Debloat the Sony BRAVIA BF1
Google TV 12 · 11 apps on the list · tested on a real set
The Sony BRAVIA BF1 has Samba TV, which recognises what is on screen for ad targeting and runs all the time. It also has Sony promotions and a Sony Select tile for promoted apps, shop demo modes, a Google feedback reporter, and preloaded apps such as YouTube Music and Play Games.
The list was applied one group at a time on a real set, with voice search kept on purpose. The notes say to check Home, Netflix, YouTube, Input and AirPlay after each group. TidyTV turns these apps off from a phone on the same Wi-Fi, after saving a backup. Nothing is uninstalled, and one tap restores them.
Apps TidyTV can turn off on the Sony BRAVIA BF1
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.
tracking / ads / promos 4
- Samba ssmSamba TV: recognises what's on screen for ad targeting (10 MB, always running)
tv.samba.ssm - Sony promotions
com.sony.dtv.promos - Sony Select: promoted-app picks
com.sony.dtv.sonyselect - Google Feedback
com.google.android.feedback
shop demo mode 3
- Dtv demosupport
com.sony.dtv.demosupport - Dtv demosystemsupport
com.sony.dtv.demosystemsupport - Dtv multiscreendemo
com.sony.dtv.multiscreendemo - Seeds iot your call
com.sony.dtv.m2.seeds.iot - Iot remotestart your call
com.sony.dtv.m2.seeds.iot.remotestart
preloaded apps (reinstall or re-enable any time) 4
- Google TV storeGoogle TV / Play Movies
com.google.android.videos - YouTube Music
com.google.android.youtube.tvmusic - Play Games
com.google.android.play.games - Sony Pictures Core
com.sonypicturescore - Google TV setup your callsetup wizard; its RecoveryActivity also claims Home
com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith - Ambient mode your call
com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx - Google Assistant your call
com.google.android.katniss - Sony's voice search bridge your call
com.sony.dtv.voicesearch
What always stays on
- Play Store, Play Services, Gboard and Sony's update centre
- The TV inputs and tuners and the Input menu, so HDMI and antenna still work
- Chromecast, AirPlay and Dolby audio
- Sony and Android settings
Good to know on this model
- Wait about 30 seconds after a change before restarting the TV. A restart too soon can bring back an app that was just turned off.
- Sony's application disabler turns some apps back on at every start, including the AirPlay app and some Sony IoT apps. Leave them as they are.
- The TV's IP address often changes after a restart. Reserve one in your router so your phone can find the TV.
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 the voice button still work on my Sony BRAVIA BF1?
Yes. Voice search is kept on purpose, and Google Assistant is an optional entry, so it stays on.
Does casting still work?
Yes. AirPlay and Chromecast are kept on this list.
Can I get the old home screen back?
Yes. Restore everything turns the apps back on and puts the old home screen back, in one tap. A factory reset also turns every app back on.
Source: the sony-bravia-bf1 list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.
Other Sony models