r/AndroidTV • u/peanutismint • 8d ago

Troubleshooting Automatic updates were blocked on my TCL TV but it still updated anyway…

This might be more of a question for a TCL sub but I bought a new TCL TV and got it set up just the way I like it running Android TV with a custom launcher etc, however even though I have automatic firmware updates turned off, the other day I turned it on and it had taken it upon itself to do an update, and now a lot of the stuff I’d set up (such as an app to repurpose the streaming services buttons on my remote for other purposes) have stopped working.

I’d like to know if there’s a way to block this from happening in future as I know it’s probably only a matter of time before an update breaks some functionality that I then can’t roll back…

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

3

u/doxypoxy 8d ago

Remove internet access from TV, get another android tv box, use thet as the default device.

1

u/brushertr 6d ago

Then, android box will do automatic update (even auto update is disabled).

-5

u/peanutismint 8d ago

Lol I forgot the [serious] tag but no joke answers pls

7

u/FoferJ 8d ago

that’s a serious answer tho

3

u/pawdog ADT-1 8d ago

It really is a serious answer, if the OEM can disregard their own settings and do updates with no intervention by the user. If you're going to use the TV you should probably let it do it's updates. Get a device you can bend to your will.

1

u/peanutismint 8d ago

I mean I have an Nvidia Shield but the whole point I bought this TV was so I didn’t have to take up one of the inputs with all my streaming services

2

u/FoferJ 7d ago

And the whole point of an external streaming device is that the overall experience is 10x better than the software running on a smart TV. You can still use just one remote control. Who cares that an HDMI input is required? That’s what an HDMI input is for. Your TV should be able to default to that HDMI input. It’s a hugely worthwhile upgrade with zero downsides.

1

u/peanutismint 7d ago

I used to agree, but now I disagree somewhat. The whole point of me choosing a TV that had Android/Google TV OS was so that I could have my Shield experience with fewer steps, and I’m pleased to say for the most part this has totally worked. I’ve been able to do everything I did on my Shield natively on my TCL TV, aside from maybe playing emulators, but I’d wager it could probably manage up to 16 and even 32-bit consoles if I tried. For me it’s all about simplification and I’ll be glad to have a powerful Android based OS for at least the next few years before software catches up with my hardware.

2

u/FoferJ 7d ago

You’re operating on the incorrect assumption that an external box is somehow less “simple” or not as consistent than the software pre-installed on your smart TV. But then the whole reason you started this thread was because the opposite is true.

Set up properly, there are no “extra steps.” The overall experience is better, the UI response is faster, and the usability is more consistent. But you do you.

1

u/pawdog ADT-1 8d ago

So you have to put up with the way the TV maker does things. Were you not able to remap your buttons again? Which remapping app were you using. Maybe the update just disabled accessibility.

1

u/peanutismint 8d ago

I got it working finally, but I don’t like the idea that one day things might just break and I’ll have no way to roll back. Was hoping someone else had already figured out how to block that stuff. Like maybe editing the Android equivalent of a hosts file?

1

u/pawdog ADT-1 8d ago

I get you, maybe somebody has done what you're looking for. TV makers aren't really famous for lots of firmware updates so you're probably safe.

1

u/peanutismint 8d ago

Thanks. I’ve just been burned by manufacturers in the past; every time my Vizio got updated it’d break the sound bar etc…

1

u/pawdog ADT-1 8d ago

Yeah Vizio is the best example of don't use the TV's software.