Add Google Now Page to Nova Launcher
This guide shows you how to bring the Google Now feed (now called the Google Discover feed) to your Nova Launcher home screen. You’ll get a swipeable page to the left of your main home screen with news, weather, and personalized cards, just like on stock Pixel devices. You’ll need a device running Android 5.0 or newer and the Nova Launcher app installed (the free version works for this).
What You’ll Need
- Nova Launcher (free or Prime) installed and set as your default launcher.
- A device with Google app installed (most devices have it pre-installed).
- Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher.
Step-by-Step
- Open Nova Launcher Settings. Long-press on any empty area of your home screen, then tap “Settings” in the menu that appears. Alternatively, open your app drawer and launch the Nova Settings app.
- Navigate to Desktop settings. In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap “Desktop.” This controls the main home screen behavior.
- Find the “Search Bar Style” or “Page Indicator” section. Look for an option labeled “Search Bar Style” or “Page Indicator.” The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Nova version, but it’s usually near the top of the Desktop settings.
- Enable the Google Now page. Tap “Search Bar Style” and select “Google Now Page” from the list of options. If you don’t see this option, look for a toggle called “Show Google Now Page” or “Enable Google Feed” and turn it on.
- Check your home screen. Press the Home button to return to your main screen. Swipe right (from the leftmost screen) and you should now see the Google Discover feed. If it doesn’t appear immediately, try restarting Nova Launcher (go to Nova Settings > Troubleshooting > Restart Nova Launcher).
- Adjust the feed position (optional). Some versions of Nova let you choose whether the Google page is on the left or right. Look for “Google Now Page Position” in the same settings area and select “Left” or “Right” as you prefer.
- Set the Google page as the default left screen (optional). If you have multiple home screens, you may want the Google page to be the first one you see when swiping left. You can manage your screens by pinching on the home screen, then drag the Google page to the far left.
Common Mistakes
- Not setting Nova as the default launcher. If you haven’t selected Nova as your default launcher, the Google Now page won’t appear because the system is still using your stock launcher. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Home App and choose Nova Launcher.
- Using an outdated Nova version. The Google Now page feature has been available for years, but older versions may have bugs or lack the option. Update Nova Launcher from the Play Store to the latest version.
- Confusing the Google Now page with the Google search bar. The Google Now page is a full screen of cards, not just a search widget. If you only see a search bar, you might have added the Google widget instead. Remove the widget and enable the actual page via settings.
- Swiping in the wrong direction. The Google Now page is typically to the left of your main home screen. If you swipe right, you’ll go to your other screens. Make sure you swipe from the leftmost screen toward the right.
Tips
- Customize the feed. Once the Google page is active, you can long-press on any card to hide it, block a source, or access feed settings. Tap the profile icon in the top right to manage your interests.
- Use Nova’s backup feature. If you ever reset your device, you can restore your Nova settings (including the Google Now page setting) by going to Nova Settings > Backup & Restore.
- Combine with gestures. You can set a Nova gesture (like swipe up) to open the Google app directly if you prefer that over the feed page.
- Keep Nova updated. Nova Launcher is actively developed, and new features are added regularly. Enable auto-updates in the Play Store to get the latest improvements.
Troubleshooting
The Google Now page doesn’t appear after enabling it. First, restart Nova Launcher (Nova Settings > Troubleshooting > Restart Nova Launcher). If that doesn’t work, check that you have the Google app installed and updated. Go to the Play Store and search for “Google” and update it. Then try toggling the setting off and on again.
The feed shows but is blank. This usually means the Google app is not signed in or has a sync issue. Open the Google app directly, make sure you’re signed in, and refresh the feed. Also check your internet connection.
The option is missing from Nova Settings. If you don’t see “Google Now Page” in the Desktop settings, your Nova version might be too old. Update Nova Launcher. If it’s still missing, your device may not support it (very rare on modern devices). In that case, consider using a different launcher that supports it, or use a Google widget as a workaround.
Swiping left goes to a blank screen instead of the feed. This can happen if you have multiple empty screens. Long-press on the home screen, select “Widgets,” and add the Google “At a Glance” widget to the leftmost screen as a temporary placeholder. Or, remove extra screens by pinching and tapping the X on empty ones.
The feed is in the wrong language or region. The Google feed follows your Google app settings. Open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Language & Region, and adjust accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Now page available on the free version of Nova Launcher?
Yes, the Google Now page feature is available in the free version. It doesn’t require Nova Prime.
Will this work on any Android phone?
It works on most Android phones running Android 5.0 or later, as long as the Google app is installed. Some heavily customized devices (like certain Huawei or Xiaomi models) may have restrictions, but it works on the vast majority.
Can I have the Google Now page on the right side instead of the left?
Some versions of Nova allow you to change the position to the right. Look for “Google Now Page Position” in the Desktop settings. If you don’t see it, your version may not support it.
Does this drain more battery?
The Google Now page itself uses minimal battery when you’re not viewing it. However, if you have location services enabled for the feed, it may use a bit more. You can adjust this in the Google app settings.
What if I don’t want the feed anymore?
Simply go back to Nova Settings > Desktop > Search Bar Style and select “None” or “Persistent Search Bar” to disable the Google Now page. Your home screens will return to normal.
Why is my Google Now page not showing personalized cards?
Personalization requires you to be signed in to your Google account and have Web & App Activity enabled. Open the Google app, tap your profile icon, and check your account settings. You may also need to use the feed for a few days for it to learn your interests.
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