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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If a custom launcher opens when you select it but disappears after a restart, the problem is usually about Google TV’s Home and startup behavior—not necessarily a broken app. There is no source-backed universal Google TV switch that makes every third-party launcher start at boot. First check the device and app, then consider only workarounds documented for your specific model.
Start with the distinction between opening and starting at boot
Test the launcher by opening it manually from the app list. If it will not open, address its installation or compatibility before investigating startup. If it opens manually but not after a restart, focus on which app handles Home and on the device’s boot behavior.
Android Developers’ guidance explains how an app declares a TV launcher activity so it can be visible and launchable in the TV environment; that declaration is not an assurance that Android TV or Google TV will open it automatically at boot. See Android TV app startup guidance.
Record the setup and the failure pattern
Before changing settings, write down the TV or streaming-device model, Android or Google TV version, custom launcher name and version, and what happens when you press Home. Note whether the issue follows a full restart, waking from standby, or both. These details matter because documented workarounds vary by device.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Try reversible checks first
- Restart the device. Use Settings if your device provides a restart option. Menu labels and availability vary.
- Check for updates. Look for updates to the custom launcher and to the device’s system software.
- Force-stop an app only as a general troubleshooting step. Google includes force-stopping recently opened apps among its general performance suggestions; it is not a documented way to set a third-party launcher as Home.
- Check Quick Start, if available. Google’s documented path is Settings > System > Power & Energy on supported devices. Google notes that steps vary and advises consulting the device manufacturer. Quick Start is a general startup setting, not a documented custom-launcher selector.
Google’s general troubleshooting guidance covers restarting, updates, and force-stopping apps, but does not promise that these steps will make a third-party launcher the default home app. See Google TV troubleshooting and Google’s Quick Start instructions.
Check what the Home button does
Press Home on the remote and note which screen appears. A launcher project, LetiHome, documents an accessibility-based approach to remapping the Home button on devices that support it. This is a project-specific workaround, not a Google TV setting or a guarantee that the launcher will start after every boot. Check whether the required accessibility service remains enabled after the restart or update that triggers your problem. See the LetiHome project documentation.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Understand the two documented workaround types
| Approach | What it changes | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility-based Home-button remapping | Remaps the remote’s Home-button action on supported devices. | Whether the device supports the approach and whether its accessibility service remains enabled across the relevant restart or update. The project documentation does not establish consistent results across devices. |
| Disable the stock launcher through ADB | Disables the default launcher on certain configurations, as documented by LetiHome. | Exact device and package compatibility, plus a reliable way to restore the stock launcher. LetiHome describes this for some Chromecast with Google TV and Philips Android TV configurations and cautions that device behavior differs. |
Neither approach is a universal recommendation: the documentation establishes that these methods are described for some devices, not that either works reliably across Google TV hardware.
Use ADB only with model-specific instructions
Disabling a system launcher can leave you without the expected Home screen if the replacement does not work. Do not copy a package name or disable a system app based on a guide for another model. Before making an ADB change, confirm that the instructions match your exact device and software, understand how to restore the stock launcher, and avoid disabling other packages without model-specific evidence. LetiHome’s README documents an ADB route for certain devices; it is not a platform-wide compatibility guarantee.
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- 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Enjoy your TV in stunning resolution Ultra HD ers four times the resolution of Full HD for greater clarity and detail
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- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
When the fix cannot be narrowed down yet
If the launcher opens manually but still does not appear after startup, the available guidance does not identify a universal setting or command. To narrow down a safe next step, you need the exact device model, OS version, launcher and version, and whether the failure happens after a full restart, standby wake, or both. Google TV Community discussions can offer user context, but community guidance is not official Google policy: Google TV Community.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- No More App-Switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. TiVo Stream 4K enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps..DC Input Range 5V/1.0A. Power Consumption : Maximum 5 W
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- One place for all your favorite streaming apps. TiVo Stream 4K includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock plus many more, so you can get to your shows fast.
- TiVo Stream 4K is one of Time Magazine’s “2020 Best Inventions, Special Mention” and PCMag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for TV lovers.” Operating Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C
Rank #4
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
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- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
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