A modern TV based on Android TV has long ceased to be just a device for receiving an over-the-air signal. Today it is a full-fledged media center, capable of running streaming services, browsers, games and social networks simultaneously. However, managing many running apps using a regular remote control can turn into a real headache if you don't know the hidden functions of the system. Users often get confused in launchers, do not understand the difference between closing and minimizing, and also do not use the powerful multitasking tools built into the shell.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to navigate through open windows. We will look at both standard methods provided by Google developers and advanced techniques for advanced users. You'll learn how to customize switching to suit your habits, what gestures are supported on touchscreen remotes, and how to use your smartphone as a universal controller. Understanding these mechanisms will significantly speed up your work with the TV will make viewing content as comfortable as possible.
The architecture Android TV is different from the usual mobile version of the operating system. Here the emphasis is on control from a distance, which dictates its own rules for organizing the interface. Unlike smartphones, where swiping is the main method of interaction, on a TV, buttons and focus logic play a key role. The developers have implemented several levels of switching, each of which solves a specific task: from quickly returning to the previous application to complete control of background processes. horizontal navigation and control from a distance, which dictates its own rules for organizing the interface. Unlike smartphones, where swiping is the main method of interaction, on a TV, buttons and focus logic play a key role. The developers have implemented several switching levels, each of which solves a specific task: from quickly returning to the previous application to complete control of background processes.
Standard methods of navigation through the remote control
The most obvious and frequently used way to interact with the interface is the physical one remote control Most TV models from Sony, Philips and set-top boxes Nvidia Shield are equipped with a “Home” button, which serves as the main navigation anchor. Briefly pressing this key usually returns the user to the main launcher screen, but does not close the current application. It remains hanging in your memory, and you can return to it later. This is the basic level of switching, which is implemented on all devices without exception.
A more advanced method is to use the "Menu" button or a special key with the image of three stripes or squares, which is often called task button. When you press it, the system displays a horizontal strip of recently used applications. Using the left and right buttons you can scroll through this list and select the desired app by pressing the central "OK" button. This function works similar to the task manager on a computer, allowing you to quickly jump between active sessions.
Some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi in their set-top boxes Mi Box or Chromecast with Google TV, have implemented double Pressing the Home button to bring up the recent applications menu. This may confuse users accustomed to the classic scheme. If pressing once takes you back to the menu, try pressing the button twice quickly. In the window that appears, you will see cards of running apps.
⚠️ Attention: On some budget TV models, the task list button can be software disabled by the manufacturer to save processor resources. In this case, switching is only possible through a full exit to the main screen.
For those who prefer minimalism, there is a method for quickly switching between the last two applications. On many remotes, long-holding the Back button or a special switch key allows you to instantly return to the previous app, bypassing the main screen. This is especially convenient when watching a video, when you need to quickly check a message in the messenger and immediately return to the movie. The system response speed in this mode depends on the amount of installed RAM and the speed of the processor.
Using a voice assistant to control windows
Ecosystem Google Assistant is deeply integrated into the TV operating system, providing unique options for control without touching buttons. Voice control allows you not only to launch applications, but also to switch between them, which is especially important if the remote control is lost or located far away. To activate this function, simply press the microphone button on the remote control and clearly say the command. The system will recognize the name of the application and either launch it or switch focus to it if it is already open.
The effectiveness of voice input directly depends on the quality of the microphone in the remote control and the absence of extraneous noise in the room. Modern remote controls with support Google Fast Pair provide instant transmission of commands to the TV. You can say, “Open YouTube,” “Go to Netflix,” or “Show recent apps.” The last request will open that same horizontal list of tasks that we talked about earlier, allowing you to continue navigating with buttons. This is a hybrid control method that combines the speed of voice and the accuracy of mechanical input.
