Whether you're rocking an Nvidia Shield Telly running Android 11 or you lot've opted for the latest Chromecast with Google TV, your television is likely running some version of Android TV. Google is paying more attention than ever to the streaming field, even planning to launch additional low-cost gadgets to compete against the likes of Amazon and Roku. Simply like on your telephone, Android Television is an open platform, which means any missing applications tin be substituted quickly by sideloading apps. As you might expect, downloading APKs on your Goggle box isn't quite as simple a process as they are on a Pixel 6 or Galaxy S22. These are the two best methods for sideloading APK files onto whatsoever Android Tv or Google Television device.

Install APKs from an Android phone or tablet

In that location are a few different methods of transferring APK files to Android Television set, like installing a cloud file manager or going through the complicated procedure of setting up ADB on a computer. The easiest method is to employ 'Ship files to Telly,' an awarding that sends files to an Android TV device (or anything else with Android) over your local network.

Offset, yous'll need to install the "Send files to Television set" app from the Play Store on both your telephone and TV. To install it on your Television set, open the Play Shop and search for the name, or click the above link on a desktop calculator and fix your Idiot box every bit the installation target.

This guide will explicate sending files to your Television set from an Android phone or tablet. If you lot don't have an Android device to send files, there's likewise a desktop application for Mac and Windows. You can too check the next section for the install process with ADB.

Once the app is finished installing on both devices, open the Send files to Tv set app on your TV, and then select the 'Receive' pick to commencement the receiver. Now, open the app on your phone and press Ship. This opens a file browser — y'all'll need to find the APK file and select it.

Once the file transfer is done, you should exist able to select the file on your Television set, then press the 'Open' option. If all goes well, you should go a prompt to install the application.

Screenshot_20220215-231547

Even so, the transfer app occasionally has an issue where the Open button doesn't always work. I also experienced some odd behavior on the latest Chromecast, initially preventing me from opening the installation options. Yous'll need to install a dissever file manager application on your Boob tube, like File Commander, if this happens to you. In File Commander, select 'Internal storage' on the main screen, and then the Download folder. Whatever files you transferred using Send files to Telly will appear here — just printing one to open.

Screenshot_20220215-232113

If you have a recent version of Android Idiot box, you may get a message that installations from unknown sources are not allowed. If and so, select the 'Settings' button, which will open a popup on the side with a list of immune apps.

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You merely demand to switch the app attempting to install the APK (either the file manager or Send files to TV) to the 'on' position and press back on your remote to return to the installation. If y'all're using Google TV, you lot'll need to enable the pick under "Security & Restrictions" in the Apps section of settings before finally toggling on the selection for your app.

Install APKs from your PC with ADB

Like all Android devices, you can utilise the Android Debug Span (or ADB for brusk) to transfer APKs to Android Idiot box. ADB typically works over a wired USB connection, but we'll use Wi-Fi for this procedure. The outset step is to install ADB on your computer. It's officially available equally part of the Android Studio SDK, but that tin exist daunting to set up if you're not a programmer, so it's best to use a third-party installation tool. If you're on Windows, xv Seconds ADB Installer is a pop selection that has always worked well for me. If you're using macOS, Linux, or Chrome Bone, give Nexus Tools a shot (total disclosure: I made it). Afterwards installing ADB, attempt typing the command "adb --help" (without the quotes) in your Terminal/Control Line application and press Enter. You should see something like the below screenshot. If you get an mistake or other message, attempt closing and re-opening the Final/CMD window and endeavor again.

Now it's time to connect to your Boob tube. Press the Settings gear at the top of the Android TV domicile screen, then go to Device Preferences > Nigh. Scroll down to 'Build,' and so click Build until you see the message "You are a developer."

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Once that'south washed, you have to find the IP address of your Television set. Go back to the master Settings page, press 'Network & Net,' and select the agile connection. The IP address should exist one of the start details listed.

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Now it's time to connect ADB on your PC to your Fire Boob tube. Become back to your PC and run "adb connect" (without the quotes), followed by your Android TV IP accost. This volition crusade a prompt to appear on your TV that you lot volition have to accept. Afterward, you should run into a bulletin that ADB successfully connected — yous can too run "adb devices" to verify.

Finally, you can now install whatsoever APK files you want. In the Terminal/Command Line, type in "adb install" (without quotes), so a space, then drag the file you downloaded into the app window. It should paste the full path to the file. So press Enter and scout the magic.​​​​​​​

If you got a "success" message, the app should now exist visible on your Tv set. If you want to sideload more than APKs in the future, all you have to do is run the ADB connect command again on your PC, then run the install command for each APK.​​​​​​​

Many of the all-time streaming devices y'all tin can buy correct now run Android Tv, and with those gadgets comes a sense of freedom and openness. And so the adjacent time you search for your favorite app on the Play Store only to find it'southward disappeared, don't fret — it's just an APK away.

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Corbin Davenport (3633 Articles Published)

Corbin is a tech announcer and programmer who worked at Android Police from 2016 until 2021. Check out his other work at corbin.io.

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