🔴BEST ANDROID TV CUSTOM LAUNCHER 2024

In this video, the presenter discusses the best custom launcher for Android TV devices, addressing issues such as intrusive ads, slow UI, and lack of customization. The recommended launcher is Project IV Launcher, which allows users to create custom sections, hide applications, and fully customize the home screen with wallpapers. The tutorial covers how to set up the launcher, organize apps into categories, adjust tile sizes and sorting, and set the launcher as the default to avoid the standard Android TV home screen. The presenter also demonstrates how to customize the wallpaper and tile appearance, and how to ensure the custom launcher is used every time the home button is pressed. The video concludes with instructions on how to find and install Project IV Launcher from the Play Store.

Takeaways

• 📺 The best custom launcher for Android TV in 2024 is Project IV Launcher, which offers a clean and ad-free interface.
• 🚀 It provides customization options like custom sections, wallpapers, folders, and the ability to hide applications.
• 🎮 You can create custom categories for different types of apps, such as streaming or gaming apps.
• 📂 The launcher allows for the arrangement of apps in a grid format and customization of grid size and card appearance.
• 🌟 It features dynamic highlighting of app tiles based on the app's color scheme for a visually appealing interface.
• 🖼️ Customization of the wallpaper is possible, including options to use dynamic colors or select from various subreddits.
• 🔍 Users can adjust the appearance of individual tiles, including corner roundness and card size for a personalized look.
• ✅ To make the custom launcher the default, you can override the current launcher settings without needing to use ADB commands.
• 🔒 The launcher ensures that pressing the home button always takes you to the custom interface, not the stock Android TV home screen.
• 📲 The launcher is available directly on the Android TV app store and can be easily found by searching for 'Project IV Launcher'.
• 🔄 For other devices, instructions on how to install Project IV Launcher can be found on the tutorial page at tech.com.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a custom launcher for Android TV devices?

The main purpose of a custom launcher for Android TV devices is to provide a more personalized and clutter-free user interface, allowing users to customize their home screen, hide unwanted applications, and remove advertisements for a better viewing experience.

What are some of the customization options available with the Project IV Launcher?

The Project IV Launcher offers various customization options such as creating custom sections, choosing custom wallpapers, adjusting the size and appearance of app tiles, hiding applications, and setting the launcher as the default home screen.

How can users ensure that the custom launcher remains as the default home screen when pressing the home button?

To ensure the custom launcher remains the default home screen, users need to change the default launcher settings within the launcher's options, then go to the device's accessibility services and enable the Project IV Launcher.

What is the process of creating a new category in the Project IV Launcher?

To create a new category in the Project IV Launcher, users go to the settings, select 'Edit Categories', give the new category a title, choose which apps to include in the category, and then customize the appearance of the category such as visibility and the layout of the apps.

How can users customize the appearance of app tiles in the Project IV Launcher?

Users can customize the appearance of app tiles by adjusting the corner radius for rounded edges, changing the card size, and modifying the focus card size for when a tile is selected.

What are the steps to set the Project IV Launcher as the default launcher on an Android TV device?

To set the Project IV Launcher as the default, users need to go to the Launcher settings, select 'Change Default Launcher', choose Project Ivy, and confirm the selection. Then, they should go to 'Accessibility Services', enable the Project IV Launcher, and confirm by overriding the current launcher.

How can users access the Project IV Launcher on the Play Store?

Users can access the Project IV Launcher on the Play Store by opening the Play Store app, using voice command to open the Play Store, or manually searching for 'Project IV Launcher' in the search bar.

What are the benefits of using a custom launcher like Project IV Launcher on an Android TV device?

The benefits of using a custom launcher like Project IV Launcher include a more personalized and cleaner home screen, the ability to hide unwanted apps and ads, easier navigation through custom categories, and a more responsive and snappier device performance.

How does the Project IV Launcher handle advertisements on the Android TV home screen?

The Project IV Launcher eliminates the need to see Google AdWords and other Android TV home screen advertisements, providing a cleaner and ad-free home screen experience.

What are some of the wallpaper options available in the Project IV Launcher settings?

The Project IV Launcher offers wallpaper options such as dynamic colors, default wallpaper, and the ability to choose from various subreddits on Reddit for different wallpaper themes.

Can the Project IV Launcher be used on devices other than Android TV, such as a Fire Stick?

While the script primarily discusses the use of Project IV Launcher on Android TV devices, it also mentions that the launcher can be used on other devices like Fire Stick. Users can find instructions on how to install it on different devices on the tutorials page of tech.com.

What is the significance of the 'Override the current launcher' option in the Project IV Launcher settings?

The 'Override the current launcher' option in the Project IV Launcher settings is significant because it allows the user to ensure that the custom launcher remains active even after opening other apps, providing a consistent and personalized user interface.

Outlines

00:00

📺 Customizing Android TV with Project IV Launcher

The video introduces viewers to a custom launcher for Android TV devices, addressing issues such as intrusive home screen ads, slow UI, and lack of customization options. The narrator demonstrates using the Project IV Launcher on their 4K device, showcasing its ability to display preferred applications, create custom sections, and fully customize the wallpaper without ads. The launcher is praised for its clean interface and responsiveness, and the tutorial guides viewers on how to set up and customize the launcher, including creating custom sections for different types of apps, adjusting grid layouts, and changing the visibility of categories.

