15 Essential Android TV Apps You Need to Install

by ShawnDex

"So, you’ve bought an Android TV device. Congratulations! But now what?

A few apps—like YouTube and Google Play Music—come pre-installed. For the rest, it’s up to you. For the best experience, you need a mix of videos, music, productivity, and system apps. With that in mind, here are the essential apps you need to install right away.

MX Player https://youtu.be/S7-4xSY1vsA

MX Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen.

The app can play a vast number of codecs and supports subtitle files. The interface is smooth and easy to use.

MX Player can also read both locally-saved files and content from external drives, making it an excellent companion for anyone whose Android TV device has USB ports.

Download: MX Player https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad&hl=en (Free)

Sideload Launcher

The Google Play Store on Android TV is a slimmed down version of the smartphone version. Some apps are not Android TV-compatible, so there aren’t as many to choose from.

However, the operating system is capable of running an Android app, making sideloading apps on Android TV a popular activity.

But there’s an issue. Apps that you sideload will not show up on the devices home screen or list of apps. The only native way to access them is via the Settings menu.

The solution is to install a third-party app. The easiest app to use is Sideload Launcher. When you open it, you’ll see a list of all your sideloaded apps.

Download: Sideload Launcher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.tv.sideloadlauncher (Free)

Netflix

This one is a no-brainer. Netflix might come pre-installed on your device. If it doesn’t, grab the app.

A Netflix subscription will give you access to thousands of TV movies and shows. It’s an essential service for anyone who wants to cut the cord.

Download: Netflix https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netflix.mediaclient (Free)

Plex

Another no-brainer. If you have an extensive personal collection of digital movies and TV shows, Plex is the best solution for casting them around all the screens and devices in your home.

In addition to its beautiful libraries, Plex can also automatically download subtitle files, metadata, movie artwork, viewer ratings, and more.

As long as you don’t want to watch your content remotely, Plex is entirely free to use.

Download: Plex https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plexapp.android (Free)

AirScreen https://youtu.be/SnnA8sEIgmM

Android TV devices natively support Google Cast. This means you can cast content from Android smartphones and other Google products such as the Chrome browser and Chromebooks straight to your TV screen.

Apple’s AirPlay is not supported. If you have an Apple device, one of the best apps you can install is AirPlay. It will let you mirror your iPhone or iPad screen on your Android TV box.

The apps also works with the Google Cast, Miracast, and DLNA protocols.

Download: AirScreen https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionitech.airscreen (Free)

X-plore File Manager

It’s always useful to keep a file manager installed on your device, but if you’re planning to sideload apps, it’s essential.

We are blessed with a good selection of file managers for Android TV. In our roundup, we recommended X-plore File Manager, Total Commander, TvExplorer, and AnExplorer File Manager.

From a sideloading perspective, we recommend X-plore File Manager. It uses a dual-pane approach which makes it easy to transfer an APK file from a USB stick to your device’s hard drive.

Download: X-plore File Manager https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore (Free)

Google Drive

If you want to access your computer’s files on your Android TV device, Google Drive offers the best solution.

Unfortunately, Google Drive is not available on the Google Play Store for Android TV. You will need to sideload the app. Make sure you’ve got X-plore File Manager installed before you try and install the app’s APK file.

Download: Google Drive https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs (Free)

Kodi

If you don’t have any of your own digital content, you can argue Kodi is a better choice than Plex.

The app has an almost endless number of add-ons which can provide access to on-demand videos, live TV, weather updates, the news, productivity tools, and a whole lot more besides.

Download: Kodi https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.xbmc.kodi (Free)

Wake on LAN

Wake on LAN is the only Android TV app that can wake up your computer remotely.

It’s a vital feature if you do a lot of local streaming using Plex or Kodi. If the computer on which you run the Plex or Kodi server goes to sleep, the Wake on LAN app can force it to wake up so you can start streaming content again.

Download: Wake on LAN https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.uk.mrwebb.wakeonlan (Free)

Steam Link

In 2018, Steam finally launched its Android TV, Steam Link.

The app allows you to stream your Steam games directly onto any Android device. You can finally play all your PC games on your TV without worrying about moving your computer and a fiddly HDMI cable.

