Your Android TV/box is capable of much more than running a few mainstream apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube. Although not as extensive offering as Android smartphone apps, it boasts a pretty decent array of entertaining, helpful, and productivity-enhancing apps in its arsenal. Here are some of the Best Android TV Apps you should try at least once.
As the realm of Android TV apps evolves, we are privy to a fusion of streaming, gaming, and interactive apps. However, the true magic lies in the selection of apps that cater to various needs, from media consumption to file management and beyond. This guide is designed to help you find the right app for your Android TV/box.
1. Aptoide TV – A Must-Have App for Android TV
Aptoide TV allows you to unleash a world of possibilities. If the built-in Google Play Store isn’t enough to satiate the thirst for apps, this third-party app store is a perfect pick. It contains a slew of over 2500 free apps, not typically found in mainstream app stores.
Moreover, you can even enjoy apps that might be region-restricted on other platforms. Whether you’re looking for social, gaming, or entertainment apps, all can be found. Although, the openness of the platform also poses a security risk.
Apps could be buggy, poor quality, and can tap into your usage data, so you’ll have to be cautious of which apps to download and skip. Additionally, you’ll have to sideload the app on your TV. Although, that’s a pretty simple task, browse their official site, select Download Aptoide TV, and choose a preferred method.
Note: Before installing this or any third-party app, head over to Settings → Security & restrictions and toggle the switch for Unknown sources.
Pros
- A diverse and uncommon app offering.
- No geographic restrictions.
- Offers a personalized experience.
Cons
- No app quality control.
Price: Free
2. LocalCast – Top Android TV App for Casting Content
As the name suggests, LocalCast allows you to effortlessly cast content from your mobile devices to the big screen. Circumventing device-related compatibility issues, it transforms your Android TV into a versatile display.
And not just from your phone or tablet, the app enables you to cast through cloud apps like Google Drive, Google+, Dropbox, NAS, and even from a webpage. What’s more the app is compatible with casting devices such as Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nexus Player, and Apple TV 4th Gen.
The app supports a wide range of media formats, including videos, music or pictures. So you can cast various types of content on your Android TV. Additionally, a user-friendly interface simplifies the casting process, making it accessible to users of all levels.
Overall. LocalCast offers users the freedom to cast their favorite content from handheld devices to the expansive canvas of their Android TV. While it’s a free, ad-supported app, it also requests a monthly donation. If you want to skip ads, there are options for subscriptions and one-time purchases.
Pros
- Makes wireless casting a breeze.
- Supports a variety of media formats.
- Easy-to-use UI.
Cons
- Ads in Free Version.
- Usage limit for iOS apps.
Price: Free, in-app purchases start from $0.99.
3. AirScreen – Screen Mirroring App for Android TV
Whether you want to mirror your iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS device or AirPlay is not working on your TV, AirScreen is the app to pick. It enables seamless and reliable wireless screen mirroring from almost any device.
Moreover, it also offers multiple protocol support, including AirPlay, Cast, Miracast, and DLNA. And thanks to its smooth UI, it only takes a few simple steps to mirror your device’s screen.
You can certainly enhance your TV or binge-watching experience by mirroring apps or web pages that don’t inherently support casting. But that’s not it, you can also use the app for mirroring and presenting a file from your device, gaming, coaching, conference calling, or more.
Overall, AirScreen successfully bridges the gap between handheld devices and the big screen. Its wireless mirroring capabilities make it a valuable addition to your Android TV app arsenal.
Pros
- Mirror from iPhone, Mac, Android, and Windows devices.
- Supports low latency, ideal for gaming and interactive apps.
- Can be used for more than entertainment.
Cons
- Only works over a Wi-Fi network.
- Basic features are locked behind a subscription.
Price: Free, subscription starts from $1.49 per month.
4. Plex – Android TV App to Watch Shows and Movies
Plex transforms your TV into a cinematic hub, by turning your TV (or other devices) into a set-top box or server for free. You can enjoy over 20,000 titles and over 600 live TV channels without signup for free.
The offering includes hundreds of free, full-length movies, top TV programs, news sources, sports, and even kids’ shows. What’s more, it also doubles as a media server, bringing your favorite music and podcasts to one place.
