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xMazaki/unbloat-android-tv

A Windows/macOS/Linux toolkit that strips ads and telemetry from Android TVs over ADB and installs a minimalist Apple TV-style home screen, all reversible.

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Last commit
11 days ago

What is it?

This kit runs from a Windows, macOS or Linux computer on the same network as an Android TV or set-top box and connects to it over ADB. It takes a backup of the installed apps and settings, then disables known ad, telemetry and unnecessary services from a list that is grouped by brand, including Google, TCL, Sony, Philips, Xiaomi, Hisense and Nvidia Shield. Optional features such as Chromecast or the voice assistant are asked about one by one rather than disabled silently. Nothing is uninstalled, and a restore option re-enables everything.

The kit also installs Zen Home, a home screen with a title, a 4, 6 or 8 app grid, a streaming app dock and a rotating landscape photo background. The home screen can be customised on the TV itself by moving, replacing or adding apps. The project is built for Android TV and Google TV devices. Fire TV devices are limited to the cleanup step, since the home screen cannot be replaced without root there.

The author's sample test was a 2019 TCL running Android 9, where idle CPU dropped from 61% to 12%. The lists are community-derived and may need adjusting for other models, and the README recommends reviewing them before use.

Key features

  • 01Creates a backup of installed apps and settings before any change.
  • 02Disables ad, telemetry and unnecessary services grouped by TV brand.
  • 03Asks before disabling optional features such as Chromecast or the assistant.
  • 04Installs Zen Home with a customisable title, app grid, dock and photo slideshow.
  • 05Restores everything, including the original home screen, with one menu option.

Use cases

  • Speeding up a sluggish Google TV or Android TV that shows ads on its home screen.
  • Replacing a cluttered TV home screen with a simple grid of favourite streaming apps.
  • Cleaning up a Nvidia Shield or Xiaomi Mi Box without uninstalling any apps.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Enable developer mode and USB debugging on the TV

  2. 2

    Run the launcher for your OS (Linux: ./LANCER.sh; Windows and macOS: double-click LANCER.bat or LANCER.command)

    ./LANCER.sh
  3. 3

    Accept the debugging authorization prompt on the TV

  4. 4

    In the menu, run options 1 (backup), 2 (slim down) and 3 (Zen Home)

Things to know

  • Works only on Android TV and Google TV devices; Samsung, LG, Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV are not supported for Zen Home.
  • Only one Android TV model (TCL, Android 9) has been tested in real conditions.
  • Provided as-is with no warranty; the author is not responsible for damage to your TV or data.
  • License is not clearly stated (NOASSERTION), so reuse terms are unclear.

In collections

Android ADB and debloat toolsPrivacy & local-first tools

Topics

#android-tv#google-tv#adb#debloat#home-screen#privacy#smart-tv#telemetry

FAQ

What is unbloat-android-tv?
A Windows/macOS/Linux toolkit that strips ads and telemetry from Android TVs over ADB and installs a minimalist Apple TV-style home screen, all reversible. This kit runs from a Windows, macOS or Linux computer on the same network as an Android TV or set-top box and connects to it over ADB. It takes a backup of the installed apps and settings, then disables known ad, telemetry and unnecessary services from a list that is grouped by brand, including Google, TCL, Sony, Philips, Xiaomi, Hisense and Nvidia Shield. Optional features such as Chromecast or the voice assistant are asked about one by one rather than disabled silently. Nothing is uninstalled, and a restore option re-enables everything.
Is unbloat-android-tv free to use? What license does it have?
unbloat-android-tv is open source under the Other license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is unbloat-android-tv still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to unbloat-android-tv was on Oct 27, 2026.
What can I use unbloat-android-tv for?
Speeding up a sluggish Google TV or Android TV that shows ads on its home screen. Replacing a cluttered TV home screen with a simple grid of favourite streaming apps. Cleaning up a Nvidia Shield or Xiaomi Mi Box without uninstalling any apps.
How do I install unbloat-android-tv?
Enable developer mode and USB debugging on the TV Run the launcher for your OS (Linux: ./LANCER.sh; Windows and macOS: double-click LANCER.bat or LANCER.command): ./LANCER.sh Accept the debugging authorization prompt on the TV In the menu, run options 1 (backup), 2 (slim down) and 3 (Zen Home)
Where can I get unbloat-android-tv?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/xMazaki/unbloat-android-tv

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