The simplest and most effective launchers for Android TV

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If you use an Android TV or media player daily, you'll eventually find the home screen lacking or cluttered . Too many recommendations, too many carousels, and little real control over what appears when you turn on the TV. The good news is there's a solution: just like on your phone, you can change the launcher and customize the interface to your liking.

An alternative launcher can make your Smart TV faster, cleaner, and much easier to use with the remote . There are ultra-minimalist options that only show your apps, others designed to organize content efficiently, and some that go to the extreme of customization. Here, we'll focus on the simplest and most recommended launchers for Android TV and Google TV, while also mentioning some more powerful alternatives if you want to take things a step further.

What does a launcher actually do on Android TV?

On Android TV, the launcher is the application that controls the home screen : how the apps look, which rows appear, and what quick access options are available. Changing it isn't just a cosmetic tweak; depending on your choices, you can:

• Remove distractions and focus on your apps, reducing or completely eliminating recommendations and banners.
• Improve fluency on modest TVs and TV Boxes, because many official launchers are heavier than necessary.
• Customize appearance with backgrounds, colors, app order and categories organized to your liking.
• Hide apps so that no one in the house can easily see them or to have less visual noise.
• View and launch apps installed via APK (sideload) that do not usually appear on the start of classic Android TV.

Not all launchers are created equal: some are extremely simple, while others are packed with features. The key is choosing the launcher that best suits how you actually use your TV : watching a couple of streaming apps and little else, using Plex and local content, installing many third-party apps, etc.

Simple and very lightweight launchers for Android TV

Simple TV Launcher: absolute simplicity and ridiculously small size

If you're looking for the simplest option imaginable, Simple TV Launcher is one of the best you can install. This launcher lets you pin up to six apps in a very basic but effective grid , and access the rest through a no-frills app drawer.

Its biggest advantage is that it takes up less than one megabyte , making it a near-perfect option for Android TV devices with limited memory or less powerful processors. It has no cluttered animations, recommendations, banners, or anything else unnecessary. It's literally a screen with your main apps and access to the rest.

Furthermore, the project is open source and ad-free , which is a welcome feature in an environment where even the home screen is increasingly filled with ads. It's ideal if you only use four or five apps (Netflix, YouTube, a few other streaming services, and not much else) and want everything to load quickly and smoothly.

TV Launcher – Smart / Easy to use: minimalism to clean up the screen

Among simple launchers, TV Launcher – Smart TV BOX (often referred to simply as “TV Launcher – Smart – Easy to use”) is a very interesting option for those who want to remove superfluous elements from the main screen but maintain more flexibility than with Simple TV Launcher.

Their approach is straightforward: display installed apps clearly and neatly , without complicated sections or endless carousels. They don't try to reinvent Android TV or add extra features; they focus on getting you to your apps quickly using the remote, without getting lost among tabs and recommendations.

This launcher is relatively lightweight, updates fairly regularly, and is free , although it does include some ads. They're usually not too intrusive, but it's worth keeping in mind if you're particularly sensitive to advertising. For older TVs or inexpensive TV boxes that you want to revive with a clean interface, it does the job very well.

TVHome Launcher and other LG/Samsung-style launchers

If you're coming from an LG TV with webOS or a Samsung with Tizen and liked that style, TVHome Launcher might sound very familiar. It offers an interface similar to the bottom app bars of those systems , with the main apps aligned at the bottom and a fairly clean design.

This launcher lets you change the wallpaper and some basic settings , but it's not exactly the king of customization. Its focus is more on giving you a simple and familiar screen than letting you tinker with every detail. Even so, for those who want to escape the standard Android TV interface and avoid complications, it's a decent and free alternative.

Balanced launchers: simple but with useful features

FLauncher: the perfect balance between simplicity and personalization

FLauncher has won over many users because it combines the best of several worlds. It maintains the typical Android TV card aesthetic , but adds a layer of customization far superior to the stock system, without becoming cumbersome or overloaded.

This launcher is built on Flutter, with modern code and a focus on performance . Its interface is clean, without the aggressive recommendations and advertising you see in some official skins. With FLauncher you can:

• Choose custom wallpapers so that the cover isn't so flat.
• Create, sort, and rename categories (for example, Streaming, Games, Music, Tools).
• Hide apps so that they don't appear on the main screen and other users can't see them.
• Show apps not officially supported by Android TV (those installed by APK that are not “Leanback”) along with the rest.

It's a very lightweight, ad-free, and completely free app . Although the project is still under development, it's very stable and perfectly usable on a daily basis, even on modest devices like some basic TV boxes or older televisions. For many, it's the perfect launcher: fast, clean, customizable, but without being cluttered.

HALauncher: basic, useful, and designed for non-optimized apps

HALauncher has been a go-to tool for advanced Android TV users for years because it solves a very specific problem: displaying and launching apps that aren't optimized for the TV interface and that Android TV hides . We're talking about apps designed for mobile devices that you've installed via APK and that don't appear on the official home screen.

Its interface is quite simple, with a clean grid that you can customize with colors, backgrounds, and even widgets . The menu also lets you access recently used apps and perform searches, making it easy to find things when you have many applications installed.

