which alternative launcher for AndroidTV? MUST be included in F-Droid.. - Android TV General

Hi
I installed with adb F-Droid and apps distributed with F-Droid. The most apps don't show up in main menu.
Now I wish to install a custom Launcher, which shows those apps.
In F-Droid I didn't find any launcher with Android TV support.
I don't have a Google account, so cant use Google Play.

I know it doesn't approve the prerequisite of being in F-Droid, but the next one is here on XDA and it's been made by the great Chainfire, so I'll recommend it to you anyway:
[APP][TV5.0+][2015.03.10] Sideload Launcher for Android TV v1.05
Easily launch apps you sideloaded to your Android TV This is only for the new Android TV devices, like the ADT-1 and the Nexus Player, it is completely useless on other devices Android TV requires existing apps to be updated and declare...
forum.xda-developers.com
You can directly install the .apk with a pen drive without using Android TV Google Play Store, and is for exactly what you are needing.
I have it installed on my TV, and it works flawlessly.
Other tip: you can directly install the F-Droid official "Store" app on your TV with the .apk (I didn't catch correctly if you did so, or if you are installing apps from there with adb), so you don't need to be using adb each time you want something from there.
I have it installed with the official .apk as well and it's a bit slow, but works and can be used to update whatever app you installed from there. Mind that for the updating part to work, you need a "mouse input" type of device for doing the "scroll down to refresh" gesture, so the app updates the repository information and lists the updates available for your apps.

Thank you very much for help
For this launcher I can't find the Git repo. At the moment I use FLauncher which is in Beta. Wrote the same in official thread.
I can't connect mouse/keyboard to ATV, see
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...y-paired-it-with-lg-tv.4408593/#post-86493315

Try Wolf Launcher
Wolf Launcher 0.1.9 Wolf : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Lancher
archive.org

texten said:
Try Wolf Launcher
Wolf Launcher 0.1.9 Wolf : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Lancher
archive.org
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I can't find the Git repo and it seems not in F-Droid

Android TV Launcher is for those users who want endless customization options on Android TV. You can add your favorite widgets on the home screen from weather to time widgets — everything is available. You also have support for app widgets. If you want to change your launcher too, there is an easy way-Open Device Preferences of your Android TV. Then go to Build Version under the about section. Now, repeatedly press it until Developer Options are enabled. After enabling, go back to the Device Preferences menu and open Developer Options.

FLAUNCHER is open source android tv launcher made with flutter
FLauncher / FLauncher · GitLab
Open-source alternative launcher for Android TV, built with Flutter.
gitlab.com

My Android TV box does not show installed app. No matter what Launcher I try the app icon remain invisible. The app can opened from settings. chainfire's sideload launcher does not make any difference. there must be something in the android core itself.

use Flauncherit shows any apps you wants !
chainfire doesnt not even see sideloaded apps anymore

PuckBass said:
chainfire doesnt not even see sideloaded apps anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me is still working perfectly! Thanks for the alternative, anyway.

