yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Once the original launcher is gone you can use whatever launcher you like and switch in between as many as you like, just make sure you have one installed and working before you try another one, but you can simply uninstall the ones you don't like after you have the one you choose , through the interface no adb required.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] funkyirishman:
Cheers

Tried a few and TV launcher seems the best so when I have time ill try to use this as default
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] LzeroKI:
If I have followed this guide for my shield running Oreo, is it safe to upgrade the shield to Pie, or should I reinstall the stock launcher first?
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] mLgz0rn:
Yes it's safe.

All stock apps will be installed again when you upgrade
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] kouklo:
Does anyone know if we can do this on the new 2019 versions? I just ordered a USB3 cable from Amazon. Fingers crossed.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
I don't have a 2019 model to test it out on, but it most likely does, when you get your 2019 version can you post here to confirm ? and ty
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] elliwigy:
i imagine it will if original launcher isnt available
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] ezkc:
I can confirm that it works on the 2019 as well.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] kingbeta:
I got HA Launcher installed and working as default launcher on a non-rooted 2017 Shield with v8 firmware. However, I can't get channels working on the HA Launcher. In the HA Launcher settings, it mentions that channels need to be enabled from "customise channels on home screen of OS". However, as I disabled the stock launcher, I can't get to that screen. Is there a way to get channels working with this setup?
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
There should be a way to get to settings from the home screen on halauncher under customize go to app list create groups as you like on the Right, then select the group you want to add apps to.

Then on the left Select your apps using the check boxes, and click the button in the middle that says add.

When you are done setting it up to how you like go back once and to save settings in case you need to redo your launcher or accidentally remove an app shortcut.

Also for anyone that was wondering about the overlay of the background picture, if u use the same wallpaper picture for the background and the overlay the image will be opaque.

As for enabling the original launcher you can do this by using the same command by changing the word disable to enable within the command,

You can also look under the shields settings and apps, then see all apps, then scroll down to where disabled apps are on that list, and click on the original launcher and click enable. Which would be the fastest easiest way.

As for Channels you can customize the apps to be how you like I don't use the channels functions on halauncher, there are many other customizable launchers available, but I believe you can use the create shortcut option to add a channel to your home screen.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] kingbeta:
Thanks for your reply. I think I was confused with my terminology. When I was referring to channels, I actually meant widgets. Does HA Launcher allow widgets to be shown on the launcher?
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Under app list in settings there's a Widget button on top to the right directly next to New group I don't have any widgets installed to test the feature so I cant say for sure what works and what does not, you can however use any launcher you like one that would do whatever you need. I just suggested halauncher in the thread because I use it like it and find it customizable.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] schneid:
I just used Launch On Boot and Button Mapper (flar2) from Play Store. Boots to my chosen launcher but allows return to stock launcher and back again.

Instructions here:

https://youtu.be/fQNWzOrfso8

Video is hard to follow as it is over-loaded with pop-ups.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
It says on google play store "Button Mapper does not work when the screen is off unless your device is rooted or you run a special adb command."

You have to do a lot of stuff just to get it to work and then use an adb command anyway, so you may as well just install a launcher of your choosing and disable the default launcher, the default launcher can be re enabled if needed at anytime even if someone chooses to uninstall it it can be reinstalled right from the play store, this thread if for un rooted devices, ty for this alternate way, but it also needs a workaround because 8.02 breaks this method meaning that the workaround would most likely need to be redone with each update of the device, disabling an app is permanent until you re enable it.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] dk1keith:
LaunchX app launcher

I may have simply missed it in this thread but why is no one simply using this:

https://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/general/ftvlaunchx-custom-launcher-root-t4037397

[MENTION=7352779]SweenWolf[/MENTION] on the Fire TV Forum even created an ATV Launcher for the Shield TV. Which is what I use. U just install FTVLauncherX and then his WolfLauncher and it works really well. Also with FTVLauncherX you can use whatever app you want as a launcher.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
If you simply disable the default launcher you can use whatever you like as a launcher without installing 2 separate apps that were designed for the Fire Tv, but I guess people can choose to do what they want, but this thread was started as information on connections to the shield and disabling the default launcher on non rooted devices to use whatever launcher you like, and its permanent until the default launcher is re enabled or re installed a one time fast easy solution.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] schneid:
I imagine most users find using ADB pretty daunting. It's a wonderful thing but then I started in DOS. Especially now that one can cut and paste from Windows to a Command Prompt.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] dk1keith:
Definitely not one that finds ADB daunting...lol

I know ADB and Fastboot pretty well. I also started out in DOS which is why ADB seemed straight forward to me. I do like to keep things simple though. I wanted to ensure users knew of another approach to changing the launcher that didn't involve ADB. Just installing a few apps which most are probably comfortable with. Whatever gets it done though..for sure.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] MaraDonAlex:
On my Shield TV Pro 2019 (Android 8.2) I installed ATV Launcher. But it crashes/freezes everytime I exit Kodi or press the home button.

