Debloat the TCL 55S546
Google TV 11 · 23 apps on the list · tested on a real set
This US TCL 5-Series set runs Google TV on Android 11. It ships with TCL and Google telemetry, TCL and Google content, ad and recommendation rows, background services and preloaded extras. The Google ambient screensaver, which shows promos, is on the list too.
It was tested on a real set in batches with a screenshot after each, then restarted. Everything stayed off, Wi-Fi stayed up, and the Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Input and gear buttons all worked. TidyTV turns these off from your phone over Wi-Fi, saves a backup first and never deletes anything.
Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 55S546
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.
---- 1. TCL and Google telemetry ---- 3
- TCL BI analytics
com.tcl.bi - Background reporting service
com.tcl.xian.StartandroidService - Google Feedbackcrash / feedback reporting
com.google.android.feedback
---- 2 8
TCL and Google content, ads and recommendation rows ----
- TCL dashboard / promo backend
com.tcl.dashboard - Partner customisation channel
com.tcl.partnercustomizer - TCL message / promo box
com.tcl.messagebox - Sticker / emoji overlay
com.tcl.esticker - Older copy of TCL's web-video portal
com.tcl.waterfall.overseas - Silently installs partner apps
android.autoinstalls.config.google.gtvpai - Partner-app attribution
com.google.android.partnersetup - One-time setup leftovers
com.google.android.onetimeinitializer
---- 3. Background services and preloaded extras ---- 8
- TCL online support
com.tcl.guard - TCL account sign-in nags
com.tcl.usercenter - E-manual
com.tcl.ocean.instructions - TCL WebView
com.tcl.android.webview - WebView test shell
org.chromium.webview_shell - Calendar sync
com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar - Play Games
com.google.android.play.games - TCL photo gallery
com.tcl.gallery
---- 4. Off by choice: voice assistants not used ---- 2
- Alexa bridge
com.tcl.smartalexa - TCL voice assistant / voice TV control
com.tcl.assistant
---- 5 1
Google TV first-run wizard: claims HOME once launcherx is off ---- Check `dumpsys wifi | grep -o 'cname=[^ ]*'` first; re-enable it before a factory reset.
- Google TV setup
com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
---- 6 1
Google ambient screensaver (promos) ---- Switch the screensaver first: settings put secure screensaver_components com.gathin.tvhome/.ClockDream
- Ambient mode
com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx
What always stays on
- Live TV, the tuner and HDMI and AV inputs
- The Input key's source panel
- TCL Channel and TCL+
- Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and YouTube Music
- Chromecast and USB media player
- Google Assistant
- TCL firmware updates
Good to know on this model
- The setup wizard takes Home once the stock one is off. Check it does not own your Wi-Fi network first.
- Switch the screensaver to another one before the Google ambient screensaver is turned off.
- The Wi-Fi pill shows 'Wi-Fi' and not the network name because Location is 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?
Yes. The mic and Google voice worked with the TCL assistant switched off.
Do TCL Channel and TCL+ still work?
Yes. Both are kept on this US build.
Does it have a way back?
Yes. Restore everything in the app turns every app back on in one tap, and puts the old home screen back if you changed it.
Source: the tcl-55s546-us list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.
Other TCL models