Questions people ask

I don't code and don't have a laptop. Can I still do this?

Yes. @udhaykumarbala built a free, open-source phone app for Android that does the same cleanup over Wi-Fi: it connects to the TV, shows a plan first, saves a restore point, and only switches apps off, so everything can be put back. It's community-built.

Is this safe? Can it brick the TV?

Nothing is flashed, rooted or deleted; packages are disabled in the user profile. The risk is disabling something the TV leans on, which is why lists are applied in small batches with a restore script ready. The TV's own Settings → Apps page can re-enable packages even without the tools.

What about firmware updates?

Most lists disable the update service, so updates arrive only when you re-enable it. If one lands, the worst case is a package coming back and you re-run the script.

Won't the apps break?

Streaming apps still update through the Play Store, which is left alone. The launcher just lists what is installed and launches it with intents that have been stable for a decade.

Can I do this for someone in another home?

Yes, over a private Tailscale link instead of the same Wi-Fi: either Tailscale on their TV, shared with you, or a computer or Apple TV at their home routing to it. Never by opening the ADB port on their router. Step by step in docs/REMOTE.md.

Isn't ADB access a security hole?

It is one explicit "allow this computer" tap on the TV, the same as developing an Android app. Network ADB is plaintext on port 5555, and on firmware with ro.adb.secure=0 any device on the LAN gets a shell, so close it when you are done:

1. On the TV: Developer options → turn USB debugging and Network/ADB debugging off, and revoke the USB debugging authorisations.
2. Reboot the TV, then confirm the port is gone from your computer: python3 tools/adb-closed.py <tv ip> must say the port is closed. With nc -vz <tv ip> 5555, only "Connection refused" counts: on macOS, Local Network privacy can block nc and make it fail with "No route to host" even while the port is open.

The launcher keeps working without debugging.

AirPlay?

Not from this repo. Chromecast built-in stays for Android phones. For iPhones, jqssun/android-airplay-server works; an install script for it is in PR #84.

Can I just download the APK?

Build it with the one-line script; it takes a minute and you control what goes on your TV. No prebuilt binaries.