Nova Launcher Founder Leaves Company Amid Open Source Controversy

Nova Launcher Founder Departs Branch

Kevin Barry, the original developer and founder of Nova Launcher, has announced his departure from Branch, the company that acquired the popular Android home screen replacement app in 2022. In a public statement released on September 6, 2025, Barry revealed he is no longer involved with Nova Launcher after being asked to stop working on the project.

Open Source Promises Unfulfilled

Barry had been preparing Nova Launcher for open source release for several months, including cleaning up the codebase, reviewing licenses, and removing proprietary code. However, his efforts were halted by Branch management. 'I was ultimately asked to stop working on Nova Launcher and the open sourcing effort,' Barry stated in his announcement.

The departure raises questions about commitments made by Branch's then-CEO Alex Austin during the 2022 acquisition. Austin had publicly stated on Reddit that if Barry were to leave, "it's contracted that the code will be open sourced and put in the hands of the community."

Community Reaction and Future Implications

Nova Launcher has been one of the most popular Android launchers since its initial release, known for its customization capabilities and smooth performance. The app has maintained a strong community following with over 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Android launchers like Nova allow users to completely customize their device's home screen experience, replacing the stock interface provided by device manufacturers. The potential open sourcing of Nova Launcher would have enabled community development and continued innovation.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between corporate acquisitions and open source commitments in the Android ecosystem. Many popular Android apps have faced similar challenges when transitioning from independent development to corporate ownership.