Debloat the TCL 32S5K

Android TV 11 · 22 apps on the list · tested on a real set

This 32 inch TCL QLED has under 1 GB of memory, so the extra apps matter. It ships with a TCL account app, a TGuard cleaner and support app, promo rows on the stock home, a TCL web video portal and a partner app auto installer. Google extras like games and a music app add more.

The list was checked package by package on this unit, applied in three rounds and tested after reboots, including the undo and a re-apply. Netflix and YouTube played, HDMI switching worked and Wi-Fi survived. TidyTV saves a backup first and never deletes anything.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 32S5K

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.

TCL account, promos and content 6

TCL accountcom.tcl.usercenter
TGuard cleaner/supportcom.tcl.guard
Promo rows on the stock homecom.tcl.partnercustomizer
TCL web-video portalcom.tcl.waterfall.overseas
Store-demo stickercom.tcl.esticker
Partner-app auto installer configandroid.autoinstalls.config.tcl.device

Google extras 6

Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
Play Gamescom.google.android.play.games
Google TV storePlay Moviescom.google.android.videos
YouTube Musiccom.google.android.youtube.tvmusic
Syncadapters calendarcom.google.android.syncadapters.calendar
Google TV setupfirst-run wizard, setup already done (owns no Wi-Fi here)com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
Android TV home screen your calllauncher/build-and-install.sh disables this itself if you use itcom.google.android.tvlauncher

Stock home recommendation rows 1

The stock launcher itself is NOT disabled here: launcher/ was built and installed, worked and survived a reboot, but was reverted by choice on this unit. The home screen renders fine with tvrecommendations off.

Google recommendationscom.google.android.tvrecommendations

Off by choice on this unit: comment out what you use 9

Google AssistantGoogle search/voice; the stock home's search bar goes deadcom.google.android.katniss
Phone-app remotecom.google.android.tv.remote.service
Google text-to-speechcom.google.android.tts
TalkBackcom.google.android.marvin.talkback
Backdrop screensaverphoto screensaver, switch the screensaver first (see notes)com.google.android.backdrop
USB media playercom.tcl.ui_mediaCenter
Tcl audioplayercom.tcl.audioplayer
Tcl videoplayercom.tcl.videoplayer
Tcl imageplayercom.tcl.imageplayer
Chromecast built-in your callCast receiver: kept here for casting from a phonecom.google.android.apps.mediashell
Stan your callau.com.stan.and
TCL Alexa bridge your callcom.tcl.smartalexa

What always stays on

Live TV, which also plays HDMI
The TCL input service
Picture and sound settings
The firmware update check
The screensaver, unless you turn it off yourself

Good to know on this model

The TCL account app can be turned back on by the TCL service. Check the app list after a restart.
On this unit free memory rose by about 56 MB with the stock home and 84 MB with a clean home screen.
Several extras, such as Google search, text-to-speech and the USB media player, are marked off by choice. Switch back on any you use.

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 TCL 32S5K?

Not with the full list, which turns off Google search and voice. Leave those switches on in the app if you use voice.

Does the undo really work?

Yes. The full list was restored and applied again on this TV to test it.

Will it stop the ads on the home screen?

It turns off the TCL promo rows, the web video portal and the Google recommendation rows.

Source: the tcl-32s5k list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.