Top 5 Apps for Boosting Performance on Your Google TV Device

If you own a Google TV, you’ve probably experienced the frustrating slowness that comes with basic functions. This sluggishness is not unique to Google TVs but is common across various brands such as Sony, TCL, and Hisense, as well as devices like Chromecast and Google TV Streamer.

The root of this issue lies in the lack of powerful hardware from TV manufacturers to handle the operating system. Additionally, the interface provided by Google contributes to the slow performance.

The Google TV UI primarily focuses on organization, acting as a hub for popular apps like YouTube, Netflix, and HBO Max. However, many users find the interface cluttered and overwhelming, with an abundance of recommendations and suggestions, often from apps that are not even installed.

The home screen, while information-rich, can feel bloated and confusing, with intrusive ads and algorithmic recommendations that can overshadow the user’s content discovery experience.

Despite these challenges, there are several apps that can significantly improve the Google TV experience. I have personally used five of these apps daily, and they have made a noticeable difference in enhancing my smart TV usage.

Projectivy Launcher

Projectivy Launcher serves as a custom home screen replacement that eliminates the bloat and ads from the Google TV interface. By setting Projectivy as your default launcher, you are greeted with a simple app grid instead of Google’s content carousels.

By displaying only installed apps, Projectivy streamlines the user experience and makes the TV feel more responsive. The launcher offers greater flexibility than the official one, allowing users to reorder apps, create custom categories, and adjust layout density to suit their preferences.

Projectivy also features the ability to sideload apps, parental controls, and unique remote button combinations. While the basic version is free, some cosmetic enhancements like custom icon packs require a one-time Pro upgrade.

SmartTube

SmartTube is an open-source YouTube client designed for TV devices, offering an ad-free viewing experience and integration with SponsorBlock to skip sponsor messages. The app supports up to 4K resolution and provides additional control over playback settings compared to the stock YouTube app.

SmartTube also offers accessibility features like adjustable subtitle styles and sizes, as well as customizable home screen layouts for personalized organization. Users can use the app with or without a Google account, maintaining a local watch history and subscriptions without logging in.

tvQuickActions (or Button Mapper)

tvQuickActions addresses limitations in Google TV’s remote and interface by allowing users to remap buttons and create quick shortcuts. The app enables users to assign various actions to different button presses, enhancing navigation and functionality.

For a more straightforward remapping solution, Button Mapper offers similar features without requiring root access. While the free version meets most users’ needs, the premium version unlocks advanced customization options.

LocalSend

LocalSend is a versatile file-sharing utility that facilitates seamless transfer of files to and from Google TV devices. The app, available across multiple platforms, enables peer-to-peer sharing without internet connectivity or file size restrictions.

LocalSend simplifies tasks like sideloading apps onto Google TV and is particularly useful for sharing files across devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

atvTools

atvTools acts as a comprehensive utility for managing Google TV from a smartphone. The app connects to the TV over Wi-Fi, offering features like advanced remote control, file management, app sideloading, and real-time system monitoring.

With atvTools, users can optimize their TV’s performance, manage installed apps, and execute ADB shell commands wirelessly for enhanced control and customization.

Google TV Improvements

While the mentioned apps enhance the Google TV experience, there is still room for improvement in collaboration between TV brands and Google to address performance issues and streamline the user interface.

Google TV has the potential to offer a more seamless and efficient smart TV experience with the right enhancements and optimizations.