And that’s not it, Plex also enables you to build and access personal media libraries, including movies, TV shows, music, and photos. Moreover, Plex’s user-friendly interface creates visually appealing and organized libraries complete with metadata, cover art, viewer ratings, and other details.
So everything from discovering your next pick to watchlisting them is a breeze. While not exactly SharePlay, it allows you to connect with friends, share recommendations, rate, and comment on the shows or movies you’ve watched.
Pros
- A wide array of free-to-consume content.
- Attractive and interactive UI.
- Watch together with your friends.
Cons
- Ads can be lengthy and unpredictable.
Price: Free, in-app purchases start from $4.99.
Note: A great alternative for Plex is Pluto TV, a free streaming television service with 100s of live TV channels and 1000s of free movies and TV shows. You can explore both options and pick a preferred one.
5. Sling TV – Modern and Affordable Cable TV Subscription
This app brings a traditional cable TV-watching experience to your Android TV on a budget. The service allows you to customize the channel lineup from a variety of channel packages, providing a tailored TV experience.
Basically, you can choose between three base subscription plans with curated channels and customize it by adding other channels of your choice. So, you end up paying for channels you really want to view.
What’s more, you can change the package anytime, adjusting to your viewing needs and budgetary restrictions. However, Sling’s best feature is its sports channel lineup, from college leagues to professional games, soccer to football, it encompasses all.
If you’re a cord-cutter who’s seeking a flexible and personalized TV experience, this Android TV app can offer you just that. It has got it all, a wide range of channel options, affordability, and on-demand content.
Pros
- Customizable channel packages.
- On-Demand Content.
- Affordable, cost-effective plans.
- Great pick for sports fanatics.
Cons
- The interface is not that user-friendly.
Price: Free, subscription starts from $40/Month.
6. Steam Link – Desktop Gaming for Android TV
Want to play some amazing PC games on your TV? Steam Link is the way to go. It revolutionizes your Android TV into a gaming powerhouse by allowing you to seamlessly stream your favorite PC games directly to the big screen.
As long as you have a high-speed Wi-Fi connection with low latency support, you can enjoy high-quality PC gaming on your Android TV using this app. What’s more, Steam Link supports a variety of controllers, including popular gamepads. So you fo get a console-like gaming experience.
Another advantage of Steam Link is that it now supports Remote Play Together, allowing you to join games hosted on a friend’s PC just by clicking a link. Later you can use the app to mirror your PC to Android TV and enjoy gaming with friends on a bigger screen.
With its ability to bridge the gap between computer gaming and the big screen, Steam Link adds a new dimension to your Android TV. You can use it for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience, as long as you have a Steam subscription.
Pros
- Stream high-quality PC gaming on Android TV.
- Supports a variety of controllers.
Cons
- Needs a Steam subscription.
- Quality of the gaming experience relies on network performance.
- Initial setup can be tricky.
Price: Free, subscription cost depends on the games selected.
7. Kodi – Open-Source Media Player for Android TV
While VLC is a great media player for your Android TV, Kodi takes the experience to another level. It offers a cohesive media playback experience by supporting diverse types of content, including music, videos, and images.
Moreover, it boasts a helpful add-on ecosystem to allow users to enhance Kodi’s functionality. You can get music/video add-ons to stream content better, skins to personalize the look and experience, and program or service add-ons to control Kodi remotely.
And not just online content, Kodi is also a master at allowing you to access content from local or remote storage locations, including hard drives, optical discs, flash drives, etc. Additionally, Kodi allows you to create custom playlists and automate playback.
The app also supports game controllers and offers a variety of games, from emulators to stand-alone games. Thanks to an extensive feature list, Kodi is the go-to choice for those who value complete control over their media consumption experience.
Pros
- Extensive media compatibility.
- Offers a wholesome media management experience.
- An expansive add-on ecosystem.
Cons
- A steep learning curve.
- Add-ons can be unreliable at times.
Price: Free.
8. Solid Explorer – File Manager for Your Android TV
Now, why would you need a file manager for a TV? It’s not that we have a lot of files stored on the TV’s local storage. Well, don’t underestimate the power and usefulness of this app for your Android TV.
