· Firestick.io Team · Guides · 11 min read
How to Install Android TV Launcher on Firestick (2026 Guide)
Replace your cluttered Firestick home screen with a clean Android TV interface. Step-by-step guide to installing custom launchers with screenshots.
I’ve been customizing Firestick devices for years, and the one thing that consistently drives me crazy is Amazon’s home screen. Out of the box, you’re looking at sponsored carousel rows, “free with Prime” clutter, and an interface designed to sell you things rather than let you watch them. After installing my 15th custom launcher to find something that actually sticks, I can tell you: there are better options — and most of them are free.
This guide walks you through installing a clean Android TV-style launcher on your Firestick. I’m covering the three launchers that actually work in 2026, what each one does differently, and the exact steps to get them running without breaking anything.
To install a custom launcher on Firestick: enable Apps from Unknown Sources in Settings, install the Downloader app, then download your chosen launcher APK. Projectivy Launcher is the best free option in 2026 — it’s stable, actively updated, and gives you a clean Android TV interface without the Amazon clutter.
What I Tested For
I installed and used four different custom launchers on my Firestick 4K Max over a three-week period. Here’s what I was evaluating:
- Interface cleanliness — How much Amazon ad clutter actually disappears?
- Performance impact — Does the launcher slow down the device?
- Stability — Do crashes or force-closes happen during normal use?
- Update reliability — Can you still install updates after changing the launcher?
- Ease of reversal — Can you go back to the stock launcher if needed?
Quick comparison before we dive in:
| Launcher | Price | Ads Removed | Customization | Active Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Projectivy Launcher | Free | Yes | High | Very Active |
| Premium TV Launcher | Free / $5 | Yes | Very High | Active |
| Wolf Launcher | Free | Partial | Medium | Minimal |
| FLauncher | Free | Partial | Medium | Community |
Why You’d Want a Custom Launcher
Let’s be honest — Amazon’s Fire TV interface is aggressively commercial. You’ve got:
- Sponsored content rows that look like regular recommendations
- “Free with Prime” banners taking up prime screen real estate
- “Continue Watching” for things you forgot you started
- Upsell prompts everywhere
A custom launcher strips all that away. Here’s what changes:
The benefits I noticed after switching:
- Clean home screen — Just your apps, organized how you want them
- No sponsored content — Zero ads in my interface for three weeks
- Faster navigation — Less bloat means quicker app launches
- Android TV feel — If you’ve used a Chromecast with Google TV or NVIDIA Shield, it feels familiar
- Organized apps — No more digging through “Your Apps & Channels” to find what you want
The Best Custom Launchers Tested
1. Projectivy Launcher — Best Overall (Free)
I used Projectivy Launcher as my daily driver for two weeks, and it’s the one I’d recommend to most people. It’s actively maintained — the V4.68 update dropped in late December 2025, and the developer (TroyPoint) continues to push fixes.
Projectivy Launcher was my go-to for the final two weeks of testing, and it just works. The interface is clean, the app drawer is organized, and I didn’t see a single sponsored row.
What you get:
- Full Android TV-style interface
- Removes all Amazon home screen ads
- Customizeable app grid (2-4 columns)
- Search functionality built-in
- Works on Firestick, Fire TV, and Android TV devices
The catch:
- Installation requires sideloading (more on this below)
- Some users report occasional missing app icons (reinstalling fixes it)
- Requires Launcher Manager for the “home button hook” to work properly
Testing notes: I watched a full season of Slow Horses through the new interface, launched Kodi, Netflix, and Surfshark daily — no crashes, no slowdowns. The interface loaded in about 2 seconds on my 4K Max, which is comparable to the stock launcher.
2. Premium TV Launcher — Best for Customization ($0/$5)
Premium TV Launcher offers the most customization options, but it comes with a caveat — the free version still has some ads (just less than stock Amazon). The $5 premium version removes everything.
Premium TV Launcher is the choice if you want total control over your home screen. The free version is usable, but you’re still seeing some promoted content. Pony up the $5 and you’re done.
Free version:
- Partial ad removal
- Basic customization
- Works on Android TV, Google TV, Firestick
Premium version ($5):
- Complete ad removal
- Advanced customization options
- Priority updates
Testing notes: I tested the free version alongside Projectivy. It’s functional but noticeably more cluttered. The premium version would likely match Projectivy’s cleanliness, but I didn’t test the paid tier extensively.
3. Wolf Launcher — Simple & Lightweight (Free)
Wolf Launcher is the bare-bones option. It’s lightweight, installs quickly, and does one thing: gives you a cleaner home screen. But it’s not as actively maintained as Projectivy, and the ad removal is partial at best.
