TCL Android TVs are great value, but they often come with a lot of pre-installed bloatware that can significantly affect performance. This script helps you remove unwanted apps (bloatware) to improve the TV's responsiveness.
⚠️ Warning Use at your own risk.
Removing certain system apps may cause unexpected issues or make the TV unstable. You are responsible for any issues caused by running this script.
Before using this script, ensure that you:
- Know how to use ADB.
If you're unfamiliar with ADB, make sure you set it up and know how to use it. - Have ADB installed on your computer.
Ensure that your TV and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
-
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/darksidewalker/debloat-tlc-android-tv/ cd debloat-tlc-android-tv -
Make the script executable:
chmod +x debloat.sh
-
Run the script with the TV’s IP address as an argument:
./debloat.sh <TV_IP_ADDRESS>
-
The script will connect to your TV, inform you about the process, and remove bloatware.
It will also reboot the TV to apply the changes.
-
Connects to the TV:
The script uses ADB over the network, requiring the TV’s IP address. If no IP address is provided, the script will exit and show usage instructions. -
Informs the User:
The script provides feedback on each step, such as connecting to the TV, removing apps, and rebooting the device. -
Uninstalls Bloatware:
The script iterates through a list of predefined apps and removes them using ADB commands. For each app, the script will notify you whether it was successfully removed or failed. -
Disables some unwanted tcl system-software: The script iterates through a list of predefined apps and diables them using ADB commands. For each app, the script will notify you whether it was successfully diabled or failed.
-
Reboots the TV:
After all apps are removed, the script reboots your TV to ensure that the changes take effect.
The script checks if ADB is installed on your system. If not, it exits and prompts you to install ADB.
The script uses the ADB connect command to establish a connection to the TV via its IP address.
The script has a pre-defined list of TCL bloatware packages, including apps like:
com.tcl.partnercustomizercom.tcl.smartalexacom.tcl.tvweishi
...and many more. These apps are removed one by one using theadb shell pm uninstallcommand.
Once all apps are removed, the TV is rebooted to ensure that all changes take effect.
-
Modify the App List:
If you want to add or remove specific apps from the debloat list, open the script and modify thebloatarray. Be cautious and ensure the apps you remove are not essential for TV operation. -
Include or Exclude Apps:
You can comment or uncomment specific apps in thebloatarray to either exclude them from removal or include additional unwanted apps.
Running adb shell cmd package list packages will list all packages installed. This is the result of mine.
| Package Name | Description | Safe to Remove? |
|---|---|---|
com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim |
CTS private shim for compatibility testing. | |
com.google.android.ext.services |
Extended Google services. | |
com.google.android.apps.mediashell |
MediaShell test framework. | |
com.google.android.katniss |
Google voice search. | |
com.tcl.esticker |
TCL eSticker service. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.dynsystem |
Dynamic system updates. | |
uk.co.freeview.mdsclient |
Freeview MDS client. | |
com.tcl.initsetup |
TCL initial setup service. | |
com.android.providers.calendar |
Calendar content provider. | |
com.android.tv.settings |
Android TV settings. | |
com.tcl.tvinput |
TCL TV input service. | ✅ Safe |
uk.co.freeview.amc_catchup |
AMC catch-up service for Freeview. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.providers.media |
Media provider for Android. | ❌ Critical |
com.google.android.onetimeinitializer |
Google one-time setup initializer. | |
com.google.android.ext.shared |
Shared Google services. | |
com.plexapp.android |
Plex streaming app. | ✅ Safe |
com.tcl.keyhelp |
TCL key help service for remote support. | ✅ Safe |
com.spocky.projengmenu |
TCL engineering menu for debugging. | ✅ Safe |
uk.co.freeview.onnow |
Freeview Play On Now application. | ✅ Safe |
com.tcl.factory.view |
TCL factory settings view. | |
au.com.stan.and |
Stan streaming service app. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.externalstorage |
Manages external storage access. | ❌ Critical |
uk.co.freeview.uktv |
UKTV app for Freeview Play. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.htmlviewer |
Basic HTML viewer included with Android. | |
com.tcl.pvr.pvrplayer |
TCL Personal Video Recorder player. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.companiondevicemanager |
Manages pairing with companion devices. | |
com.android.providers.downloads |
Core downloads provider for Android. | ❌ Critical |
com.android.messaging |
