Projectivy Launcher is an ad-free, highly customizable third-party launcher for Android TV and Google TV that lets you hide system apps, reorder applications, create custom categories, and remove bloatware—giving you complete control over your home screen.
Status Disclaimer
Feature Status: Working
App Version Covered: Projectivy Launcher v4.70–v4.71 (latest stable)
Important Note: Hiding apps in Projectivy Launcher is a visual customization—it removes apps from your home screen but does not uninstall or disable them. For true system app disabling, root access is required.
If Projectivy Launcher isn’t working for you, consider these alternatives: Wolf Launcher, FLauncher, or Sideload Launcher. For a broader comparison of available options, check out our guide on the best launchers for Android TV and Firestick.
What Is This Guide About?
This guide walks you through the exact steps to hide unwanted system and user apps from your Projectivy Launcher home screen on Android TV, Google TV, and Fire TV devices.
Who Is This Guide For?
- Android TV/Google TV users tired of cluttered home screens with ads and bloatware
- Firestick/Fire TV users who want a cleaner, ad-free interface
- Anyone who wants to hide preinstalled apps they never use and can’t uninstall
- Users looking to customize their launcher experience with custom categories, wallpapers, and icon sizes
Value Proposition
By the end of this guide, you will:
- Hide any system or user app from your home screen in seconds
- Understand the difference between hiding and disabling
- Know how to restore hidden apps if needed
- Learn advanced methods for disabling system apps (root required)
- Customize your launcher for a clean, ad-free experience
What’s New in Projectivy Launcher v4.70–v4.71 (2026)
| Version | Release Date | Key New Features |
|---|---|---|
| v4.71 | July 13, 2026 | • Automatically hide empty custom categories • Hide notification icon • Improved theme parsing • Backup settings after upgrade • Various crash fixes |
| v4.70 | June 29, 2026 | • Folder support • Live TV support • Theme support (Premium) • Font customization (Premium) • Customizable category background (dock) • Vastly improved customization options • Improved wallpaper management |
Quick-Reference
For experienced users—skip the reading and customize now.
| Action | Navigation Path | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hide an App | Long-press app icon → Hide | 5 seconds |
| Hide via Settings | Settings → Manage apps → Toggle app OFF | 10 seconds |
| Edit Categories | Settings → Edit categories → Manage apps per category | 15 seconds |
| Parental Control | Long-press app → Parental control → Set PIN | 10 seconds |
| Restore Hidden Apps | Settings → Manage apps → Toggle app ON | 10 seconds |
| Disable System Apps (ROOT) | Settings → Freeze (disable) stock apps [ROOT] | 5 seconds |
Method 1: Hide Apps via Long-Press (Easiest)
This is the quickest way to hide individual apps directly from your home screen.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Navigate to the app you want to hide on your Projectivy Launcher home screen.
- Long-press the OK/Select button on your remote control while highlighting the app icon.
- A contextual menu will appear.
- Select “Hide” from the menu.
- The app will disappear from your home screen immediately.
Note: This method hides the app visually but does not uninstall or disable it.
Method 2: Hide Apps via Settings Menu
For a more comprehensive view of all your apps, use the Settings menu.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- From the Projectivy Launcher home screen, navigate to the gear icon (Settings) at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and select “Manage apps”.
- You will see a list of all installed apps (both user and system apps).
- For each app you want to hide, toggle the switch to OFF.
- Hidden apps will no longer appear on your home screen.
Important: If you hide all apps in a category, the entire category will disappear from your home screen. To restore it, you must make at least one app visible in that category.
Method 3: Hide Apps by Editing Categories
Projectivy Launcher organizes apps into categories. You can manage visibility on a per-category basis.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- From the home screen, navigate to the gear icon (Settings).
- Select “Edit categories”.
- Choose the category you want to modify (e.g., “System,” “Apps,” “Games”).
- Select “Manage apps” within that category.
- Toggle OFF the apps you want to hide.
- The hidden apps will disappear from that category on your home screen.
Tip: You can also remove entire categories like “About,” “System,” “Display,” and “Settings” if you don’t use them.
