Projectivy Launcher replaces the default Google TV home screen, removing the promotional banner.
ANDROID TV AD-FREE SETUP REVEALED BY CRETEZY
*A step‑by‑step guide shows how to strip Google TV of banners, replace YouTube, and reclaim the remote. The method works on Chromecasts and Hisense TVs and can be reversed.*
Android TV promises a unified entertainment hub, but Google TV injects a persistent banner that pushes its own content. The banner survives even when users switch to Apps only mode, and there is no native option to replace the launcher. YouTube compounds the problem by overlaying its own ads, turning a simple remote click into a revenue stream for Google. Cretezy, a software developer, built a workaround that strips the banner, replaces YouTube, and restores a clean, app‑focused interface. The solution runs on two Chromecasts with Google TV and a Hisense TV, and the steps rely only on publicly available apps and ADB commands, not on rooting or custom firmware.
Why does Google TV bombard users with ads?
Google TV is the default interface on most Android TV devices. It places a large banner at the top of the home screen promoting whatever Google wants you to watch next. The banner persists even in Apps only mode, and there is no setting to change the launcher. YouTube adds its own ads on top of the official app. The result is a cluttered experience that forces users to watch promotional content before accessing their own apps.
How can I replace the stock launcher with Projectivy?
Projectivy Launcher overrides the home screen, showing only apps and nothing else. Install Projectivy from the Play Store, then disable the stock launcher packages with ADB: `pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx` and `pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith`. Set Projectivy as the home activity using `cmd package set-home-activity com.spocky.projengmenu/.ui.home.MainActivity`. The stock launcher may also handle HDMI input switching, so verify that function after the change. The author reports successful deployment on two Chromecasts with Google TV and a Hisense TV, and the process should work on most Android TV devices.
Can YouTube be removed and replaced without rooting?
SmartTube is a sideloaded YouTube client that removes ads, adds a better interface, and includes SponsorBlock. After installing SmartTube with Downloader, uninstall the official app via ADB: `uninstall com.google.android.youtube.tv`. If the app is built into firmware, use `pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv` instead. Button Mapper remaps the remote so the YouTube button launches SmartTube. Both Button Mapper and Projectivy need accessibility services enabled; the author sets them with `settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services` and grants WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS to Button Mapper. This replacement works without rooting, relying only on ADB commands.
What cleanup steps improve performance and keep the setup reversible?
While connected, the author speeds up animations by setting `window_animation_scale`, `transition_animation_scale`, and `animator_duration_scale` to 0.75. He disables unused Google apps such as com.google.android.videos, com.google.android.play.games, com.google.android.feedback, and com.google.android.partnersetup. All changes can be undone with `pm enable
Frequently asked questions
How do I disable the Google TV banner on Android TV?
Install Projectivy Launcher, then use ADB to disable the stock launcher packages com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx and com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith, and set Projectivy as the home activity.
Can I replace YouTube on Android TV without rooting?
Yes. Sideload SmartTube, uninstall the official YouTube app with ADB, and remap the remote button to SmartTube using Button Mapper.
What apps are required for an ad‑free Android TV setup?
Projectivy Launcher, SmartTube (sideloaded), Wholphin for Jellyfin, and Button Mapper are installed from the Play Store; SmartTube is sideloaded with Downloader.
The ad‑free Android TV setup demonstrates that users can reclaim control of their viewing experience without deep system hacks. By swapping the launcher, sideloading SmartTube, and fine‑tuning ADB settings, Cretezy shows a repeatable path to a cleaner interface. The method works across multiple hardware platforms and can be undone at any time, offering a low‑risk alternative to proprietary ad ecosystems. As more users adopt these steps, the pressure on Google to offer an ad‑free option may increase.
Sources: https://cretezy.com/2026/ad-free-android-tv