topic Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app? in Android TV

Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

gohabsgo — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 15:46:10 GMT

I added 0-IPTV by sideloading the apk with ES File Explorer, however, there is no icon on the home screen. The only way I can start it is by going into settings/apps/downloaded apps, then clicking on open. It would be much nicer if I could start it like any other app. I also had this issue with soundcloud.

Anyone know how to do that? I am pretty comfortable with techie stuff.

Cheers,

Larry

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

rooobb — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:17:58 GMT

You have to change the launcher. One of them is Sideloadlauncher that can be downloaded via play.google.com and than it appear in the home menu and from it you can see all the app in your TV.

You can also have a complete different laucher to be set as default, I tried one (don't remember the name) but prefer the stock .

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

gohabsgo — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:23:32 GMT

Thanks, I'll read up on it and try it out.

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

rooobb — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:25:10 GMT

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.tv.sideloadlauncher

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

gohabsgo — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:59:38 GMT

I installed sideload launcher which works OK but I was hoping to just integrate an ICON directly on the Bravia homescreen, like Netfix or Youtube show up. I'm sure it must be possible.

Cheers

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 21:35:55 GMT

Hi there

Unfortunately you cant. Any apps that require SideLoading, needs to be run inside the SideLoad launcher app.

Cheers

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

gohabsgo — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 21:39:45 GMT

Bummer though.

Sure would be nicer if it didn't need the middle man (sideloader app) to start it. Maybe the author can fix it with a future release.

Cheers

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

xx4L0Mxx — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:03:25 GMT

I have unpacked ALL4 and ITVHUB apps and added a custom app icon ( Solely so I knew I was using my edited app and not the one that comes with the TV ), added the Leanback Launcher tag to the app's AndroidManifest.xml, like below :

I also added support to both to navigate throught the apps with the TV's remote ( Again in the AndroidManifest.xml ) :

<uses-feature

android:name="android.hardware.touchscreen"

android:required="false" />

I finally added the tag to tell the TV that they are both apps, and not games :

...android:isGame="false"...>

This in theory should enable sideloaded apps to be able to be viewed in the TV's standard Leanback Launcher.

Sadly, as I have obviously repacked the apps, then digital signature of the app is broken.

All4 refuses to install full stop with the digital signature broken.

ITVHUB actually does install correctly AND it's using my custom icon, but it still will only show with a custom launcher annoyingly, so some progress at least has been made.

I know that Leanback Launcher recently received an update, so I'm unsure as to whether the update requires me to rephrase the Leanback Launcher support tag slightly differently, but at least ITVHUB can boot, so that's a start.

Re: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

nikiboy1980 — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 11:17:53 GMT

Hello friends. It is posible to add icon in home screen of main tv launcher. Just download apk file of aplication TV APP REPO. Install it. After that start TV APP REPO from icon that created in home screen and navigate to sideload app that you want to create acon. Select it and press button "Create chortcut". That is all.

Re: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

MJC_OK — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 20:08:06 GMT

@nikiboy1980 thank you

Re: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

khallergard — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 07:36:25 GMT

@nikiboy1980 Have made a quick demo following your advice about putting a shortcut on the Home screen https://youtu.be/tYye9VQ-0PQ

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

mikeharbour — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 19:32:05 GMT

That’s not correct though.

i recently added 4 apps. Two appear on the home screen automatically, 2 don’t. I have to access them through settings: apps: downloaded apps: open

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

khallergard — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 22:25:29 GMT

@mikeharbour my video is about putting links to web pages on the Home screen favourites bar. For starting those two sideloaded apps, that you did not find in the Home screen App folder, try installing the HALauncher or the Sideload Launcher. You cannot put these in the favourites bar.

Rif.: Can I add an icon for sideloaded app?

khallergard — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 10:15:39 GMT

The Chrome browser app can be sideloaded. You cannot put a shortcut to Chrome on the Home screen. But with TV AppRepo you can create a shortcut to a Web site. If Chrome is your default browser, you have in effect created a shortcut to Chrome, which can be added to the favourites bar on the Home screen.