Debloat the TiVo Stream 4K
Android TV 12 · 10 apps on the list · tested on a real set
This TiVo Stream 4K is a streaming stick on Android TV 12. It ships with telemetry and feedback services, an app blocker with background services, partner recommendation rows and auto-installs, and a couple of preloads. The firmware refuses the usual off switch, so this list suspends apps instead.
This firmware refuses Android's normal way of turning an app off, which is the only change TidyTV makes, so the TidyTV app can't clean this stick yet. The tested list here suspends the apps instead, from a computer, and some come back after each restart. The list below shows what was found and what was kept.
Apps TidyTV can turn off on the TiVo Stream 4K
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.
Telemetry and feedback 3
- Google Feedback
com.google.android.feedback - Google RLZ partner attribution pings
com.google.android.partnersetup - NES bug tracker
com.nes.tvbugtracker
App blocker and NES background services 3
- Nes coreserviceuninstalls launchers and sideload tools at boot; polls the update status once a second
com.nes.coreservice - Persistent: the system re-creates it
com.nes.daemon - TiVo service
com.tivo.sageservice
Recommendations, partner rows and auto-installs 2
- Google recommendationsalso switch its notification listener off: cmd notification disallow_listener
com.google.android.tvrecommendations - Play auto-install of partner apps
android.autoinstalls.config.sei
Preloaded apps, off by choice 2
- Printspooler
com.android.printspooler - TalkBackre-enable if you need the screen reader
com.google.android.marvin.talkback - Android TV home screen your call
com.google.android.tvlauncher - Backdrop screensaver your callambient screensaver
com.google.android.backdrop - No camera on a stick your call
com.android.camera2 - Gallery3d your call
com.android.gallery3d - Google Assistant your callAssistant; also clear settings assistant and voice_interaction_service, or the system keeps it alive
com.google.android.katniss - Tivo atom your call
com.tivo.atom - Tivo tivoplusplayer your call
com.tivo.tivoplusplayer - Tivo tvlaunchercustomization your call
com.tivo.tvlaunchercustomization - NES device manager: boot ads your call
com.nes.skywayclient - Remote shortcut keys your call
com.nes.tvglobalkeyhandler - NES factory test app your call
com.utsmta.app - Play Games your call
com.google.android.play.games
What always stays on
- UEI QuickSet (the remote switches the TV on and off)
- HDMI-CEC
- Bluetooth remote pairing and remote updates
- Chromecast
- Play Store, Play Services and the keyboard
Good to know on this model
- Some apps start again after a restart and need to be stopped again.
- A background service removes any other launcher or sideloaded app it dislikes at every start, so switching home screens needs extra steps.
- It is a stick, so there are no HDMI inputs or tuner.
- TidyTV doesn't offer a clean-up on this stick: the firmware refuses the off switch for every app, and it removes other home screens at each restart.
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
Can I install another launcher?
Not easily. A service on the stick removes alternative launchers at every start, so Home is harder to change here.
Is it still undoable?
TidyTV doesn't change anything on this stick, so there's nothing to undo. If you used the list's own steps from a computer, its README explains how to unsuspend the apps.
Will casting still work?
Yes. Chromecast is kept.
Source: the tivo-stream-4k list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.