5 Apps To Speed Up Your Google TV Device

If you own a Google TV, you’re likely familiar with how sluggish it can be even with basic functions. This is a common issue across various TV brands like Sony, TCL, and Hisense, as well as devices such as Chromecast or Google TV Streamer.

The slow performance is partly due to TV manufacturers not providing hardware powerful enough to handle the OS. Additionally, the interface provided by Google contributes to the problem.

The Google TV UI is primarily focused on organization, serving as a launcher for apps like YouTube, Netflix, and HBO Max. While it allows you to add movies and shows to a Watchlist, the interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming with numerous recommendations and suggestions, including from uninstalled apps.

The home screen, while information-rich, can be bloated and confusing with intrusive ads and algorithmic recommendations that overshadow personal content discovery.

However, there are defenses against these issues. Several apps can significantly improve the Google TV experience. I’ve been using five of these apps daily, enhancing my smart TV usage.

Projectivy Launcher

Projectivy Launcher is a custom home screen replacement that eliminates the bloat and ads from the Google TV interface. By setting Projectivy as your default launcher, you’ll see a simple app grid instead of Google’s content carousels.

This streamlined approach makes the TV feel more responsive, with smoother navigation and faster return to the home screen. Projectivy offers more flexibility than the official launcher, allowing you to customize app order, create categories, and adjust layout density.

Features like sideloading apps, parental controls, and customizations are available for free, with optional cosmetic upgrades through a Pro version.

SmartTube

SmartTube is an open-source YouTube client designed for TV devices, enhancing the viewing experience by blocking ads and integrating SponsorBlock to skip sponsor messages. It supports up to 4K resolution, provides playback control options, and offers better accessibility features.

SmartTube allows YouTube usage with or without a Google account, maintaining a local watch history and subscriptions for privacy.

tvQuickActions (or Button Mapper)

tvQuickActions addresses limitations of Google TV remote and interface by enabling button remapping and adding quick shortcuts. You can customize actions for different button presses, enhancing usability and convenience.

The app is free with an option for a Pro upgrade for advanced features. Button Mapper is an alternative for simple remapping needs, offering premium options for additional functionality.

LocalSend

LocalSend is a versatile file transfer utility for Google TV devices, providing easy peer-to-peer sharing across platforms without internet requirements. It simplifies sideloading apps and file transfers, enhancing the TV’s functionality.

atvTools

atvTools serves as a comprehensive utility for Google TV, offering advanced remote control features, file management, app sideloading, and real-time system monitoring. It enhances navigation, performance monitoring, and system management on Google TV devices.

Google TV would benefit from improvements by both TV brands and Google to deliver a more seamless and efficient smart TV experience. While the mentioned apps provide enhancements, collaborative efforts are essential for a complete solution.