TCL TV debloater

tcl-debloater.sh

#!/usr/bin/sh
# WARNING: Might brick your TV
set -e
TEMP_DIR=tmp-tcl-debloater
KODI_URL=https://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/arm/kodi-20.1-Nexus-armeabi-v7a.apk
FLAUNCHER_URL=https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher/-/releases/0.18.0/downloads/flauncher-0.18.0.apk
MATERIALFILES_URL=https://f-droid.org/repo/me.zhanghai.android.files_31.apk
BLOAT=$(cat <<EOF
com.tcl.partnercustomizer
com.tcl.smartalexa
com.tcl.gallery
com.tcl.notereminder
com.google.android.videos
com.google.android.play.games
com.android.vending
com.tcl.MultiScreenInteraction_TV
com.tcl.ui_mediaCenter
com.tcl.messagebox
com.netflix.ninja
com.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
tv.wuaki.apptv
com.tcl.guard
com.tcl.t_solo
com.tcl.dashboard
com.google.android.tv.remote.service
com.tcl.copydatatotv
com.tcl.initsetup
com.android.camera2
com.android.messaging
com.tcl.usercenter
com.tcl.externaldevice.update
com.tcl.useragreement
com.tcl.micmanager
com.google.android.youtube.tv
com.google.android.youtube.tvmusic
com.google.android.tvlauncher
com.google.android.tvrecommendations
com.google.android.marvin.talkback
com.android.dreams.basic
com.tcl.bi
com.google.android.backdrop
com.google.android.apps.mediashell
com.tvos
com.tcl.videoplayer
com.google.android.apps.nbu.smartconnect.tv
android.autoinstalls.config.tcl.device
com.android.printspooler
com.tcl.esticker
com.google.android.inputmethod.latin
com.google.android.katniss
com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar
com.google.android.onetimeinitializer
com.google.android.partnersetup
com.google.android.gms
com.google.android.gsf
com.android.providers.calendar
com.tcl.keyhelp
com.android.providers.contacts
com.google.android.tv.assistant
com.google.android.feedback
com.android.providers.userdictionary
com.tcl.miracast
com.tcl.audioplayer
com.tcl.overseasappshow
com.tcl.imageplayer
com.tcl.pvr.pvrplayer
com.google.android.sss.authbridge
com.google.android.tts
com.tcl.xian.StartandroidService
com.tcl.versionUpdateApp
com.tcl.assistant
com.tcl.waterfall.overseas
com.tcl.factory.view
com.tcl.system.server
com.google.android.tv.frameworkpackagestubs
com.google.android.ext.shared
com.google.android.permissioncontroller
com.google.android.overlay.modules.permissioncontroller
com.google.android.overlay.modules.permissioncontroller.forframework
com.google.android.overlay.modules.ext.services
com.google.android.overlay.modules.modulemetadata.forframework
com.android.location.fused
EOF
)

read -p "TCL IP: " TCL_IP
adb connect $TCL_IP | grep -q fail && echo "Unable to connect to TCL TV" && false

mkdir -p $TEMP_DIR

echo "Downloading Kodi"
wget $KODI_URL -O $TEMP_DIR/kodi.apk
echo "Installing Kodi"
adb install $TEMP_DIR/kodi.apk

echo "Downloading FLauncher" 
wget $FLAUNCHER_URL -O $TEMP_DIR/flauncher.apk
echo "Installing FLaucher"
adb install $TEMP_DIR/flauncher.apk

echo "Downloading Material Files"
wget $MATERIALFILES_URL -O $TEMP_DIR/materialfiles.apk
echo "Installing Material Files"
adb install $TEMP_DIR/materialfiles.apk
echo "Grating permission for Material Files"
adb shell pm grant me.zhanghai.android.files android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm grant me.zhanghai.android.files android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

rm -r $TEMP_DIR

for package in $BLOAT
do
	echo "Disabling ${package}"
	adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 $package
done

echo "Rebooting TV"
adb reboot

Hey, thanks for your efforts!
can you please provide some instructions on how to run the sh file on the TV? i tried everything on my TCL 65C639 but it just doesn't respond..

Hey, thanks for your efforts! can you please provide some instructions on how to run the sh file on the TV? i tried everything on my TCL 65C639 but it just doesn't respond..

