⚠️ APP STATUS DISCLAIMER
Current App Status: 🟢 WORKING & STABLE
Last Verified: July 30, 2026
Latest Version: v1.0+ (actively maintained via GitHub forks)
Important Note: FLauncher is an open-source alternative launcher that replaces your default Android TV/Google TV home screen. While generally stable, the project acknowledges it is still in early development and may have some instability. Use at your own risk—especially when disabling the default launcher via ADB commands.
If FLauncher doesn’t work for you, consider these alternatives: Projectivy Launcher (the most popular and complete option in 2026), ATV Launcher, HALauncher, or Simple TV Launcher. Browse our complete guide to the best Android TV launchers for more options.
What Is FLauncher?
FLauncher is a free, open-source alternative launcher for Android TV and Google TV devices, built with Google’s Flutter framework. It replaces the cluttered, ad-filled default home screen with a clean, minimalist interface that focuses on what matters most: your apps.
Think of it as giving your Android TV the sleek, distraction-free feel of an Apple TV interface. No autoplaying trailers, no promotional content, no giant ads—just a beautiful grid of your apps, organized exactly the way you want them.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ad-Free | Completely free of ads and promotional content |
| Open Source | Fully open-source—code available on GitLab/GitHub (GPL-3.0 license) |
| Custom Categories | Create custom app groups (e.g., Movies, Live TV, Kids) |
| Manual App Reordering | Arrange apps within categories exactly how you like |
| Wallpaper Support | Choose from Unsplash, gradients, or custom images |
| Hide Unwanted Apps | Hide pre-installed bloatware you can’t uninstall |
| Non-TV App Support | Shows sideloaded apps not optimized for TV |
| System Settings Access | Quick access to Android Settings and App Info |
| Clock Display | Shows the current time on the home screen |
| Lightweight | Minimal resource usage—runs smoothly even on older boxes with low RAM |
| Row/Grid Toggle | Switch between row and grid layout for categories |
Why Replace Your Default Android TV Launcher?
The Problem with Default Google TV Interface
If you own an Android TV or Google TV device, you’ve probably noticed the frustration:
- Autoplaying trailers that start playing the moment you turn on your TV
- Giant ads demanding your attention before you can even open an app
- Rows of content recommendations from streaming services you don’t even subscribe to
- Endless horizontal scrolling just to find the app you want
- Pre-installed bloatware you can’t uninstall cluttering your screen
In 2026, personalization isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about performance and cleanliness.
The FLauncher Solution
FLauncher fixes all of these headaches:
- No ads whatsoever—your home screen is yours
- No autoplaying content—just a static, peaceful grid
- Custom categories—organize apps the way you want
- Hide bloatware—remove clutter from your view
- Everything still works—Play Store, live TV, and all system functions remain accessible
What reviewers say:
“FLauncher is a free launcher for Android and Google smart TVs. It delivers a clean, clutter-free home screen that avoids all the ads, pre-installed bloatware, and constant interruptions.”
“FLauncher is probably the most feature-packed launcher we found, and the first on this list you should try.”
“If you’re a fan of minimalism, FLauncher is the right choice. It’s an open-source project focused on simplicity. It has no complex categories or heavy menus.”
📋 “No-Click” Quick-Reference Cheatsheet
For experienced users—skip the reading and install now.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Google Play Store | Search “FLauncher” or use this link |
| GitHub Releases | github.com/osrosal/flauncher/releases |
| GitLab Repository | gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher |
| Current Version | v1.0+ (actively maintained) |
| App Status | 🟢 Working |
| Price | 💰 100% Free |
| Last Verified | July 30, 2026 |
🟢 FLauncher Status Report & Testing Log
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Current App Version | v1.0+ (actively maintained via GitHub forks) |
| Interface | Clean, minimalist grid layout |
| Ad-Free | ✅ Yes—completely ad-free |
| Open Source | ✅ Yes—built with Flutter (GPL-3.0) |
| Tested Hardware | Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA Shield, Android TV boxes |
| Play Store Availability | ✅ Yes—available on Google Play |
| Default Launcher Setup | ⚠️ Requires manual configuration (see below) |
| Google Play Rating | 4.0 stars (324+ reviews) |
📥 Installation Tutorial: FLauncher on Android TV
Method 1: Install from Google Play Store (Recommended)
This is the easiest and safest method.
- Open Google Play Store on your Android TV or Google TV device.
- Search for “FLauncher” in the search bar.
