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RIP Google Now Launcher, it was a good run

The Google Now Launcher is no more. You will no longer be able to install the launcher from the Play Store. RIP Google Now Launcher!
By
May 2, 2018
google now launcher
TL;DR
  • The Google Now Launcher is now listed as incompatible with almost every Android device.
  • If you still use the Google Now Launcher, you can continue to do so, but when you switch devices, you will lose access.
  • We have a great list of alternative launchers to use which you can read here.

It looks like the end of the Google Now Launcher is finally here. First spotted by Android Central, the Google Now Launcher reads as incompatible with almost every smartphone in the Google Play Store.

If you are still using the Google Now Launcher on your device, don’t worry; it won’t go away. However, if you ever uninstall it or switch devices, you will have to find a new launcher to use.

Luckily, we’ve already compiled a terrific list of launchers you can download to replace the Google Now Launcher. Just click here to check it out. My vote is to download Nova Launcher and spend the extra money to upgrade to Nova Prime. It’s the best launcher on the market, in my humble opinion.

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Nova Launcher with gesture navigation

Google first released the Google Now Launcher along with the Nexus 5, which was running Android 4.4 KitKat. Eventually, Google posted the launcher in the Google Play Store for anyone to download.

With Google’s focus on Google Assistant, the Google Now Launcher became irrelevant, and last year the company announced the imminent demise of the launcher. Google’s latest Pixel Launcher comes preinstalled on Pixel devices (naturally) and is also available in the Google Play Store. If you want to install it on a non-Pixel device though, you’ll have to sideload it for now.

What’s your preferred launcher for your Android device? Let us know in the comments! Or just tell us about how much you’ll miss the Google Now Launcher if it was or still is your preferred launcher of choice.

NEXT: 15 best Android launcher apps for 2018!