Method 4: Parental Control (Hide with PIN)
Projectivy Launcher includes a parental control feature that allows you to restrict access to specific apps with a PIN code.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Long-press the OK/Select button on the app you want to restrict.
- Select “Parental control” from the menu.
- Set a 4-digit PIN code when prompted.
- The app will now be hidden and can only be accessed by entering the PIN.
- To unhide, enter the PIN and disable parental control for that app.
Security Note: This is an excellent solution for hiding sensitive apps from children or guests without completely removing them.
Premium Note: Protecting more than one app with Parental control requires the Premium version.
Advanced Method: Freeze (Disable) System Apps [ROOT Required]
For users with rooted devices, Projectivy Launcher offers the ability to truly disable system apps—not just hide them visually.
What This Does:
- Freezes (disables) stock system apps so they cannot run in the background
- Frees up system resources and RAM
- Prevents bloatware from draining battery or collecting data
Step-by-Step Instructions (Root Required):
- Ensure your device is rooted.
- Open Projectivy Launcher Settings (gear icon).
- Look for the option “Freeze (disable) stock apps”.
- Select the system apps you want to disable.
- The apps will be frozen—they will no longer run or appear anywhere on your device.
WARNING: Disabling critical system apps can brick your device or cause instability. Only freeze apps you are certain are safe to disable. Features marked with [ROOT] require root access.
How to Restore Hidden Apps
Accidentally hid an app? Here’s how to bring it back.
Method A: Via Settings Menu
- Open Projectivy Launcher Settings (gear icon).
- Select “Manage apps”.
- Find the hidden app in the list (it will have its toggle set to OFF).
- Toggle the switch to ON.
- The app will reappear on your home screen.
Method B: Via Category Management
- Open Settings → “Edit categories”.
- Select the category where the app belongs.
- Select “Manage apps”.
- Toggle the app ON to make it visible again.
Tip: If an entire category is missing, it means all apps in that category are hidden. Make at least one app visible to restore the category.
Premium Features
Projectivy Launcher offers a Premium version that unlocks additional features:
- Custom wallpapers – Use your own images as backgrounds
- Advanced icon customization – Use custom icon packs
- Protect more than one app with Parental control
- Create more than one display profile
- Theme support – Apply custom themes
- Font customization
The base version remains completely free and includes all app hiding, reordering, and basic parental control features.
Supported Devices
Projectivy Launcher has been tested and verified on the following hardware:
| Device Type | Models |
|---|---|
| Projectors | Xiaomi Mi Laser UST 150″, Wemax One, Wemax One Pro, Xiaomi Mi Home Projector Lite |
| TVs | Mi TV series, Google TV devices |
| Set-Top Boxes | NVIDIA Shield series, Mi Box S, Chromecast with Google TV |
Fire TV Compatibility: Projectivy Launcher also works on Fire TV and Firestick devices running Fire OS 6 or above. The hiding features work the same way. For more details on using third-party launchers with Amazon devices, see our guide on replacing the stock launcher.
Important Limitations
- Hiding vs. Disabling: Hiding apps in Projectivy Launcher is purely visual. Hidden apps still run in the background and consume resources.
- Root Required for True Disabling: To actually freeze/disable system apps and prevent them from running, your device must be rooted.
- Category Disappearance: If you hide every app in a category, the entire category vanishes from your home screen.
- Settings Icon: Be careful not to hide the Settings icon. If you do, you can still access settings by pressing Left arrow → Left arrow → Gear icon on your remote.
- No Uninstall: Projectivy Launcher does not uninstall system apps—only hides or (with root) disables them.
Safety & Privacy
Is Hiding Apps Safe?
Yes—hiding apps in Projectivy Launcher is completely safe. It’s a visual customization that does not modify system files.
Is Disabling System Apps Safe?
Proceed with caution. Disabling critical system apps can cause:
- System instability
- Boot loops
- Loss of device functionality
Only disable apps you are certain are safe to remove. Research each app before disabling.
VPN Recommendation
When customizing your Android TV or Fire TV device, your IP address is exposed to your ISP. A VPN is recommended to protect your privacy and prevent bandwidth throttling. Consider using a best VPN provider for a more secure experience.
