Fix Google TV Custom Launcher Not Auto-Starting

If you’ve sideloaded a custom launcher on your Google TV (like Projectivy Launcher or FLauncher) but it only appears after you press the Home button, or it never appears at all, this guide will help you make it start automatically when your TV boots up. We’ll cover the necessary settings, ADB commands, and common pitfalls to get your custom launcher running as the default home screen.

What You’ll Need

• A Google TV device (Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Bravia, TCL, etc.)
• A custom launcher app installed (e.g., Projectivy Launcher, FLauncher, or any APK that replaces the home screen)
• A computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) installed, or a network ADB app on your phone
• Your Google TV’s IP address (found in Settings > Network & Internet > Network status)
• Developer options enabled on your Google TV (Settings > System > About > Build number, tap it 7 times)

Step-by-Step

1. Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging
   Go to Settings > System > About, scroll to Build number and press the OK button 7 times until you see “You are now a developer.” Then go to Settings > System > Developer options and turn on USB debugging and Network debugging (if available). Note your TV’s IP address from Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Install the Custom Launcher
   If you haven’t already, install your chosen launcher APK. You can sideload it via ADB (adb install launcher.apk) or use a file manager app like Send Files to TV. Make sure the launcher is fully installed and can be opened manually at least once.
3. Connect ADB to Your Google TV
   On your computer, open a terminal/command prompt and run adb connect :5555. Accept the debugging prompt on your TV screen. Verify the connection with adb devices – it should list your TV as “device”.
4. Set the Custom Launcher as the Default Home App
   Run the following ADB command to make your launcher the default home activity:
   adb shell cmd package set-home-activity /.
   For example, for Projectivy Launcher: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.projectivy.launcher/.LauncherActivity. You can find the exact package and activity names by running adb shell pm list packages | grep launcher or checking the app’s info in Settings > Apps.
5. Disable the Stock Launcher (Optional but Recommended)
   To prevent Google TV from overriding your choice, disable the default launcher. Run:
   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx
   Replace com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx with the package name of your stock launcher (it varies by brand; for Chromecast it’s often com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx, for Sony it’s com.sony.dtv.launcher). If you’re unsure, use adb shell pm list packages | grep launcher to list them.
6. Reboot Your Google TV
   Unplug the TV from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. When it boots, the custom launcher should appear automatically.
7. If It Still Doesn’t Auto-Start, Use a Boot Manager App
   Some TV firmware aggressively kills custom home apps. Install an app like “Launcher Manager” (available on the Play Store) which can force-set your custom launcher and re-apply it after reboots. Follow its on-screen instructions.

Common Mistakes

• Disabling the wrong package – If you disable the wrong system app, you might brick your home screen. Always double-check the package name before running the disable command.
• Not granting the launcher permission to draw over other apps – Some launchers need the “Display over other apps” permission. Go to Settings > Apps > Special app access > Display over other apps and enable it for your launcher.
• Using the wrong activity name – The activity name is case-sensitive. If you get an error, try the full activity name from the app’s manifest (you can find it by using an APK analyzer or checking the app’s documentation).
• Forgetting to reboot after disabling the stock launcher – The change won’t take effect until a reboot.
• Not accepting the ADB prompt on the TV – When you first connect, the TV shows a dialog asking to allow USB debugging. If you don’t click OK, ADB commands will fail.

Tips

• Backup your stock launcher – Before disabling it, note the package name so you can re-enable it later with adb shell pm enable .
• Use a lightweight launcher – Heavy launchers may be killed by the system to save resources. FLauncher or Projectivy Launcher are popular and reliable.
• Keep ADB connected – If you plan to tweak settings, keep ADB connected and your TV’s IP static (set a static IP in your router) to avoid reconnecting.
• Test the launcher manually first – Press the Home button and select your custom launcher as the default when prompted. This makes the set-home-activity command more reliable.

Troubleshooting

• ADB connection fails – Make sure your TV and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Try restarting ADB with adb kill-server and adb start-server.
• Command returns an error like “Error: java.lang.SecurityException” – This means you haven’t granted the necessary permissions. Re-check that USB debugging is enabled and that you accepted the prompt on the TV.
• Custom launcher appears but then reverts to stock after a few seconds – The stock launcher is reasserting itself. Try disabling it again and ensure your custom launcher has the “Home” category in its manifest (most do).
• After disabling the stock launcher, you get a black screen – Re-enable the stock launcher via ADB: adb shell pm enable . If you can’t connect, a factory reset will restore it.
• The custom launcher starts but doesn’t respond to remote buttons – Some launchers need the “OK” button to be mapped. Check the launcher’s settings for remote control configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling the stock launcher void my warranty?

No, it’s a software change that can be reversed. However, if you have issues, re-enable it before contacting support.

Can I use this method on any Android TV?

Yes, the ADB commands work on Android TV and Google TV devices, though package names for the stock launcher vary.

What if my custom launcher doesn’t have a home activity?

Most launchers do. If not, you can’t set it as home. Look for a launcher that explicitly states it supports replacing the home screen.

Do I need to root my Google TV?

No, this method uses ADB and doesn’t require root.

Will the custom launcher survive a system update?

Usually yes, but a major update may reset default apps. You may need to reapply the settings after an update.

Can I switch back to the stock launcher easily?

Yes, just re-enable the stock package via ADB or go to Settings > Apps > Show system apps > find the stock launcher and select “Enable”. Then press Home and choose it as default.

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