Yes, it could help you organize the local files stored on the TV. However, its real charm is that you can access almost any cloud storage, including Google Drive, Dropbox, NAS, etc. What’s more, the support is extended for external storage, like Hard Disk, Pen Drives, CDs, etc.
So, this comprehensive and intuitive file manager can help you access and organize files on your Android TV from almost any platform. Additionally, it automatically organizes the files into collections and supports indexed search with filters; making finding a file a lot easier.
The best part is the minimalistic design and the dual-pane interface. Thanks to it, you can easily browse through folders, view the file location, and effortlessly move files between folders. Overall, Solid Explorer is a powerful tool to access and manage your files on TV, cloud, or external storage.
Pros
- Access files on cloud storage from your TV.
- Simple and minimal UI.
- Supports password protection.
Cons
- Requires a one-time purchase, after a 14-day trial.
- Can lag and hang at times.
Price: Free, $3 to access all features.
9. Send Files to TV – Seamlessly Share Your Content
Send Files to TV is a user-friendly app that facilitates the seamless transfer of files from your Android mobile device or personal computer to Android TV. And there are no restrictions, you can share movies, TV shows, images, or other files between these devices.
Amazingly, all of that happens over your local network. So even if your internet connection is poor, the file transfer will be smooth and fast. Moreover, the app automatically detects other devices with the SFFTV app on the local network. So, you don’t have to hassle with pairing, simply send and receive files.
And while it is not available for iOS devices, it supports Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Send Files to TV eliminates the need for a physical connection between devices or external storage devices for the mere task of sending or receiving files.
Pros
- Easy and quick file sharing with your TV.
- Support multiple file formats.
- No internet connection is required.
Cons
- Irrelevant Ads can clutter the screen.
Price: Free
10. Puffin TV Browser – Designed Specifically for Android TV
If you’ve ever used the browser of your Android TV, you’ll know how dull and annoying it is. And while there are ways to sideload Google Chrome, Puffin is a better option. For one, it is designed and optimized for Android TV.
It’s faster and more efficient than any of its counterparts, allowing you to explore websites with ease on the big screen. Interestingly, the browser utilizes cloud servers to accelerate page loading, resulting in faster and smoother browsing.
Furthermore, it supports Adobe Flash, optimized video playback, and even adjustable playback speeds. Although it is now a subscription-based app, you’ll have to shell out $1/month to use it seamlessly.
But in retrospect, there are no ads or usage quotas that you’ll have to bear with. So, it’s a win-win, affordable option, especially if you like to use the big screen for searching the web, playing content, or more.
Pros
- Optimized for TV screens.
- Minimal and interactive UI.
- No usage limits or ads.
Cons
- No freemium offering.
- Puffin is blocked in certain regions.
Price: Free, subscriptions start from $0.05/day.
11. TVUsage – Parental Control App for Android TV
App restrictions and screen time monitoring are essential not just for your phone or laptops. Your Android TV needs these features as well, especially if you don’t want your child watching mature or misleading content.
While almost all TV/box like Google TV, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, etc. offer basic parental control settings, TVUsage offers a wholesome approach. It not only allows you to lock apps but also provides valuable insights into viewing habits.
You can check daily and weekly usage habits for every app. It tracks your TV usage patterns, providing detailed analytics on the amount of time spent on various apps and activities. Additionally, you can set personalized limits for individual apps or overall screen time.
TVUsage is designed to encourage a mindful and balanced approach to screen time for individuals and families. It empowers you to be more conscious of your TV consumption while promoting healthier viewing habits in the age of digital entertainment.
Pros
- Lock apps or Android TV with a 4-digit pin.
- Set screen time, break time, and block apps completely.
- Manage app install/uninstall permissions.
- Daily or weekly usage charts.
Cons
- Initial setup might require some tech expertise.
Price: Free
12. iHeartRadio for Google TV – Music, Podcast and Radio
If you’ve made the wise decision to invest in good speakers for your Android TV, it’s wiser to get this app and make the most of it. iHeartRadio provides a vast library of live radio stations, podcasts, and curated playlists, delivering a rich audio experience on the big screen.
The app allows you to explore thousands of live AM and FM radio stations from across the globe. And not just music, you can catch up on breaking news, sports, talk, and comedy radio shows.
