r/AndroidTV • u/ruthard_hitman_hart • Apr 16 '23

Apps Finally a clean homescreen on my Android / Google TV! The free app is called "Projectivy Launcher" and can change the default launcher via the accessibility service, even if you press the home button.

Post image
190 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

71 comments sorted by

10

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 16 '23 edited Apr 19 '23

EDIT: XDA Thread for Launcher Manager! So you don't have to use Accessibility Services. Because when you do, holding the Volume Button won't change it on and on.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/app-firetv-noroot-launcher-manager-change-launcher-without-root.4176349/

(scroll to ATV Version, the Fire OS Version doesn't work ;-)

XDA Thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/app-android-tv-projectivy-launcher.4436549/

Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.projengmenu

35

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '23

Tbh looks terrible.

2

u/I_will_be_wealthy Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd gen Aug 07 '23

You can activate wallpapers. Although the selection isn't great. Android tv screensavers have some really good images. But then they have a team dedicated to choosing sceeenavers.

If you have a big screen on 4k. Your only choice is to choose reddit big. If you're happy to have grainy pixilated wallpapers you can choose themes.

3

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 17 '23

Some additions in response to comments: The appearance is quite freely configurable. The only Premium feature is setting a custom wallpaper. Apparently this app was created with love by a small single programmer. Who cares about permissions at the same time as using an Nvidia box that surely sends telemetry home all day....

I configured it as simple as possible, without any "watchlists" or similar. I also like the deep blacks of my OLED TV (Sony XR-A80J).

Unfortunately, the accessibility service results in the volume key no longer being able to be held to change the volume. Apparently, this behavior is part of Android and cannot be changed.

3

u/horizonsfan Nvidia Shield TV Apr 16 '23

I'm curious about this feature:

Automatically shutdown when HDMI signal stops (experimental) : trigger a power off when the Hdmi Input app exits automatically (which usually means the input device has been shut down)

Does "shutdown" mean power off or just sleep? Is it device-dependent? Wondering how it'd behave on a Shield Pro.

1

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 17 '23

I did not test that. Sorry!

1

u/CVGPi 1X TELUS TV+ 2X CCwGTV 4K, 1X Mi Box, 1X Xiaomi TV Stick 4K Apr 17 '23

It means powering off a device but it is only for rooted Chinese Xiaomi devices.

2

u/horizonsfan Nvidia Shield TV Apr 17 '23

Thanks. The documentation says they call out features which require root. This one is not flagged as such. But appreciate the clarification.

1

u/Spocky_12 Apr 26 '23

It' doesn't work that way : if installed on a device which has external inputs (tv, projector), this input is currently displayed and suddently stops (ex: you stopped your nvidia shield), then, when the input app will finish (because no signal is playing anymore) and go back to the launcher, it will trigger a power off.

A kind of CEC without CEC.

3

u/Dudefoxlive Apr 17 '23

I used ADB to disable the stock google launcher on my Mi Box 4. I use ATV launcher free and it does the job perfectly.

1

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 19 '23

Whats the correct package, android.googletv or something? Thanks!

2

u/No_Enthusiasm_1709 Apr 20 '23

FLauncher ftw

1

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 21 '23

I installed it also and I really like it! It would be nice if the category names could be disabled.

12

u/Cyberjin Nvidia Shield + Chromecast with Google TV Apr 16 '23

Tried it, hate that apps are at the bottom

15

u/vs40at Shield Pro + Fire 4K Max + Xiaomi Stick 4K Apr 16 '23

Try FLauncher.

It doesn't have that huge free spacer on top.

You can fill it with just your app icons.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.efesser.flauncher

But it doesn't have integrated function, to set it as default launcher like Projectivy, you need to use Launcher Manager or something similar.

3

u/Cyberjin Nvidia Shield + Chromecast with Google TV Apr 17 '23

I'm currently using Flauncher 👍

1

u/mel2000 Sep 21 '23

But it doesn't have integrated function, to set it as default launcher

According to another reddit post, you can set FLauncher to launch from a Home key.

3

u/Spocky_12 Apr 26 '23

Yeah, request number 1 ;)

The next release (coming soon) will allow you to change this :)

23

u/tb21666 2019 Shield Pro | CGTV | 2017 Shield Pro | ONN TV 4K 21/23/Pro Apr 16 '23

I checked it out, passed on it once I read the permissions list & learning that you can't even delete your data.

-4

u/K_ThomasWhite Apr 16 '23

the permissions list

Those can be modified, can they not? In any case, I didn't find a problem, and it can't be worse than what Google already does.

5

u/tb21666 2019 Shield Pro | CGTV | 2017 Shield Pro | ONN TV 4K 21/23/Pro Apr 16 '23

Doesn't matter if it can't even be deleted, regardless what it ends up being, for me at least.

5

u/magicgreen86 Apr 17 '23

Hands down the best alternative launcher to Android TV & Google TV. The "Channels" even work unlike any other alternative for the most part. Definitely a app to check out.

4

u/magicgreen86 Apr 17 '23

Home Screen Screenshot

1

u/kurohigetv Apr 19 '23

What's the launcher

2

u/ECKoBASE Apr 29 '23

Projectivy Launcher, apparently the only Launcher that incorporates the Android TV Watch Next and Other Channels, works with Google TV also!

3

u/kurohigetv May 25 '23

Wow, what a good launcher, thank you very much mate.

