Modern operating system-based TVs Android TV offer users enormous opportunities for customizing their personal space. However, the standard desktop configuration is often overloaded with pre-installed software or does not contain the shortcuts you need in the quick access area. Home screen (Home Screen) - this is where you spend most of the time, selecting content to watch.
Many owners of smart TVs are faced with a situation where The downloaded application is hidden in the depths of the menu, and finding it every time becomes tedious. Fortunately, the interface allows you to flexibly control the placement of icons. In this article, we will look in detail at how to pin, move or delete an application on the main panel using only the remote control.
The process of customizing the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and device manufacturer, be it Sony, Philips, Sharp or a set-top box based Android TV Box. We will look at universal methods that work in most cases, and also give tips on optimizing your workspace for maximum comfort.
Android TV interface structure and application bar
Before you start making changes, you need to understand the logic of building your desktop. In older versions of the interface, all applications were displayed in one line, while in updated versions Google TV the emphasis shifted to content recommendations. However, the app icon area remains a key navigation element. Usually it is located at the top of the screen or is highlighted in a separate row under the “Continue browsing” block.
It is important to distinguish between the concept of “installed application” and “shortcut on the main screen”. You can have hundreds of apps in the TV memory, but only the most popular ones should be displayed in a visible place. This speeds up the launch of your favorite movie theater or IPTV player. The system allows you to display on the panel both system utilities and third-party software downloaded from the store Google Play.
Some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi or TCL, can use their own add-ons over pure Android. In such cases, the algorithm of actions may require additional steps, for example, switching to a special editing mode. However, the basic principle of Drag-and-Drop (drag and drop) remains the foundation of interaction with the interface.
⚠️ Attention: System applications necessary for the operation of the TV (for example, “Settings” or “Media Player”) are often protected from being removed from the main screen. You can move them to the end of the list, but it is usually impossible to completely hide them using standard means without obtaining root access.
For comfortable control, it is recommended to use the original remote control. Third-party input devices, such as a mouse or keyboard, may not correctly handle long presses that are required to open a context menu or start dragging an icon.
The basic method of moving and pinning shortcuts
The most common method for rearranging applications is available directly from the main screen. You don't need to go into complicated settings menus. It is enough to move the cursor over the desired icon and perform a certain sequence of actions with the remote control buttons. This method is intuitive and works on most versions of the OS.
The process begins by highlighting the target application. When an icon is highlighted with a focus frame, you need to press and hold the center selection button (often labeled OK or Enter). The hold should last about 2-3 seconds. At this moment, the interface goes into editing mode, which is visually confirmed by a change in the appearance of the frame or the appearance of a hint on the screen.
☑️ Algorithm for moving the icon
After activating the editing mode, you can move the selected object left or right using the directional buttons (arrows) on the remote control. The system automatically moves adjacent icons to free up space. Once you have reached the desired position, simply release the OKbutton. The shortcut will be pinned to the new location.
If you want to add an application that is not yet on the main panel, find it in the general list of all apps. Typically this involves scrolling all the way down the row of apps and selecting All Apps or the three dots icon. Having found the desired software, use the same long-press technique to “pull it out” into the main feed.
Control through the context menu and settings
An alternative way to manage shortcuts involves using a pop-up menu. This method is especially useful if long pressing doesn't work or if you want to access additional options such as uninstalling or viewing app information. The context menu is called up by a specific combination of buttons, depending on the remote control model.
On many remote controls, to open the menu you need to press the button with three dots or the button with a gear icon when the focus is on the application. In the window that opens you will see a list of actions. We are interested in the “Move” or “Pin to Home” item. Selecting this item activates the drag-and-drop mode without having to hold the button.
In some versions of the interface, especially on devices with a shell Google TV, management of a number of applications is moved to general settings. Go to Settings → Applications → See all applications. Here you can control the visibility of apps in a global sense. Turning off display in recommendations also helps clear the home screen of information noise.
If the application does not move, try first removing it from the home screen (the “Remove from Home Screen” option), and then finding it in the general list and adding it again. This often clears positioning errors.
Also, the “Delete” function is often available in the context menu. Be careful: depending on the type of application, this action may either simply remove the shortcut from the panel, or completely uninstall the app from the TV's memory. The system usually warns about this with an additional dialog box before confirming the action.
Features of the Google TV interface and new versions of Android
With the release of the shell Google TV, which replaces the classic Android TV, the logic of working with applications has undergone changes. The focus has shifted from simple rows of icons to a personalized content feed. However, the ability to manage the application panel (“Your Applications”) remains, although it has become less obvious to new users.
In the interface Google TV the row with applications is often hidden behind the “View all” button or located below the main recommendations. To pin an app, you need to find it in your library and press and hold the select button. A menu will appear where you can select the option to add to favorites or pin to top row. This allows you to create your own “dock” with the most important services.
The new system also actively uses machine learning algorithms to sort applications. It can automatically highlight the apps you use most at certain times of the day. You can disable this function in the personalization settings, returning the static order of icons manually specified by the user.
It is worth noting that new versions of the OS have the ability to group applications into categories, although this function is not implemented on all devices. If your TV supports creating folders, you can collect all streaming services in one group, and games in another, significantly freeing up space on the main screen.
