Nova Launcher bought, ads to be introduced

Forums › Android › Nova Launcher bought, ads to be introduced

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alavaliant

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#3455125 22-Jan-2026 17:52

freitasm:

I have had Samsung, HDM, Nokia and OPPO devices and never had the Google search box that I couldn't remove.

It might have been more restricted problem that I thought. Certainly was an issue on some model phones such as fairphones; where it a was a major release note when an update came out that finally let the google search box on the home screen be disabled. And I recall being stuck with the limitation on a huawei phone I had previously.

tieke

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#3455539 24-Jan-2026 01:17

mudguard:

I must admit I'd forgotten about launchers. Last one I used was when I was using LG phones.

I paid for Nova Launcher years ago and install it by default on my devices, both to maintain a consistent look and layout regardless of manufacturer (my home screen looks and works exactly the same regardless of whether it is a Amazon/xiaomi/pixel/samsung device) and because I prefer to have apps organised in folders on my home screen, with the folders represented by meaningful (to me) icons.

If my Pixel phone let me assign custom icons to folders without a 3rd-party app I would probably change back to stock, but as ads aren't currently being suggested for paid Nova, I will stick with what I've got :)

timmmay

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#3455556 24-Jan-2026 09:12

I've used Nova on every phone I've owned, it makes the OS relatively unimportant, and setup easy. I paid the dollar or whatever so shouldn't get ads.

I tried Octopi that someone on hacker news recommended but I don't like their gray bar at the bottom. Since Nova works the same as it always has I'll stick with it.

farcus

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#3455623 24-Jan-2026 14:06

I've only ever used Nova on phones to make the launcher look like a stock Android launcher (like Nexus or Pixel).
Absolutely hate the skinned launchers on Oppo, Samsung, Xiaomi devices etc

MikeB4

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#3455628 24-Jan-2026 15:13

farcus:

I've only ever used Nova on phones to make the launcher look like a stock Android launcher (like Nexus or Pixel).
Absolutely hate the skinned launchers on Oppo, Samsung, Xiaomi devices etc

I thought the same as you but Samsungs OneUI has evolved and matured into an excellent UI. Motorola's light handed UI is also an excellent UI and quite close to stock Android. Oppo, OnePlus, Honor etc I don't like along with the current Apple iOS UI. I am quite taken with the Nothing OS.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

farcus

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#3455691 24-Jan-2026 23:24

MikeB4:

I thought the same as you but Samsungs OneUI has evolved and matured into an excellent UI. Motorola's light handed UI is also an excellent UI and quite close to stock Android. Oppo, OnePlus, Honor etc I don't like along with the current Apple iOS UI. I am quite taken with the Nothing OS.

My current work phone is a Samsung A56 and there is enough in there to annoy me greatly when my personal phone is a Pixel.
As it is a controlled device I can't put Noval launcher (or any launcher) on it though.

Lego

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d3Xt3r

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#3456971 29-Jan-2026 12:50

gzt: Just curious - what are the must have features in your preferred third party launcher?

I've never felt the need and I wonder what I'm missing out on here.

You're missing out on Windows XP! 😅

This is how my Fold5 looks currently:

This is Windows Launcher btw.

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