Dear Nova Launcher Supporters,

Our community’s passion remains our greatest strength, and now is not the time to slow down. Together, our collective voice, amplified by thousands of signatures, has already made a real impact. We’ve forced the conversation about Nova Launcher’s future into the open. But the work isn’t finished yet.

The Recent 8.1.3 Update: A Glimmer, Not a Revival

Many of you have noticed the unexpected release of Nova Launcher 8.1.3 on the Play Store beta channel, bringing redesigned Cards, the new Weather Card, and enhanced Nova Now search bar customization.

It’s refreshing to see an update after such a long silence, but it’s vital that we view this in the right context.

According to reports from former Nova developers, most of the code behind 8.1.3 is over a year old. This update appears to be Branch simply releasing the final work of the original Nova team, not a sign of renewed long term development. The future of Nova remains uncertain, and that’s exactly why the push for open sourcing matters more than ever.

The Open Source Promise: A Commitment Broken

As many of you know, Nova’s founder Kevin Barry had been preparing to release the Nova Launcher source code to the public, a move that was reportedly contractually obligated should he ever leave the company.

However, in September 2025, Kevin was instructed to halt this work and ultimately stepped away from the project entirely. This decision represents not only a refusal to honour that commitment, but also a betrayal of the community that’s supported Nova for over a decade.

Our Path Forward: Persistence and a Polite Roar

The release of version 8.1.3 shouldn’t make us complacent, it should strengthen our resolve. We’re not asking for a token update or a short term fix; we’re demanding the only sustainable future for Nova Launcher: a community driven, open source project.

Here’s how we can keep pushing forward:

Share the Petition Widely: If every supporter brings in just one more signature, we’ll double our reach overnight.

Polite, Persistent Outreach: Follow up with Branch leadership respectfully but firmly. Remind them that the community stands behind Kevin’s original vision, and that open sourcing Nova is the right thing to do.

Keep the Conversation Alive: Use social media to show your support. Celebrate the new 8.1.3 features, but remind everyone that without open development, Nova’s future remains locked away.

Let’s show Branch that our commitment to Nova Launcher is a marathon, not a sprint. We will not let our beloved launcher fade into obscurity behind closed doors.

Thank you all for your passion, persistence, and belief in this community.

Together, we’ll keep Nova’s legacy alive and ensure its future belongs to everyone.