- Select the app (developed by Étienne Fesser).
- Tap “Install” and wait for the download to complete.
- Tap “Open” to launch FLauncher.
Method 2: Sideload via Downloader (Alternative)
If Play Store isn’t available or you prefer sideloading:
- Install Downloader from the Google Play Store. Learn how to use the Downloader app for sideloading APKs.
- Enable Unknown Sources for Downloader in Settings.
- Open Downloader and enter the URL to the latest FLauncher APK from the GitHub releases page.
- Download and install the APK file.
Method 3: Install via ADB (Advanced)
For tech-savvy users:
- Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging on your Android TV. Learn how to enable Developer Options on Fire TV and Android TV devices.
- Connect from a PC using ADB.
- Install the APK using
adb installcommands.
⚙️ How to Set FLauncher as Default Launcher
After installing FLauncher, you need to configure your device to use it as the default home screen. There are two main methods:
Method 1: Remap the Home Button (Recommended & Safer)
This is the “safer” and easiest way that doesn’t require ADB commands.
- Install Button Mapper from the Play Store.
- Open the app and grant the required permissions.
- Remap the Home button to launch FLauncher.
- Pressing Home will now open FLauncher instead of the default launcher.
Method 2: Disable Default Launcher via ADB (Advanced – Use with Caution)
⚠️ Warning: This method is riskier and may cause issues. You are responsible for any malfunctions.
This method has been tested on Chromecast with Google TV.
Disable the default launcher:
# Disable com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx (default launcher on CCwGTV) adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx # Disable fallback that auto-re-enables the default launcher adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraithTo re-enable (if needed):
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx adb shell pm enable com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraithKnown Issue: On Chromecast with Google TV (and possibly others), the dedicated YouTube button on the remote will stop working if the default launcher is disabled. As a workaround, you can use Button Mapper to remap the YouTube button correctly.
Method 3: Clear Default Actions (Alternative)
Some users have success with this simpler method:
- Open Android/Google TV Settings.
- Navigate to Apps → See all apps.
- Scroll down and tap “Show system apps”.
- Find “Android TV Home” in the list and select it.
- Tap “Clear default actions”.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- When prompted, select FLauncher as the default launcher and tap “Always”.
🎨 Post-Installation: Customizing FLauncher
Once installed and set as default, here’s how to make FLauncher your own:
1. Access Settings
Tap the small settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Applications Section
Shows everything installed on your TV, including:
- TV apps
- Non-TV apps (sideloaded)
- Hidden apps
All neatly organized in one place.
3. Categories Section
Create custom groups for your apps:
- Tap “+ Add Category”.
- Name your category (e.g., “Movies,” “Live TV,” “Kids,” “Games”).
- Assign apps to each category.
- Reorder apps within categories manually.
4. Wallpaper Section
Personalize your home screen with:
- Unsplash – Beautiful curated images
- Gradient – Simple color gradients
- Custom – Upload your own images
Note: Changing wallpaper requires a file explorer to be installed on the device in order to pick a file. Explore the best file manager apps for Android TV to enable this feature.
5. Hide Unwanted Apps
If there are pre-installed apps you never use but can’t uninstall, FLauncher lets you hide them with just a couple of clicks.
🧰 Troubleshooting: Common FLauncher Issues
❌ App won’t install
Cause: Sideloading restrictions or package conflict.
Solution: Ensure “Unknown Sources” is enabled in your device settings if you are sideloading via APK. Alternatively, try installing directly from the official Google Play Store.
❌ Home button doesn’t open FLauncher
Cause: Android TV defaults to routing the Home button to the stock system launcher.
Solution: Use Button Mapper from the Play Store to remap your remote’s Home button directly to FLauncher, or clear default actions for “Android TV Home” in system settings.
❌ YouTube button stopped working
Cause: A known limitation when completely disabling the stock Google TV launcher via ADB commands.
Solution: Remap the dedicated YouTube button using Button Mapper so it launches the YouTube app independently.
❌ Can’t add categories
Cause: Virtual keyboard bugs on certain Android 12+ builds (such as Chromecast with Google TV).
Solution: Try switching to a different software keyboard (like Gboard or Leanback Keyboard) or use an external USB/Bluetooth keyboard.
❌ Wallpaper won’t download or apply
Cause: Missing file manager permissions or broken network paths.
Solution: Ensure a file explorer app is installed on your device to pick local files. Alternatively, switch to the built-in Unsplash or Gradient options.