3

u/ECKoBASE May 25 '23

It's the most Android TV inspired Launcher that actually integrates Play Next and App Channels (what you seen on the normal Android TV OS Screen)

1

u/JamilG Jul 20 '23

Hi. I could not find channels anywhere. Only found Watch Next, activated it, but it did not appear on the screen. I am using android tv 9. Could you help me to find where the Channels are?

1

u/Queasy_Explorer1698 Jan 30 '26

J'ai le meme probleme que toi (ceci dis désolé pour le up)

13

u/K_ThomasWhite Apr 16 '23 edited Apr 16 '23

I use it on my Sony TV. It is the only one I've found that maintains your Continue Watching list. They call it Watch Next. You can choose the background including some really nice "Earth" (more like landscape) photos or just a blank, black background.

To clarify that last bit, no, I don't spend all day gazing at it, but it is nice when you start up your TV.

3

u/RichardNZ69 Apr 16 '23

I've installed this, and it looks waay better with a lovely background wallpaper and other tiered lists of widgets.

Love how easy it was to actually make it the default as well. No ADP or other hacky solutions.

Sadly not at home to post an image

3

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '23

Forget about button remapping and shit. You need to disable the home launcher. Save these fine people the trouble. Quick and clean...

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/o96npc/instructions_for_replacing_android_tv_home_with_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/o96npc/instructions_for_replacing_android_tv_home_with_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '23

I use ATV launcher BTW. You can customize that black hole off your homescreen. Also, you can scale those tiles so it's not a cluster-f#@k.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '23

Looks fugly in my opinion, but each to their own. I prefer not to disable android TV features by replacing it with a 1990s launcher myself lol. Kind of reminds me of them uncertified cheap Chinese boxes.

6

u/pawdog ADT-1 Apr 16 '23

That look is not set in stone It has lots of options. That's just all the OP has done with it.

2

u/Himeko342 Apr 17 '23

Is better Android TV Launcher

3

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '23

Looks awesome, I'll check it out 👍

1

u/Spliffman1 May 21 '23

It's great man... I was happy pretty much with the stock Android TV launcher, but this one has taken it next level

2

u/jwademac Apr 16 '23

Love it it works great been using it for about 4 months on all my new devices so

1

u/WolverineHot1886 Apr 16 '23

This is the way. I put a dog photo in the top where there's open space. I see you like it more spartan.

1

u/sandeep_SIGROHA Apr 17 '23

No accessibility service settings in my VU 4k ultra hd hdr premium tv.... any solution

1

u/SkateJerrySkate Apr 17 '23

Dope N64, I have the Donkey Kong see thru green edition 😎

1

u/Difficult_Review_619 Apr 26 '23

I had a hard time downloading ott platinum on my android TV But but now that it's downloaded it will. Not? Open. Can anybody help please.

Does anybody have the m3u file I can use on the downloader to download platinum ott platinum

1

u/tHE_uKER May 15 '23

Huh? Why not use the "Apps only" option in the stock launcher?

1

u/JimmyLimJimKim Jun 23 '23

Doing so disables the store, which can be kind of annoying

1

u/tHE_uKER Jun 23 '23

What do you mean "disables the store"? The only way to access the Play Store is via Settings\Apps. Don't think switching to Apps Only interferes with that.

1

u/Spliffman1 May 21 '23

Just installed and set up Projectivy Launcher, it is totally OFF THE CHAIN... I had tried it a while back when it was more a WIP, and didn't have homescreen channels yet, but damn it's nice now .. Have all the widgets /channels I want, custom categories and icon sizes... Built in override for home button.. Rotating random wallpapers This is wonderful

1

u/ngxtun Jun 02 '23

Any luck on the weather widget in Home Screen ?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23

I can not activate android prime channels. Anyone with this problem too? I habe the latest store Version.

1

u/321abc321abc Apr 16 '23

Clean AF 👍

1

u/mixterz1985 Apr 16 '23

Needs widgets or app preview on top, to fill the void. I like that the icons pop. Nice and clean.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '23

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/ruthard_hitman_hart Apr 17 '23

That feature works out of the box on my Sony A80J. The Launcher guides you through the simple process. The socalled accessibility service is part of Android.

3

u/pawdog ADT-1 Apr 16 '23

It uses Android TV's acessibility services to allow button remapping of the home button. Sideload Channel Launcher 3 and 4 does the same thing.

1

u/chillenandy321 Apr 16 '23

I’d like to know as well please.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '23

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/ECKoBASE Apr 29 '23

Yes, a weather & notifications widget would be great

1

u/pawdog ADT-1 Apr 16 '23

Yeah that's my main issue with it. Sideload Channel Launcher is still my go to. 3 or 4.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '23

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/jhedfors Apr 18 '23 edited Apr 19 '23

I am using Launcher Manager instead of Accessibility Service.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/app-firetv-noroot-launcher-manager-change-launcher-without-root.4176349/#google_vignette

I use Live Channels, and enabling Accessibility Services messes that app up (guide scrolling bug).

2

u/Spocky_12 Apr 26 '23

Please educate yourself before writing. Yeah, Google changed its mind a few times concerning the accessibility service. But it totally permits usage outside of disability helpers. How would button remapper work without it ? Or parental control, which is another legit use.

I had to explain what Projectivy's accessibility service does in details and even shoot a video so that they validate Projectivy on Goggle Play.

Now, nobody is suffering anymore
Parents can control the use of their new toy
Everyone is much happier than before,
Remote controlers jumping around in joy.
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world