In a significant development for app enthusiasts, Nova Launcher, a popular Android app, is set for a revival. Kevin Barry, the founder and sole developer, had previously announced his departure from Branch Metrics, the company overseeing Nova at the time. This came after most project staff were laid off in 2024. However, hope is on the horizon as Instabridge, a Swedish company known for its Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity app, declared on Tuesday that it has acquired Nova Launcher.

Instabridge reassures users by stating, “Nova is not shutting down.” Their primary goal is to ensure Nova remains stable, aligns with the latest Android versions, and receives regular maintenance. Nevertheless, the company is considering incorporating ads into the free version of the launcher. According to Android Authority, the latest Nova Launcher update includes trackers for Facebook Ads and Google AdMob, with Reddit users already witnessing ads.

For those concerned about ads, there is a silver lining. The premium version, Nova Launcher Prime, promises to maintain an ad-free experience.

Instabridge is also contemplating the possibility of open-sourcing Nova. When Barry announced his exit in September, he mentioned being asked to cease work on both Nova Launcher and the open-sourcing initiative. Previously, a Branch CEO had assured that if Barry were to leave, the code would be open-sourced and handed over to the community.

“Open sourcing a product responsibly requires attention to licensing, security, build tooling, contribution workflow, and trademark stewardship,” Instabridge noted. While no decision has been finalized, the company promises transparency once a direction is chosen.

Attempts to reach Barry, Instabridge, and Branch for comments have not yet received a response.