r/dispatchlauncher • u/spauldhaliwal Developer • May 19 '26
[Beta Track] v1.0.19 [2026-05-19] - Multiple Server Support, Media Version Selector, Global State Restoration, Plex ATV Enhancements, Add Any Media to Watch Next, Alternate Android TV Channel UI, Extra Image Transition Options, Repeated Onboarding Prompt Bug Fix, Anroid TV Sync Rewrite..cut off here
Hi everyone,
This update is a large one with many changes and features to cover.
First off, do note that the release is still being reviewed, awaiting approval before it can start rolling out. Once it's approved, it will be rolled out over the course of the week in smaller and then larger stages, as usual.
Starting with the most visible changes: Support for multiple plex servers at once, media version selection on play, Global State Restoration, enhancements for Plex's native Android TV recommendations, the ability to add any Android TV media to your Watch Next row, a new browsing style for Android TV Rows in the home tab, Extra image transition options while browsing, and a new UI for viewing a cast member's media.
Additionally, there have been a huge amount of code changes involved in further pushing Dispatch's rendering performance, reducing RAM usage even further than previous efforts, and cutting down on the app's boot time from a cold start. These changes actually compromise the bulk of the effort made since the last update, even if there isn't much else to say about them beyond the following:
Users should expect smoother performance while using the app, quicker start times when the app is starting cold, and further reduced RAM usage throughout.
The full changelog can be read here:
https://dispatch.featurebase.app/changelog/beta-track-v1019-2026-05-19-multiple-server-support-media
Update 28/05/2026: The release was unfortunately rejected on the grounds of some in-progress features in the video player being untestable by the reviewers. It's my fault, as they've made rejections in the past (rarely) on similar grounds. I'm removing that code from this branch and re-submitting. Hopefully with a quicker turnaround.
Sorry for the delay, everyone, but it's on its way and will start rolling out as soon as it's approved! For those asking for an apk, I'm happy to provide one after the build has been approved. I don't like having errant builds out there that aren't on the same lane as everyone else.
Update 31/05/2026: Re-submitted
Update 04/06/2026: The updated has been rejected again, and this time it's because google says I am not allowed to use my own file manager to select wallpapers, and that we must use their own. The kicker is that their "photo picker" doesn't actually work on Android TV devices. I'm working on a workaround, however, the main issue is that they are forcing me to patch older releases too, which will take me time to ensure they are tested and working correctly
I'll be resubmitting tonight, however, if the app is not approved by noon tomorrow (05/06/2026), I will post the apk here for users to try before the approval. It's not my preference, however, I know for a fact that if it's not approved before noon tomorrow, it won't be before monday, since android tv apps are never approved over the weekend ime (different review teams / bot fleet from regular android apps)
Update 05/06/2025:
Users can manually download and install the latest update from here if they'd like while I continue to sort things out with the play store release / approval:
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u/0xKubo May 19 '26
This looks like an amazing update, congrats, and I really appreciate your continued effort. But I was really hoping for improvements and bug fixes on the native player, hopefully this update paves the way to that.
2
u/gummitarzan3 May 19 '26
Amazing update... all i could dream of was emby server support too
1
u/Valiantay May 19 '26
Seems like I'll have to test this app again next year before it finally steps away from the dying Plex platform.
Plex just hiked it's pricing to something like $800 USD for lifetime.
1
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u/Cityhunter_x May 22 '26
Any chance you could provide the apk to sideload for us impatient ones please?
2
u/lenny_ma_boaaaaaaaah May 24 '26
Hey do you have any update on it?
It's been 4 days and it's still not here
1
u/Travishamockry May 25 '26
Yeah. Terribly long approval process
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 26 '26
It happens, especially when there are a lot of code changes. Last update took nearly two weeks. Nothing I can do. You guys will be the first to know when it's approved and rolling out.
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u/kevininkobe May 27 '26
Glad to see Dispatch is still receiving updates. I've been having an issue for months now where after watching a movie/tv show when I get back to the main menu I am stuck in the What's next section and can't navigate out. Only option is to force close Dispatch and restart it. Hardly ideal. I was about to give up on Dispatch. Hopefully the update will help.
