Debloat the TCL 40S5400A

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

This TCL set ships with TCL promotion rows on the home screen, a TCL account sign-in, and a TGuard cleaner that also handles support. It also has a TCL web video portal, a store demo sticker, and USB media, audio, video and photo players. Some Google apps, such as Play Movies, Play Games and YouTube Music, are on the list too.

This set was changed in three rounds on 18 October 2026, rebooting after each one, and it has been used for one day so far. After the full list, the new home screen came up after a reboot, YouTube and Netflix opened, HDMI 2 worked and the Input key opened the source picker. Casting from a phone was not tested. TidyTV turns these off from your phone over Wi-Fi, with a backup first and nothing deleted.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 40S5400A

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 donecom.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
Android TV home screen your calllauncher/build-and-install.sh disables the stock launcher itself, after Home has movedcom.google.android.tvlauncher

Stock home and its recommendation rows, replaced by launcher/ 1

Google recommendationscom.google.android.tvrecommendations

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

Google AssistantGoogle search/voice, keep for the mic buttoncom.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 (quirks)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
Prime Video your callcom.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
Rakuten TV your calltv.wuaki.apptv
TCL Alexa bridge your callcom.tcl.smartalexa

What always stays on

Live TV, HDMI inputs and the source picker on the Input key
The Bluetooth remote, its pairing and the remote key help
Picture and sound settings, and the Quick Panel
The firmware updater, which checks for TV and remote updates
Netflix and YouTube, which open normally

Good to know on this model

The Google photo screensaver uses a lot of memory while it runs. Before switching it off, set the screensaver to Colors, or the TV is left with no screensaver.
After a restart, the TV can switch to the last HDMI input by itself. Press Home to bring the new home screen back.
The TCL app with a name that sounds like text to speech is the firmware updater, and it is kept on purpose.
The TCL account app is switched back on by the system at every restart, but it stays idle.

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 40S5400A?

Only if you keep Google Assistant and voice search on. They sit in the off-by-choice part of the list, and the mic button needs them.

Does casting still work?

The Chromecast receiver is left on, so it should work. Casting from a phone was not tested on this set.

Can I get the old home screen back?

Yes. Restore everything turns every app back on and puts the old home screen back, in one tap.

Source: the tcl-40s5400a list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.