One of its drawbacks is that on some devices it can't be set directly as the default launcher . In those cases, you'll have to open HALauncher like any other app each time you want to use it, or resort to tools and tricks (like Home Screen Launcher for Android TV or methods using ADB) to replace the default home screen.

HALauncher is free and displays ads, but with a very welcome feature: you can disable them in the settings by unchecking the "Show ads" option, at no extra cost. If you like installing "unofficial" apps and want to keep them organized in a single interface, having it installed is almost essential, even if just for backup.

Launchers for managing apps installed via APK

Sideload Launcher: See and launch what Android TV hides

When you install apps without Leanback support via APK, they often don't appear anywhere on the Android TV home screen . That's where Sideload Launcher comes in: it's a very basic utility whose sole purpose is to show you these hidden apps in a list and allow you to open them.

The interface mimics a classic app drawer, displaying icons just like you'd see on a phone or tablet . It's not meant to be a complete replacement for the main launcher, nor does it offer customization, widgets, or complicated categories. It's simply a menu for accessing everything the official system doesn't show.

According to its original description, it was designed for early Android TV devices like the ADT-1 or the Nexus Player, but it remains useful on current TVs and TV boxes as long as you install apps via sideload . It doesn't reorder apps or add advanced features, but if your priority is being able to open any installed application, it solves the problem without complications.

Google TV Launcher and other official layers

Google TV is the evolution of the classic Android TV interface, with a layer that blends recommendations, channels, apps, and free content on a single screen. Visually, it's very appealing: large headers, eye-catching cards, sections like Discover and Shop, and a constant focus on suggesting new series and movies.

The problem is that, in everyday use, it can feel cluttered with blocks, tabs, and suggestions . If all you want to do is turn on the TV, open Plex, YouTube, or Netflix, and get on with your day, all that content you didn't ask for can be overwhelming. Furthermore, the interface includes recommendations that often function as advertisements, taking up space that many people would prefer to dedicate solely to their apps.

On powerful devices, the Google TV Launcher looks great and runs smoothly , but on TVs or TV boxes with less powerful hardware, it can become sluggish, with slight slowdowns and longer loading times. If your device is already limited in resources, forcing the installation of the Google TV Launcher might not be the best idea.

To make matters worse, on many devices simply installing it from the store isn't enough: you have to remove or disable the default launcher app for Google TV to take over, which can introduce instability. Therefore, unless your device already comes with Google TV pre-installed, it's usually better to opt for lightweight launchers like FLauncher or simpler ones like Simple TV Launcher.

Advanced but well-optimized launchers

ATV Launcher and ATV Launcher Pro: deep customization

ATV Launcher is a classic choice when you want to fully customize your home screen while maintaining a good remote control experience . It's optimized for D-pad navigation, so you don't need a mouse or keyboard to move around smoothly.

This launcher lets you add widgets (like weather, time, or widgets from other apps) , create custom tiles, change colors, backgrounds, and icon styles. It can also display status icons (Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth) and adjust row height or widget scaling to fit your TV size and viewing distance.

ATV Launcher has a free version and a moderately priced Pro version (around three euros) that unlocks additional features designed for devices like Nvidia Shield TV, Android mini PCs, and users who want to customize everything . It's a great choice if you want to go beyond minimalism without turning the interface into a circus.

Projectivy Launcher: total control for TVs and projectors

Projectivy Launcher is designed with TVs and projectors in mind , and it shows. It's very fluid, organized, and highly customizable without any ads. One of its strengths is that it allows you to create shortcuts to external inputs like HDMI 1/2/3 or AV , something almost no other launcher does well.

Furthermore, it includes a quick pop-up menu that simplifies common tasks, and you can configure the device to launch directly to a specific app or external input (for example, to always go to a set-top box, a game console, or a particular player). For those who truly want to streamline their experience with multiple sources, it's one of the most comprehensive options available.

It does all this while maintaining an ad-free and quite polished interface , making it a very attractive option if you are bothered by ads or recommended panels and want to have your TV perfectly set up.

Primal TV Launcher: beautifully designed aesthetics and 4K/8K backgrounds

Primal TV Launcher clearly prioritizes visual appeal. It includes a huge catalog of 4K and 8K wallpapers , including daily images from Bing, and an editor to design your home screen to your liking, placing apps wherever you want and creating custom styles.

It organizes apps into categories like Video, Music, Games, and Tools , and while the base screen is quite minimalist with just a clock, it allows you to add more widgets available on Google Play, such as news, weather, or sports scores. It's a paid app, relatively affordable for everything it offers, and is designed for those who want their TV interface to look its best without sacrificing functionality.

Ugoos TV Launcher: Category wheel and fine-tuning

Ugoos TV Launcher differs from other launchers because it uses a category wheel on the left side (All, Internet, Games, Options, etc.) that you can edit to suit your needs. The right side displays featured apps based on the selected category.

It seamlessly supports D-pad controllers and air mice , and allows for changes to color themes, backgrounds (custom or system) and various design parameters: rows and columns (3, 4 or 5 per screen), borders, icon backgrounds… This allows you to fine-tune how it looks depending on the size and resolution of your TV.