Related

[Q] Launching Netflix From Within Kodi

To the point: Anyone have any smart ideas to make the Netflix app visible to Kodi?
I bought my Nexus Player as a Kodi player to test the ability to launch android apps and hopefully get away from using PlayOn for Netflix and Hulu.
Unlike other android boxes, such as the Fire TV, I've noticed several android apps are hidden from other third party apps. Notably Netflix does not appear in either Chainfire's Sideload Launcher nor within Kodi in the Addons > Programs > Android Apps. So the app cannot be favorited. I tried using a StartAndroidActivity command with the correct apk name for Netflix "com.netflix.ninja" but that does nothing.
I'm rooted.
Much appreciation.
Does voice search --> "Go to Netflix" work for you?
habskilla said:
Does voice search --> "Go to Netflix" work for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to test it just now. It does however. That is a possible solution. Especially since I go straight to Kodi on startup with "XBMC Launcher".
I'd be interested however still if there was a solution, even convoluted or with some work, to make the app directly accessible from Kodi via key press.
I use the Eminence skin and do exactly like this guy, simply by adding the app as a favorite, then adding it to the start bar, works like a charm for native Android Netflix, WatchEspn, DishAnywhere, HBO GO all perfectly seamless and it drops me right back to the Kodi main screen when I exit.
http://youtu.be/PrRNqrZmFfE scroll forward to 5:58 to see launching apps.
I know there is a way to do this with other skins but Eminence makes it so simple, plus it looks great.
agwood said:
I use the Eminence skin and do exactly like this guy, simply by adding the app as a favorite, then adding it to the start bar, works like a charm for native Android Netflix, WatchEspn, DishAnywhere, HBO GO all perfectly seamless and it drops me right back to the Kodi main screen when I exit.
http://youtu.be/PrRNqrZmFfE scroll forward to 5:58 to see launching apps.
I know there is a way to do this with other skins but Eminence makes it so simple, plus it looks great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this works with the NP as well?
agwood said:
I use the Eminence skin and do exactly like this guy, simply by adding the app as a favorite, then adding it to the start bar, works like a charm for native Android Netflix, WatchEspn, DishAnywhere, HBO GO all perfectly seamless and it drops me right back to the Kodi main screen when I exit.
I know there is a way to do this with other skins but Eminence makes it so simple, plus it looks great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I appreciate it but that isn't really the problem. I'm familiar with the mechanics of adding android apps to various skin menus within Kodi.
That problem is that, unlike with Kodi on other android devices that I've used, on my Nexus player several apps (including Netflix and Pluto.tv) simply do not appear within other apps (including Kodi and Chainfire's Sideload Launcher). Netflix and Pluto.tv appear on the default launcher's home page and work perfectly. They can be launched via voice command and work perfectly. However within third party apps they do not appear at all.
So I've favorited several apps and added them to the home screen menu easily (Google Music and Hulu).
I would like to do the same with Netflix. However, the fact that it is hidden from within other apps prevents that. Does anyone know the mechanism behind which it some apps are hidden and what I might do to make Netflix visible from within other apps on the Nexus Player?
My sneaking suspicion is that the netflix app manifest only contains a leanback launcher activity and intent while other apps contain both leanback and normal intent (or only normal and are invisible to the leanback launcher). I plan to test this theory with a simple hello world application.
zlexy said:
My sneaking suspicion is that the netflix app manifest only contains a leanback launcher activity and intent while other apps contain both leanback and normal intent (or only normal and are invisible to the leanback launcher). I plan to test this theory with a simple hello world application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any solutions for this?
Also, Bueller? Bueller? Is this forum really debating things like the merits of an Ouya versus a Nexus Player versus whatever at length as compared to an actual technical problem like this?
txmed said:
Any solutions for this?
Also, Bueller? Bueller? Is this forum really debating things like the merits of an Ouya versus a Nexus Player versus whatever at length as compared to an actual technical problem like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.
1] Download apktools (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2639400)
2] Extract the downloaded file anywhere in your pc
3] Copy the netflix apk to the "2-in" folder where you extracted APKTools
Note: I used EsFileExplorer to copy /data/app/com.netflix.ninja/base.apk to my PC
4]Double click on "Advanced ApkTool.exe" to start the tool
5] Select "2 - Decompile Files"
Note: the decompiled files will be be located in the "3-Out" folder
In the "3-Out" folder open AndroidManifest.xml using a text editor and below the line:
Code:
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LEANBACK_LAUNCHER"/>
add the following code:
Code:
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
6] Save AndroidManifest.xml and select "3 - Recompile" and recompile, sign and zipalign the files.
The recompiled apk will be inside "4-Done" folder
7] Uninstall netflix and re-install from the recompiled apk.
You can now run Netflix from XBMC and the sideload launcher.
zlexy said:
Yep.
You can now run Netflix from XBMC and the sideload launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're awesome. I wish I could buy you a beer.
Totally worked on Netflix and Pluto.tv.
Would the long-term solution be to update Kodi to look for leanback launcher intents when assigning favorites?
xBIGREDDx said:
Would the long-term solution be to update Kodi to look for leanback launcher intents when assigning favorites?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I submitted a simple fix to the Kodi dev forums.
AFAIK it was committed and should be in the nightly.
I wonder, how can I achieve this without modifying the apk? It would be cumbersome to update the package at each update.
I'm trying to launch netflix with Automate, so I can configure a package, activity and intent. This configuration currently works on my nexus tablet, but on the nexus player I get an error stating there's no app that can handle that. Image here imgur.com/BBgBmm7
Edit: nevermind, found the problem. Package for Android TV is com.netflix.ninja
zlexy said:
I submitted a simple fix to the Kodi dev forums.
AFAIK it was committed and should be in the nightly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did they do anything with your submission? I still can't get NextFlix to launch from within Kodi and it's annoying as heck. The new Plex launcher thing works great, I'm just missing the ability to launch NetFlix!

TV Apps drawer for Android TV

I don't like the way Sideload launcher loads the non-leanback apps, so I developed my own sideload launcher, and I called it TV Apps Drawer, you can check it out and tell me what you think:
LINK

