Debloat the TCL 55-inch 4K Google TV

Google TV 12 · 18 apps on the list · tested on a real set

This 2023 TCL 55-inch 4K Google TV ships with TCL TV+ and TCL Live FAST channels, a service that pushes TCL content to the home screen at boot, and TCL tweaks to the home rows. It also has a silent app installer bundled in a TCL service, retail demo apps, an e-manual and a repair guide.

The list was confirmed on two units of the same TV platform, with the same firmware build. Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and AirPlay are optional in the list, so they stay on unless you turn them off. TidyTV turns these apps off from a phone on the same Wi-Fi, after saving a backup. Nothing is uninstalled, and one tap restores them.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TCL 55-inch 4K Google TV

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 content, ads and promos 6

TCL TV+ content appcom.tcl.tv.plus
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
Bundles a silent app installercom.tcl.smartlink.core

Retail demo / store mode 2

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

Preloaded apps and services 10

E-manualcom.tcl.ocean.instructions
Tcl repairguidecom.tcl.repairguide
Tcl gamebarre-enable for the console game-mode overlaycom.tcl.gamebar
Tcl ui mediaCenterre-enable to play media from USB drivescom.tcl.ui_mediaCenter
Tcl UpdatePeripheralre-enable to update a TCL soundbarcom.tcl.UpdatePeripheral
Config gtvpaiandroid.autoinstalls.config.google.gtvpai
Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
TalkBackcom.google.android.marvin.talkback
Ambient modecom.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx
Google TV phone-app remotecom.google.android.tv.remote.service
AirPlay your callcom.tcl.airplay2
Realtek airplay2 your callcom.realtek.airplay2
Netflix your callcom.netflix.ninja
Netflix tokenmanager your callcom.netflix.tokenmanager
Prime Video your callcom.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
YouTube your callcom.google.android.youtube.tv

What always stays on

Live TV, the antenna and HDMI playback, through TCL's TV app
TCL's tuner and input services, dashboard, Quick Panel, Bluetooth pairing and system service
Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and AirPlay, which are optional in the list

Good to know on this model

The red TV tile can disappear from the Google TV home row after the change. TV stays in the Apps row and behind the Inputs tile.
The ambient screensaver is turned off, but the screensaver setting can still point at it. Choose another screensaver in Settings.
The Google TV promo banner is drawn by the stock home itself, so it stays until the home screen is replaced.

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 55-inch 4K Google TV?

The list does not turn off Google Assistant or voice search, so the voice button should still work. The notes do not record a voice test on this TV.

Does casting still work?

Chromecast is not in this list, so it stays on. The Google TV phone-app remote is turned off here, so switch it on in TidyTV if you use it.

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-g10-google-tv list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.