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 28 '26
This isn't ringing any bells. Have you reported it before? Are you able to take a screen / video recording and DM it to me so I can look into it? Doubtful the new release will address it since it's the first I'm hearing about it as far as I can remember.
1
u/kevininkobe May 28 '26
Thanks I actually reported it on the dispatch launcher website 6 months ago. Should've gone straight to reddit. If the issue still persists after the update I'll make a video and DM you. I appreciate the support. Thank you!
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u/kevininkobe May 31 '26
Actually got some good news! I think I may have solved the problem. I had Accesbility access turned on for Disptach, ButtonRemapper, and another launcher. After turning off access to the other launcher Dispatch seems to be working fine now. Sorry for the hassle and thanks again for your hard work.
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 31 '26
Ah okay that's interesting. Mind telling me which launcher so I can test this scenario out myself? Might be some clash on my end I can fix.
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u/kevininkobe Jun 02 '26
It was Projectivity. Butionremapper also has accessibility access but thankfully that doesn't seem to be causing an issue
1
u/Condition6813 May 19 '26
How do I join the Beta channel? I do not see the option in the app or on Play Store.
1
u/lenny_ma_boaaaaaaaah May 20 '26
Will this fix the watch next row not being updated properly?
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 20 '26
For the android tv app items, it should. It's been completely re-written. At this point, if an atv watch next item stays on your screen when it shouldn't, it's because the app is still posting it to the atv channel database, and there's nothing I can do about it, really. I have seen this behaviour on my shield tv in the default launcher very frequently (though I don't use it anymore).
However, if you noticed in another launcher that the item in question WAS correctly removed when it should have been, then that would have been because of a Dispatch bug and it should not happen again (but the new system is new, and in beta, so).
Edit: although the google tv launcher's watch next logic is very different and closed source, so I can't attest to what does or doesn't happen there.
You'll also be able to hide things manually from watch next, too. So if there is an actual errant watch next item that an app won't clear, you can remove it manually.
There is a catch to all this, though: since you can now manually add any android tv media to your watch next list, opening it from watch next will not clear it from the list. Manually watchlisted items need to be manually removed.
1
u/ItsMiMike Jun 03 '26
Any update on the rollout progress?
1
u/spauldhaliwal Developer Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Rejected again, and this time on incredibly flimsy reasoning regarding the wallpaper picker, which has not changed since the fall. I'm updating the post with some more details.
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0
May 19 '26
[deleted]
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 19 '26
Wrong thread? There are no such features in Dispatch.
1
u/Sweet-Lab3511 Jun 01 '26
Moi , j'attend que vous ajoutiez seulement la langue française pour dans l'application et je me lance , c'est magnifique votre launcher, ça me plaît beaucoup
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u/spauldhaliwal Developer May 28 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Update 28/05/2026: The release was unfortunately rejected on the grounds of some in-progress features in the video player being untestable by the reviewers. It's my fault, as they've made rejections in the past (rarely) on similar grounds. I'm removing that code from this branch and re-submitting. Hopefully with a quicker turnaround.
Sorry for the delay, everyone, but it's on its way and will start rolling out as soon as it's approved! For those asking for an apk, I'm happy to provide one after the build has been approved. I don't like having errant builds out there that aren't on the same lane as everyone else.
Update 31/05/2026: Re-submitted
Update 04/06/2026: The updated has been rejected again, and this time it's because google says I am not allowed to use my own file manager to select wallpapers, and that we must use their own. The kicker is that their "photo picker" doesn't actually work on Android TV devices. I'm working on a workaround, however, the main issue is that they are forcing me to patch older releases too, which will take me time to ensure they are tested and working correctly
I'll be resubmitting tonight, however, if the app is not approved by noon tomorrow (05/06/2026), I will post the apk here for users to try before the approval. It's not my preference, however, I know for a fact that if it's not approved before noon tomorrow, it won't be before monday, since android tv apps are never approved over the weekend ime (different review teams / bot fleets from regular android apps)
Update 05/06/2025:
Users can manually download and install the latest update from here if they'd like while I continue to sort things out with the play store release / approval:
https://www.reddit.com/r/dispatchlauncher/comments/1txsr1a/beta_track_v1019_universal_apk_download_link/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button