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Freedom251 › Blog › Android apps

I Replaced Google’s Launcher With Monet on an Old Android TV Box

By Freedom251 Team · · 5 min read

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Monet can replace the home screen on a supported Android TV box, giving you a more configurable layout without replacing Android or your streaming apps. Its stated minimum is Android TV or Google TV on Android 8.0 (API 26) or newer. Whether the box feels faster is a separate question: Monet’s developer describes it as smooth on older devices, but publishes no speed benchmark. In my case, the “feels brand new” part is about the refreshed home screen, not a verified performance gain.

What changes when you install Monet

A launcher controls the TV’s home screen: what appears when you press Home, how apps are arranged, and which widgets or recommendations are shown. Monet changes that layer; it does not replace the Android operating system or the streaming apps installed on the box.

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Monet’s official distribution page describes a Material You-style launcher whose theme can recolor to match the wallpaper. Its Google Play listing adds configurable app rows and grids, favorites, folders, hidden apps, icon packs, widgets, screensavers, and multiple profiles. Listed wallpaper options include images, video, weather and ambient live wallpapers, Reddit wallpapers, and Aerial Views integration. The listing also names Now Playing and network/Bluetooth widgets, Continue Watching, Live TV and HDMI inputs, app autostart, and per-app PIN locks. These are advertised features, not a guarantee every option will work on every box.

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That flexibility can make an older device feel renewed in everyday use: the home screen can be organized around the apps and information you actually want. It is not evidence that apps will launch faster, menus will render more quickly, or the device will gain processing power.

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Check compatibility before installing

The official Monet Launcher repository sets the minimum at Android TV or Google TV running Android 8.0 (API 26) or newer. The Google Play listing also describes compatibility with Android TV 8.0+ and Google TV, and names devices including Shield TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer, Xiaomi Mi Box, onn 4K, and Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Philips televisions.

Because the model of your box matters, check its Android version rather than assuming that “Android TV” alone is enough. Manufacturer-specific launcher behavior can also affect what happens after pressing Home, so compatibility with the app does not guarantee identical home-screen behavior across devices.

Install Monet from Google Play or its official APK

Use Google Play if Monet is offered for your device. If it is not, the repository provides a second route: download the latest monet-x.x.x.apk from its Releases page and install it with a TV file manager or ADB. The repository says to allow installs from unknown sources for sideloading; only enable that permission as needed for the installation.

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  1. Try Google Play first. Search for Monet Launcher on the TV and install it if the store marks it as available.
  2. If sideloading, get the APK from the official Releases page. The repository identifies this as the official signed build; it does not include the app’s source code.
  3. Install using a TV file manager or ADB. Follow the relevant app or ADB installation flow for your device, and permit installs from unknown sources if Android requests it.
  4. Open Monet and test the remote. Confirm that the home screen, app grid, and any features you intend to use are navigable with the box’s D-pad and remote.

If an update fails with a signature error, the repository’s stated recovery is to uninstall the existing com.klevico.monet package and install again. Uninstalling can remove app data, so consider any settings you need to preserve before taking that step.

Make the Home button open Monet reliably

Installing a launcher is not always the same as making it take over every Home-button press. Behavior depends on the box, its Android version, and the manufacturer’s launcher setup. Test Home from different screens and after standby before relying on Monet as your everyday home screen.

The Play listing says Monet has an optional AccessibilityService that detects Home-key presses and launcher-window changes. The developer says this can help keep Monet active after pressing Home, when the stock launcher appears, or after standby; it also says Monet works without the service. If you choose to enable it, review Android’s accessibility prompt and test the result on your own device rather than assuming the service guarantees identical behavior everywhere.

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On privacy, the listing makes two distinct disclosures. Its app description says the AccessibilityService cannot read screen contents and that service data is not stored, uploaded, sold, or shared. Separately, the Google Play data-safety section reports no third-party data sharing, lists device or other IDs among data types that may be collected, says data is encrypted in transit, and says deletion can be requested. These are disclosures supplied by the developer, not an independent audit.

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What Monet costs, and what the ratings tell you

Google Play marks Monet as offering in-app purchases. Its description says core features are free, with an optional one-time Premium unlock for advanced customization. The listing does not establish a stable price for every market, so check the live store page for the price and terms shown in your region.

The Play listing reported 50K+ downloads and a 4.7-star rating from 2.65K reviews when accessed on October 7, 2026; both figures can change. It listed September 27, 2026 as the app’s update date. Those marketplace figures indicate listing activity and user ratings, not measured speed or compatibility on your particular box.

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Individual reviews are not product-wide guarantees. For example, a September 7, 2026 review reported that a custom video background was limited to roughly 8–10 seconds for that reviewer and that some videos were not read. An August 5, 2026 reviewer described Monet as less customizable than Projectivy but easier for an average user to approach, and mentioned a Premium unlock across multiple devices. Treat these as user reports, not confirmed limits or universal purchase policy.

Does Monet make an old Android TV box faster?

There is no published benchmark in the cited official sources showing how much Monet changes performance on older boxes. The Play listing’s claim that it is “Smooth even on older TV boxes and sticks” is the developer’s description, not a measured result. A cleaner layout may feel more pleasant or easier to navigate, but that is different from demonstrating faster system performance.

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If speed is the reason you are considering a launcher change, judge the result on your own device: compare the same actions before and after installation, such as opening the home screen and moving through the app grid. Keep the distinction clear between a subjective improvement in the home-screen experience and a repeatable reduction in loading or navigation time.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Android appsAndroid TVGoogle TVMonet LauncherTV launchers

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