Debloat the TCL BeyondTV
Android TV 9 · 27 apps on the list · tested on a real set
The TCL BeyondTV ships with TCL analytics and crash reporting, TCL promo rows and a message box, and a TV Guard cleaner. It also has a TCL app store and Google's voice services, which the notes say used about 45 percent of one processor core all day. Google recommendation rows and preloaded apps such as Play Movies are on too.
The list was applied in six groups on a real unit, with a screenshot after each. Wi-Fi, the remote, TCL's source menu, the Inputs menu and Netflix all worked, and Home still worked after a restart. TidyTV turns these apps off from a phone on the same Wi-Fi, after saving a backup. Nothing is uninstalled.
Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL BeyondTV
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. Telemetry and analytics 6
- TCL BI analytics
com.tcl.bi - Google Feedback"send feedback"
com.google.android.feedback - Bug report uploader
com.google.android.tv.bugreportsender - Partner-app attribution
com.google.android.partnersetup - One-time setup leftovers
com.google.android.onetimeinitializer - Partner-app auto installer
android.autoinstalls.config.tcl.device
2. Content, recommendation rows and promos 6
- Google recommendationshome-screen recommendation rows
com.google.android.tvrecommendations - Leanbacklauncher recommendations
com.google.android.leanbacklauncher.recommendations - TCL promo rows
com.tcl.partnercustomizer - TCL message/promo box
com.tcl.messagebox - Retail demo stickers
com.tcl.esticker - TCL's own launcher/content service
com.tcl.cyberui
3. Preloads and background extras 5
- Google TV storePlay Movies & TV
com.google.android.videos - USB media centre
com.tcl.ui_mediaCenter - End-user agreement screens
com.tcl.useragreement - Unused
com.tcl.android.webview - Remote-key help overlays
com.tcl.keyhelp - Eros Now: refused your call
com.eros.now
4. Off by choice on this unit 3
- Miracast screen mirroring
com.tcl.miracast - TCL T-Cast phone app link
com.tcl.MultiScreenInteraction_TV - Tcl versionUpdateAppTCL firmware updater: firmware stays on AP06
com.tcl.versionUpdateApp - Remote-control firmware OTA your call
com.tcl.rc.ota - Chromecast built-in your callChromecast, kept
com.google.android.apps.mediashell
5. After the launcher is installed 2
- TCL "TV Guard" cleaner
com.tcl.tvweishi - TCL app store
com.tcl.appmarket2
6 5
Voice, off by choice. voice_ap and katniss:interactor used ~45% of one core all day.
- Google AssistantGoogle voice search and the mic button
com.google.android.katniss - Offline speech recognition
com.google.android.speech.pumpkin - TCL's Google Assistant bridge
com.tcl.assistant - Remote microphone manager
com.tcl.micmanager - Assistant LED service
com.google.android.tv.assistant
What always stays on
- Live TV, the tuner and the HDMI inputs
- The remote: Bluetooth pairing, key handling and the Google TV remote service
- The source menu, Settings, setup and the keyboard
- Sound modes such as Dolby, DTS and night mode
- Device authentication and the Wi-Fi country settings
Good to know on this model
- The TV 2 Play app can freeze on start, even on the stock home. Update it from the Play Store.
- The clock can run hours fast if the automatic time is out of date. Turn automatic time off and back on to force a fresh sync.
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 BeyondTV?
Not by default. The list turns off Google voice search, the mic button and TCL's Assistant bridge. Switch them back on in TidyTV if you use voice.
Does casting still work?
Chromecast is kept on this list, so casting still works. Miracast and T-Cast phone mirroring are turned off, so switch them on if you use them.
Can I get the old home screen back?
Yes. Restore everything turns the apps back on and puts the old home screen back, in one tap.
Source: the tcl-beyondtv-rt2851 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