Android TV with ZERO Ads

[Haywood]

I've been getting more and more annoyed by the fact that every streaming device out there shoves a constant stream of advertising at you. Whether it is gigantic banner adds or a raft of suggested programming on services you don't subscribe to, it clutters the screen, demands your attention, and slows the interface down.

Enter the Projectivy Android TV launcher, which is a highly configurable ad-free launcher that replaces the entire UI. Unfortunately, recent updaters to a lot of devices will kick you back to the stock Android launcher every time you hit the home button. You can fix that little problem by fully disabling the stock launcher. I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but Google Gemini gave me simple instructions and it took me about 15 minutes.

The core operating system remains unchanged, but all the junk we hate is part of the launcher. I like a minimalist approach, so here is my new home screen.

 

[Deacon]

Please tell us more.

 

[Haywood]

1. Go to the Play Store on the Android TV device and install Projectivy. Don't worry about configuring it. You can make it pretty later.
2. Go to Settings (Android settings) -> Device Preferences -> About
3. Click "Build" 7 times. This will open up Developer Mode.
4. Go to Developer Options, enable "Network Debugging" and note the IP Address and Port
5. Install an ADB app on your phone
6. Connect ADB to your device using the IP Address and Port you noted earlier
7. Go to the Terminal in run this to disable the stock launcher: pm disable user - user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher
8. Press Home on your device to finalize

If you ever want to go back to the stock launcher, run the same command with "enable" instead of "disable".

Once you have Projectivy installed, take the time to go through it and see what all your options are. It is great if you enjoy tinkering. You can set the visibility of any Category of apps, choose what apps go into an existing Category, or make your own. My Categories are Movies and Subscriptions. I chose to also display Settings for easy access.

You can change the size and shape of the apps, as well as the spacing between them. You can control how far down from the top you want your Categories to begin, how much spacing you want between Categories, whether you want your apps in a grid or a line, etc. You can also control how an app is highlighted when selected. There are SO MANY OPTIONS and you can waste a huge amount of time tuning it until it is just the way you like.

 

[Haywood]

If you do not have an AndroidTV streaming box, you can pick up this one at Amazon for $35. From what I saw on YouTube, it is pretty snappy with this launcher on it.

 

[mcad64]

1. Go to the Play Store on the Android TV device and install Projectivy. Don't worry about configuring it. You can make it pretty later.
2. Go to Settings (Android settings) -> Device Preferences -> About
3. Click "Build" 7 times. This will open up Developer Mode.
4. Go to Developer Options, enable "Network Debugging" and note the IP Address and Port
5. Install an ADB app on your phone
6. Connect ADB to your device using the IP Address and Port you noted earlier
7. Go to the Terminal in run this to disable the stock launcher: pm disable user - user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher
8. Press Home on your device to finalize

If you ever want to go back to the stock launcher, run the same command with "enable" instead of "disable".

Once you have Projectivy installed, take the time to go through it and see what all your options are. It is great if you enjoy tinkering. You can set the visibility of any Category of apps, choose what apps go into an existing Category, or make your own. My Categories are Movies and Subscriptions. I chose to also display Settings for easy access.

You can change the size and shape of the apps, as well as the spacing between them. You can control how far down from the top you want your Categories to begin, how much spacing you want between Categories, whether you want your apps in a grid or a line, etc. You can also control how an app is highlighted when selected. There are SO MANY OPTIONS and you can waste a huge amount of time tuning it until it is just the way you like.

You lost me at install ADB app....then further lost me with "go to the terminal" !!

 

[Deacon]

Please tell us more.

1. Go to the Play Store on the Android TV device and install Projectivy. Don't worry about configuring it. You can make it pretty later.
2. Go to Settings (Android settings) -> Device Preferences -> About
3. Click "Build" 7 times. This will open up Developer Mode.
4. Go to Developer Options, enable "Network Debugging" and note the IP Address and Port
5. Install an ADB app on your phone
6. Connect ADB to your device using the IP Address and Port you noted earlier
7. Go to the Terminal in run this to disable the stock launcher: pm disable user - user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher
8. Press Home on your device to finalize

If you ever want to go back to the stock launcher, run the same command with "enable" instead of "disable".

Once you have Projectivy installed, take the time to go through it and see what all your options are. It is great if you enjoy tinkering. You can set the visibility of any Category of apps, choose what apps go into an existing Category, or make your own. My Categories are Movies and Subscriptions. I chose to also display Settings for easy access.

You can change the size and shape of the apps, as well as the spacing between them. You can control how far down from the top you want your Categories to begin, how much spacing you want between Categories, whether you want your apps in a grid or a line, etc. You can also control how an app is highlighted when selected. There are SO MANY OPTIONS and you can waste a huge amount of time tuning it until it is just the way you like.

Ok, I'm sorry, I clearly walked into that one.

 

[Haywood]

Ok, I'm sorry, I clearly walked into that one.

Be careful what you ask for.