Debloat the TCL 43S5K

Google TV 14 · 12 apps on the list · tested on a real set

This TCL sold in India runs Google TV 14 with only about 1 GB of memory. It ships with TCL push messages and promos, log capture and upload, TCL promo rows on the Google TV home, silent installs of partner apps and partner install tracking. It also has a browser and web video portal, games and feedback apps.

The list was applied in four batches with a screenshot after each, and used for an afternoon. TidyTV turns the apps off from your phone over Wi-Fi, saves a backup first and never deletes anything, so each one can be switched back on in the app.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 43S5K

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.

Batch 1 5

TCL tracking, ads and auto-installs com.tcl.ttvs # TCL analytics AND the firmware updater: kept on so updates arrive (#322)

TCL push messages and promoscom.tcl.messagebox
Log capture and uploadcom.tcl.logkit
TCL promo rows on the Google TV homecom.tcl.partnercustomizer
Silently installs partner appsandroid.autoinstalls.config.google.gtvpai
Partner attributioncom.google.android.partnersetup

Batch 2: preloaded apps and extras not used on this unit 5

Tcl browserTCL "BrowseHere" browser and web-video portalcom.tcl.browser
Play Gamescom.google.android.play.games
Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
Feedbackconsentcom.android.tv.feedbackconsent
Google Assistantcom.google.android.katniss

Batch 3 1

setup wizard. It claims HOME (RecoveryActivity, priority 1) once launcherx is gone. Disabled while launcherx still owned Home, and only after the Wi-Fi network was forgotten and re-joined in Settings so that it belongs to android.uid.system instead of setupwraith.

Google TV setupcom.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith

Batch 4 1

after launcher/ is Home and the screensaver is switched to the launcher's clock: tools/tv.py 'settings put secure screensaver_components com.gathin.tvhome/.ClockDream' (it was unset, so the default com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx/.service.Backdrop ran; undo with 'settings delete secure screensaver_components')

Ambient modeGoogle TV Ambient mode screensaver (promos)com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx

What always stays on

Live TV and HDMI (the MediaTek TV center)
The MediaTek TV input and TV service
The Input button and source panel
On-screen virtual keys
Remote service

Good to know on this model

TCL's ttvs app is both its tracker and its firmware updater. It is left on so updates keep working, and you can turn it off if you prefer less tracking.
If your Wi-Fi was joined during first setup, forget it and join again before setup apps are turned off.

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 43S5K?

Not with the default list, which turns off Google Assistant voice by the owner's choice. Switch it back on in the app if you use it.

Will TV updates still work?

Yes. TCL's updater is kept, so firmware updates keep arriving.

Will it stop the ads on the home screen?

It turns off the TCL promo rows on the Google TV home and the silent partner app installs. The Ambient mode screensaver promos are also off.

Source: the tcl-43s5k list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.