Modern TVs and set-top boxes based on the Android operating system have turned into powerful multimedia centers, but their factory configuration often leaves much to be desired. Manufacturers actively promote advertising content and pre-installed applications, cluttering them home screen and making it difficult to quickly access your favorite services. This creates a feeling of chaos and reduces the pleasure of using the device.
Fortunately, the Android architecture allows users to deeply customize the interface to suit their needs. You can change the sequence of channels, remove unnecessary recommendations, and even install an alternative one, which will radically change the visual style of the system. Understanding the principles of operation launcher, which will radically change the visual style of the system. Understanding of operating principles Android TV Home is the first step to creating a comfortable media environment.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available configuration methods, from simple rearrangements to advanced system changes. You will learn how to manage recommendations, work with widgets and optimize interface performance without extra costs.
Basic structure of the Android TV interface
Before you start making changes, you need to understand the anatomy of the standard interface. Home screen Android TV consists of several horizontal rows, each of which performs its own function. The top row usually contains system icons, search and the user profile, while the main area is filled with dynamic content.
The first row is often reserved for favorite applications or recently used services. This is followed by lines with recommendations from installed video applications, such as YouTube, Netflix or Kinopoisk. These recommendations are generated by algorithms based on your browsing history, which is not always convenient.
At the bottom of the screen there may be weather, news, or advertising widgets from the TV manufacturer. Understanding this structure is critical because each row is configured differently. Some elements can be simply moved, while removing others will require more complex manipulations with system settings.
Channel management and application order
The easiest way to put things in order is to manually edit channels. The operating system allows you to swap entire rows, moving important applications to the top and moving unnecessary ones down. To do this, you need to select the desired row and use special combinations of buttons on the remote control.
To move a channel, highlight it, press the menu button (often three dots or a gear) and select the “Move” option. After this, you can use the navigation arrows to change the position of the element. This action does not require root access and is safe for the system.
However, it is worth remembering that not all rows can be moved. System recommendations or advertising blocks from the manufacturer are sometimes blocked for editing. In such cases, only completely disabling them through settings or using third-party software helps.
If the remote control does not have a menu button, try long pressing the central OK button or the "Back" button on the selected item.
You can also hide entire categories of applications. Go to the home screen settings, find the “My Channels” or “Applications” section and uncheck those services that you do not use. This will clear the visual space and speed up navigation.
Setting up recommendations and disabling advertising
One of the main problems of the standard interface is intrusive advertising and irrelevant recommendations. The algorithms of Google and TV manufacturers strive to show you paid content, which often blocks access to personal media files.
To minimize this effect, you need to go to the settings of each specific application. For example, in settings Google TV you can disable ad personalization. This will reduce the number of targeted banners, although it is not always possible to completely remove them using standard means.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling system recommendations may result in the interface displaying empty fields instead of lines with content. Be prepared for a visual change to the menu grid.
There is also an option to turn off “Demo Mode” or “Retail Mode” if your TV displays commercials when idle. This feature is often activated on display samples or is reset after a firmware update.
How to remove ads in the “Continue Watching” line
Go to the Google account settings on your TV, select the “Data and personalization” section, then turn off the activity history in YouTube and Google TV. This will reset the recommendation algorithms.
Some users prefer to use the “Only my apps” feature, which is available in new versions of Android TV. This mode hides all recommendation lines, leaving only a grid with installed apps, which makes the interface as clean and functional as possible.
Installing alternative launchers
If the standard interface Android TV you are absolutely not satisfied with the speed or design, the best solution would be to install a third-party launcher. This application completely replaces the main screen, offering a completely different navigation logic and visual style.
Popular solutions are FLauncher, ATV Launcher and Sideload Launcher. They allow you to create your own groups of applications, change the wallpaper and customize the behavior of the remote control buttons. Installing such apps usually requires downloading a file via a flash drive or using an application. The installation process is as follows: download the launcher file to your computer, transfer it to a flash drive, insert it into the TV and open it through a file manager. After installation, the system will ask which application to use as the default for the Home button. APK-file via flash drive or using an application Send Files to TV.
The installation process is as follows: download the launcher file to your computer, transfer it to a flash drive, insert it into the TV and open it through a file manager. After installation, the system will ask you which app to use as the default home button.
| Name of launcher | Difficulty of setting | Presence of advertising | Support for widgets |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLauncher | Low | No | Yes |
| ATV Launcher (Free) | Medium | Yes (in the free version) | Limited |
| Projectivy Launcher | High | No | Yes |
| Square Home | Medium | No | Yes |
When installing a third-party launcher, be sure to provide it with everything requested permissions, otherwise the Home button on the remote may not work correctly.
It is important to note that some TV manufacturers, for example Sony or Philips, may block the ability to change the default launcher. In such cases, you need to use additional utilities to disguise the standard application or obtain root access.
Advanced settings via ADB
For advanced users who want to gain full control over the system, there is a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows you to connect to the TV from a computer and execute commands to remove system applications that cannot be uninstalled through the menu.
To get started, you must activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About TV → Build and click on this item 7 times in a row. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the menu, where you need to enable “USB Debugging.”
adb connect 192.168.1.100
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.leanbacklauncher
The above command is an example of how you can hide the standard launcher. However, such commands must be used with extreme caution. Improper removal of a system component may cause the TV to stop booting or lose access to the application store.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. Always check the official documentation for your model before making system changes.
With ADB you can also freeze applications that you do not want to remove, but want to hide from the list. The command pm disable-user temporarily disables the package, making it invisible to the system, but maintaining the ability to restore it at any time.
Optimizing Home Screen Performance
Over time, the Home screen may begin to work slowly, especially if you have many heavy applications installed. Delays when pressing buttons or long menu rendering times are often due to insufficient RAM or a full cache.
Regularly clearing the launcher cache helps maintain high responsiveness. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find your launcher (for example, Android TV Home) and select “Clear cache”. This will not delete your settings, but it will free up temporary files.
It is also recommended to disable automatic updating of applications in the background if your TV has a weak processor. Updates can consume network and processor resources, causing the interface to slow down at the most inopportune moments.
Another effective method is to limit background processes. In the developer menu, you can find the item “Background process limit” and set the value to “No more than 2 processes.” This will force the system to close unused applications more aggressively, freeing up resources for the main screen.
Why does the launcher slow down after an update?
Often new versions of shells become heavier and require more resources. If you notice lags after the update, try rolling back the version of the application or clearing the data completely.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove advertising from the main screen without Root?
It is difficult to completely remove all advertising using standard means, but you can significantly reduce its number. Disabling personalization in Google settings, hiding channels with recommendations and using launchers like FLauncher can get rid of 90% of visual noise.
What should you do if, after installing a new launcher, the Home button does not work?
Usually the system itself prompts you to select the default application. If this does not happen, go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Home screen and manually select the installed launcher. If the menu is not accessible, you may need to reset application settings via ADB.
Is it safe to disable system applications via ADB?
It is only safe if you know exactly what a particular one is responsible for package. Disabling Google Play services or the system launcher without an installed alternative may result in the interface being bricked. Always have a remote control with the ability to enter commands or access to the computer for recovery.
How to return the home screen to factory settings?
To return everything as it was, just go to the application settings, find the current launcher and select “Clear data” or “Reset settings”. If you have changed the default application, reset this selection in the corresponding system settings menu.
Why are some applications not displayed on the home screen?
Some applications not installed from the official store may not have metadata for the TV interface. In this case, they are hidden from the main menu. To access them, use third-party launchers or install an application Sideload Launcherthat displays all installed apps.