I get a blank screen and I have to restart the Shield. I also disabled the default launcher through adb. Any tips?
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Im not too familiar with the ATV launcher, although we do have a nvidia shield, so its basically capable of running any launcher, if you are having issues with ATV launcher, either try to get the latest update apk from the play store or a reliable source, or try another launcher there are many on the play store right on the shield, The Ha launcher which is what I use and recommend in this thread has a similar interface to the atv launcher. The only thing I can suggest is maybe looking into the settings on the atv launcher, and make sure its set to be the home launcher, also verify the version of kodi you are using is not set up as a home launcher. It might be the home button press is mapped to kodis home screen and the home screen of atv launcher and causing the crash check the settings on the launcher and kodi. I have ha launcher and kodi installed when I hit home it takes me to my launchers main page so not sure what can be causing it other then maybe a button map conflict or the version of Atv launcher you are using.

You can of course simply try one of the many other launchers on the play store and see what you like and what works for you.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] MaraDonAlex:
I know what caused the problem with all launchers I tried.

It was the following adb command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher

This caused the launcher to freeze. Thanks though.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Yeah The command is type

adb shell

then hit enter

then type

pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.tvlauncher

Also if you want to reinstall the default launcher its on the play store for anyone that would like the original one back.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] MaraDonAlex:
Don't know what the difference is. The launcher isn't uninstalled but disabled. I could enable the default launcher in settings.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] cHECKjAM:
Anyone knows a good solid launcher for nvidia shield experience 8.2 that is open source?

I have a rooted nvidia shield 2017 Pro and a nvidia shield 2019 Pro. I would like to sideload apps on this but use a sideload app or launcher that is open source and reliable.

Thanks
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Hi Well there are these 2 apps here

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dxidev.sideload.channel.launcher&hl=en_US&gl=US

It allows you to Create your own Android TV channels to launch your installed sideloaded applications

and

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.tv.sideloadlauncher&hl=en_US&gl=US

a sideload launcher

As for open source I guess you could try searching with google but both of these are reliable and stable, as for sideloading apps to the shield for installation of apps you can also go into the setting on the shield under storage settings and set it up to be accessed on your home network and then just transfer apks to a folder on the shield from pc, you can also use a file explorer type app on the shield to install those apks or to browse to your pc and directly install them from a shared folder.

I realize this doesn't directly answer your question but could help some users reading this have a happy Thanksgiving all.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] Alendrew11:
Thanks for sharing this information. I am also a great user of FTVLauncherX. It makes all my apps awesome....
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] savelbys:
Hello,

i'm using the newest Nvidia Shield TV Pro at the newest update with the Wolf Launcher (https://www.techdoctoruk.com/sdm_downloads/wolf-launcher-for-shield-tv-atv-mod/)

I´m using the Launcher Manager too (https://www.techdoctoruk.com/sdm_downloads/launcher-manager-shield-tv/) and disabled the stock one.

i'm also increased the size from the Shield TV to 4K (because original it is at Full HD and looks very blurry)

with the following commands through adbLink:

wm size 3840x2160

wm density 355

settings put system font_scale 0.75

reboot

Now i have experienced crashes/freezes with the Plex App. When i want to configure an Application, it crashes too.

Anyone have that problem too? Is the Wolf Launcher stable/good or is that because the 4K increase?

I have read many times that the Launchers overall are making problems...

