Whether you own an Android TV, a newer Google TV from TCL or Sony, or even a streaming device like the Google TV Streamer, one thing remains constant across Android-based TVs: they’re filled with ads, recommendations, and bloatware.
The default Android TV launcher on my 2021 Xiaomi TV, even after recent Android TV and UI upgrades, has been a pretty poor experience due to unnecessary clutter that takes up space and adds extra load to the home screen.
Thankfully, just like Android smartphones, you can easily change the default launcher on an Android TV as well. I’ve been using a new launcher on my TV, and it’s fixed everything I dislike about the default one.
The default Android TV launcher feels cluttered and slow
Ads and banners take over the entire home screen
The default Android TV launcher is pretty unoptimized in my experience. It’s filled with unnecessary clutter, from free TV channels to recommendations from apps you don’t even use, along with a Shop tab that rarely gets used.
Even navigating between different sections on the home screen isn’t very smooth, and then there are ads on top of that in every section. The whole experience just doesn’t feel clean enough to me.
In my opinion, the main aim of an Android TV launcher should be to help you get to the apps you want quickly, while keeping the screen minimal and uncluttered.
I think the Projectivy launcher for Android TV solves everything that the default one gets wrong.
Projectivy Launcher fixes most of these issues instantly
It strips everything down to what you actually want to see
Similar to any other Android app, you can install the Projectivy launcher on your Android TV directly from the Google Play Store. It’s a minimal, customizable, and ad-free launcher that’s fast and highly flexible.
On first launch, the app walks you through a setup process where you grant a few permissions required for it to work.
After that, you’re greeted with a familiar-looking Android TV home screen, complete with app rows and quick shortcuts to your TV inputs, such as HDMI devices or AUX, right on the home screen.
Similar to the default Android TV launcher, it offers quick access to Wi-Fi and other settings from the top right. There’s also a clock in the same corner that shows the current time.
Below that, you’ll find different categories, like Inputs, installed apps, and a Watch Next section with recommendations from various apps.
There are also handy shortcuts, like a remote-control option that lets you control your TV from your smartphone when both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
What’s great about Projectivy is that it asks for permissions up front and is pretty clear about what those permissions are for.
For example, if you grant accessibility during setup, you can enable features like launching the app on boot and replacing the default launcher when you press the home button on your remote.
But even if you don’t end up using these features, just using the Projectivy launcher for a few minutes will make you realize how much faster, cleaner, and ad-free the experience feels.
The level of customization here is exactly what I wanted
You can build a home screen that works for you
What’s truly impressive about Projectivy is the level of customization it offers. You can tweak almost everything on your home screen, from app rows and icon sizes to spacing, wallpapers, and even which categories appear.
For example, there’s no use of the input section for me since I don’t have anything connected via HDMI, so I’ve removed it from the home screen. I can always bring it back from settings if needed.
Similarly, I’ve removed sections like Games, Mobile Apps, and Display settings that I rarely use.
You can also customize how sections behave. For instance, you can switch app rows to a grid view so you don’t have to scroll endlessly.
You can even hide apps entirely from the home screen if you don’t use them. For example, I don’t use Google Play Games on my TV, so I’ve hidden it.
What’s even more impressive is support for custom app icons, something you usually only see on Android phone launchers. You can install icon packs from the Play Store and apply them here, although this feature requires a premium subscription.
6 things I do to get the most out of my Google TV Streamer
Make the most of your Google TV Streamer with a few tweaks
Projectivy launcher is one of the best Android TV launchers I’ve used
I genuinely think Google should take inspiration from Projectivy. It shows how an Android TV launcher can be faster, cleaner, and more customizable.
The biggest difference is performance. It feels significantly faster than the stock launcher, even on the same hardware.
And while you’re at it, if your Android TV has started to feel slow, you might also want to check out a few ways to speed it up and improve the overall experience.
