Your TV’s dwelling display screen shouldn’t really feel like a billboard. And but, that’s precisely what Android TV and Google TV usually flip into. All you see is advertisements and random suggestions, which make it more durable to get to the streaming apps you really need to use.
Certain, you would use the Apps-Solely Mode to chop down on the noise, nevertheless it’s not with out its personal limitations. A greater resolution is to make use of a third-party app like AT4K Launcher. It’s a free app that replaces the cluttered interface with a clear, app-first format that makes navigation really feel so a lot better. Now that I’ve used it for every week, my solely remorse isn’t discovering it sooner.
OS
Android TV
Pricing mannequin
Free, Premium model obtainable
AT4K Launcher brings order to chaos
A less complicated, Apple TV-style interface
Screenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution required
The default launcher on Android TV or Google TV has rather a lot going for it. As quickly as you land on it, you’re greeted with content material suggestions proper on the prime. As a rule, these embody sponsored, irrelevant options that find yourself being extra distracting than useful.
Then there’s the Your apps part. That is speculated to be your management middle, however the issue with that is the way it’s laid out. You get a single horizontal strip, which suggests infinite left and proper scrolling simply to search out the app you need.
And beneath that, issues get even noisier. Sections like Prime-selling motion pictures, Really helpful movies, and Browse by style preserve stacking up. Personally, I discover all of them ineffective for 2 causes. First, they embody content material from companies I don’t even subscribe to. And extra importantly, they attempt to replicate discovery options that apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ already do much better.
AT4K Launcher is a free app that solves all of those issues. It brings the Apple TV-style interface that exhibits a simplified app grid. This allows you to view all of the apps in your TV at a look and transfer between them simply. And naturally, you’ll be able to organize them nevertheless you want by long-pressing them.
On the prime, you see a function carousel that exhibits suggestions from the app you’ve highlighted. Since these come straight from the app itself, you will doubtless discover them extra helpful. And should you don’t need them, it’s doable to show the function off completely.
Customise it to make it really yours
It doesn’t should be boring
With the ability to transfer apps round is okay, however what’s even higher is organizing them into folders. AT4K makes this doable, so you’ll be able to preserve all of your non-streaming TV apps separate from those you utilize every day. That is a kind of options you don’t understand you want till you will have it. Making a folder is as simple as long-pressing an app and selecting Add to folder. And if there are apps you don’t need to see in any respect, you’ll be able to cover them from the house display screen.
Contained in the Settings menu, you’ll discover choices to alter the launcher theme and background. You’ll be able to even use your personal picture or a video as a background to present your TV a extra personalised really feel. Dig into the Look tab and also you’ll discover much more management. You’ll be able to cover featured playing cards from particular apps or allow a minimal standing bar that solely exhibits the time.
A few of these customization choices are solely obtainable within the premium model, however the excellent news is that it’s a one-time buy of $5, not a subscription. And even should you stick to the free model, AT4K Launcher is completely usable.
Associated
In case your TV has Bluetooth, you must set up this free app
This app makes the TV expertise a lot smoother
Setting it because the default takes some work
Glad it’s a one-time factor
Nearly as good because the AT4K Launcher sounds, there’s one massive catch. You’ll be able to’t set it because the default launcher the identical method you’ll on an Android telephone. This implies two issues. First, you must launch the app manually each time you flip in your TV. Second, urgent the house button on the distant will all the time take you to the Google TV launcher, not AT4K Launcher.
Fortunately, there’s a workaround. It’s doable to reconfigure your distant’s dwelling button to open the AT4K launcher as an alternative. This manner, you solely have to open the launcher once you first flip in your TV. To set this up, you want the tvQuickActions app. It’s a free app that may remap buttons in your TV distant. When you’ve put in it, head to Settings > System > Accessibility and activate tvQuickActions.
Lastly, open the tvQuickActions app and set the Residence button to launch AT4K Launcher. Optionally, to maintain the default launcher accessible, you’ll be able to set the Residence button’s double press or lengthy press to the Go To Residence motion. All this barely takes greater than a few minutes.
OS
Android TV
Pricing mannequin
Free, Professional model obtainable
Your TV’s dwelling display screen is one thing that you simply see each time you flip it on or change apps, so it issues greater than you assume. AT4K Launcher brings a way of simplicity and quietness to the house display screen. It’s not excellent, and sure, setting it takes time, nevertheless it’s nonetheless completely price it.