The universal search function, which also affects the switching context, deserves special attention. When you request content via voice, for example, “Find movies about space,” the system may offer to open the result in different applications: Kinopoisk, Google Play Movies or browser. Selecting a specific source in this menu is actually switching the operating context of the TV. This allows you to flexibly control where exactly the content will be played without first going into the settings of each service.
If the voice assistant does not respond, check in your Google account settings whether the “Voice matching” option is enabled. Sometimes the system blocks commands to save power or due to privacy settings.
For users with disabilities or just for convenience in the dark, voice control becomes an indispensable tool. It eliminates the need to search for small buttons on the remote. However, it is worth considering that complex commands like “switch to the third application in the list” are not yet supported. Algorithms only understand direct app names or general navigation commands. The development of artificial intelligence in future updates Android TV promises to expand this functionality to the level of a full dialogue with the device.
Advanced techniques: developer mode and ADB
For those for whom the standard capabilities are not enough, the Android system offers a developer mode that gives access to hidden process management functions. You can activate this mode by going to Settings → About device → Build and clicking on the "Build number" item seven times in a row. After the corresponding notification appears, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the main settings menu. Here are tools that allow you to control the behavior of applications at a deep level.
One of the most useful functions in this section is setting the limit of background processes. By default, the system itself decides how many applications to keep in memory. However, you can strictly limit this number or, conversely, allow more apps to remain active. This affects the switching speed: the more applications in the background, the faster the return to them, but the higher the load on RAM. By experimenting, you can find the balance that is ideal for your TV model.
An even more powerful tool is USB debugging and using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command line. By connecting your TV to your computer or using a terminal app directly on the device, you can enter commands to force the switch. For example, the command adb shell am start -n com.package.name/.Activity allows you to launch a specific application, even if it is not in the launcher. To switch between windows, you can use emulation of keystrokes through commands input keyevent.
input keyevent 187 # Emulation of pressing the "Recent applications" buttoninput keyevent 3 # Emulation of pressing the "Home" button
input keyevent 4 # Emulation of pressing "Back" button
Using ADB requires caution. Incorrect commands can cause the interface to freeze or cause unpredictable system behavior. It is recommended to back up your settings before making changes. This method is ideal for automating routine tasks, for example, creating a script that closes all unnecessary applications on a schedule and opens the desired streaming service. Such scenarios are often used in digital signage or smart home systems.
Risks of using Developer Mode
Enabling USB debugging can make the device vulnerable to malware if the TV is connected to a shared network with infected computers. Always disable this feature when not in use.
Control via smartphone and third-party applications
Official application Google TV (formerly Google Home) for smartphones turns your phone into a powerful touchscreen remote. This solution dramatically changes the experience of switching between applications. The smartphone screen displays a full-fledged touch panel with a touchpad, keyboard and navigation buttons. You can swipe on your phone screen just like you would on a laptop's touchpad by moving the cursor on your TV screen. This allows you to navigate application lists much faster than when using the up and down buttons on a regular remote control.
In addition to the official software, there are many third-party solutions in Google Play Storeoffering advanced functionality. Applications like CetusPlay or TV Remote often have built-in managers of running processes. They allow you to see a list of active apps directly on the phone screen and close them with one touch. Some of them support the “Mouse” function, which emulates a computer mouse cursor on the TV screen, allowing you to click on interface elements directly, which speeds up navigation in complex menus.
Another interesting scenario is using a keyboard and mouse connected via Bluetooth or via the TV’s USB port. In this case, switching between applications is carried out using familiar key combinations, similar to computer ones. Pressing Alt + Tab may not work natively, but many launchers support emulation of this action through special settings or third-party launchers such as ATV Launcher. Connecting peripherals turns the TV into a full-fledged PC, where window management becomes intuitive for any Windows or macOS user.
| Control method | Switching speed | Convenience | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home button | Medium | High | Standard remote control |
| Voice commands | High | Average | Microphone, silence |
| Smartphone (Touch) | Very high | High | Wi-Fi, application |
| Keyboard (Alt+Tab) | Instant | High | USB/Bluetooth adapter |
☑️ Preparing to use the smartphone as remote control
Optimizing memory for fast multitasking
The speed and smoothness of switching between applications directly depends on how efficiently the system manages RAM. Android TV aggressively unloads background processes if it senses a lack of resources. This causes the app to reload when returning to the app, which takes time and irritates the user. To minimize this effect, you need to regularly perform system maintenance and monitor what is running in the background.