Is there no stable/good Launcher out there? The original Android TV Launcher is annoying
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] Zacharybinx34:
Does this work well on top of Lineage OS Full Android for Nvidia Shield TV?
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
I Have Stock non rooted Nvidia shield, so I cant say what works with lineage OS. Im assuming any launcher will run and can be set to be the home launcher on a rooted system and that disabling the home launcher would not be necessary. You could just disable or uninstall it because you are rooted , but yes the command will work in much the same way if you would like to use adb to disable the home launcher vs another method.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
There are quite a few tv launchers, try the play store on the Shield and search and try a few till you find a stable one you like heres a few from google play search https://play.google.com/store/search?q=android tv launchers

As for the Plex thing that would probably be a question for a Plex forum, you could try to update Plex on the shield make sure its the latest version and that the shield is also on the latest version or reverse the changes you made through adb link and test it to see if it still crashes to determine if that caused the issue.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] masivb:
I wonder if this methodology would work to get the old noguat launcher on pie since most of the launchers you mentioned are old from noguat, oreo era also

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-tv-launcher-android-tv/android-tv-launcher-android-tv-1-1-7-3300609-release/

I will test
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] Eagle00Eye:
I have your exact issue. did you ever get a fix for it. I am using Sideload Channel Launcher 3 and have disabled the stock launcher via ADB also.

When using "wm size 3840x2160" and "wm density 640" I also experience random crashes in the Plex app. Or once the movie is playing it will start to stutter and the remote wont work.

I have to hard reset the shield every time.

This is so frustrating because the upscaled icons look amazing. I really don't want to have to go back. I experience the crashing on Wolf launcher also. so its not launcher related.

I also reverted back to stock Size and Density and for 2 days I experienced zero issues. so its definitely the ADB commands.

HELP!!!!

Edit: After a bit of troubleshooting the command that is causing the crashing is the wm density command. anything other than the default 320 is causing plex to crash every now and then.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
I would try a restart first if that doesn't work go into the app settings for the leanback launcher and use the settings to force stop and or disable it, it should work if you got back true state, prob just need to restart, its weird cause i don't even shut down my lean back and Ive done this many times i actually unhide on updates then rehide it just cause i want updates to go as smoothly as they can and i enjoy the stock on this device.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] Desibouy:
Hi DBCAB,

Thanks for that. It worked!

One more thing, Which launcher gives you more Wallpaper space? Right now I have my Hal as having 2 Empty rows and then the Apps start. But still not enough for me.

I like mine minimalistic
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] ramzi33:
Guys please let us know which launchers works with this method. Thanks
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Most launchers that are set up as a launcher should work , nova launcher , hal launcher etc, id suggest you use ones designed for android tv so its not all distorted on screen and functions correctly.

As for the more wallpaper space there are several options in the hal launcher you can get rid of the side bar change the size of the icon it uses etc. You can also remove the default groups and make your own and add as many apps to each section as you like or as few if you like it more minimal

If you want to make your own icons to use with certain programs heres a fast easy way , grab an icon or a picture you would like to use, open in any paint program, make sure keep aspect ratio is off, then simply resize the picture to 320 by 180 and save as png and transfer it to the shield to use with hals icon edit feature to quickly change the icons for apps .
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] ramzi33:
Thanks for this post. Might make life waaaaaaaaay easier :)
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] ramzi33:
After trying different launchers my shield tv became so unbearably laggy... so slow. Tried everything even quick reset didn't work so I had to format and start all over again. 500gb shields take 2+ hours to format. No back to original launcher.

Thanks for the post it was very educational :)
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
I have been using this method many many months since i first got the shield perhaps its something else you are installing? , I have no lag using a different launcher, maybe you installed something that runs constantly I had a really nice car game I liked but it ran all the time , and im thinking hmmm this game or my sheild burning up from it runing 24/7 lol so its uninstalled now , basically if ur having lag check through apps that might be causing it , also you can disable apps you don't use for faster performance and so you don't see them right under apps in settings, that can help too.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] ramzi33:
Thanks for the reply.

I did not mean that the method doesn't work, it works 100% and is the only method to use without rooting.

It might be the launcher I installed that caused the lagging.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] imsonica:
is not working for me?

shell@foster:/ $ pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher
Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.MANAGE_USERS.
1|shell@foster:/ $

running the command shield says not privileges available

I'm on 3.3 version
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] zammo25:
[MENTION=7065294]DBCAB[/MENTION] Wondering if you could help please..........I've followed instructions and it works until I do a reboot of the box. It then won't get past the Android splash screen on boot. If i run the unhide command, it instantly loads up with the stock launcher. If I don't run the unhide command, It will just hang indefinitely on the Android boot splash screen.

Any ideas?