Troubleshooting: Common Projectivy Launcher Errors
Home button returns to the default stock launcher instead of Projectivy
This typically happens when the launcher override permission has been revoked or reset after an OS system update. To fix this:
- Open Projectivy Launcher.
- Go to Settings -> General.
- Toggle Override current launcher off, then back on.
- For Firestick devices, ensure Launcher Manager Mini (Downloader code:
730116) is configured correctly to hook the home button.
“Override current launcher” option is grayed out or unavailable
If the override setting is locked, required accessibility permissions have not been granted. Navigate to your device’s native Settings -> Accessibility, locate Projectivy Launcher, and enable its accessibility service. Return to Projectivy settings to activate the override option.
“App Not Installed” or “Parse Error” when sideloading on Firestick
This usually indicates a corrupted APK file download or an architecture mismatch. Re-download the APK using the official source or GitHub release, ensure Install Unknown Apps is enabled for the Downloader app, and check that your device meets the minimum OS requirement (Fire OS 6+).
Dynamic wallpapers or background images are stuck or not loading
Cached image issues or network timeouts can freeze dynamic backgrounds. Clear the app cache via device storage settings, check your internet connection, or re-apply the wallpaper source configuration inside Projectivy appearance settings.
System update broke custom launcher functionality
Major firmware patches from Google or Amazon frequently reset default intent handlers. Re-enable USB debugging/ADB or use Launcher Manager to re-apply the home screen intent bypass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Projectivy Launcher?
Projectivy Launcher is a highly customizable, lightweight, and completely ad-free home screen replacement designed for Android TV, Google TV, and Fire TV devices. It replaces bloated, ad-heavy stock interfaces with a sleek, user-controlled layout.
Is Projectivy Launcher free to use?
Yes, the core launcher features—including layout customization, app organization, and basic shortcuts—are completely free. An optional one-time Premium unlock (approx. $7.50) is available for advanced features like custom animated wallpapers and deeper icon theme packs.
How do I install Projectivy Launcher on a Firestick?
Since Projectivy is not available on the official Amazon Appstore, you must sideload it using the Downloader app. Enable Developer Options on your Firestick, enter the download shortcut code (730116), install the APK, and use Launcher Manager Mini to set it as your default home screen.
Will replacing the default launcher void my device warranty?
No. Using Projectivy Launcher relies on standard accessibility settings or user-permitted intent overrides. It does not require rooting your device or modifying system partitions, meaning your warranty remains completely safe.
How do I update Projectivy Launcher?
For Android TV and Google TV devices, updates arrive automatically via the Google Play Store. For Fire TV and Firestick devices, you can update by downloading the latest APK release directly through the Simturax App Center or the official GitHub repository.
Dead Apps – Removed from This Guide
The following apps or features are no longer recommended or supported:
| App/Feature | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Night Launcher v3.x | Discontinued | Replaced by v4.0 with new features |
| Projectivy Tools (original) | Discontinued | Replaced by Projectivy Launcher |
Hiding system and user apps on Projectivy Launcher is a simple, powerful way to declutter your Android TV or Fire TV home screen. Whether you want to hide bloatware, protect sensitive apps with parental controls, or create a minimalist interface, Projectivy Launcher gives you the tools to do it.
Quick Recap:
- Long-press an app → Select “Hide” (quickest method)
- Settings → Manage apps → Toggle apps OFF (comprehensive view)
- Settings → Edit categories → Manage apps per category (organized approach)
- Parental control → Set PIN to restrict access (best for kids/guests)
- Freeze (disable) stock apps [ROOT] → True disabling (advanced users only)
- Settings → Manage apps → Toggle ON to restore hidden apps
- Use a VPN to protect your privacy while streaming
Remember: Hiding is visual only —apps still run in the background. For true disabling, root access is required. Always research before disabling system apps.
This guide was written by Simturax – a technology and streaming media specialist with over 10 years of experience covering Kodi, Firestick, Android TV, and IPTV. All instructions were physically tested on actual hardware (Fire TV Stick 4K Max, NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV) and verified. We prioritize accuracy, transparency, and user safety above all else.