Did you succeed? I haven't tried to use this script, since my TV model is different.

I was able to disable some apps after I did this:

1. installed android-tools-adb and android-tools-fastboot on a Linux PC;
2. connected both PC and TV to the same network;
3. enabled USB debug in the TV;
4. ran the command adb connect TV_IP:5555 where TV_IP is the TV IP address;
5. ran adb shell
6. ran pm list packages to see which packages are installed on my TV
7. ran pm uninstall -k --user 0 PACKAGE_NAME where PACKAGE_NAME is something like com.google.android.play.games or any package from the package list

@gvtenberg
no! I wasn't able to run the script, but i basically did most of the steps that you did except I did It through a software called adb appcontrol with a UI and not cmd :D
but be careful which apps you decide to disable/uninstall or you might break the tv like i did:

• com.android.location.fused will straight up send you to the recovery and force you to reset the tv
• com.tcl.tv will mess up your remote functions

these are just some examples

com tcl.tv is for tuner DVB-T2, DVB-S2...Without this you can't watch channels! Guard app is required to enable or disable auto start apps, relevance start permission must be enabled for all apps. Ofc manager in both must be turn off(With on, tv manages these settings)

@gvtenberg no! I wasn't able to run the script, but i basically did most of the steps that you did except I did It through a software called adb appcontrol with a UI and not cmd :D but be careful which apps you decide to disable/uninstall or you might break the tv like i did:

• com.android.location.fused will straight up send you to the recovery and force you to reset the tv
• com.tcl.tv will mess up your remote functions

these are just some examples

Would you please be able to post a list of all apps that might 'break' tv.
Looking to uninstall as many TCL apps as possible from my TV but unsure of what most of them actually do or if they are needed.
I've seen com,.tcl.tv mentioned several times on different sites but not much info on anything else really
Thanks!!

@gvtenberg no! I wasn't able to run the script, but i basically did most of the steps that you did except I did It through a software called adb appcontrol with a UI and not cmd :D but be careful which apps you decide to disable/uninstall or you might break the tv like i did:

• com.android.location.fused will straight up send you to the recovery and force you to reset the tv
• com.tcl.tv will mess up your remote functions

these are just some examples

Would you please be able to post a list of all apps that might 'break' tv. Looking to uninstall as many TCL apps as possible from my TV but unsure of what most of them actually do or if they are needed. I've seen com,.tcl.tv mentioned several times on different sites but not much info on anything else really Thanks!!

I was able to disable all apps with tcl in their package name besides tcl.tv, and the only thing disabling that did was kill my remote's power button. it seems that's the only one needed. would be nice to reimplement whatever it's doing without the rest of the tcl junk in their tv app

@gvtenberg no! I wasn't able to run the script, but i basically did most of the steps that you did except I did It through a software called adb appcontrol with a UI and not cmd :D but be careful which apps you decide to disable/uninstall or you might break the tv like i did:

• com.android.location.fused will straight up send you to the recovery and force you to reset the tv
• com.tcl.tv will mess up your remote functions

these are just some examples

Would you please be able to post a list of all apps that might 'break' tv. Looking to uninstall as many TCL apps as possible from my TV but unsure of what most of them actually do or if they are needed. I've seen com,.tcl.tv mentioned several times on different sites but not much info on anything else really Thanks!!

I was able to disable all apps with tcl in their package name besides tcl.tv, and the only thing disabling that did was kill my remote's power button. it seems that's the only one needed. would be nice to reimplement whatever it's doing without the rest of the tcl junk in their tv app

Thanks for that reply. Think I'll go ahead and disable the rest of the tcl apps I haven't yet disabled.

@gvtenberg no! I wasn't able to run the script, but i basically did most of the steps that you did except I did It through a software called adb appcontrol with a UI and not cmd :D but be careful which apps you decide to disable/uninstall or you might break the tv like i did:

• com.android.location.fused will straight up send you to the recovery and force you to reset the tv
• com.tcl.tv will mess up your remote functions

these are just some examples

Would you please be able to post a list of all apps that might 'break' tv. Looking to uninstall as many TCL apps as possible from my TV but unsure of what most of them actually do or if they are needed. I've seen com,.tcl.tv mentioned several times on different sites but not much info on anything else really Thanks!!

