Fix for Google TV / Android TV App Launching (Broken by Google's Play Store Update in August 2026)

Symptom

Previously-working app launch commands may stop working on Android TV and Google TV devices. This affects several home automation platforms that use the market:// URL mechanism for launching the app. 

In AVA OS, this affects:

• Flow icons that launch TV apps
• Apps on the default TV Apps slide
• App launch buttons added to a Custom UI slide

Other control of the Android TV device is not affected.

Quick Steps

The AVA Connect app restores app launching from AVA OS on affected Android TV and Google TV devices.

1. On the Android TV device, install AVA Connect from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the AVA Connect app.
3. On first-run, AVA Connect prompts for permissions.
   • Accessibility Permission 
     1. Select Enable Accessibility Permission.
     2. The path from here depends on each device, but generally goes:
        Device Preference > Accessibility > enable AVA Connect.
     3. Use back button until you return to the AVA Connect app.
   • Notification Permission 
     1. Select Enable Notification Permission.
     2. The path from here depends on each device, but generally goes:
        Special App Access > Notification Access > enable AVA Connect.
     3. Use back button until you return to the AVA Connect app.
4. The AVA Connect app now exits after a short notice and countdown. (Use OK to avoid countdown.)
5. From AVA OS, launch an affected app to confirm it now works.

Once enabled, app launching from AVA OS works again for every affected app. AVA Connect automatically starts whenever the Google TV box starts.

AVA Connect also restores this type of app launching for other control systems that use the same Android TV mechanism, such as Home Assistant.

Background

This is not an AVA-specific issue. The issue appears to be caused by an August 2026 update to Google's Play Store software on Android TV and Google TV devices.

The update changed a mechanism used to launch apps, breaking previously-working app launch commands used by AVA OS and other control systems.

Not all apps or app-launch methods are affected. Apps launched using deep links, such as Netflix, continue to work.

The issue is active and still being investigated. We have not found a public acknowledgement from Google, so it is not yet clear whether the change is intentional or a regression. A Google fix would provide the most direct resolution. AVA is also investigating whether we can work around the change.

Affected Devices

This is not a complete list, but shows some of the devices that AVA believes have been impacted. 

• Sony BRAVIA TVs running Android TV / Google TV
• NVIDIA Shield TV
• Xiaomi Android TV / Google TV streamers
• Google TV Streamer / Chromecast with Google TV
• Midco / EVO cable boxes
• Quickline TV boxes
• EON TV boxes
• COSMOTE TV boxes
• Swisscom TV boxes
• Bell Fibe TV boxes
• EBOX TV boxes
• SDMC-based Android TV boxes
• vSeeBox

Unaffected App Launches

Launching any of these apps should still work. These apps use a different launch mechanism and should continue to work.

• ARD
• Deezer
• Disney+
• Emby
• FOX Sports
• Google Play
• ITVX
• MLB.TV
• My5
• NBA
• Netflix
• Paramount+
• Plex
• Prime Video
• SkyShowtime
• Spotify
• TBS
• YouTube
• YouTube TV
• Zattoo