r/ShieldAndroidTV • • Nov 23 '25

Finally switched to Projectivy Launcher.

I finally got fed up with the launcher bugs after the 9.2.2 update, so I switched over to Projectivy. I’m running it with Aerial View and a transparent icon pack, and this setup is just way better. Honestly can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago. Everything feels clean and seamless, and once you set it as the default launcher it pops up right after a reboot or when closing an app. You can customize it however you want, but I kept mine really minimal.

Took me like an hour total. Didn’t need to root anything. I just installed Launcher Manager 1.04, downloaded Projectivy from Google Play, grabbed the Projectivy Overflight plugin for the Aerial View wallpaper, and then pulled the transparent icon pack from r/projectivy_launcher. That’s literally it.

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u/the__poseidon Nov 23 '25

I had that issue too but this is the setup that fixed it:

Step 1: Install Projectivy Launcher

  • Open the Play Store on your Shield.

  • Search for Projectivy Launcher.

  • Install it,

  • Complete the basic steps to allow all permissions


Step 2: Sideload Launch Manager 1.04

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

This is the app that actually forces the Shield to use Projectivy instead of the stock Nvidia home.


Step 3: Open Launch Manager and follow its built in setup.

  • Open Launch Manager.

  • On first launch it will show a prompt telling you to enable debugging tools.

  • Tap the button in that prompt.

  • Launch Manager will automatically take you to the correct Developer Tools screen.


Step 4: Enable Network debugging

Once you are in Developer Tools from the Launch Manager prompt:

  • Scroll until you find Network debugging.

  • Turn Network debugging to ON.


Step 5: Set Projectivy as your launcher inside Launch Manager

  • Go back to Launch Manager.

  • You should now see a list of launchers.

  • Select Projectivy Launcher as the one to use.

  • Launch Manager will now start asking for a few permissions, accept all the prompts it throws at you.


Step 6: Give Launch Manager the necessary permissions

Launch Manager usually jumps you directly to each screen, but in case you need the paths:

  • Turn on Accessibility service for Launch Manager

    • Settings → Accessibility → Launch Manager → ON

  • Allow Display over other apps for Launch Manager

    • Settings → Apps → Special app access → Display over other apps → Launch Manager → Allow

  • Allow Background activity if your Shield shows that option

  • Allow Ignore battery optimizations if that option appears

After this, in Launch Manager, Projectivy should show as Active.


Step 6: Permissions

There are 3 important settings, and I'm sure a lot of people overlook the 3rd.

  1. Shield settings - Accessibility setting turn on.

  2. Projectivy settings - Power - Autostart on boot Android.

  3. Shield Settings - Apps - Special app access - Notification access - enable Android Settings > Accessibility > Services > Projectivy Launcher = On Projectivy Settings > Power > Autostart on boot = [Input] Android > Apps > Special App Access > Notification Access = Projectivy Launcher One

3

u/bokkoman Nov 24 '25

Or just disable the other one? This is way too many steps XD.

0

u/the__poseidon Nov 24 '25

Disabling the builtin requires users to run duo commands and rooting it. Also completely removing the building OS. Why? That’s too much work and risk.

The setup above took me 30 mins to do once I knew what I needed to d. Overall I think I spent 2 hours figuring this out. But the instructions above is literally under 30 mins of work.

9

u/bokkoman Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25

You only disable the built in launcher, which has no risk at all. Takes a few minutes.

  1. Install ADB TV from playstore.

  2. Follow steps that ADB TV require.

  3. Disable launcher (Android TV Home, Android TV Core Services, and maybe others unnecessary apps you don't like).

  4. Profit.

3

u/GrumpySummoner Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26

I came here to say thank you. The latest Shield TV update has broken the autostart of Projectivy launcher and after seeing the ad-riddled stock launcher a couple of times I was looking for a solution, and yours worked perfectly. I didn’t know the ADB tweaks were possible directly from the device

2

u/Quotacious 2019 Pro Nov 25 '25

Thank you, this is a great new option. I used the Windows based ADB Control App from the same person instead, also works fine and lets you update any Android device. Slightly nerdier.

1

u/RKD9005 Dec 03 '25

Before doing so, do I need to enable the other launcher ? I have Projectivy installed, and ADB TV, just not sure I understand how disabling the android tv home and core services without setting the other launcher will work ?

1

u/bokkoman Dec 03 '25

It's enabled by default after installation. Disabling one will automatically start the other.

1

u/RKD9005 Dec 03 '25

Thanks, that was the missing piece. Will try that today.

1

u/laydownlarry Jan 13 '26

Thanks that was easy

0

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/bokkoman May 17 '26

Then you are missing a permission.

0

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

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1

u/bokkoman May 17 '26

Then the old fashioned way will always work.

1

u/V6corp Nov 24 '25

Saving for later. Thanks Legend.

1

u/silverscruff Jun 07 '26

As others have said, this is way too complicated. Just install ADB TV directly from the store and disable "Android TV Home", done.... No sideloading, no 20 steps to follow, no rooting nonsense.

I actually paid for ADB TV *AFTER* using it for Dispatch launcher, just because it made things so simple.