The technical hurdles have been overcome: from now on, the use of Google Now is possible with the popular Nova Launcher. A hook has the matter but unfortunately anyway.
The Nova Launcher from TeslaCoil Software is one of the most popular ways to customize Android on your smartphone to your own needs. The free version of the launcher is in use millions of times.
Even more features to Nova Launcher Prime, which is currently available for 5.25 euros in the Play Store.
However, for the use of Google Now the premium version is not required – but we need another app, the Nova Google Companion.
Google Now finally available
It took a long time for the Nova Launcher to integrate Google Now. The current solution is actually more of a workaround than a fixed feature. The reason is not the developers of the launcher, but on Google itself.
Until recently, Google allowed access to the Now cards only for Systemapps – and the Nova Launcher is a normal app that is not in the system folder of an Android installation. You can not move the app without root access.
Changes to the Google app have now led to Launcher accessing Google Now – but unfortunately only through detours that are a bit annoying. Users also need to install the “Nova Google Companion”. This is not available in the Play Store.
Instead, the app can be downloaded from APK Mirror. The installation and use nevertheless takes place at your own risk.
If the Nova Google Companion is installed, it is automatically recognized by the Nova Launcher 5.3-beta1. No further configuration is required.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow is the minimum requirement. The Play Store is currently only version 5.2. If you do not want to wait, you can use the trick and use Google Now directly in the Nova Launcher.
The function will also be found in the final version of the launcher after the test phase.
The premium variant is not required to integrate Google Now. When it’s time, we’ll inform you of course.