05:00

🎨 Personalizing the Launcher with Categories and Wallpapers

The narrator continues by showing how to further personalize the Android TV home screen using the Project IV Launcher. This includes creating new categories for apps, such as 'Streaming' and 'Utils', and customizing the appearance of the categories by changing their visibility and order. The video also covers adjusting the size and sorting of app tiles within categories, and how the launcher dynamically changes the highlight color based on the app selected. The customization process extends to the wallpaper, with options to use dynamic colors, default wallpapers, or choose from a variety of subreddits on Reddit. The narrator also explains how to customize the appearance of individual tiles, including corner roundness and card sizes, to achieve a personalized look.

10:02

🔒 Setting Project IV Launcher as the Default and Additional Tips

The final part of the video script focuses on how to ensure that the custom Project IV Launcher remains the default when the home button is pressed, preventing the device from reverting to the standard, ad-filled home screen. The narrator guides viewers through setting the Project IV Launcher as the default launcher and enabling it within accessibility services to maintain its position. The ease of overriding the stock launcher without needing ADB commands or additional applications is highlighted as a significant advantage. The video concludes with instructions on how to download the Project IV Launcher from the Play Store and a prompt for viewers to share their thoughts on the launcher in the comments section.

Keywords

Custom Launcher

A custom launcher is a user interface replacement for the default home screen on Android devices. It allows users to personalize their home screen with features like custom wallpapers, app organization, and other visual enhancements. In the context of the video, the custom launcher is used to improve the user experience on an Android TV device by removing unwanted advertisements and providing a more streamlined and personalized interface.

Android TV

Android TV is a version of the Android operating system designed specifically for televisions. It includes features optimized for use with a television remote control, such as content recommendation and voice search. The video discusses how to customize the home screen of an Android TV device to enhance its usability and aesthetics.

Project IV Launcher

Project IV Launcher is a specific custom launcher application mentioned in the video that offers advanced customization options for Android TV devices. It is highlighted for its ability to create custom sections, hide applications, and change the default wallpaper without the need for additional installations or complex commands.

Home Screen

The home screen is the main screen that appears when the user turns on an Android device. It serves as a starting point for accessing apps and features. In the video, the home screen is a point of dissatisfaction due to the presence of large advertisements, which the custom launcher aims to address.

Customization

Customization refers to the process of modifying or adapting a product or service to better suit the user's preferences. In the context of the video, customization involves changing the look and feel of the Android TV's home screen, including the ability to set custom wallpapers, create custom app sections, and hide unwanted apps.

Wallpapers

Wallpapers are the background images on a device's home screen. They can be static or dynamic and are a common way for users to personalize their devices. The video demonstrates how to set custom wallpapers using the Project IV Launcher, including selecting from various sources like Reddit or using dynamic colors.

Hide Applications

The ability to hide applications is a feature that allows users to remove certain apps from the view on their home screen. This can declutter the interface and make it easier to find frequently used apps. The video shows how the custom launcher can be used to hide unwanted apps on the Android TV device.

Notification Access

Notification access is a permission that allows an app to interact with or modify the system's notifications. In the context of the video, granting notification access to the Project IV Launcher is a step in the setup process that enables the launcher to function correctly and integrate with the system's notification system.

Override Current Launcher

Overriding the current launcher is the process of changing the default home screen that appears when the home button is pressed. In the video, it is explained how to set the Project IV Launcher as the default launcher so that the custom home screen is always displayed when the user returns to the home screen.

Accessibility Services

Accessibility services are features that assist users with disabilities in using their devices more easily. In the context of the video, enabling accessibility services for the Project IV Launcher allows the custom launcher to maintain its interface even after opening and closing other apps, ensuring a consistent user experience.

Play Store

The Play Store is the digital distribution service operated by Google, where users can download and install applications onto their Android devices. The video instructs viewers on how to find and install the Project IV Launcher from the Play Store to customize their Android TV's home screen.

Highlights

Looking for the best custom launcher for Android TV to avoid large home screen ads and slow UI.

Customization options include custom wallpapers, folders, and the ability to hide applications.

The Project IV Launcher is recommended for a clean, ad-free, and responsive home screen experience.

Creating custom sections and categories for applications is straightforward with the launcher.

Users can choose and manage which apps appear in each category for a personalized layout.

The launcher allows for grid customization, including the number of cards and their size.

Sorting options are available, such as by frequency of use or alphabetically.

The visibility of categories can be toggled to declutter the home screen.

The order of categories can be rearranged to prioritize frequently used sections.

Customizing the wallpaper is easy with options to use dynamic colors or choose from a variety of sources.

The appearance of individual tiles can be customized, including corner rounding and size.

The launcher provides a dynamic color highlight effect when hovering over tiles.

Instructions on setting the Project IV Launcher as the default to avoid returning to the stock launcher.

No need for ADB commands or additional installations to override the stock launcher.

The launcher is available on the Play Store for easy access and installation.

Support for the developer is available through purchasing the premium version of the launcher.

Additional instructions and tutorials are provided on the tech.com website for different devices.

The Project IV Launcher offers a high level of customization without the need for complex setup.