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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTurning on Google TV’s built-in Apps only mode hides personalized recommendations and leaves a simpler home screen of installed apps. It is the easiest change to try and undo. For more control, Projectivy Launcher replaces the stock home screen, but setup and compatibility vary—and claims that it improves speed are not backed by a controlled benchmark.
What changed—and what “faster” means here
My Google TV felt noticeably smoother after I stopped using its recommendation-heavy home screen. That is a personal observation, not a measured before-and-after result: there is no timing data or controlled test here, and it does not establish that changing launchers will speed up every Google TV device.
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The practical change is to simplify what appears when you press Home. Google TV’s built-in Apps only mode is the low-effort option. Projectivy Launcher is a more customizable alternative that can override the stock launcher. They are different approaches, with different tradeoffs.
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| Approach | Setup and reversibility | What you see | Features and tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google TV Apps only mode | Built-in profile setting; can be turned off from the same profile settings. | Hides personalized recommendations, but sponsored content and teasers may remain. | Simple and reversible. System Search, Google Assistant, Watchlist additions, liking or disliking content, and marking videos as watched are among the unavailable features. |
| Projectivy Launcher | Third-party app that can override the stock launcher. Setup can involve permissions and may behave differently across devices. | Offers a customizable Android TV home screen; the developer describes it as ad-free. | More interface control, but speed claims are not established by benchmark evidence. Some wallpaper and icon features require a premium upgrade. |
Google documents Apps only mode and its effects in Hide personalized recommendations on Google TV. Projectivy’s features and optional upgrade are described in its Google Play listing. Treat the latter as the developer’s description, not independent verification of performance.
#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
Turn on Google TV Apps only mode
This is a Google TV profile setting, not a separate launcher or a hardware change. Menu labels can vary by device; look in the selected profile’s account settings if the path differs.
- Open Settings and choose Accounts & Sign In. On some devices, open All settings, then Accounts & Profiles.
- Select the profile you use.
- Choose Apps only mode and turn it on.
- To undo the change, return to that profile’s Apps only mode setting and turn it off.
Apps only mode hides personalized recommendations; it does not promise an entirely ad-free screen. Google says sponsored content and teasers for popular movies and shows can still appear. Web & App Activity may still inform recommendations, and individual apps can continue to show personalized recommendations.
Know what you give up
Google lists system Search and Google Assistant, liking or disliking content, adding titles to Watchlist, and marking videos as watched among the features unavailable in this mode. Your Google TV library also does not appear on the home screen. To find purchased titles, open YouTube and go to Library > Purchases.
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
Use Projectivy for a more customizable home screen
Projectivy is a third-party Android TV launcher. Its Google Play listing describes app categories, shortcuts, a stock-launcher override, and an ad-free interface; some wallpaper and icon features require a premium upgrade. Its claims about optimized startup and navigation are vendor claims, not independent speed measurements.
In an account of his own setup, Android Authority’s Calvin Wankhede said Projectivy felt smoother on his device and that he no longer experienced a delay when returning to the home screen. That is useful as one person’s experience, not proof of a general performance improvement. Wankhede also describes granting permissions and enabling a launcher override; the setup involved Android’s accessibility permission. Your menus, permission prompts, and compatibility may differ by device.
Rank #3
- 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
Projectivy’s Play listing says its optional accessibility service supports custom remote actions and that the app collects or shares no data. Those statements describe the app’s own disclosure; they are not a broader guarantee about other apps or your device. See Android Authority’s Projectivy account for the reported hands-on experience.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If your device is Android TV, check its separate home-screen experiment
Google documents an Android TV option named Optimize Home & Apps tabs. It is separate from Google TV’s Apps only mode, and it may not be available on every device. On devices that expose it, the documented path is Settings > Device Preferences > Home Screen > Experimental. Turn the option off and restart the TV; Google says users might notice a difference in speed and responsiveness. Google labels the option experimental and says it may eventually become impossible to turn off. Details are in Google’s Android TV home-screen settings help.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsQuick Recap
Best Value
- No More App-Switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. TiVo Stream 4K enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps..DC Input Range 5V/1.0A. Power Consumption : Maximum 5 W
- Recommendations Across All of Your Apps: Get rid of the walls between what you watch. TiVo recommends your next favorite shows and movies based on what you love, not where they live.
- Say it and watch it. The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated Google Assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.
- One place for all your favorite streaming apps. TiVo Stream 4K includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock plus many more, so you can get to your shows fast.
- TiVo Stream 4K is one of Time Magazine’s “2020 Best Inventions, Special Mention” and PCMag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for TV lovers.” Operating Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C
Rank #4
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Which change should you try first?
- Try Apps only mode if your priority is a simpler screen with minimal setup and an easy way back. First decide whether losing system Search, Assistant, and the listed content actions is acceptable.
- Consider Projectivy if you want greater control over the layout and are comfortable installing a third-party launcher and granting any permissions it needs. Treat speed as a possible personal outcome, not a promised result.
- Check the Android TV experiment only if your device is Android TV and the setting is present; it is not the same feature as Google TV Apps only mode.
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