance tracks with what many power users expect from a launcher—minimal data collection and transparent toggles.
Looking forward, Smart Launcher has published a yearlong roadmap that includes infinite home screen scrolling, one‑tap folder actions, deeper folder customization, and faster access to search. These are the kinds of tweaks that matter daily: shaving seconds off navigation, letting you index muscle memory to your layout, and smoothing the edges where system gestures, launcher gestures, and OEM skins sometimes clash.
There’s also a promise that the upcoming Smart Launcher 7 release will be free for existing users, a goodwill gesture that may encourage fence-sitters to test the waters without worrying about a paid upgrade.
Why this move matters in the launcher market
Home screen launchers serve a passionate niche, but it’s a sizable one. Google Play listings show Nova amassed tens of millions of installs over its lifespan and a reputation for meticulous control. Smart Launcher has crossed the 10‑million‑install threshold on the store, signaling an established user base and the resources to keep pace with rapid Android changes from Google and OEMs.
That pace matters because launchers sit at the intersection of system navigation, OEM customizations like One UI or MIUI, and evolving Android permissions. When platform updates alter gesture handling or background activity limits, launchers often need swift patches to prevent broken shortcuts or widget glitches. A frequent update cadence isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s defensive maintenance.
Smart Launcher’s outreach also lands amid a competitive relay. Fans considering a move are weighing options like Niagara Launcher’s minimalist feed, Lawnchair’s open-source ethos, Hyperion’s theming depth, and Microsoft Launcher’s productivity layer. By offering migration from Nova and a roadmap centered on day‑to‑day usability, Smart Launcher is staking a claim on users who want power without losing polish.
The team is keeping the conversation public, inviting feedback through Reddit and Discord communities, including the ModMyDevice server that previously hosted Nova’s official presence. That openness can be a differentiator: the fastest way to win over a skeptical crowd is to show you’re listening—and shipping.
As one developer note put it, transitions after a beloved app fades are rarely simple. Smart Launcher’s message is that the transition doesn’t have to be painful, and that a familiar, fast, and frequently updated home screen can carry Nova’s spirit forward while charting its own path.