The first step is to remove or disable unused applications. Many pre-installed apps (bloatware) can run in the background and consume valuable megabytes of RAM. Go to Settings → Applications and carefully study the list. If you don't use a service, remove it. If uninstallation is not possible, try disabling it. This will free up resources for those apps that you use really often, for example, browsers or heavy games.
The second important aspect is clearing the cache. Over time, applications accumulate temporary files, which can slow them down from launching and switching. Regularly clearing the cache through settings or specialized utilities helps keep the system in good shape. However, you should not abuse “accelerators” from the application store, which promise miraculous memory freeing. Often they themselves consume more resources than they are useful, and can even forcefully close processes you need.
⚠️ Attention: Constantly completely clearing memory (“killing processes”) can have the opposite effect. The system will have to reload the application kernels, which consumes more processor time and energy than storing them in a minimized state.
It is also worth paying attention to the autostart of applications. Some services are set to start immediately after turning on the TV. This creates a load on the system at the most critical moment. Check the settings of each installed application and disable auto-start where possible. The fewer processes start with the system, the faster it will be ready for your first action and the more responsive it will respond to switching commands.
Optimal multitasking performance is achieved not by constantly closing applications, but by competent allocation of resources and disabling unnecessary autorun.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the well-functioning system, users may encounter situations where switching between applications does not work correctly. The most common problem is that the interface freezes when trying to open the list of recent tasks. This often occurs due to memory full or software version conflicts. In this case, a simple reboot of the device helps. Not just turning it off with the remote control, but completely cutting off the power for 10-15 seconds or selecting the “Restart” item in the power menu.
Another common complaint is that the application does not open after switching, but shows a black screen. This indicates that the process was killed by the system, but the shortcut remained in the list. The solution is to manually close this application through the settings or use the "Close All" command in the task manager (if such an option is available in your version of the launcher). After this, the restart should proceed normally. If the problem persists with one specific application, try clearing its data or reinstalling it.
Lags when switching may be caused by an outdated firmware version. TV manufacturers regularly release updates that optimize the interface and correct memory errors. Check for updates in the Settings → About TV → System updatesection. Installing the latest version of software often resolves performance issues without the need for a factory reset. In extreme cases, if all else fails, a factory reset may be required, but this is a last resort and requires reconfiguring all services.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available functions may vary depending on the version of Android TV (8, 9, 10, 11) and shell type (Google TV, Xiaomi PatchWall, the manufacturer’s own shell). Always check the official documentation for your specific device model.
Why does the TV close applications immediately after switching?
This is due to insufficient RAM. The Android system prioritizes the currently active application and unloads previously opened ones from memory to free up resources. Solution: close unused applications, remove unnecessary apps or add RAM (if the model allows it).
Is it possible to pin an important application so that it does not close?
With native Android TV, the function of pinning applications in memory (Pin to RAM) is usually not available to ordinary users. However, some third-party launchers or developer modes allow you to limit the number of background processes, indirectly affecting which applications will remain in memory longer.
How to switch between applications if the remote control is broken?
You can use a smartphone with the Google TV app installed or any other IR remote control/Wi-Fi control app. Connecting a regular computer mouse and keyboard via USB or Bluetooth is also suitable if the TV supports these peripheral devices.
Does Internet speed affect switching between applications?
No, Internet speed only affects loading content within applications (videos, pictures). Switching between windows and launching the interface depends solely on the performance of the TV processor and the amount of free RAM.