iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Sometimes—but there is no universal guarantee that a custom launcher will preserve every Google TV feature. A launcher replaces or changes the home-screen experience; it does not, by itself, mean the device’s operating system has been replaced. Which features remain available depends on the device, manufacturer, software version, and launcher. If you mainly want a cleaner screen, try the built-in home-screen settings first: they can change some rows, previews, and recommendations without introducing a replacement home app.
First, separate the home screen from the TV platform
“Android TV” and “Google TV” are related platform names, but they do not mean that every device has the same home screen or controls. Google describes the Google TV and Android TV experiences separately, and says that Google TV tabs and services vary by device and region. The interface you see depends on the particular product, not just the platform label. See Google’s overview of how Google TV and Android TV work.
A launcher is the interface that presents the home screen and gives you a way to open apps. A custom launcher can offer a different layout and app-entry experience if the device allows it to serve as the home app. That is different from removing or replacing Android or Google TV itself. The available documentation does not establish that changing the launcher automatically removes every underlying function; it also does not promise that the stock home-screen functions will remain available through a third-party interface.
That distinction matters because people often use “Google TV features” to mean two different things:
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
- With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
- Wide Application:Upgraded attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
- Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
- Warranty & Support: Our Electric air duster comes with 5 years warranty and 24/7 customer service. During this period, if you have any questions,pls kindly feel free to contact us.
- Home-screen features: the stock interface’s navigation, recommendations, rows, previews, Search or Watchlist surfaces.
- Other device or account functions: functions such as using Assistant from the remote, installing apps, or casting. Their behavior with a particular replacement launcher is not established universally; check the exact device and launcher rather than assuming they are preserved or removed.
A replacement launcher may change what is visible and how you reach it, even when a function still exists elsewhere on the device. Conversely, a function that depends on the stock home experience may no longer be presented in the same way. The practical question is therefore not simply “Does Google TV still work?” but “Can this launcher become the default on my model, and can I still reach the specific functions I use?”
What the stock home screen can do
Google’s Android TV help describes a home screen that can show shows and movies in progress, suggested videos, personalized recommendations, and installed apps. On supported devices, users can add, remove, or reorder channel rows; turn audio or video previews off; configure Discover recommendations; and manage a Watchlist. Google cautions that settings differ across Android TV devices. The available controls are described in Customize your Android TV home screen.
Those options are worth checking before changing launchers. If your main complaint is a crowded home screen, unwanted previews, or rows in an inconvenient order, a built-in control may address it while retaining the device’s stock home experience. The exact choices on your screen may differ from Google’s general instructions because of the manufacturer, model, software build, and available services.
Rank #2
- Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
- Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
- Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
- Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
- Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
There is one important limitation: Google says the documented controls cannot turn off sponsored suggestions on the Home tab. If those suggestions are the specific problem, do not expect the stock customization settings to remove them. A custom launcher may offer a different home-screen presentation, but whether it can be selected on your device—and what you would lose or need to access another way—must be checked separately.
Which features might change with a custom launcher?
There is no official, universal compatibility list showing which Google TV functions each third-party launcher retains. Google’s consumer documentation describes its own home experiences, not guaranteed feature parity for replacement launchers. Android Developers also documents APIs that let apps publish recommendations to Android TV home screens; that describes a platform recommendation mechanism, not certification that a particular launcher reproduces Google’s recommendations or interface. See Android’s documentation on recommending content on the home screen.
Use the following distinctions when evaluating a launcher. They are questions to verify on your own model, not claims that a feature will always work or fail.
| What you care about | What a launcher change could mean | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendations and content rows | The replacement may present a different home screen. The reviewed documentation does not promise that Google’s stock recommendations, rows, or layout will be reproduced. | Whether the launcher displays the sources and recommendations you want, and whether you can still reach the stock experience if needed. |
| Search | Search is associated with the available home experience, and its presentation or access may differ. | How you invoke Search on this device and whether it works from the launcher and remote controls you use. |
| Google Assistant | Assistant behavior with a particular third-party launcher is not guaranteed by the reviewed documentation. | Whether the remote’s Assistant button still responds as expected and whether the functions you use are accessible. |
| Watchlist | The stock interface may provide Watchlist surfaces or interactions that are not replicated in a replacement launcher. | Whether you can find and manage your Watchlist from the launcher or another supported part of the device experience. |
| Home button and returning to the home screen | The device’s response to the Home button, including after a restart, is specific to the model and launcher combination. | Whether Home opens the intended screen consistently, including after restarting the device. |
| Apps, casting, and other functions | The available sources do not establish a universal effect of custom launchers on these functions. | Test the particular apps, remote actions, and device functions you rely on instead of inferring behavior from the launcher’s appearance. |
One useful comparison is Google TV’s Apps only mode. Google documents it as an app-oriented home screen that removes personalized recommendations from that home screen and disables Search and Google Assistant; it also identifies Watchlist interactions that are unavailable in that mode. This illustrates that features can depend on the selected home experience. It is not evidence that every third-party launcher behaves like Apps only mode: Google does not make that equivalence.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- 【Large size】：Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
- 【LED backlight mouse pad】：Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
- 【Anti-slip rubber base】：Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
- 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
- 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
In other words, “recommendations” can mean either recommendations supplied through a platform interface or the particular curated surfaces shown by Google’s own home screen. Android’s recommendation APIs explain how apps may publish content to Android TV home screens, but they do not show that a replacement launcher will display Google’s own rows. Do not treat API support as a promise of a matching interface.
