Debloat the Sony BRAVIA XBR-55X850C
Android TV 8.0 · 36 apps on the list · tested on a real set
This 2015 Sony runs Android TV 8.0 and ships with Samba TV, which tracks what is on screen. It also has Sony device and remote-support agents, Sony Select promos, a Discover content bar, recommendation rows, and automatic installs of partner apps. Preloaded help tiles, manuals, games and streaming apps add to the clutter.
Nothing was disabled at the factory. TidyTV turns these apps off from your phone over Wi-Fi, saves a backup first and never deletes anything. After the change the Inputs list still showed HDMI, Video and Live TV, and the Input button still worked.
Apps TidyTV can turn off on the Sony BRAVIA XBR-55X850C
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.
ACR viewing tracker 1
- Samba TV fingerprints what's on screen
tv.samba.ssm
Telemetry, remote support and feedback 5
- Sony device agent / remote support
com.sony.dtv.da.service - Qterics device agent
com.qterics.da.product - Bugreportsender
com.google.android.tv.bugreportsender - Google Feedback
com.google.android.feedback - B2b vendorprotocolSDDP model/MAC/IP broadcast for Control4-style home
com.sony.dtv.b2b.vendorprotocol
Sony and Google content, ads and promos 6
- Sony Select app store/promo tile
com.sony.dtv.sonyselect - Sony Discover content bar
com.sony.dtv.discovery - BIVL content service list
com.sony.dtv.bivlinfo - Sony tweaks to the stock home rows
com.sony.dtv.tvlaunchercustomizer - Google recommendationsrecommendation rows for the stock launcher
com.google.android.tvrecommendations - Play auto-install of partner apps
android.autoinstalls.config.sony.bravia
Preloaded apps and tutorials 10
- Help tile
com.sony.dtv.customersupport - Dtv smarthelp
com.sony.dtv.smarthelp - I-Manual
com.sony.dtv.imanual - Touchpad remote tutorial
com.sony.dtv.touchpad.tutorial - Tvtutorials
com.google.android.tvtutorials - Google TV storeGoogle Play Movies
com.google.android.videos - Play Games
com.google.android.play.games - Google Play Music
com.google.android.music - US Prime Video stub
com.amazon.aiv.us - Japanese keyboard
com.google.android.inputmethod.japanese
Voice assistant, off by owner's choice (removes the remote's mic search) 2
- Google Assistant
com.google.android.katniss - Speech pumpkin
com.google.android.speech.pumpkin
Streaming apps the owner doesn't use 12
- Prime Video
com.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom - Disney+
com.disney.disneyplus - HBO Max
com.hbo.hbonow - Pandora atv
com.pandora.android.atv - Tubi
com.tubitv - Pluto TV
tv.pluto.android - Twitch
tv.twitch.android.app - Pbskids video
org.pbskids.video - Crackle androidtv
com.crackle.androidtv - Vudu
air.com.vudu.air.DownloaderTablet - Accuweather
com.accuweather.android - DIRECTV Ready
com.sony.rvu
What always stays on
- Live TV and input app, which also plays every HDMI input
- HDMI-CEC (BRAVIA Sync) and remote pairing
- The Netflix button service
- Sony's keyboard, settings and software updates
- Hotel mode plumbing, Sony IP control and DLNA
- USB media players
Good to know on this model
- Turning off the launcher customizer removes the notification, Inputs and Timer icons from the top bar of the stock home. The remote's Input button still works.
- The list turns off Google Assistant by the owner's choice, which removes the remote's mic search.
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 XBR-55X850C?
Not with this list. The owner turned off Google Assistant, which removes the remote's mic search. You can switch it back on in the app.
Does HDMI still work?
Yes. The Live TV app that plays every HDMI input is kept, along with HDMI-CEC.
Can I get the old home screen back?
Yes. Restore everything in the app turns every app back on and puts the stock Android TV home screen back.
Source: the sony-xbr-55x850c 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