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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallGoogle TV’s circles are app icons, not a wholesale redesign of the interface. The change affects the Your apps row: its shortcuts became smaller and circular, with new controls for rearranging and adding apps. The rollout began in 2024, so it is an established homescreen design—not a new 2026 update.
What changed in Google TV?
The redesign is centered on the Your apps row on the Home screen, sometimes labeled For You depending on the device and interface version. App shortcuts that previously looked like rectangular or square tiles now appear as smaller circular icons. The change does not turn recommendation cards, posters, tabs, menus, or every other screen element into circles.
Google also added Reorder and Add apps controls at the end of the row. On supported devices and in supported markets, a shortcut to free live-TV channels may appear there too. Google’s announcement describes the row and its new controls.
Why are the app icons circular?
Google’s stated reason was to make room for more app shortcuts in the row, reducing the need to open a separate overflow area to reach apps. The trade-off is that smaller icons can be harder to recognize from a couch, especially when navigating with a directional-pad remote. That is a usability concern, not a claim that Google intended the new design to improve accessibility.
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- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
The number of shortcuts visible is not a fixed promise: it depends on the device’s screen layout and software. Earlier coverage described the old interface as showing up to about 12 apps before an overflow route; rollout reporting observed roughly 9–10 icons in the redesigned row. Those are reported examples, not universal limits. The redesign’s purpose is to fit more shortcuts into the row, but the exact number depends on the display and device. See 9to5Google’s announcement coverage and its rollout report.
How to use Reorder and Add apps
Rearrange your apps
- Press Home on the remote and find the Your apps row.
- Move to Reorder and select it.
- Select the app you want to move, place it in the desired position, then confirm or exit as directed on screen.
Google documents the dedicated reorder control, but the precise button sequence can vary by manufacturer implementation. The control replaces a less obvious process that could require selecting or long-pressing an app.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Find or install apps
Select Add apps at the end of the row to reach app discovery or installation. Its exact destination can differ by device or software version, so do not expect it to open the same Play Store screen on every television or streamer.
Check for a free-TV shortcut
If a live-TV shortcut appears in the row, it can lead to free channels that do not require an additional download, payment, or subscription. Availability and channel lists vary by market and device; it is not a worldwide guarantee. The United States is one relevant market, but the selection can still vary.
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- Android TV: With the Android TV operating system you will have access to the best content, download the infinity of applications available through the Google Play Store!
- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
When did the redesign arrive?
- November 10, 2023: Google developer guidance pointed to circular icons planned for early 2024, as reported by 9to5Google.
- February 27, 2024: Google’s support-community announcement said the rollout would begin that day and continue over the following months: Google TV Community.
- February 28, 2024: 9to5Google reported the rollout beginning.
- March 6, 2024: Reporting indicated that Chromecast with Google TV devices were beginning to receive the redesign: 9to5Google.
Which devices have the new row?
The change concerns the Google TV homescreen experience, including Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer, and televisions that run Google TV. That does not mean every model, country, or manufacturer implementation displays it identically or receives changes at the same time. Google TV and Android TV are related but are not interchangeable names for one uniform interface; some devices retain an Android TV interface or a Google TV-like discovery screen. Google’s overview of Google TV explains its device context.
The redesign was a homescreen or launcher change, not necessarily a full Android TV operating-system upgrade. Interface features may arrive through Google TV Home software or an account- or device-side rollout. Matching software versions do not guarantee simultaneous access, and manufacturer, country, profile, or rollout settings may affect what appears. A missing redesign by itself does not establish that a device is unsupported. There is no universal menu path to force it on.
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- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
How to check your screen
- Press Home on the Google TV remote.
- Find the Your apps row; depending on the version, the surrounding screen may be called Home or For You.
- Look for smaller circular app icons, then move to the end of the row to check for Reorder, Add apps, or a free-TV shortcut.
Can you switch back to rectangular icons?
Google’s rollout documentation does not describe an official setting to switch between circular and rectangular app icons. Clearing data, changing launchers, or sideloading modified software is not a supported universal rollback. Third-party launchers can replace parts of the homescreen, but may disrupt recommendations, voice features, casting integration, updates, or manufacturer support; they are not a reliable way to restore the former row.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the change means for viewers—and app makers
The viewing trade-off
- Potential benefit: More app shortcuts can fit in the horizontal row, while dedicated controls make organization easier to discover.
- Potential drawback: Small icons may be harder to distinguish at a distance, particularly for people with low vision or when apps have similar colors and shapes. Circular masking can also crop recognizable logo details.
- Practical alternative: Voice search and app launching can reduce visual scanning; manufacturer accessibility settings may help with text size, contrast, or navigation, but do not restore larger rectangular icons.
The redesign changes one launcher row; it does not by itself remove home-screen ads, improve recommendations, change every app’s navigation, or provide full homescreen customization.
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Why an app logo may look cropped or tiny
The icon’s appearance depends partly on the artwork its developer supplies. Google’s Android TV app icon guidelines address launcher assets and circular presentation. Developers should keep important logo details within a safe area, avoid tiny text, use suitable high-resolution or vector artwork, and test focused and unfocused states on a television viewed from a distance.
Google TV has moved on to other updates
The circular-icon rollout is separate from Google TV’s later changes. Google’s 2026 announcements describe Gemini features such as visual answers and narrated educational deep dives, as well as AI-generated images and videos, Google Photos search, dynamic slideshows, and short-video recommendations. They are new developments in the platform, not part of the original app-row redesign. See Google’s March 2026 Gemini update and Google’s April 2026 update.
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