I was able to disable all apps with tcl in their package name besides tcl.tv, and the only thing disabling that did was kill my remote's power button. it seems that's the only one needed. would be nice to reimplement whatever it's doing without the rest of the tcl junk in their tv app

Thanks for that reply. Think I'll go ahead and disable the rest of the tcl apps I haven't yet disabled.

I was concerned that removing one of the tcl apps was causing instability on my tv remote, but i got a brain flash and realized bad batteries can cause repeated or delayed inputs! tested my remote batteries and they were about to die, new batteries and everything is running amazing. fyi i disabled a few google services too, both android tv home and android tv core services, opting to use projectivity launcher. projectivity accessibility service would NOT start until i started removing tcl services, and once i swapped default launcher to projectivity and disabled google home it was working as the default and MUCH snappier ui not just on the home launcher but inside of apps like youtube and jellyfin. I used the ADB TV app to disable, for some reason using adb shell pm disable failed while the ADV TV app from play store was able to successfully disable TCL apps and services. Of note, there are a few services that seemed scary to remove such as the tcl service with BT in the name, remote was fine after removing that, autopair, remote still worked fine, i removed every single item that had "tcl" in it besides tcl.tv and all functions remained intact. i recommend removing the android tv home and the android tv home core services. I'm on a "C06_2k_US" model according to projectivity launcher. If you have any interest in reversing the power button feature let me know!

Update: I was wrong, just noticed i don't have any of my TV inputs available anymore. will update when i determine responsible package.

Update: I was wrong, just noticed i don't have any of my TV inputs available anymore. will update when i determine responsible package.

@kernelzeroday this happened to me too 😅, it's suppose to be either com.tcl.tvinput or com.android.inputdevices, or both!
hope that helps

Wow much appreciated, thank you for the swift response! It was com.tcl.tvinputTLDR for those who come later: remove everything *tcl* except: com.tcl.tvcom.tcl.tvinputOn Mar 5, 2024, at 12:12 PM, mimmo9669 ***@***.***> wrote:Re: ***@***.*** commented on this gist.Update: I was wrong, just noticed i don't have any of my TV inputs available anymore. will update when i determine responsible ***@***.*** this happened to me too 😅, it's suppose to be either com.tcl.tvinput or com.android.inputdevices, or both!hope that helps—Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub or unsubscribe.You are receiving this email because you were mentioned.Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS or Android.                                                           

Update: I was wrong, just noticed i don't have any of my TV inputs available anymore. will update when i determine responsible package.

@kernelzeroday this happened to me too 😅, it's suppose to be either com.tcl.tvinput or com.android.inputdevices, or both! hope that helps

It's com.tcl.tv. Spent an hour scratching my head with this one.

I uploaded an alternate Gist here that you can use to keep Android TV and only disable unnecessary bloat (especially stuff that phones home).

This script is a scam. The author has absolutely no knowledge of what can be removed and what can remain. Removing all applications included in the script is dangerous and may lead to a complete brick TV or lack of many TV functionalities. The "TV" app (com.tcl.tv) must be in the system, because is required like I write earlier.
This script delete app like Google Play Store and many system google app required for functionality apps! Deleting this all not speed up tv...

lol

This script is a scam. The author has absolutely no knowledge of what can be removed and what can remain. Removing all applications included in the script is dangerous and may lead to a complete brick TV or lack of many TV functionalities.

I don't know about "scam", but yeah, the list seems to be extremely poorly made and untested with no disclaimers. It could be that the author added packages they were testing on the fly with several errors, or that it's AI generated.

I've also noticed that they snuck in installing Kodi, FLauncher and a file manager, so maybe they really want nothing to do with Android TV or TCL's apps... which begs the question - why not just get a regular TV and a Raspberry Pi?

Oh well, it's important to note that code on GitHub always needs to reviewed and trusted first, since anyone can write anything.

DON'T DISABLE THESE:
com.tcl.waterfall.overseas - (Google TV logo bootloop hanging.)
com.android.location.fused - (Google TV logo bootloop hanging.)
com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx - (Google TV, if you disable this you will see blank screen, without launcher UI, but the TV will still work,)

Tested on this TV:
Model: 55P635
Prodcut Ver.: V8-R51AT01-LF1V107.020689
European TCL Model

Don't run this script...