❌ App names not showing below icons
Cause: Minor UI rendering quirk in early stable builds of FLauncher.
Solution: This is a known display bug tracked by the open-source repository. Check for app updates via GitHub or the Play Store.
❌ Can’t set as default launcher
Cause: Google TV restricts direct home screen replacement without helper tools.
Solution: Skip complex ADB commands and use the Button Mapper method instead for a safer, more reliable setup.
❌ App crashes or feels unstable
Cause: FLauncher is an open-source project still maturing under active community forks.
Solution: Keep the app updated to the latest v1.0+ release via GitHub or look into alternative launchers like Projectivy Launcher if stability issues persist.
❌ ENTER key doesn’t launch apps
Cause: Keycode mapping mismatch on select third-party remote controls.
Solution: Use the physical DPAD_CENTER button on your remote rather than a generic enter key mapping.
🏆 FLauncher vs Other Android TV Launchers (2026)
| Launcher | Ad-Free | Open Source | Custom Categories | Wallpaper | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLauncher | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Free | Minimalism & simplicity |
| Projectivy Launcher | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ (video) | Free | Complete features & balance |
| ATV Launcher Pro | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Paid | Widgets & customization |
| HALauncher | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Free/Paid | Specific needs |
| Simple TV Launcher | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Free | Lightweight & minimal |
| Default Google TV | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Free | Nothing (avoid if possible) |
🔄 Alternatives to FLauncher
If FLauncher doesn’t meet your needs, consider these alternatives:
| App | Best For |
|---|---|
| Projectivy Launcher | The most popular and complete launcher of 2026—lightweight, extremely customizable, no root required |
| ATV Launcher (Free) | Classic option with widget support (weather, clock) that works natively |
| PrimalTV Launcher | Recent alternative with automatic app organization by usage frequency |
| Emotn Launcher | Visual fluidity with built-in cache cleaning system |
| HALauncher | Specific needs and advanced customization |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is FLauncher completely free?
Yes! FLauncher is 100% free, open-source software distributed under the GPL-3.0 license with zero ads, subscriptions, or paywalled features.
Is FLauncher safe and legal to use?
Yes. Replacing your TV launcher is entirely legal and safe. FLauncher is an open-source application built with Flutter, meaning its complete source code is publicly auditable on GitHub and GitLab.
How do I uninstall FLauncher or revert to the default launcher?
If you used Button Mapper, simply disable or uninstall the button mapping. If you disabled the default launcher via ADB commands, you can re-enable it by running:
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.tv.launcherx via your PC.
Does FLauncher work on Fire TV or Firestick devices?
Yes, FLauncher can be sideloaded onto Fire TV devices using the Downloader app. However, keep in mind that Amazon’s Fire OS aggressively blocks custom launchers from replacing the home screen natively without auxiliary remapping tools.
What is the difference between FLauncher and Projectivy Launcher?
While FLauncher focuses heavily on absolute minimalism, open-source transparency, and a clean Flutter grid layout, Projectivy Launcher is a more feature-rich, highly customizable proprietary alternative that includes advanced UI tweaks, custom clock widgets, and parental controls.
Why does the YouTube remote button misbehave after setup?
When you disable the stock Google TV system launcher via advanced ADB tweaks, the deep system hook for the dedicated hardware YouTube button breaks. Remapping it with Button Mapper solves this instantly.
How do I update FLauncher to the latest version?
If you installed via the Google Play Store, updates arrive automatically. If you sideloaded via GitHub, you will need to download and install newer APK releases manually over your existing installation.
Does FLauncher support custom background wallpapers?
Yes. You can choose curated high-resolution images via Unsplash, clean color gradients, or upload your own custom backgrounds using a compatible file explorer app.
✅ Conclusion
FLauncher is an excellent, free solution for anyone tired of the ad-filled, cluttered default Android TV or Google TV interface. With its clean design, custom categories, wallpaper support, and complete absence of ads, it transforms your TV viewing experience into something peaceful and focused.
Key takeaways:
- 📥 Install from Play Store for the easiest setup
- ⚙️ Set as default using Button Mapper for the safest approach
- 🎨 Customize with categories, wallpapers, and app organization
- 🔒 ADB method is advanced—use with caution
- ⚠️ Known issue: YouTube button may break if disabling default via ADB—use Button Mapper to fix it
FLauncher brings back the joy of a simple, ad-free TV experience. Give it a try—you won’t look back!
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.