The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To make a custom launcher open when you press Home on Google TV, install and open the launcher first, then set it as the HOME app using a compatible launcher manager or ADB. ADB can disable the stock launcher so Google TV prompts you to choose a replacement. These are device-sensitive methods, not a universal Google setting; check your TV model and firmware, and keep a way to restore the stock launcher.
Before you change the HOME app
- Install the custom launcher first. Projectivy Launcher is one option listed for Android TV on Google Play; its listing describes it as a replacement for the stock launcher. Some features require an optional premium upgrade. Projectivy Launcher on Google Play.
- Check the exact TV model and Android version. Settings paths and package behavior can differ between manufacturers and firmware versions.
- Enable debugging. ADB is included in Android SDK Platform-Tools. Android Developers documents USB debugging and wireless debugging; wireless debugging on TVs requires Android 13 or later. Android Debug Bridge (adb).
- Plan how you will undo the change. Keep ADB access available and record the exact stock-launcher package you disable. If the custom launcher is removed or stops working while the stock launcher is disabled, the TV may lose its normal home screen.
For USB debugging, enable Developer options and USB debugging, connect the TV to the computer, then accept the authorization prompt shown on the TV. Menu labels vary, so consult the instructions for your model if you cannot find these controls.
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For wireless debugging, Android Developers says the TV must run Android 13 or later and share a Wi-Fi network with the computer or other ADB client. Pair the devices from the TV’s Wireless debugging settings. A cable is therefore not required on supported versions.
Choose how to set the custom launcher
| Method | What it involves | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Launcher manager | A third-party manager connects over ADB, lists apps that can act as HOME, and sets the selected launcher. | Compatibility and availability depend on the manager and device. The cited guide says its manager has a restore control, but this is not a Google feature. |
| Manual ADB | Run a package command to disable the stock launcher, then press Home and choose the custom launcher as the default. | Package names are device-sensitive; disabling the wrong package or losing the replacement can leave you without a normal home screen. |
| Accessibility override | Use the custom launcher’s accessibility feature to intercept Home or remote-control actions. | It depends on the accessibility service staying enabled. A third-party guide warns that this may be unreliable on some newer software. |
Option 1: Use a launcher manager
A third-party guide from TV Box Tools describes using a TV Launcher Manager to connect over ADB, select an app capable of acting as HOME, and restore the previous setup. It says the manager can run from a Windows PC, an Android phone, or Chrome with a USB cable. These are details from that guide, not a guarantee of compatibility or availability on every device. Verify the manager and its compatibility before installing it.
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- Install the custom launcher on the TV and open it once.
- Enable USB or wireless debugging on the TV, then connect the manager as its own instructions specify.
- Select the custom launcher from the manager’s list of HOME-capable apps and apply the change.
- Test the physical or remote-control Home button. If the manager offers a restore action, identify it before relying on the new launcher.
The manager route does not install the launcher for you. TV Box Tools describes this flow in its Projectivy HOME-app guide.
Option 2: Set it manually with ADB
ADB is Android’s command-line tool for communicating with a device and running device actions through a shell. The following command is from the TV Box Tools guide, not Android Developers, and is specifically for the Google TV stock-launcher package it identifies. Confirm that package applies to your model before running it.
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- 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
- Install and open the custom launcher, and make sure ADB can communicate with the TV.
- On the computer or other ADB client, run:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx - Press Home on the remote. When prompted, choose the custom launcher and select Always if that option appears.
- Press Home again to verify that the custom launcher opens.
Do not substitute a package name based only on the TV’s branding. The guide identifies com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx for Google TV and com.google.android.tvlauncher for Android TV; they are different packages. The command’s effect can vary by device and firmware.
Restore the stock launcher if needed
Re-enable the same package you disabled, using the package name confirmed for your device. For example, the guide gives this command for Android TV, not as a universal Google TV command:
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adb shell pm enable com.google.android.tvlauncher
If you disabled the Google TV package instead, replace the example package with that exact disabled package. Do not run an unverified command simply because it appears in a guide for another TV.
Option 3: Use the launcher’s accessibility override
Projectivy Launcher’s Google Play listing describes an optional accessibility service for remote-control shortcuts and advertises a launcher override feature. This approach relies on the accessibility service remaining active. TV Box Tools specifically warns that, in its experience, Android TV 14 can turn off accessibility services and recommends using an external HOME-setting method instead. Treat that as a version-specific warning from the guide, not a rule that applies to every Google TV device; check your firmware and the launcher’s current instructions.
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Risks and recovery to prepare for
- Do not disable the stock launcher before the replacement is installed and opened.
- Keep your ADB client and connection method available until the Home button works reliably.
- If you remove the custom launcher while the stock launcher is disabled, the TV may have no normal home screen. Re-enable the exact stock package you disabled.
- A factory reset or firmware update may change menu locations, permissions, or package behavior. Recheck the steps for your model rather than assuming a prior setup still applies.
Neither Android Developers’ ADB documentation nor the cited third-party guide establishes that one procedure works on every Google TV brand, model, or firmware. The package command and Android TV 14 accessibility warning above come from TV Box Tools’ guide, updated September 2026; confirm compatibility for your own device.
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