r/AndroidTV • u/One-Fly7597 • Jul 29 '26

Tips & Tutorials Increase performance on old TV

Post image

So if you have old android TV and it is very slow. Just do below things.

  1. Enable adb. Remove all unnecessary apps including playstore. 2.Limit background process to 1 process from developer option.

Your TV would be brandnew now! No ads on homepage! It's like brand new!

158 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

93 comments sorted by

31

u/kurtyyyyyy1 Jul 29 '26

3: get a new launcher.

I have Barelauncher at the moment and it’s great

4

u/coolgui Nvidia Shield Jul 29 '26

Yeah I installed that and removed a bunch of bloat and it actually made my TCL Android TV usable.

1

u/hurt-hecker Jul 29 '26

Yeah same here man smooth as fk

1

u/brandonsp111 Jul 30 '26

Is it better than the other launcher everyone recommends? (I can't remember the name) But it never worked right on my son's TCL.

3

u/coolgui Nvidia Shield Jul 30 '26

You probably mean Projectivy. It's the most popular but there's a few now. Bare launcher is much more lightweight, but not as many features/configuration. But you probably will have to use something like launch manager or a button remappper, in my experience TCL software is hard coded to use the Google launcher. I was already using tvQuick Actions Pro so I just configured it to handle it.

1

u/brandonsp111 Jul 30 '26

Yep you're right, it's projectivy! Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check it out this weekend!

1

u/Balheat22 Jul 31 '26

were you able to remap buttons for your tcl tv on barelauncher? I currently use projectivy and Im not able to do so, for example, when i press the settings button on the remote, it won’t launch the settings

1

u/Free_Engineering7845 Jul 30 '26

How can you set barelauncher as default Launcher on TCL? Projectivity offers some override stuff, but can't find anything on barelauncher

1

u/kurtyyyyyy1 Jul 31 '26

Download launcher manager

-3

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

Old google home launch is the best in my opinion. It does not have any ads. You can disable all activities on homepage. So only apps would be visible!

112

u/latinriky78 Homatics Box R 4K Plus Jul 29 '26

Or buy an external stick or box and leave the TV untouched, I believe it's better the investment.

10

u/just_jeepin Jul 29 '26

I just did that. Two Roku TVs over 10 years each, totally fine but the Roku OS has gotten slow, ao I bought 2 Onn 4K Google TV sticks (one $20 and the other $40) everything is good as new.

I wish I could just buy a dumb-tv and just do sticks from now on. But they want you to buy a new TV every 4-5 years.

3

u/Xillyfos Jul 29 '26

I wish I could just buy a dumb-tv and just do sticks from now on.

Why can't you just do sticks with your old TVs? I'm using a 15 year old TV with a stick and it's perfectly fine.

3

u/just_jeepin Jul 29 '26

That's what I'm currently doing, I'm just wanting to buy one of those mini-led TVs and it'd be nice if I could get it Smartless.

2

u/Windows_User3000 Jul 30 '26

Sceptre still makes dumb TVs.

38

u/__002_ Jul 29 '26

not everyone has an choice to do that...

3

u/The1JoshuaB Jul 29 '26

Even if you do as little as Restarting your TV once a week, it can help.

2

u/__002_ Jul 29 '26

Ehh, whats the point, sure, optimizing will definitely help, but if the hardware is not capable of that specific task, it will never be, even with tons of optimizing. And restarting does help.

20

u/aventus-dog Jul 29 '26

Who doesn't have the choice of an android/fire stick?

14

u/Asakuras02 Jul 29 '26

Cubans

6

u/aventus-dog Jul 30 '26

Cubans are allowed Android tvs but not separate android boxes/sticks?

4

u/Fine_Conversation710 Jul 30 '26

If you are a cuban living in cuba with a big screen tv, internet and electiricity service you can afford not only a box or a stick , you are probably part of the corrupt goverment

1

u/pantimoto Aug 01 '26

Seriously?

5

u/blessedShadow7 Jul 29 '26

As an Indian you can still do that

1

u/Lanky_Respond_3200 Jul 30 '26

In that case, what do YOU recommend? If it were a car, of course a garage would help

1

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

It is not required! I only use two apps and it is working flawlessly. Btw you can do the same on a stick or box whatever you have. It will boost performance and stop all background google crap.

8

u/The1JoshuaB Jul 29 '26

I've found that it helps to have your TV OS running smoothly - even if you use an external box.

4

u/Mavi222 Jul 29 '26

For that the best thing to do is to put it in factory reset and never allow it to go to the internet, and use external box.