Cheers.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
If the launcher you are trying to use is not set up as a launcher it might not load at start, so let me see what you got here what launcher have you installed to replace leanback? Also are you sure you are typing the commands correctly try to copy paste from this post to your command window , and do it line by line. Also inside hal launcher is a setting to set it as home launcher if all else fails try to use this setting and see if that fixes it.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] zammo25:
Thanks for coming back mate......I'm trying to use HAL. As for the commands, I tried typing them initially and then thought I'd copy/paste just to make sure.....so yeah, tried that. I'll try the setting within HAL to see if that works, will let you know.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Same error ,please help

I have same error , I´m on 3.3 version too and Android 6 version. Please, help
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
type adb shell hit enter then type pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher 2 separate lines.

Are you using minimal adb and fastboot? link is in the first post. Are you doing this with the shield hooked up to the tv? because you dont do this on the pc u connect your pc/laptop/windows tablet, to the shield while its hooked up to tv as you normally use it. use a usb to micro usb cable such as for charging your phone.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Hi DBCAB , thanks for your help.

Yes i´m using minimal adb and fastboot from the first page. I have the shield connected to the tv with your hdmi cable and conected to my pc with micro usb in shield port and usb in my computer. I open a cmd window in my PC and type the two lines separate. First adb shell (enter) and pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher (enter) and the error message continues

shell@foster:/ $ pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher

Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.MANAGE_USERS.

1|shell@foster:/ $

Thanks in advance and sorry for my english
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Try running the minimal adb and fastboot as administrator, right click run as administrator, what windows are you running? Here is a link for the drivers for the shield perhaps installing them would help.

https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-open-source

Scroll down on page a bit you should find the usb drivers

Also are you sure you Activated Developer mode ? Go to settings-Info and press build 8-times

Then go to Settings--Preferences--Developer Options and activate debugging for USB Before trying this.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Thanks again DBCAB for your help , but no luck , i´m executing cmd window as administrator , the shield drivers was installed, and developer mode and usb debug was enabled too. I tried in my computer with W7 64 bits and also in my laptop with W7 32 bits and same error. I think it may be for a block of permissions in the last update 3.3 . It's frustrating , sorry for my english.

Regards
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Are You using the minimal adb and fast boot from "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot\MAF32.exe" Run the one you installed when you instaled the minimal adb and fastboot as admin see if that works.

Ive done this a few times now I usually unhide when there's an update then rehide after just because I want all things to go smooth while I update and I run stock.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Hello again , Happy New Year !!!.

I was using Minimal ADB and Fastboot portable version , but , i installed the installer version and follow your instructions and when i type the command , same error message

shell@foster:/ $ pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher

Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.MANAGE_USERS.

Thanks for your help mate. Regards
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Try installing java jdk see if it works then thats probably the issue sorry didn't see that earlier.

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
No luck mate, i went to oracle website and installed last Java jdk for Win7 64 but same error message continues.

Thank you very much for your continued support and ideas.
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
When you first enabled adb debugging did you get the pop up message on the tv requesting permission for that device and placed a check mark in that message box to confirm permission? If you did not do that disable adb debug then re enable it to get the message to pop up again this time confirm it .
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Hi Friend , yes i did it the first time when my tv show me message about authorize computer and checked mark to confirm permission. Sorry for my basic english and thanks again for your help
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Unplug pc from the shield, Restart pc, Restart shield try again. Also try a different usb cord .

Also make sure you have unknown sources allowed its under Settings---Personal--Safety and Restrictions--unknown sources (set it to on)
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] goldeneye777:
Hi ,unknown sources was activated before , but , i set it off , unplug usb cord , restart shield and pc , take another usb cord . Enable unknown sources ON again and i tried one more time disable launcher and same error.

Infinite thanks for your help and suggestions , i think must be an android permission protection in my shield , because i try hide another shield process like Google Music and same error.

Regards
[Shield Android TV Themes and Apps] DBCAB:
Did you try to turn off abd debug and renable it to see if the permissions message pops up again? I don't have this issue I run stock up to date on a sheild pro. Do you have permission issues on your windows machine are you the admin?

Id like to recreate your issue but I switched over to windows ten on all my machines recently so I cant even test see what can be going wrong, I will do some research and see if I can find what issue for you is , only other thing can think of is check under developer options and see if verify apps over usb is set to on if it is , set it to off , its off by default but I don't know what settings u may have changed. I only say this because its the way my sheild is set up although I dont think that is the issue I run pure stock on this device. Did you install hall launcher first?