Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Switching from Google TV’s default launcher changes the home-screen experience, not necessarily the behavior of every app or Google feature. The stock interface combines app access with recommendations and, depending on your device and region, other discovery tabs. A third-party launcher can offer a more customizable or streamlined home screen, but its Home-button behavior and compatibility depend on your device and setup. If you mainly want fewer personalized recommendations, Google TV’s built-in Apps only mode is a simpler option—with important limitations.
What changes when you replace the Google TV launcher?
The launcher is the interface you see when you press Home: it determines how the home screen presents apps and, in Google TV’s case, content discovery. Google describes its home experience as a place to browse shows and movies, return to started content, and see suggestions. The tabs and features vary by country, language, device, and availability; you might see options such as Home or For You, Apps, Live, Free, Shop, Movies, Shows, or Settings, but not every device has every tab. Google explains that its home-screen layout and content can reflect factors such as location, language, selected services, prior activity, popularity, editorial choices, and market requirements.
A third-party launcher presents a different home screen and may let you arrange apps or change the visual design. It does not automatically replace the recommendations or advertising inside streaming apps. The available Google features and the way the Home button behaves also depend on the launcher, device, and configuration.
Google TV’s Apps only mode: a simpler first step
If the main problem is personalized recommendations on the home screen, try the built-in Apps only mode before installing another launcher. Google says this mode shows installed apps instead of personalized home-screen recommendations. It is not an ad-free mode: sponsored content and teasers for popular titles can remain. Recommendations inside individual apps are unaffected, and Web & App Activity may still influence recommendations.
Apps only mode also disables some Google TV functions, including Search, Google Assistant, adding titles to the Watchlist, and marking titles as watched. Google’s guidance on how Google TV and Android TV work describes both the mode’s limits and the factors that shape what appears on the home screen.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How the options compare
| What matters | Google TV default launcher | Lightweight or third-party launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Home-screen recommendations | Shows recommendations and may show labeled advertisements. Apps only mode removes personalized recommendations from the home screen, but sponsored content and popular-title teasers can remain. Google support | Changes the home-screen presentation. Check the launcher’s own features; this does not establish that ads or recommendations inside streaming apps will disappear. |
| Apps and discovery | Can combine app access with content discovery and, depending on availability, live or free content. Tabs vary across regions and devices. Google support | Organization depends on the app. FLauncher documents categories, app ordering, and sideloaded-app support. FLauncher repository |
| Customization | Offers some home-screen settings and app ordering; settings vary across Android TV devices. Google support | Projectivy advertises configurable layouts, icon packs, wallpaper options, and color schemes. FLauncher documents categories and wallpaper support. Projectivy · FLauncher |
| Google features | Apps only mode disables Search, Assistant, and some Watchlist functions. Google support | Availability after replacing the home screen is device- and configuration-dependent; the consulted documentation does not establish universal feature parity or universal loss. |
| Home button and setup | Already set as the default home-screen experience. | May require setting a new default, remapping the Home button, or disabling the stock launcher. Instructions and results can vary by model. FLauncher setup documentation |
| Speed and memory | Comparative measurements: not stated in the cited Google documentation. | Comparative measurements: not stated in the cited Projectivy or FLauncher documentation. No verified comparison establishes that an alternative is faster or uses less memory. Projectivy · FLauncher |
Projectivy and FLauncher: different approaches
Projectivy
Projectivy’s official site describes it as a customizable home-screen replacement for Android TV, with configurable layouts, icon packs, wallpaper options, and color schemes. The developer directs users to install it through Google Play and set it as the default in its settings. These are the developer’s product descriptions, not independent comparisons of performance or compatibility across every Google TV device.
FLauncher
FLauncher’s repository describes an open-source Android TV launcher with customizable categories, app ordering, wallpaper support, and sideloaded-app support. Its maintainer labels the project early in development and warns that it may be unstable, so it is a less conservative choice if you prioritize a well-established, trouble-free home screen.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Will the remote’s Home button still work?
Do not assume that installing a launcher changes what the Home button opens. FLauncher’s setup documentation describes remapping the Home button with Button Mapper as the easier or safer approach, and also documents disabling the default launcher as an alternative. The latter is more device-sensitive: the project says its ADB disable commands were tested on Chromecast with Google TV only, and warns that behavior may differ on other devices. It also notes that disabling the default launcher may stop the YouTube remote button from working on Chromecast with Google TV. Treat that as a project-specific warning, not a universal result. See FLauncher’s setup notes.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Before changing defaults or disabling a system app, check the instructions for your exact TV or streaming-device model and software version. The available documentation does not establish consistent Home-button behavior across all manufacturers and versions.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Which option fits your needs?
- Choose the stock launcher if you use Google TV’s integrated discovery features and prefer not to configure a replacement.
- Try Apps only mode if your goal is to reduce personalized recommendations on the home screen and you can do without the Google functions it disables. It will not remove all sponsored content or in-app recommendations.
- Consider Projectivy if you want a more configurable home-screen layout and are prepared to check how its default setting behaves on your device.
- Consider FLauncher if you want its documented app organization features and are comfortable with an early-stage project and potentially device-specific setup.
There is no verified comparative speed or memory figure for these choices. Pick based on the interface, Google features, Home-button behavior, compatibility, and setup effort you can confirm for your own device—not on an unsubstantiated promise that one launcher is faster.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
