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You can hide personalized recommendations on Google TV, but you cannot guarantee a completely ad-free home screen. Turn on Apps only mode for your profile to switch to an installed-app view. Google says sponsored content and teasers for popular movies and shows may still appear, and the mode disables features such as Search and Google Assistant.
How to turn off personalized Google TV recommendations
- From the Google TV home screen, open Settings.
- Select Accounts & Sign In.
- Choose your profile.
- Select Apps only mode and turn it on.
- Press Home on the remote to see the installed-app view.
To restore the standard home screen, return to Settings > Accounts & Sign In > your profile and turn Apps only mode off. Some interfaces label the route All settings > Accounts & Profiles; menus can vary by device and software update. Google’s instructions for Apps only mode provide the official steps.
What Apps only mode removes—and what can remain
Google says Apps only mode stops personalized recommendations from appearing on the home screen and shows installed apps instead. It is not an ad-removal switch: sponsored content and teasers for popular movies and shows may still appear. Google describes its TV and Android TV ads as labeled paid placements for content available through third-party apps, Google TV, Android TV, or Play. Recommendations and sponsored placements are therefore not the same thing; turning off personalization does not promise to remove paid promotions.
Apps only mode also limits several Google TV functions:
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- Search and Google Assistant are unavailable.
- You cannot like or dislike content, add videos to Watchlist, or mark videos as watched.
- The home screen does not show the Library. Google says purchased titles are available in YouTube under Library > Purchases.
Web & App Activity may still help Google TV improve recommendations while the mode is on. Separately, apps such as YouTube and YouTube TV may continue showing recommendations based on their own viewing history. Google lists selected streaming services, past interactions and watch activity, editorial considerations, partner obligations, market requirements, and device type among factors that can shape recommendations and promotions. Google TV Help explains the mode’s effects and remaining content.
Choose between the standard home screen and Apps only mode
| Option | Personalized Google TV recommendations | Sponsored promotions | Search, Assistant, Watchlist and ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard home screen | May appear | May appear | Available, subject to normal device and account behavior |
| Apps only mode | Hidden | May still appear | Search and Assistant unavailable; Watchlist and content-rating actions unavailable |
| Turn off YouTube recommendations (narrow adjustment) | Other Google TV recommendations are not addressed by this setting | Does not claim to remove Google TV sponsored placements | Does not switch Google TV into Apps only mode |
Use Apps only mode if your priority is reducing personalized Google TV rows and you can do without the listed Google TV features. If you mainly want to change YouTube rows, use YouTube’s separate controls instead.
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Adjust YouTube recommendations separately
Remove the “Shorts for you” row
On the TV, open YouTube and go to Settings > Device Recommendations, then turn the setting off. You must be signed in to YouTube to change it. This removes the Shorts for you row while leaving standard YouTube recommendations in place.
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- 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Enjoy your TV in stunning resolution Ultra HD ers four times the resolution of Full HD for greater clarity and detail
- Android TV: With the Android TV operating system you will have access to the best content, download the infinity of applications available through the Google Play Store!
- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Turn off YouTube recommendations on the Google TV home screen
Go to Settings > Your Account & Profiles > your Google Account > Your Services, then turn off YouTube in the active-services list. This controls YouTube recommendations on Google TV’s home screen; it is not documented as a way to remove the sponsored banner or other promotional placements. See Google TV Help for Google TV settings and YouTube Help for the YouTube-specific controls.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Google TV and Android TV use different settings
Do not apply Android TV instructions to a Google TV device. Google’s separate Android TV help guide says Home-tab suggestions may be trending content or partner-sponsored and cannot be turned off, although some Android TV devices let users customize channel rows or disable previews. Those options are not the Google TV Apps only mode steps above.
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