Install a Lightweight Launcher on Google TV

A lightweight launcher can give your Google TV home screen a simpler layout and make it quicker to reach the apps you use. You can install a compatible launcher from the Play Store or sideload its app, but Google TV may continue to open its built-in home screen when you press Home.

What You’ll Need

A Google TV device connected to the internet, with its remote and access to its settings.
A lightweight launcher that supports Android TV or Google TV. Check its listing and developer information before installing.
If the launcher is not in the Play Store on your device: a phone or computer, a trusted source for the install file, and a way to transfer it to the TV, such as a file-transfer app or USB drive if your device supports one.
A file manager on the TV if you plan to open an install file transferred to it.

Step-by-Step

Choose a launcher carefully. Start by searching for launcher apps in the Google Play Store on the TV. Prefer an app offered directly in the store, with a clear developer and recent compatibility information. A launcher designed only for phones may display poorly or fail to work with a remote. If you need to sideload, use the developer’s official download page or another source you can verify; avoid modified app packages and sites that bundle extra software.
Install the Play Store version, if available. Open the Play Store, search for the launcher, open its listing, and select Install. When installation finishes, open it from the Play Store or from your apps list. Skip to step 5 if it opens and works as expected.
Prepare to sideload only if necessary. Download the launcher’s Android install file (usually an APK) from a trusted source to a phone, computer, or compatible USB drive. Transfer it to the TV using a file-transfer app, or connect the drive if the TV has a suitable port. Install a reputable file manager from the Play Store if you do not already have one. The exact transfer steps depend on the apps and hardware you use.
Allow installation for the app that opens the file. On the TV, open Settings and look under Apps for a setting such as Security & restrictions, Install unknown apps, or Special app access. Names and locations vary by device and software version. Select the file manager or transfer app you will use and allow it to install unknown apps. This permission should be limited to that app; do not enable it for every app.
Install the launcher package. Open the file manager or transfer app, find the APK, and select it. Review the install prompt and proceed only if you recognize the app and trust where the file came from. If Android blocks the install, check that the file is intended for Android TV or compatible Android devices, and that the download completed properly. Do not try to bypass a warning about a suspicious or incompatible package.
Open and check the launcher. Find the app in the TV’s apps list and launch it. Allow only permissions that make sense for its features. Use the remote to navigate the home screen, open a few installed apps, and check that text and tiles fit the display. If it asks to become the default home app, choose that option only if the prompt is clear and you want to use it.
Test what the Home button does. Press Home once. Many Google TV devices still return to Google’s built-in home screen because the system does not offer a standard setting to replace it. If a launcher-selection prompt appears, choose the new launcher and select Always only if that choice is available and you are sure. If Home returns to Google TV, you can still open the launcher from the apps list; do not assume the installation failed.
Keep a way back. Confirm you can reopen Google TV settings and the original home screen. If you enabled installation from unknown sources, revisit that setting and turn it off for the file manager or transfer app once installation is complete. Keep the installer only if you trust its source and want it for later updates.

Common Mistakes

Expecting every launcher to replace Home: Installing a launcher does not necessarily change the system’s Home-button behavior. Google TV controls the default home experience, and options differ among devices.
Installing a phone-only app: Some launchers rely on touch gestures or a phone-sized layout. Check remote-control compatibility before installing.
Allowing unknown apps too broadly: Enable the permission only for the app opening the installer, and revoke it afterward if you do not need it.
Using an unverified APK: An APK can contain unwanted software or be altered. Avoid unofficial mirrors when you cannot confirm the developer or package.
Deleting the original home app: Do not disable or remove system apps to force a launcher to take over. This can break navigation or make the device difficult to use.

Tips

Try the Play Store route first; it is usually simpler and updates through the store.
Before sideloading, verify the app name, developer, and device compatibility, and scan the download with security software where available.
After a system update, check whether the launcher still opens and responds correctly to the remote.
If you want a cleaner screen without sideloading, review Google TV’s built-in home-screen and app-customization settings first.

Troubleshooting

The APK will not open or install: Confirm the transfer finished, the file has an APK extension, and the installer permission is enabled for the file manager you are actually using. A package made for a different device architecture or Android version may be incompatible. Delete a damaged download and obtain a fresh copy from a source you trust; do not install a file if its origin is unclear.

The launcher is missing from the apps list: Restart the TV, then check Settings > Apps > See all apps (wording may vary). If it still does not appear, the installation may have failed or the app may not support the device. Uninstall it and use a compatible release rather than repeatedly trying unknown files.

The remote does not work properly: Check whether the launcher supports directional navigation and select/Back buttons. Try opening its settings with the remote or using a phone-based remote app supported by your TV. If key functions remain inaccessible, uninstall the launcher from the TV’s app settings.

Home keeps opening Google TV: This may be normal behavior, not a fault. Open the launcher from the apps list. If your device offers a home-app choice, select it there; otherwise, use the built-in interface or consult the device maker’s support information. Avoid tools that promise to override system controls by changing protected settings.

The screen is blank or the launcher keeps crashing: Restart the device. Then go to Settings > Apps, select the launcher, and try Force stop followed by Clear cache, if those options are present. Clearing storage may reset the launcher’s layout. If the issue continues, uninstall it and return to the built-in home screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set any launcher as the default on Google TV?
Not necessarily. Whether a third-party launcher can handle the Home button depends on the device and its software. Some setups allow a choice; many continue to open Google TV’s built-in screen.

Do I need to sideload a launcher?
No. If a compatible launcher is available in the Play Store on your TV, install it there. Sideloading is only needed when the app is not offered through the store and you can verify a suitable install file.

Is sideloading safe?
It carries more risk than installing from the Play Store because an APK may be altered or harmful. Use a trustworthy source, check compatibility, grant installation permission only to the app you need, and revoke it afterward.

Will a lightweight launcher make Google TV faster?
It may present a simpler home screen, but it does not guarantee that the TV or streaming apps will run faster. Performance depends on the device, available storage, and the apps running on it.

How do I remove the launcher?
Open Settings > Apps, choose the launcher, and select Uninstall. If it was installed from the Play Store, you can also uninstall it from its store listing. The built-in Google TV home screen remains available.

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