Google to shut down Google Now Launcher after nearly a decade of service

The Google Now Launcher, which was originally called the Google Experience Launcher, was introduced in 2013 on the Nexus 5. The launcher provided quick access to Google Now cards and a relatively stock user experience that reflected Google's design style. In 2014, it was made available to all Android 4.1+ devices via the Play Store as the Google Now Launcher.

However, in 2017, Google announced that GNL was being phased out since Google Now's main feature had been made available to OEM launchers. Google began focusing on the Pixel Launcher for its own devices, and GNL saw some updates through the Google app.

The Google Now Launcher was powered by the Google app in the background, though it was considered less of a company priority as Assistant grew in popularity.

The latest beta version of the Google app (14.14) reveals that the Google Now Launcher will stop working in April. When this happens, the default launcher on a user's device will take over. Since the Google Now Launcher is most likely no longer in use as a daily driver, this will impact very few people. The only way to keep things the way they are is not to update the Google app. There is a slight upside for everyone else, as the Google app may become smaller when the GNL is removed.