New update in GoogleTV. 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 as 1.0.852105632. Although the giant from Mountain View rarely publishes detailed changelogs 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 the changes conducted by foreign technology sites (including 9to5Google) and user reports indicate several key improvements:

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

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

  • Better space management: Some tiles on the home screen have been subtly reduced in size, making the interface seem less cluttered, 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 expected to become the standard for managing smart homes from the television by 2026.

How to download the new update?

The update should automatically appear in the Play Store on your television in the coming days. However, it all depends on the brand of the television you have. 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 permission to install apps from unknown sources and manually uploading the file to the TV. If you are not proficient in such operations, we recommend patience and waiting for the official automatic update.

Are you looking for a new television with Google TV?

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

Before making a purchase, be sure to check out our rankings

  • [Ranking: Recommended 10 televisions from Sony]

  • [Ranking: Recommended 10 televisions from TCL]

Katarzyna Petru Avatar
Katarzyna Petru

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