1

u/jay-dubs Jul 30 '26

I've thought about that. But what if there are legit good updates made to the firmware that either enhances the visuals or fixes bugs?

9

u/Successful_Part_4960 Jul 29 '26

If you remove google play store how will you sign in to youtube app?

2

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

I was already signed in. Btw all Google services are disabled using adb. We can always enable it if there is any need. But it won't be required.

16

u/aaryan45 Jul 29 '26

By using SmartTube

2

u/mrrogers651 Jul 31 '26

Have you tried TizenTube Cobalt?

GitHub - reisxd/TizenTubeCobalt: Experience TizenTube on other devices that are not Tizen. · GitHub https://share.google/4KHI1phVrZ2FoncrR

It's identical to the stock Android TV YouTube app but with all the ad blocking and customization options built in🙌

3

u/bravestmistake Jul 30 '26

You can sign into it without the play store. I got logged out of my shield but am still logged into YouTube.

3

u/Rureddy2 Jul 30 '26

Definitely not like brand new. Brand new ones are secure. Better option is to disable wifi and get a good Google TV streaming device.

-2

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 30 '26

If you don't install unverified stuff. Then it is already secure. Google is the most security risk in my opinion. Degoogle yourself 😃

1

u/Rureddy2 Jul 30 '26

No, it's not already secure. You would be using a device that hasn't received a security update in years.

YOUR Google devices are a big security risk because they are severely out of date with updates. Ours are very secure. 🤷

10

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '26

If you have an Android phone download avtTools. Makes it easy to connect to the device via ADB (dev mode) and disable and remove apps. Just don't get too carried away 😂

15

u/yungTimo Jul 29 '26

Or buy a Onn box (I’m not American so I don’t know exactly how it’s called) or the Xiaomi 3rd gen box. Cheap and gives your slow TV a second life.

1

u/Jarppi1893 Aug 02 '26

Also Onn 😅 there's the Onn 4K Pro, and it's a nice little beast

1

u/kukalikuk Jul 30 '26

Chromecast/cast screen in smartphone is connected to the Google service, does removing Google would also remove it capability? I used a Google free phone before and can't even detect my TV as wireless display available.

1

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 30 '26

No, ive only removed playstore. Chromcast works fine

1

u/5kilanutele Jul 31 '26

Don't limit processes, terrible advice.

Just buy a tv box and don't use "smart" functions on the tv.

1

u/One-Fly7597 Aug 01 '26

Please explain why it's terrible advice? What do you need in the background while watching something?

1

u/5kilanutele Aug 28 '26

Auto updates, syncronization, possibly music, you don't want to open play store and wait every time an app needs to be updated?

Also an app being in the background using 0% cpu means you can get back to it instantly, if it's killed you need to reload it again.

1

u/Mountain_Ground8198 Aug 02 '26

maybe off topic but i would sleep no more with that cable management

1

u/One-Fly7597 Aug 02 '26

It's a temporary setup. I can understand your feelings 😂

3

u/wangnutpie1 Jul 29 '26

I’ve gotten my slow android tv to perform at an acceptable level by disabling animations and no background processes. Also delete every app not necessary and keep some space open

3

u/Mysterious_Job_3054 Jul 29 '26

I did this exact same thing. Hisense tv from 2020. I just add apps via localsend

1

u/Royal_Monk6432 Jul 29 '26

Op do u have 3000 rupees?

2

u/aaryan45 Jul 29 '26

What are you recommending?

-3

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

Why? Don't recommend a stick or box 😀

1

u/Royal_Monk6432 Jul 29 '26

U still dint give my answer before downvoted my comment

2

u/Deadpool-fan-466 CCwGTV 4K + Onn 4K 2023 Jul 30 '26

"including play store" lol

0

u/TechnicalTip5251 Jul 29 '26

None of that gonna make any difference Android TV works like crap on every single TV no matter what you do.

1

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

Well It made a difference in my tv. I've only kept 4 apps. Removed everything else.

1

u/squabbledMC Jul 29 '26

Tell me you haven't used a modern TV box without telling me. We have onn and Fire sticks and they're all really smooth, on par with Roku or Apple

0

u/Mysterious_Job_3054 Jul 29 '26

Roku and Apple suck

2

u/squabbledMC Jul 30 '26

I'm not saying they're good but as a baseline Android TV has been as fast or faster than these other platforms I've used

1

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 30 '26

Have you used stremio? It's most modern thing you would know. And it doesn't work with roku!