How to decide whether to switch
Choose stock customization if you want fewer distractions
Start with the controls already offered by your device if you mainly want to reorder or remove rows, disable audio or video previews, or adjust Discover recommendations. This is the least disruptive route to try because it changes supported parts of the stock interface rather than relying on a separate home app. It will not solve every complaint, including the documented limitation on disabling sponsored Home-tab suggestions.
Consider a custom launcher if the layout itself is the problem
A replacement is more relevant if you want a substantially different layout or app-entry experience and your model permits the launcher to become the default. Before installing anything, confirm that the launcher developer supports your exact device and software version. Also confirm how the launcher is selected and whether that process requires disabling built-in apps. The reviewed Google help pages do not provide a universal setup sequence or endorse one method across Android TV and Google TV models.
Keep the features you actually use in view
Make a short list before comparing launchers. For example, someone who opens apps directly may care most about a reliable Home button and app access; someone who uses recommendations, voice Search, Assistant, or Watchlist may care more about preserving those routes. A launcher that looks simpler is not a good fit if it makes a daily function difficult to reach. Evaluate each function separately rather than treating “Google TV features” as a single all-or-nothing capability.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #4
- 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
- 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
- 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
- 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
- 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
Use four comparison points: whether your device permits the launcher to become the default; which stock home functions remain accessible; whether Home and restart behavior are dependable; and whether built-in settings already solve the problem. This keeps the choice focused on practical use rather than the launcher’s appearance alone. There is no published statistic in the reviewed sources for how often features are retained, so a percentage or blanket compatibility claim would be misleading.
Safe way to check compatibility on your TV
- Identify the exact device. Record its manufacturer and model, then check its software version in the device’s system information. “Android TV” or “Google TV” alone is not enough to determine the available settings or launcher behavior.
- Try the built-in home controls. Look for the device’s home-screen options for rows, previews, and recommendations. Google’s instructions are a useful reference, but labels and available controls can vary by device. Decide whether those changes address your reason for considering a replacement.
- Check current compatibility information. Read the launcher developer’s current notes for your exact model and software version, and consult the device manufacturer’s instructions for choosing a home app. Do not assume that instructions for another TV model apply to yours.
- Understand the selection method first. Confirm whether the launcher can be chosen as the default without disabling built-in apps or making other system changes. The reviewed Google pages do not establish a universal menu path, command, or workaround; avoid treating device-specific procedures as general instructions.
- Test the features that matter to you. After setup, check the remote’s Home button, Search, Assistant, recommendations, Watchlist access, and any app or casting functions you rely on. Test after a restart as well as during ordinary use, since returning to the home screen is part of the experience you are changing.
- Keep a return path in mind. Before making a change, know how your model lets you return to its built-in home experience. If the launcher does not behave as expected, use the manufacturer’s instructions or the launcher developer’s support guidance for that device rather than disabling system packages or running generic commands.
What the available documentation does—and does not—settle
Google’s support pages explain stock Android TV and Google TV home experiences and show that their settings and features vary. They do not provide a universal procedure for making a third-party launcher the default across all models, or a compatibility table stating which features remain after replacement. The Android Developers recommendation documentation explains how apps can publish recommendations for Android TV home screens; it does not certify third-party launchers or establish what any specific one retains.
As a result, broad claims such as “Assistant always works,” “Google recommendations stay intact,” or “a custom launcher removes Google TV features” go beyond what the available documentation establishes. The defensible answer is conditional: a custom launcher can change the home-screen interface where the device permits it, but feature access must be verified on the exact device and software combination. If preserving the stock experience matters more than changing the layout, use the built-in controls instead.
Best Value
- 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
- 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
- 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
- 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
- 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a custom launcher as the default on Google TV?
Possibly, but there is no universal setup path for every Android TV or Google TV model in the reviewed documentation. Check the device manufacturer’s instructions and the launcher developer’s current compatibility notes for your exact model and software version. Confirm whether it can be selected without disabling built-in apps or making other system changes.
Will Google Assistant still work with a custom launcher?
The sources do not guarantee Assistant behavior with every third-party launcher. Check whether the Assistant button on your remote still works as expected after installation. Google’s documentation for Apps only mode specifically says that mode disables Search and Google Assistant, but that does not mean all custom launchers behave the same way.
Will I keep Google TV recommendations and Watchlist?
Do not assume so. The reviewed sources do not promise that a custom launcher reproduces Google’s stock recommendations, rows, or Watchlist surfaces. Test whether the content and Watchlist routes you use remain available on your device, either through the launcher or elsewhere in the device experience.
What should I try before installing a replacement launcher?
Check your TV’s built-in home-screen controls first. Depending on the device, you may be able to add, remove, or reorder rows, turn audio or video previews off, and adjust Discover recommendations. Google says settings vary by device, and its documented controls do not turn off sponsored suggestions on the Home tab.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: A custom launcher may give you a different home screen if your device allows it to become the default, but Google does not guarantee that stock recommendations, Search, Assistant, or Watchlist features will remain accessible in the same way. Identify your exact model, try its built-in customization options, then verify the functions you rely on—including Home behavior after a restart—before committing to a replacement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
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.
