[Guide]Natively Use Custom Launcher On Chromecast with Google TV

by TechDoctorUK

Hey guys,

Was looking for the easiest way to change the stock launcher on the new Chromecast with Google TV. The button mapper process works but that then causes issues with certain apps and also needs a manual start after every reboot.

# Video Based Step By Step Guide

Manual steps

  • Install a compatible custom launcher, e.g Wolf For CCGTV Or ATV Launcher etc.
  • Ensure you have enabled ADB Debugging
  • Use your favourite ADB client to connect to your CCGTV (Eg Remote ADB Shell)
  • Issue the following commands
  • pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx
  • pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
  • Press the home key and you will see a prompt asking you to select your launcher. Select your custom launcher and click OK.

# Screenshots Showing Results

##FAQ

  • Is this change permanent?
  • No, if you want to restore the stock launcher just issue the following commands
    • pm enable com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx
    • pm enable com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith
  • Why would I want to do this?
  • So you don't see any sponsored content / adverts and want full control of your home screen
  • Do I need to use Button Mapper?
  • No
  • Are widgets supported?
  • Yes but not all work properly as most are designed for touch screens.
  • Will the changes persist after a restart?
  • 100% Yes.
LilDante675

Dude you’re the best! I’ve been using tasker as a work around to get the wolf launcher to start up at boot but this method boots up the launcher a lot faster! Thank you!

Not-so-Friendly_Elk

Are you able to get the stock leanback launcher working using this method? The launcher from the nvidia shield...

thiwaligora

Hey Doc, any luck getting the new Chromecast to work with Android TV instead of Google TV? Thanks and Happy New Year ;)

usamac

Very nice! I can't wait to get mine changed over later.

XADEBRAVO

Any pics? I really like the Google UI but I'd like to just hide paid films and Disney+ stuff if that's possible.

SimShade

What’s the most preferred launcher?

richhh01

Hi /u/TechDoctorUK, will these commands also work on the shield in order to change the launcher?

Cokimoto

How do I do enable the widgets?

hellobloke

I'm not sure where I've gone wrong. I am on a Chromecast with G TV, latest update. Followed your instructions but still get the ADB error when trying to use a widget on Wolf Launcher. Other than that, this is brilliant! Thank you

someMFonreddit

how do use the original android tv launcher for chromecast with google tv 2020?

Screamline

how do we get the weather widget to work for our location? all the ones i've tried need touch/mouse input to change the location and stuff like mph/kmh Celsius/Fahrenheit

sumoneelse

After the latest update to CCwGTV this past week, all 3 of my Chromecasts that are set up in the above way are randomly crashing back to the home screen when inside an application. I've tried reissuing the above commands but to no avail.

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I realize this is an old thread but I have it bookmarked to save these instructions, and hoping someone else has encountered this and has a solution.

mcarans

I'll add that these steps also work with the Sony A80J TV (and probably therefore with other Sony models like the A90J).

evanovici

The YouTube button is not responding now when I activate this. Anyone getting the same?

scoreboy69

What made you want to do this?

venkatx5

For pm disable-user command, Most of the Android devices now will throw below error

Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.MANAGE_USERS

Please use below commands to uninstall default launcher 

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.leanbacklauncher 

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher

For complete instructions (including backup), Refer: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/162935/completely-change-home-screen-on-android-tv

Am using HAL Launcher for past couple of months. It provide options to customize the launcher to great extent, (Custom wallpaper, Skin colors, transparency, can add side-loaded apps on home screen).

Not to offend the OP, but downloading app (HAL Launcher) from Google play store feels very safe than downloading apk from some website.

// If you can run adb commands, then you know how to take backup of apps and restore when things fail. So I don't have to warn as "Uninstall command will all customizations /settings of stock launcher." ;) //