New update in Google TV. What does the change bring at the beginning of 2026?

Calendar 1/30/2026

Google has quietly released a new version of the Google TV Home launcher, marked with the number 1.0.852105632. Although the Mountain View giant rarely publishes detailed change logs for minor fixes, this update is significant for everyone. The new release focuses on eliminating bugs that have been frustrating users worldwide for some time.

What does the new version of GoogleTV fix?

Analysis of changes conducted by foreign tech sites (including 9to5Google) and user reports indicate several key improvements:

  • No more stretched thumbnails: The most important change is the fix for the incorrect scaling of preview graphics from YouTube. Until now, thumbnails were unnaturally stretched on many devices – the new version restores their proper proportions.

  • Error transparency: A "Report History" section has appeared in the "Accounts and Profiles" menu. This allows users to check the status of submitted bug reports, suggesting that Google wants to engage the community more in fixing the system.

  • Better space utilisation: Some tiles on the home screen have been subtly reduced in size, making the interface appear less cluttered and allowing users to see more content without scrolling.

  • Foundation for Gemini: The code has hidden further preparations for the AI functions of Gemini, which are set to become standard for smart home management from the TV by 2026.

How to download the new update?

The update should automatically appear in the Play Store on your TV within the next few days. However, everything depends on the brand of the TV you own. If you don't want to wait, the file is already available on APK Mirror.

Note: Manual installation of APK files is a solution for more advanced users. It requires enabling installation from unknown sources and manually transferring the file to the TV. If you are not proficient in such operations, we recommend being patient and waiting for the official automatic update.

Are you looking for a new TV with Google TV?

If your current equipment is struggling to handle the latest system versions smoothly, it’s worth considering upgrading to a newer model. Google TV performs best on devices designed with this ecosystem in mind.

Before purchasing, be sure to check out our rankings

  • [Ranking: Recommended 10 Sony TVs]

  • [Ranking: Recommended 10 TCL TVs]

Katarzyna Petru Avatar
Katarzyna Petru

Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal