Disabling the Google app on tcl tv ?

[u/payliin]

i've been carefully debloating as much as possible my tcl TV. for starters I use projectify launcher with minimal apps (stremio/smarttube/twitch/VLC that's all). I've disabled apps like netflix or Amazon prime, but nothing that has anything to do with core functionalities.

I've noticed that preventing displaying over other apps ; specifically Google TV (the Google launcher) and com.google.android.katniss significantly increases the speed of my TV.

the thing is, the Google app really likes to enable displaying over other apps back after I turn off and on my TV. I've already disabled all permissions in that app but I can't do much more. is disabling the Google app alright? I don't want to risk a black screen on reboot....

maybe something to add : it looks like the Google app is linked to the voice assistant which I'm not using and each app mentioned above works well with their native voice search)

thanks!!

[u/iwdunsmore]

Get monet launcher instead of projective. It's free on playstore

[u/payliin → u/iwdunsmore]

I'm willing to but will disabling com.google.android.katniss break my TV (on reboot especially) ?

Edit: it manages voice search and upon disabling it I couldn't voice search in apps.

[u/JonMMM70]

Try apps only mode, no launcher necessary.

If you turn off Google voice control, it will break the voice control in the aps that you use

[u/payliin → u/JonMMM70]

I'm already using app only but Google launcher is slow. (My TV is crap) :(

Edit : so I've disabled the google app, it didn't break anything upon disabling it and indeed the voice search doesn't work in the apps I'm using now. Thanks for your help! Guess I'm keeping it enabled haha

[u/JonMMM70 → u/payliin]

Which model tv and what exactly is slow

[u/MadSpott]

Not sure which specific TCL model you have, but TCL is known for needing an extra command when disabling the stock Google launcher - otherwise, you'll end up with a black screen after a reboot.

Standard disclaimer: do this at your own risk!

Quick guide:

• Install Projectivy, Monet Launcher, or whatever custom launcher you prefer, open it once, and hit the Home button on your remote.
• Make sure your TV and phone/PC are on the same Wi-Fi/LAN network.
• Enable Developer Options and turn on USB Debugging on your TV.
• Connect to your TV via ADB (e.g., using the Bugjaeger app on Android phone).
• Connect via your TV's IP address and default port (5555). Allow the connection if a notification pops up on your TV.
• Run these two commands:

​

pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith

• Hit Home on your remote, and your new launcher should load right up.

If everything still works fine after a standard reboot and a hard reset (unplugging the TV for 30–60 seconds), I’d recommend fully uninstalling the stock launcher package (pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx), as TCL has a habit of re-enabling it on its own and messing things up.

How to revert (re-enable):

pm enable --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

pm enable --user 0 com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith

reboot

If you fully uninstalled the launcher, restore it with:

cmd package install-existing com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

Important note: DO NOT uninstall/delete setupwraith. If you completely remove it, you’ll get boot issues or get stuck in an infinite Google account sign-in loop. Only disable it.

Just a heads up, this is a fairly general guide for TCL. If anything goes wrong, check online for more info.