- Developers and users are experimenting with AI coding assistants to disable unwanted software and replace TV home screens.
- One developer used Claude Code, an AI coding agent from Anthropic, to overhaul a Xiaomi TV, removing 25 software packages and building a replacement home screen.
- DumbTV and CleanYourTV are open-source projects that automate reversible TV de-bloating via ADB, without requiring root access.
- Users have reported testing these methods on devices from Xiaomi, TCL, Sony, LG, and Fire TV, among others.
- Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology on smart TVs analyzes screen content using video or audio fingerprints, supporting audience profiling and personalized advertising.
- ACR can continue identifying content from external sources even when the television functions primarily as an external display.
- Disabling ACR reduces personalized viewing-based advertising, although it does not eliminate all ads.
- Some users have reported that modifications using AI coding assistants can lead to unusable devices and affect remote-control behavior and other functionalities.
Developers are increasingly using AI coding assistants like Claude Code to enhance smart TV functionality by removing ads and tracking.12
Open-source projects such as DumbTV and CleanYourTV automate this process, allowing users to de-bloat their devices without rooting.3
Claude Code has been instrumental in these efforts, enabling users to strip unwanted software and create a more personalized viewing experience.
One user reported using Claude Code to overhaul a Xiaomi TV, removing 25 software packages and building a new home screen.4
Another user shared their success in eliminating ads, bloatware, and lag, stating, "I also got a beautiful screensaver with my revenue, calendar, weather, and notifications for new Stripe payments. It was super easy!"
Research from TiVo indicates that over one-third of respondents find excessive advertising on their TV’s home page, highlighting a growing frustration among users.
These projects aim to replace promotional clutter with interfaces organized around user preferences, making smart TVs more responsive and enjoyable.
However, caution is advised as modifications can lead to unintended consequences, such as disabling essential features like Alexa or blocking software updates.
As the trend grows, developers are finding innovative ways to use AI to reclaim control over their devices, challenging corporate limitations and enhancing user autonomy.
“The open-source project DumbTV works over ADB with no root, disabling ads, watch tracking, and unwanted updates, and every step is reversible with one script. Meanwhile, TiVo found that more than one-third of respondents reported excessive advertising on their TV's home page.”