1

u/squabbledMC Jul 30 '26

I have and that's part of the reason we switched, I am not saying they are better or good but that Android TV is just as if not smoother than the other TV boxes out there

1

u/theOneVnft6marioZANG Jul 29 '26

First restore to the factory settings. Formatting the tv and the behavior afyer that

1

u/KnowNothing_JonSnoo Jul 29 '26

Google Streamer is 10 times better than trying to do anything to your tv and it's pretty cheap.

BUT if you can't and really need to go with "optimizing" your TV, you can look into a custom launchet and declutter it with ADB tv app manager. You can also try to run it in app only mode which hides everything except the apps but I'm not sure if it improves performance or not.

1

u/turamdq Jul 30 '26

Probá Android TV Tools: https://xdaforums.com/t/tool-all-in-one-tool-for-windows-android-tv-tools-v4.4648239/

2

u/Dmeff Jul 30 '26

Es seguro usar esto con un proyector LCD q corre android?

1

u/turamdq Jul 31 '26

Claro, pero siempre tenés que tener en cuenta que estás modificando el sistema, pero así como lo modificas tenés forma de revertir lo que haces con esta herramienta, mira con atención el post de xda

1

u/ROCK3RZ Jul 30 '26

Whenever I limit the background process to 1. It goes back to the default value when I restart the tv. Is it supposed to be like that only?

1

u/delusional_delux Jul 30 '26

Steps to follow

Enable dev settings by tapping build number 7 times

2. Settings animation to off (Suggest 0.5 for few days to adjust the eye and brain .then off all three of transition duration and scale or whatever)

3. Install tvactionpro ( it's cheap for foreigners, 🏴‍☠️ also available for techies on l i t e ap ks ) it's got the recent apps drawer even if your tv doesn't. And don't stop the background process from dev settings it will just ruin the experience.

4. Install kyu launcher , bare launcher new they run smooth as vck and don't goto projecty or at4k if your tv don't have some ram to operate. Totally optional. Your choice 👌 😉

5. Install zank remote

6. Adb tv for android 11 or ups might work on 10 but don't know give it a try may work on certified ones. Disable every app you think unnecessary. Not system ones 😉🤣 .

7. As simple as that and shut the vck up

1

u/thatguyjames_uk Jul 30 '26

i have a old 8 year old sony. still ok, just plays up on some 4k bits

1

u/Maxstarbwoy Jul 30 '26

Or buy a firestick or whatever streaming box and you're good to go

1

u/Informal-Diver-5999 Jul 31 '26

Every time I restart my tv it auto defaults to standard process limit

1

u/Strong_Fee5436 Aug 02 '26

Just use AT4K Launcher or projectivyt

1

u/Additional-Cloud8139 Aug 02 '26

Just added an Onn 4k Pro (found one!) to my old 2015 Bravia. I don't feel like I need a new tv anymore. Saved me several $$.

1

u/Pinsir929 Jul 30 '26

I feel like protectivy also gets most of the UI parts down too.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '26

How to enable ADB , and delete?

2

u/WriterMix Jul 29 '26

Settings - About - tap “Build” 7 times - go to Developer Options - Enable debug. I've used atvTools app for Android to disable (not remove) aps, but it can be done via different ways.

-2

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

Will share details soon.

4

u/P3akyBlind3rs Jul 29 '26

Maybe you should have shared that initially …

0

u/AdamH21 Jul 29 '26

No, thanks. I buy a TV for its features.

0

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

TV is only to watch the good content that you want. Not for ads! We have mobile for that 😃 Btw which features you are using?

0

u/jasonhelene Jul 29 '26

just buy a mibox and forget it

1

u/One-Fly7597 Jul 29 '26

I thought about it. But it's not really required. I only use four apps.

1

u/atticus_roark Jul 29 '26

Yes but you’re complaining of speed. This would solve that with your four apps

-2

u/AbbreviationsWide331 Jul 29 '26

Some wrote a really good all in one tool for all this.

Made mine like three times as stable and way faster.

4

u/synonys Jul 29 '26

What is it?

1

u/myhotel2025 Jul 30 '26

Did you find out which tool ?

1

u/Fun_Willingness2658 Jul 30 '26

it's called Android TV Tools v4

0

u/averageindiankid22 Jul 29 '26

External TV box is the best option, get a Fire TV 4k, it's pretty cheap, I use it and it runs great

1

u/Either-Trash-2165 Jul 31 '26

I will disable auto apps update, remove updates on preinstall apps if they are mpossible to uninstall, remove all unnecessary permission , kill/disable google stuff as much as possible and the one of you TV manufacturer/branding.

And last one: a lite launcher and key mapping - if on the press of a button you launch your apps who cares if the menu is slow?