Good for:
- Older Firestick devices (Lite, original 4K)
- Users who just want something better than stock
- Quick setup without extra tools
Not as good for:
- Complete ad removal
- Long-term reliability (minimal updates)
4. Launcher Manager — The Essential Companion
You can’t actually use Launcher Manager as your home screen — it’s a management tool. But it’s essential for making custom launchers work properly:
- Blocks Firestick software updates that would break your launcher
- Disables app blacklisting — Amazon’s attempt to block sideloaded launchers
- Configures “Home Button Hook” — Makes the home button open your custom launcher instead of returning to Amazon’s interface
The setup takes an extra 2 minutes but is absolutely necessary for a stable experience.
How to Install a Custom Launcher on Firestick
Here’s the complete installation process. I’m using Projectivy Launcher as the example since it’s the best free option, but the same steps apply to Wolf Launcher and Premium TV Launcher.
How to Install Projectivy Launcher on Firestick
8 stepsEnable Developer Options
From your Firestick home screen, go to Settings → My Fire TV → About → Fire TV (on some devices). Scroll down to Developer Options and click it.
Enable Apps from Unknown Sources
Go back to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options. Toggle Apps from Unknown Sources to ON. You’ll get a warning — click “Turn On” to confirm.
Install the Downloader App
Return to the home screen. Use the search function (magnifying glass icon) to search for “Downloader.” Select it from the results and click Download or Get. This app lets you download APK files directly to your Firestick.
Allow Downloader to Install Apps
When prompted, allow Downloader to install apps. This is required for sideloading to work.
Download Projectivy Launcher
Open Downloader. In the URL field, enter: https://projectivy.io/apk — this is the direct download link for the latest version. Click Go.
Install the APK
Once the file downloads, you’ll see an installation prompt. Click Install. After installation completes, click Done and delete the APK file to save space.
Install Launcher Manager
Repeat steps 5-6 with this URL: https://launchermanager.com/apk. Launcher Manager is essential for keeping your custom launcher working after Amazon updates.
Configure Home Button Hook
Open Launcher Manager. Go to Launcher Options → Home Button Hook. Enable Home Button Hook and Use ADB for Home. Select your preferred trigger (I use “Single Press”). Now when you hit the home button, you’ll see your new launcher instead of Amazon’s interface.
What Happens After Installation
Once you’ve completed the setup, here’s what changes:
Your new home screen shows:
- Just your installed apps in a clean grid
- No sponsored content rows
- No “Free with Prime” banners
- Organized app drawer you can customize
What still works:
- All your streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Kodi, etc.)
- Remote navigation (everything works the same)
- Settings menu (accessible from the launcher)
- App updates from the Amazon App Store
What requires extra steps:
- Going back to Amazon’s launcher (use Launcher Manager to disable the hook)
- Some launchers may not show all installed apps immediately (rescan in settings)
Pros & Cons of Switching Launchers
✓ Pros
- Complete removal of Amazon's sponsored content and ads
- Clean, organized Android TV-style interface
- Faster navigation on older devices
- Customizable app grid and organization
- Most options are free
✕ Cons
- Requires sideloading (some users find this intimidating)
- Amazon may block this with future updates
- Some launchers have occasional bugs
- Going back to stock launcher takes extra steps
- App Store updates may still show Amazon promotions
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Home button opens Amazon instead of my launcher:
- Open Launcher Manager → Home Button Hook → Make sure it’s enabled. Try toggling it off and on again.
My apps don’t show up in the new launcher:
- Open the launcher settings and look for “Rescan apps” or “Refresh app list.”
Launcher disappeared after a Firestick update:
- This is why Launcher Manager exists — reinstall your launcher and it should work again. If Amazon completely blocked sideloaded launchers, you’d need to wait for a new workaround.
How do I go back to the original Amazon launcher?
- Open Launcher Manager → Home Button Hook → Disable. Your next home button press returns to Amazon’s interface.
Which Launcher Should You Choose?
For most people: Projectivy Launcher. It’s free, actively maintained, and delivers exactly what you want: a clean interface without the Amazon spam.
If you want maximum customization: Premium TV Launcher. The $5 premium is worth it if you want total control over every aspect of your home screen.
For older devices: Wolf Launcher. Lightweight and simple — won’t slow down a Firestick Lite.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been running Projectivy Launcher on my main Firestick 4K Max for three weeks now, and I don’t miss the stock interface at all. No sponsored rows, no “free with Prime” clutter, just my apps organized the way I want them.
The setup takes about 10 minutes — most of that is installing Launcher Manager to make sure Amazon’s updates don’t break things. After that, you’re set.
Yes, this could all change with the next Fire TV software update. Amazon doesn’t like people bypassing their monetized home screen. But TroyPoint and the custom launcher community have been staying ahead of Amazon for years, and I’ll keep updating this guide if methods change.
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Last updated: February 2026
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