How to Install Projectivy Launcher and Remove Ads on Android TV & Google TV

Modern Android TV and Google TV home screens have become cluttered billboards. Between auto-playing video trailers, full-width sponsored banners, and rows of unskippable algorithmic recommendations, navigating your TV feels slower and more bloated with every system update. If you want a clean, lightning-fast TV interface with zero ads, Projectivy Launcher is the best third-party home screen replacement available today.

Unlike stock launchers, Projectivy gives you complete control over your interface: you can organize apps into custom categories, apply dynamic Material You colors, set animated video wallpapers, and eliminate background bloat. Most importantly, it can completely replace the stock Google TV launcher without needing to root your device.

In this guide, we will walk you through installing Projectivy Launcher, configuring it as your permanent default home screen, and fine-tuning its settings for maximum performance.

Projectivy Launcher on Android TV — **Image Courtesy: Google Play Store**

Why Choose Projectivy Over the Default Google TV Launcher?

Google TV and modern Android TV devices (such as Chromecast with Google TV, Onn 4K Pro, Xiaomi TV Box, Sony Bravia, and TCL TVs) run multiple background services to serve targeted advertisements and track watch histories. Switching to Projectivy offers immediate advantages:

Zero Ads & Zero Sponsored Clutter: Completely removes promotional banners, movie suggestions, and banner ads.
Drastic Speed Improvement: Cuts down RAM usage by up to 350 MB, eliminating UI stutter and remote input lag.
Custom Categories & App Ordering: Group apps by category (Streaming, Gaming, Utilities, Live TV) instead of a chaotic horizontal list.
Dynamic Theme Engine: Automatically extracts color palettes from your active wallpaper to tint the entire UI.
Native “Watch Next” Support: Seamlessly integrates system Watch Next rows so you can continue your episodes without opening each streaming app.
Display Refresh Rate & Resolution Switching: Advanced video settings allow direct HDMI display adjustments on supported hardware.

Step 1: Install Projectivy Launcher from the Google Play Store

Projectivy Launcher is officially hosted on the Google Play Store, making installation quick and safe.

Turn on your Android TV or Google TV device.
Navigate to the Apps tab or open the Google Play Store.
Search for “Projectivy Launcher” (developed by Spocky).
Click Install and open the app once downloaded.

Note for Fire TV / Sideload Users: If your device does not have access to Google Play (like Amazon Fire TV sticks), you can download the official Projectivy APK from trusted repositories like GitHub or APKMirror and sideload it using the Downloader app.

Step 2: Set Projectivy as Your Default Home Screen (No PC Required)

Google TV deliberately restricts users from setting a new default launcher through the standard “Default Apps” menu. Fortunately, Projectivy includes a built-in Accessibility Override feature that intercepts the remote’s Home button press and instantly brings you to Projectivy.

Method A: Using Projectivy’s Built-in Accessibility Service (Recommended)

Open Projectivy Launcher.
Click the Settings icon (gear icon) in the top-right corner of the Projectivy home screen.
Scroll down and select General.
Enable the toggle labeled “Override current launcher”.
Projectivy will prompt you to grant Accessibility permissions. Click Open System Settings (or go to your TV’s Settings > System > Accessibility).
Find Projectivy Launcher in the Accessibility list and toggle it ON.
Confirm the system warning prompt.

Once enabled, pressing the Home button on your remote will immediately open Projectivy Launcher instead of Google TV.

Step 3 (Optional): Completely Disable Stock Launcher via ADB for Maximum Speed

The Accessibility method works seamlessly for 95% of users. However, the stock Google TV launcher will still idle in the background. If you have an entry-level TV stick with limited RAM (1GB or 1.5GB) and want every ounce of performance, you can completely freeze the stock launcher using a single ADB command.

How to disable the stock launcher using Wireless ADB:

On your TV, go to Settings > System > About.
Scroll down to Android TV OS build and click the OK button on your remote 7 times until you see “You are now a developer”.
Go back to Settings > System > Developer options and turn on Network Debugging / Wireless Debugging. Note down the IP address shown on screen.
Install Remote ADB Shell on your Android phone (or use an ADB terminal on your PC).
Connect to your TV’s IP address (Port 5555).
Run the command corresponding to your operating system:

For Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV, Sony, TCL, Onn):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

For standard Android TV (Mi Box, Shield TV older UI, generic boxes):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher

Once disabled, the system has no choice but to use Projectivy natively. You will notice instantaneous app switching and zero background memory consumption from Google’s ad services.

To re-enable the stock launcher later: Simply connect back via ADB and run adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx.

Top 5 Projectivy Launcher Settings You Should Turn On

After setting up Projectivy, open Projectivy Settings to configure these essential quality-of-life options:

1. Enable Dynamic Wallpaper Theming

Go to Settings > Appearance > Dynamic Background. Turn this on to have your background smoothly blur or transition depending on the currently highlighted app tile.

2. Organize Custom App Categories

Navigate to Settings > Edit Categories. You can create distinct rows such as “Favorite Apps”, “Live TV”, and “Games”. You can also hide system apps you never use (like Play Music or Demo Mode).

3. Set Up “Watch Next” & Channel Rows

Go to Settings > Channels and toggle on Android TV Channels. This populates your home screen with recently watched media from YouTube, Plex, SmartTube, and Netflix directly into clean, ad-free carousels.

4. Auto-Start on Boot

Under Settings > General, ensure “Start on boot” is enabled. This ensures your custom home screen is ready the moment you turn on your TV from cold standby.

5. Enable Parental Control / Lock Settings

If you share your TV with children or family members, go to Settings > Security > Set PIN. This prevents anyone from modifying your custom category structure or accessing hidden applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Projectivy Launcher safe to use?

Yes, 100%. Projectivy Launcher contains zero tracking, zero embedded analytics, and no third-party advertisements. It operates completely locally on your device.

Will installing Projectivy void my TV warranty or break system updates?

No. Projectivy is a standard Android application that uses native system accessibility APIs. It does not modify system partitions, and your TV will continue to receive official firmware updates without any issue.

What is the difference between Projectivy Free and Premium?

The free version of Projectivy provides full launcher functionality, row customization, and ad-free browsing. The one-time Premium in-app purchase unlocks cosmetic enhancements like custom icon packs, advanced display calibration, and unlimited custom category rows.

How do I revert back to the stock Google TV launcher?

Go to Settings > System > Accessibility and turn off Projectivy Launcher. If you disabled the stock launcher via ADB, run the enable command or simply uninstall Projectivy from the App Manager.

Final Thoughts

Setting up Projectivy Launcher transforms your Android TV or Google TV experience. By removing invasive sponsored cards and sluggish recommendation scripts, your television feels responsive, clean, and customized to your exact viewing preferences. Give it a try, and you will never want to go back to the stock home screen.