Top TV Launcher 2: The King of Fine Customization

Top TV Launcher 2 is one of the most powerful launchers when it comes to customization, both at the corner and icon level . It includes a built-in editor that lets you modify every detail of the interface: icon size, layout, backgrounds, borders, widgets, and more.

As usual, you can change the background, icon appearance, and add widgets , but it also includes a very interesting option to protect apps with a PIN , so certain applications can only be opened after entering a code. It's ad-free, but it's a paid launcher (around €3). There's a trial version that lets you see if it's worth it before you buy.

Launchers focused on content and specific use cases

Dispatch: For those who live in Plex

Dispatch is designed specifically for users who rely on Plex for their TV viewing and personal libraries of shows and movies . It doesn't play or download content itself, nor does it retrieve anything from the network: it acts as an organized layer for browsing what you already have on your Plex server through a modern, feed-based interface.

If your primary use is watching local content stored on Plex and you want a home screen focused on that, without so much emphasis on external streaming apps, it's a very interesting launcher. However, if your life revolves more around Netflix, Disney+, and similar services, you'll probably find other, more general-purpose launchers more useful.

SuperSmart TV Launcher and “Live” variants

There are launchers like SuperSmart TV Launcher (and some variants with "Live" features) that go a step further and turn the home screen into a very comprehensive information panel . They usually include:

• Smart app launch according to your habits.
• Access to internet radio and lists of favorite radio stations.
• Weather widget with forecasts of several days (up to 8 or 16 depending on the version).
• Live video feeds and social media integrated
• Updated news headlines every few hours, with extended history in premium versions.

This type of launcher also typically offers highly customizable screens: a custom logo, element layout, advanced app management with a long press , and trending content segmented by language and location (sports, music, etc.). However, they are heavily dependent on the Leanback compatibility of your Android TV version, so it's important to check that your device supports them properly.

Launchers inspired by Apple TV and other recent alternatives

Arc Launcher: Apple TV style and extreme cleanup

Arc Launcher is an alternative that has gained popularity among those tired of the overload of tabs, suggestions, and blocks on Google TV . Instead of filling the screen with recommendations, it opts for something very simple and functional: your apps in the foreground, a clean look, and minimal clutter.

Its interface is clearly inspired by Apple TV. Upon opening it, you'll find a dock with your favorite apps , the rest of the apps organized below, and some quick access options at the top (settings, Wi-Fi, date and time). There are no huge banners or awkwardly placed blocks. The feeling is that the TV stops insisting on showing you content and focuses again on letting you use your apps.

Another advantage is that, with Arc Launcher, you won't see ads or recommendations cluttering your home screen . In environments where Google TV constantly pushes content or promotions, the difference is significant. The launcher also lets you rearrange apps, hide some, group them by category, and change the background , even using your own images or videos, and even choose darker profiles for nighttime use.

In terms of performance, it runs quite smoothly and feels lighter than the official Google TV launcher, especially on less powerful TVs. It doesn't work miracles with the hardware, but the interface feels less bloated and more pleasant for everyday use.

The tricky part comes from Google: changing the default launcher on Android TV isn't as easy as it is on a phone. Arc Launcher isn't available on the Play Store, so you have to install it via sideload (for example, using Downloader with a code or downloading the APK from its official GitHub repository). Afterward, the Home button will usually still launch the Google TV launcher, so you have to resort to workarounds like remapping the button with apps like Button Mapper. It works, yes, but it's a workaround that shouldn't be necessary and demonstrates how little Google makes it easy to change the home screen on your TV.

Practical tips for using an alternative launcher

Before you start installing anything, it's worth keeping in mind some common limitations and tricks for Android TV and Google TV :

• On some TVs, you can't easily set an alternative launcher as the default. In that case, Home Screen Launcher for Android TV It allows you to redirect the home screen to another launcher that you already have installed.
• In other, more advanced cases you can Use ADB from your computer to change the default startup app, although it is a more technical method and you should proceed with great care.
• Some launchers are not compatible with the latest versions of Android TV or Google TV. If they don't appear in the store, try [something else]. Install the APK via sideload and use tools like Sideload Launcher to view and launch them.
• If your TV or box doesn't have Google Play, you can install apps from a USB drive or via Downloader, by first activating the option to “install apps from unknown sources” in the security settings.

It's also important to consider navigation with the D-pad : some launchers like ATV Launcher or Projectivy are very polished in this regard, while others work better with an air mouse. And, if you're concerned about privacy and advertising, prioritize launchers without recommendation feeds or integrated ads, such as FLauncher, Projectivy, or Simple TV Launcher.

Final considerations

Choosing a good launcher for Android TV may seem like a minor detail, but it greatly changes the feeling when you turn on the TV: less visual noise, faster opening of your favorite apps, and an interface that adapts to you instead of bombarding you with content you haven't asked for.

From ultra-minimalist options like Simple TV Launcher or TV Launcher – Smart, to well-balanced launchers like FLauncher, or more feature-rich options like ATV Launcher or Projectivy, you have plenty of room to try them out and find the one that best suits your TV, your remote, and how you actually use your living room. Share this information so more users can learn about it.