Debloat the Chromecast with Google TV (HD)

Google TV 14 · 15 apps on the list · tested on a real set

The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) ships with Google telemetry, feedback and ads, four Privacy Sandbox modules, preloaded apps and the Google ambient mode screensaver. The list has 15 apps. It is a dongle, so it has no Live TV app and no HDMI inputs.

It uses the same firmware as the 4K model. Wi-Fi joined during first setup can belong to the setup wizard, and turning that off deletes the network. Forgetting and rejoining first avoids it. TidyTV turns these off from your phone with a backup first and deletes nothing. TidyTV turns these off from your phone over Wi-Fi, saves a backup first and never deletes anything.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the Chromecast with Google TV (HD)

Grouped as the tested list groups them. In the app each one has a switch, so you choose. Apps marked your call are extras the list leaves on.

Telemetry, feedback and ads 3

Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
Feedbackconsentcom.android.tv.feedbackconsent
Remote usage loggingcom.google.android.tv.remotecontrol.logging

The next four are Privacy Sandbox / federated-learning Mainline modules 5

worked here, re-enable if the Play Store or Assistant misbehave.

Federatedcomputecom.google.android.federatedcompute
Ondevicepersonalizationcom.google.android.ondevicepersonalization.services
Privacy Sandbox ad servicescom.google.android.adservices.api
Adservices apicom.google.android.ext.adservices.api
Play Auto Installs config stubandroid.autoinstalls.config.google.gtvpai

Preloaded apps 4

Play Gamescom.google.android.play.games
Google TV storeGoogle TV / Play Movies; re-enable for purchased titlescom.google.android.videos
Printspoolercom.android.printspooler
TalkBackre-enable if you need the screen readercom.google.android.marvin.talkback

Google ambient mode screensaver (replaced by the launcher's Clock screensaver) 2

Ambient modecom.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx
Backdrop screensavercom.google.android.backdrop
Google TV home screen your callcom.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

Stock home 1

launcher/build-and-install.sh disables launcherx itself once the new launcher is installed and verified, and restore.sh re-enables it; setupwraith has to go too (see quirks: fix Wi-Fi ownership first, and it breaks casting), so it stays in the list for restore.sh to bring back.

Google TV setupsetup wizard; its RecoveryActivity otherwise takes over Homecom.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith

What always stays on

The setup wizard, unless your Wi-Fi was rejoined
Casting
Google Play Store and Play Services
The remote and Bluetooth pairing

Good to know on this model

The HD has no Ethernet, so losing Wi-Fi also drops debugging. Forget and rejoin your Wi-Fi first if the setup wizard owns it.
Debugging switches off at every restart, so turn it back on in Developer options.
Turning off the setup wizard can break casting, as it holds the cast device credentials.

How to do it

Turn on developer options On the TV, open Settings › System › About and select the build number 7 times. Then turn on USB debugging, and Network debugging if you see it.
Tap your TV in TidyTV Your phone finds the TV on the Wi-Fi. Tick "Always allow" and press Allow when the TV asks.
Review, then tidy TidyTV saves a backup, shows these apps with switches, and turns off the ones you pick, checking each one.

Questions

Will casting still work on my Chromecast with Google TV HD?

Yes by default. Only turning off the setup wizard can break casting, so leave it on if you cast.

Why did my Wi-Fi drop?

Wi-Fi joined during first setup can belong to the setup wizard. Turning it off deletes that network. Forget and rejoin it first.

Can I get the old home screen back?

Yes. Restore everything turns the apps back on and puts the Google TV home screen back in one tap.

Source: the google-chromecast-gtv-hd list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.