Hide and remove unnecessary applications
The cleanliness of the interface directly affects the speed and ease of use. Over time, the list of installed apps grows, and finding what you need becomes more difficult. Removing unnecessary shortcuts from your home screen is the first step to optimization. This does not delete the application itself, but only hides it from quick access.
To do this, select the unnecessary icon, call the context menu (long press OK or the menu button) and select “Remove from Home”. The icon will disappear from the row, but will remain accessible through the general list of all applications. This is an ideal option for apps that you rarely use, for example, for setting up a network or calibrating the screen.
If your goal is to completely free up the device’s memory, you must select the “Uninstall” option. The system will ask for confirmation, since this action is irreversible without re-downloading from the store. Be careful with system components: deleting critical services can lead to unstable operation of the TV or errors when loading.
| Action | Result | Recovery option | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove from the main screen | The icon is hidden from quick access | Instantly, through the general menu | No |
| Disable the application | The app does not work and hidden | Requires enabling in settings | Partial (cache remains) |
| Full removal | The app has been erased from memory | Re-installation only | Full release |
| Reset settings | Return to factory state | Impossible without backup | Full data clearing |
Particular attention should be paid pre-installed software (bloatware), which often comes with the TV. Not all such applications can be completely removed. For many of them, only the “Disable” function is available, which is similar in effect to deleting, but leaves the system files intact in case you need to restore factory settings.
Advanced methods: Launchers and third-party utilities
If the standard capabilities of the system do not suit you, you can install a third-party launcher. This is a special application that completely replaces the standard Android TV interface with its own. Popular options such as FLauncher or Sideload Launcherallow you to create a perfectly clean desktop with only the icons you need.
Installing a third-party launcher requires downloading an APK file, since the official store Google Play on TVs has a limited selection of such apps. After installation, you will need to set the new launcher as your default app in your system settings. This action will redirect the “Home” button on the remote control to the new interface.
Risks of using third-party launchers
Some manufacturers block the ability to change the default launcher. In such cases, the new interface will only launch as a regular application, and the Home button will return you to the native shell of the TV. Performance may also decrease on weaker devices.
Using alternative skins gives maximum freedom: you can change wallpaper, icon sizes, create folders and even hide system applications that are usually not available for modification. However, it is worth remembering that non-standard software may work less stable than a native system optimized by the hardware manufacturer.
To manage complex configurations, you can use utilities like Package Disabler. They allow you to bulk disable or hide applications without deleting them. This is a powerful tool for advanced users who want to achieve a minimalist interface without the risk of compromising the integrity of system files.
⚠️ Attention: Before installing third-party launchers, make sure that you have a way to return to the standard interface (for example, knowing the button combination to call the task manager or having physical access to the settings through the engineering menu), in case the new launcher freezes or is deleted.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the operation, users sometimes encounter difficulties when trying to display the application on the main screen. The most common problem is the lack of response to a long press of the button. This may be due to a process freeze Launcher or a temporary malfunction of the remote control.
In such cases, an effective solution is to force stop the Home Screen application or restart the TV. Not just turning off the remote control, but completely de-energizing the device for 10-15 seconds. This clears RAM and resets temporary interface errors, after which the drag-and-drop function is usually restored.
Another situation: the application is installed, but does not appear in the general list, and as a result it cannot be pinned. This often happens with apps intended for smartphones that were installed bypassing the store (sideload). Such applications may not have the metadata necessary for correct display in the TV interface.
To solve the problem with invisible applications, there are special launchers, for example, Sideload Launcherthat scan the system and display absolutely all installed packages, allowing you to launch them and, in some cases, create shortcuts for them manually. Clearing the Google Play Services cache also helps.
If standard methods do not work, the problem most often lies in the launcher cache. Clearing the data of the Home Screen application in the settings will return the interface to its factory appearance, resetting all your movements, but will restore the functionality of the pinning function.
FAQ: Questions and Answers
Is it possible to create a folder with applications on the main screen of Android TV?
In the standard shell of most TVs, there is a create function There are no folders. You can only change the order of icons in one row. However, by installing a third-party launcher (for example, FLauncher), you get the opportunity to group applications into folders for more convenient organization of space.
Why is the order of applications reset after rebooting the TV?
This can happen if you are using a beta version of the firmware or a third-party launcher with errors. Also, some manufacturers deliberately reset the order if algorithmic sorting (by frequency of use) is more important than manual tuning. Try turning off Smart Recommendations in Settings.
How to return a deleted application to the home screen?
If you selected the "Remove from Home Screen" option, simply go to the "All apps" section (usually at the end of the row or through the menu), find the app you want, press and hold the select button, then move it back to the active row. If the application has been completely removed, you need to download it again from Google Play.
Is it possible to change the size of application icons?
You cannot change the size of icons using standard Android TV tools. They have a fixed size set by the interface developer. To change the scale of elements, you will need to install a custom launcher or change the global interface scale in the “For Developers” menu, which will affect all screen elements, not just icons.
What to do if the remote control button does not work when pressed for a long time?
Try to replace the batteries in the remote control, since the long-press signal requires stable power. If this doesn't help, check your TV's accessibility settings to see if there's a mode enabled that changes the behavior of the buttons. As a last resort, use the remote control application on a smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.