Default Android messaging app. | |
com.android.providers.tv |
TV content provider for Android TV. | ❌ Critical |
com.android.networkstack.inprocess |
Handles in-process network services. | ❌ Critical |
com.google.android.backdrop |
Backdrop (screensaver) app for Android TV. | |
com.android.tv.settings.gms.resoverlay |
Resource overlay for Android TV settings. | ❌ Critical |
com.tcl.useragreement |
TCL user agreement prompt app. | ✅ Safe |
com.tcl.miracast |
TCL Miracast service for screen mirroring. | ✅ Safe |
com.google.android.tungsten.setupwraith |
Android TV setup wizard. | ❌ Critical |
com.tcl.gallery |
TCL gallery app for media viewing. | ✅ Safe |
com.google.android.overlay.modules.permissioncontroller |
Overlay for permissions. | |
com.android.vending |
Google Play Store. | ❌ Critical |
com.android.pacprocessor |
Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) processor. | |
uk.co.freeview.fvpconfigauth |
Freeview Play configuration/auth service. | |
com.android.certinstaller |
Certificate installer for secure networks. | ❌ Critical |
com.google.android.marvin.talkback |
Google TalkBack for accessibility. | ✅ Safe |
android |
Core Android operating system package. | ❌ Critical |
com.android.camera2 |
Default camera application. | |
ar.tvplayer.tv |
Third-party TV streaming app. | ✅ Safe |
uk.co.freeview.systemdistributor |
Freeview system service for content distribution. | |
com.tcl.inputmethod.international |
TCL international keyboard. | |
uk.co.freeview.bbc_sounds |
BBC Sounds app for Freeview Play. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.backupconfirm |
System backup confirmation dialog. | |
com.tcl.xian.StartandroidService |
TCL-specific startup service. | |
com.tvos |
TCL TV operating system package. | ❌ Critical |
com.tcl.system.server |
TCL system services manager. | ❌ Critical |
com.tcl.guard |
TCL security or monitoring service. | |
com.android.statementservice |
Verifies app permissions and statements. | |
com.tcl.tcl_bt_rcu_service |
Bluetooth remote control service for TCL TVs. | |
com.android.settings.intelligence |
Smart settings features for Android TV. | |
com.google.android.permissioncontroller |
Manages app permissions. | ❌ Critical |
com.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom |
Amazon Prime Video app. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.providers.settings |
Core settings provider for Android. | ❌ Critical |
com.tcl.versionUpdateApp |
TCL version update service. | |
com.android.sharedstoragebackup |
Backup service for shared storage. | |
uk.co.freeview.tifbridge |
Tuner Information Framework (TIF) for Freeview. | |
com.tcl.waterfall.overseas |
TCL-specific waterfall UI service. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.printspooler |
System print service manager. | |
com.tcl.assistant |
TCL voice assistant service. | ✅ Safe |
com.android.dreams.basic |
Basic screensaver (Daydream) service. | |
com.tcl.t_solo |
TCL-specific solo operation service. | |
com.google.android.overlay.modules.ext.services |
Google system overlay service. | |
com.tcl.copydatatotv |
TCL data migration tool. | ✅ Safe |
com.tcl.micmanager |
TCL microphone manager for remote or assistant. | |
com.android.se |
Secure Element services for NFC. | |
com.android.inputdevices |
Handles input devices like keyboards and remotes. | |
com.tcl.notereminder |
TCL note reminder application. | ✅ Safe |
com.google.android.tvrecommendations |
Recommendations for Android TV home screen. | |
com.tcl.audioplayer |
TCL audio player application. | ✅ Safe |
uk.co.freeview.explore |
Freeview Explore app. | ✅ Safe |
com.tcl.MultiScreenInteraction_TV |
TCL multiscreen interaction service. | |
com.google.android.modulemetadata |
Google module metadata. | |
com.google.android.tvlauncher |
Launcher for Android TV. | |
com.google.android.webview |
WebView implementation by Google. | |
com.android.keychain |
Keychain service for secure credentials. | |
com.google.android.youtube.tvmusic |
YouTube Music for TV. | ✅ Safe |
-
ADB Connection Issues:
If you’re unable to connect to your TV, ensure that your TV’s IP address is correct and that ADB debugging is enabled in your TV’s settings. -
Failed App Removals:
If an app fails to remove, check the error message for more details. Some apps might be protected by the system, and removal could require advanced steps.
Connecting to TV at IP address: 192.168.1.100...
Successfully connected to TV at IP: 192.168.1.100.
Starting debloating process... Removing unwanted apps.
Removing package: com.tcl.partnercustomizer...
Successfully removed: com.tcl.partnercustomizer
Removing package: com.tcl.smartalexa...
Failed to remove: com.tcl.smartalexa
Rebooting TV to apply changes...
Debloating process completed successfully.Feel free to modify and share this script. However, use at your own risk! The script is provided "as-is" with no warranties or guarantees.