How do I launch a specific app on a Google TV or Android TV, and why does a package name do nothing?
In short
For popular services, use the Launch list on the device's remote. For anything else, add a button or Activity command using .APPLICATION LAUNCH and enter the app's web link (an https:// address the app is registered to open), not its Android package name. The Google TV network remote only launches apps by link, so a package name such as com.example.app is silently ignored.
The built-in Launch list
The Google TV remote in Roomie includes a Launch list of popular streaming services, and the same list fills the app grid in the Guide. Each entry opens its app through a web link, which is why they work without any setup.
Adding an app that isn't listed
Add a button or Activity command for the Google TV device, choose .APPLICATION LAUNCH, and enter the app's link as the value. For example, https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer opens BBC iPlayer. The link must be one the app is registered to handle on Android. A service's main web address often works when it supports deep links, but some services don't publish app links at all, and those can't be launched directly this way.
Why package names don't work
Google TV's remote protocol opens apps by link, not by package name, so an entry like com.netflix.ninja is dropped without an error. If you already know package names from another system, look up each service's web link instead.
About the Function list
The remote also shows a Function list with the F1–F12 and colour keys. Roomie sends those keys correctly, but most Android TV apps ignore them, so they often appear to do nothing.
Distilled from real support conversations, with details generalized. Every setup differs — if this doesn't resolve it, contact support with diagnostics.
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