Debloat the TCL 55C7K

Google TV 14 · 32 apps on the list · tested on a real set

This UK TCL QD-Mini LED runs Google TV on Android 14. It ships with Samba TV, which tracks what you watch, and TCL analytics, log upload and account sign-in nags. It also carries TCL Live FAST channels, TCL content pushed to the home screen at boot, push messages, retail demo apps and a cleaner.

The list was applied on a real unit, though not yet lived with for days. Wi-Fi stayed up, the Inputs menu listed HDMI 1 to 4 and Live TV, and after a reboot Home and Wi-Fi came back. TidyTV saves a backup first, never deletes anything and lets you switch any app back on.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 55C7K

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 tracking and analytics 3

Samba TV ACR viewing trackingcom.tcl.ttvs
Log capture and uploadcom.tcl.logkit
TCL account sign-in nagscom.tcl.usercenter

TCL content, ads and promos 6

TCL Live FAST channelscom.tcl.channelplus
Tcl tclhome passivepushes TCL content to the home screen at bootcom.tcl.tv.tclhome_passive
TCL tweaks to Google TV home rowscom.tcl.partnercustomizer
TCL TIAS background servicecom.tcl.interactive
TCL push messages and promoscom.tcl.messagebox
TCL movie/show recommendation browsercom.tcl.waterfall.overseas

Retail demo 2

Tcl exhibitcom.tcl.exhibit
Tcl estickercom.tcl.esticker

Preloaded apps and services 9

E-manualcom.tcl.ocean.instructions
Tcl repairguidecom.tcl.repairguide
Alexacom.tcl.smartalexa
TCL "cleaner" / app managercom.tcl.guard
Silently installs partner appsandroid.autoinstalls.config.google.gtvpai
Partner attributioncom.google.android.partnersetup
Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
Feedbackconsentcom.android.tv.feedbackconsent
Play Gamescom.google.android.play.games

Off by choice on this unit 10

Google Assistantcom.google.android.katniss
YouTube Musiccom.google.android.youtube.tvmusic
Netflixcom.netflix.ninja
Netflix tokenmanagercom.netflix.tokenmanager
Miracast screen mirroringcom.tcl.miracast
TCL T-Cast / Magiconnect phone mirroringcom.tcl.magiconnectfree
Game mode / VRR overlay for consolescom.tcl.gamebar
USB media playercom.tcl.ui_mediaCenter
USB photo gallery + TCL screensavercom.tcl.gallery
T-Solo "listen alone"com.tcl.t_solo
Chromecast built-in your callChromecastcom.google.android.apps.mediashell
AirPlay your callcom.tcl.airplay2
Mediatek AirplayAPK your callcom.mediatek.AirplayAPK
Mediatek airplaydaemon your callcom.mediatek.airplaydaemon
TCL soundbar firmware updates your callcom.tcl.UpdatePeripheral
Prime Video your callcom.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
YouTube your callcom.google.android.youtube.tv

The other HOME candidate, disabled while launcherx still owns Home and before build-and-install.sh 1

with launcherx gone, setupwraith's RecoveryActivity claims HOME at priority 1. Forget and re-join the Wi-Fi first if setupwraith owns it (disable.sh checks).

Google TV setupcom.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
Google TV home screen your callcom.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx

launcherx is disabled by launcher/build-and-install.sh 1

Switch screensaver_components to com.gathin.tvhome/.ClockDream before disabling dreamx.

Ambient modeGoogle ambient screensaver (promos); screensaver set to ClockDream firstcom.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx

What always stays on

Live TV and HDMI (the TCL TV app)
The TCL input service, Quick panel and remote pairing
The remote's microphone service
The keyboard and TCL settings
UK catch-up apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, BBC Sounds)
Two TCL system agents whose purpose is unclear

Good to know on this model

Wi-Fi saved during first setup may belong to the setup app. Forget and rejoin it in Settings before that app is 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 55C7K?

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 the mic button.

Will it stop the ads on the home screen?

It turns off the TCL content rows, Live FAST channels, TCL tweaks to the Google TV home and the push messages and promos.

Does casting still work?

Miracast and TCL's T-Cast phone mirroring are on the list by choice and switched off. Switch them back on in the app if you use them.

Source: the tcl-55c7k-uk list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.