Download: Steam Link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.valvesoftware.steamlink (Free)

Spotify

Cable TV music channels are annoying and full of ads. And the musical experience on YouTube isn’t much better unless you pay for YouTube Premium.

Spotify is the answer. Other Music services with a dedicated Android TV app include Pandora and Google Play Music.

Download: Spotify https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.music (Free)

Google Chrome

Oddly, Google Chrome does not come preinstalled on Android TV devices. There’s not even an Android TV version of the app.

Despite the lack of a store version of Chrome, you don’t need to sideload it. If you head to Chrome’s listing in the Google Play Store on the web, your Android TV box will be listed as a compatible device.

Download: Google Chrome https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome (Free)

Live TV Providers

The cord cutting revolution is showing no signs of slowing down. Users have been canceling their cable subscriptions en masse and migrating to a la carte live TV services.

The three big players are Sling TV, DirecTV, and PlayStation Vue. SlingTV and PlayStation Vue both have an Android TV app. You will need to sideload the DirecTV app.

Hulu

If you want live TV and on-demand content all in one service (and you live in the U.S.), the best service is Hulu.

The full package costs $39.99/month.

Away from the content, the app itself deserves credit. After a couple of years of development, it’s now one of the best designed Android TV apps on the entire platform.

Download: Hulu https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hulu.plus&hl=en (Free)

Network TV Apps

Almost all the most prominent TV channels in Europe and the United States now offer some form of Android TV app. You can catch up on new series, watch some of their older classics, and in some cases even tune into live TV.

Networks with an Android TV app include ESPN, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, HGTV, Travel Channel, Food Network, ABC, Disney, HBO, Showtime, and Nickelodeon. Users in the UK can install BBC iPlayer.

Note: Some of the apps require you to have a cable TV subscription."

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/essential-android-tv-apps/

southsamurai

Leading off with mx player puts the rest of it to doubt.

That player has been sold to a crappy company.

bogolisk

If you don’t have any of your own digital content, you can argue Kodi is a better choice than Plex.

????

Kodi was designed to play local media!

If you have good eyes then you should use Kodi and not Plex. Kodi Picture Quality is simply superior to Plex.

Plex was originally designed to overcome weak/limited media players! Most android-tv devices nowadays can handle many codecs and formats, they are neither weak nor limited.

Doc_Dante

Knew this list seemed familiar

R3a1ityCheque

I'd also recommend FX file explorer for file management. There's nothing wrong with xplore but FX has a few more features (network sharing for one) and I've found it easier to use than the dual pane setup on xplore.

Max_Roc

Thanks, great list.

Andrroid

Dude, you do not need to copy/paste the content from an article.

danielcar

My experience is that every app you install increases chances of instability, slowness and jank. Especially true for something large and complicated like plex.

TotesMessenger

I'm a bot, bleep , bloop . Someone has linked to this thread from another place on reddit:

^(If you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and don't vote in the other threads.) ^( Info ^/ ^ Contact )

sircod

It looks like you put a fair amount of effort into that list, but then you ruined it with a shitty click-bait title. Nobody needs to install everyone one of those apps. I mean I am a power user and I have no use for most of them.

everykenyan

how does AirScreen compare to AirPin https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waxrain.airplayer ?

mondocu

Since when you need to pay Plex for remote access?, you can even add friends to access your library (for free)

DnB925Art

I would suggest YouTube TV for Live TV providers. It is not preinstalled on Android TV boxes, but IMO it is probably the best Live TV app. Best UI and really good amount of channels (including locals depending on where you live). Only drawback is not having Viacom and Discovery channels but it has most of the other national channels.

Andriusdude

TVirl for using your own .m3u lists with the Live Channels app.

pradthe

There's a Firefox browser for Android TV... Better option than chrome.

real_with_myself

It's pathetic how most of these apps are circulating for the last couple of yeard. Literally nothing new or exciting.

BTW

You linked a non android TV Spotify app.

rmbarrett

Archos Media Player doesn't need you to sort files or set up anything but a network share to play your own media perfectly over network. No other media player comes close to this.

lontanadascienza

I use a little raspberry pi that's always on to do wake on lan.

NedSc

Quit your bullshit, spambot.

formidible

Kodi is now defunct. I've uninstalled it. Use Morpheus TV app (unofficial) instead. Quite brilliant. https://morpheustvapkdownload.com/morpheus-tv-apk/