Nova Launcher founder addresses app’s status and future after layoffs

Barry says he will continue to control the direction and development.

Nova Launcher founder addresses app’s status and future after layoffs
Nova Launcher Play Store
Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority
  • The lead developer of Nova Launcher, Kevin Barry, has issued a statement on the launcher’s state.
  • Barry clarifies the roles Rob Wainwright and Cliff Wade played on the Nova team
  • He goes on to explain that he has been and still is the primary contributor to Nova Launcher.

Late last week, news hit that parent company Branch Metrics laid off more than 100 employees, including all of the Nova Launcher team, save for its founder and original developer Kevin Barry. Barry has now released an official statement that touches on the layoff and the state of Nova Launcher.

If you’re unfamiliar with the software, Nova Launcher is a third-party home screen launcher that opens up customization options users may not have had with the default stock home screen. This includes things like modifying grid sizes, choosing widget placement, and having app drawers. Nova was acquired by analytics firm Branch Metrics in 2022, which allowed Nova to gain deep insights into how users use the app.