[Q] Installing Google Play on Oculus Go

Hello,
I'm looking for info if is possible to successfully install and run google play and non android tv apps on oculus go.
Thanks in advance.
What has worked for me is Yalp Store.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.yeriomin.yalpstore/
Yalp Store let's you download free apps from the Play Store. I've tried downloading the Play Store, Play Services, Services Framework and Login Service from Google and seeing if that works, but Framework keeps crash looping and needs to be removed via ADB, might be a login weirdness though. Go is running Android SDK 25/Android 7.1, so keep that in mind when downloading apks.
The problem with system apps and services is that we should only mess with them if we have a way to flash a firmware back on.
I would not risk a brick or mess around for hours through ADB.
The reason is quite simple:
1. The GO is not a licensed Google device, so we would need to use a hacked playstore setup to overcome the nagging unauthorised device crap.
2. The system is based more on the Amazon TV stick, which makes things a bit complicated.
3. The play services and framework need to be modified to work with a VR setup.
A simple TV version will fail as we can't really match the required specifications.
At least not without rsking access to Oculus stuff.
4. The interest for developers or rom cooks is quite limited.
Aurora app store works great on the GO (https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/galaxy-playstore-alternative-t3739733) I'd also recommend installing appstarter (https://github.com/sphinx02/AppStarter/releases) and then Oculus TV appstarter launcher (https://github.com/GyroJoe/OculusTVLauncher/releases). Then you can just go to unknown apps in your main app library to launch appstarter in oculus TV (much faster than opening OTV, scrolling down, etc). All your sideloaded app will show here (all apps do, but you can hide non-VR apps to make it less cluttered). Works GREAT!
Hi AspenMan. Thanks for pointing out Aurora app Store and the appstarter.
I am trying to install the FuboTv package and cannot get through without Google Play Services if I install the apk from apkmirror. Trying to get this in Aurora App Store - but I do see FuboTV but there is no way install it. May be its a quick help will point me in right direction. I want to watch my FuboTV on Oculus Go

Any way to force an app to mobile mode?

I'm quite familiar with sideloading regular Android apps that don't have an Android TV version, but is there any way to force an app that supports both to use it's mobile version for the Shield TV? I have a VPN through SurfShark that only provides a single apk, and the UI changes depending on if you install it on a phone or Android TV. Problem is on the Shield I'm missing a few features that the app has on my phone, namely the reverse whitelist (selecting only a few apps that use the VPN, everything else is left alone). Also in the SurfShark whitelist options it shows all the installed apps on my phone, but on the Shield many apps aren't listed (Prime TV, NHL, etc).
Apart from waiting for their dev team to fix the Android TV UI, the easiest fix would be to just install the mobile version on the Shield but I can't figure out a way to do that since it's just a single apk, and Google isn't helping either.
Hemi-Cuda said:
I'm quite familiar with sideloading regular Android apps that don't have an Android TV version, but is there any way to force an app that supports both to use it's mobile version for the Shield TV? I have a VPN through SurfShark that only provides a single apk, and the UI changes depending on if you install it on a phone or Android TV. Problem is on the Shield I'm missing a few features that the app has on my phone, namely the reverse whitelist (selecting only a few apps that use the VPN, everything else is left alone). Also in the SurfShark whitelist options it shows all the installed apps on my phone, but on the Shield many apps aren't listed (Prime TV, NHL, etc).
Apart from waiting for their dev team to fix the Android TV UI, the easiest fix would be to just install the mobile version on the Shield but I can't figure out a way to do that since it's just a single apk, and Google isn't helping either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soome app with that allinone package usually changed with how you launch it. Try launch it through sideload launcher usually load mobile one.

[GUIDE] Run side-loaded apps on child profile

1. Install my AppStart app from the Appstore on one of the parent profiles. This is a very simple app that lists all the apps and lets you start one. No ads, minimal permissions, about 34K in side. It may sound like a launcher, and launchers are banned by Amazon, but technically it's not a launcher--it's just an ordinary app, approved by Amazon. Source code is here: https://github.com/arpruss/appstart
2. Go to parents.amazon.com and share the AppStart app with the child profile (or do it in the tablet's Settings on the parent profile).
3. Go to the child profile's shared content section and download AppStart.
4. Side-load whatever apk you want into the child profile. (E.g., by enabling debugging and using adb install, or in some other way.)
5. Use AppStart to launch the side-loaded app.
arpruss said:
1. Install my AppStart app from the Appstore on one of the parent profiles. This is a very simple app that lists all the apps and lets you start one. No ads, minimal permissions, about 34K in side. It may sound like a launcher, and launchers are banned by Amazon, but technically it's not a launcher--it's just an ordinary app, approved by Amazon. Source code is here: https://github.com/arpruss/appstart
2. Go to parents.amazon.com and share the AppStart app with the child profile (or do it in the tablet's Settings on the parent profile).
3. Go to the child profile's shared content section and download AppStart.
4. Side-load whatever apk you want into the child profile. (E.g., by enabling debugging and using adb install, or in some other way.)
5. Use AppStart to launch the side-loaded app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has this stopped working with the new Kindle update September 2022?
phel0049 said:
Has this stopped working with the new Kindle update September 2022?
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Click to collapse
It still seems to be working OK even with the latest Amazon Fire OS build 7.3.2.6 (running on a Fire HD 8 Plus (10th Gen)
Is it possible to have a PIN code needed to see the hidden apps? This works well to allow for sideloaded content but there are really some apps I'd rather my son not be able to mess with. I put them in hidden but he might figure out how to get there.
Would be great to customize the "default" list in a way that you can select just a few apps that show up there and "all" apps in a separate list. I want to use it just for a few side-loaded apps (currently just one actually), but also all apps installed via the app store show up and clutter the screen.

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