The Tool Desk
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Find installed apps on Android TV
From the Android TV home screen, move to the Apps tab and use the remote’s D-pad to select an installed app. Google describes Home, Discover, and Apps as home-screen tabs; the Apps tab is the straightforward place to start when an app seems to have disappeared. Google’s Android TV Help explains the home screen and its tabs.
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Customize the built-in Android TV home screen
On Android TV devices that provide these controls, you can show or hide home-screen rows and reorder supported rows without replacing the launcher. Menu names and availability depend on the device: Google cautions, “Not all Android TVs have these settings.”
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- Open Settings.
- Select Device preferences, then Home screen.
- Choose Customize channels and turn the available rows on or off.
If you do not see these labels, your TV may use a different interface or may not offer the setting. See Google’s Customize your Android TV home screen instructions for the supported route.
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Reorder a row
- On the Home tab, use the D-pad to focus the row you want to move.
- Press left twice, then select Reorder if that option appears.
- Move the row with the D-pad and press the center button to confirm.
Available row options vary by device, so the Reorder command may not appear on every TV.
Manage previews and suggestions
Google says preview audio and video can be disabled in Home screen settings. Some suggested shows and movies on the Home tab cannot be turned off, so do not assume that changing rows removes every recommendation. The precise controls depend on the TV’s software.
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Where are my apps on Google TV?
Google TV has its own home-screen navigation and app area; Android TV’s Settings > Device preferences > Home screen path is not guaranteed to match. Start in the Google TV home screen’s app area to browse installed apps, and use the settings labels shown on your specific device for home-screen customization. The exact layout and available controls vary by manufacturer, model, and software version.
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Should you install a third-party Android TV launcher?
Consider one only if the built-in Apps tab and row controls do not meet your needs. Android’s compatibility documentation recognizes support for third-party applications that replace the device launcher, but that platform capability does not mean every TV offers the same default-home setting or works with every launcher. The Android Open Source Project describes launcher support in section 3.8 of its Compatibility Definition Document.
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| Option | Setup effort | App access and layout | Compatibility and recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in home screen | Use the Apps tab; customize or reorder rows only if your device offers those controls. | Apps tab lists installed apps; home rows and recommendations follow the TV’s software. | Uses the interface supplied with the TV. Controls differ across devices. |
| Third-party launcher | Install a compatible Home app and, where supported, select it as the default; the exact procedure is launcher- and model-specific. | Organization and home-screen features depend on the particular launcher. | Compatibility and Home-button behavior vary. Check how to restore the original Home app before changing defaults. |
For example, the LtvLauncher project documentation describes its own installation considerations and a Google TV-specific caveat. That is an example for that project, not a universal setup guide. Avoid advanced changes such as disabling system packages unless you have verified the instructions and recovery steps for your exact TV and are comfortable restoring the original launcher.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to change the default launcher on Android TV
There is no single default-launcher procedure established for every Android TV. The available Home-app or default-app controls, installation method, and behavior of the remote’s Home button depend on the TV’s model, software, and the launcher. Before proceeding, check the launcher’s current instructions for your exact device, confirm how to switch back to the TV’s original Home app, and avoid commands or package changes intended for a different model. If you only need faster app access, the built-in Apps tab is the simpler option.
Quick Recap
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- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
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