The same goes for podcasts, it features the most popular podcasts from prominent personalities and production companies. Moreover, you can adjust the playback speed from 0.5x to 2x. Not just that, you are also privy to thousands of especially-curated song playlists organized by moods, genre, decades, and activity.
Yes, we do have YouTube Music and Spotify apps available for Android TV which offer better music discovery. However, iHeartRadio covers more bases than any of these apps; so, it’s worth a download for sure.
Pros
- Live radio stations from across the globe.
- A diverse podcast catalog.
- Expertly curated playlists.
Cons
- Ads in the free version.
- Sometimes lags when switching channels or songs.
Price: Free, premium version costs $9.99/month.
13. Stremio – All Your Favorite Content in One Place
Stremio is designed to simplify your streaming experience on Android TV. It is a versatile media aggregator that consolidates content from various sources, creating a centralized hub for your favorite movies, TV series, and online channels.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, visit the addon catalog and install any addon you want. According to the add-ons selected, Stremio will build a personalized library of the content available for you.
And not just Movies or shows, the listing could also show web channels, sports, live TV channels, podcasts, and more. Thanks to a sleek and intuitive interface, navigation and content discovery are straightforward for everyone.
While your Android TV also aggregates content on the home page, Stremio offers a more personalized experience. Simply because you can select the add-ons you prefer. However, selecting the right add-on is crucial for better content discovery. This could be time-consuming and seem like a headache initially, so keep that in mind.
Pros
- One unified platform for all your online content.
- Simple and interactive interface.
- Additional add-ons can be found on Reddit, PimpMy Stremio, etc.
Cons
- Content availability depends on add-ons.
- Doesn’t suggest new or related add-ons.
Price: Free
14. Photo Gallery and Screensaver – Put Your Images as Screensaver
Streaming photos to your TV is a simple task, however, what if you want your favorite images as screensaver? Photo Gallery and Screensaver is a versatile app that lets you turn your Android TV into a dynamic digital photo frame.
What’s great is that you don’t need to load your TV with photos, as the app can pick images from local storage and online sources such as Google Photos, NASA, etc. And since it is optimized for the TV, the interface, speed, and features are on point.
Moreover, photos aren’t just bunched together to make the screensaver. They are selected based on their meta (location and time) and last viewed. You can customize the slideshow speed, hide or unhide portrait images and metadata, and view currently playing artists and songs.
You can also exclude certain albums or photos while making a selection. So, you’ll just get the pictures you truly want. However, the free version has a 50-image limit and doesn’t support all features. Anyway, you can try out the app and see whether it’s worth the investment or not.
Pros
- Turn your TV into a digital canvas of memories.
- You can customize picture selections and how they are displayed.
Cons
- The free version is pretty limited.
Price: Free, in-app purchases start from $2.49.
15. CetusPlay – Elevate Your Android TV Remote Control
If your Android TV remote isn’t working or you’ve misplaced it, you can use this app instead. CetusPlay offers an extensive set of features to enrich your interaction with the television as equally (if not more) as the accompanied TV remote.
It boasts multiple navigation modes, including a keyboard or mouse mode, scroll feature, direction, or touchpad. Moreover, it also supports shortcuts to quickly launch favorite apps/channels, clear cache, cast local files, and more.
However, the feature list varies as per your device. And while it supports a variety of TVs and boxes, you’ll have to check whether your TV is on the list or not (from the Google Play Store description).
CetusPlay offers an enhanced remote control experience, adding a layer of convenience and efficiency to your TV interaction. However, it also boasts a bit of a learning curve and you might face difficulty during installation.
Pros
- Supports multiple input methods.
- You can set up fun and helpful shortcuts.
Cons
- Installation is not that easy.
- Needs a steady internet connection.
- Only available for Android devices.
Price: Free
Pick the Best Android TV App for You
With the right app at the right place, even the Android TV experience can be boosted up by several notches. Apart from these best Android TV apps listed above, you can also look into a VPN for your TV to maintain privacy and circumvent geo-restrictions.
These are some of our favorite picks. Do you have some recommendations for us? Share them in the comments section, we’ll be waiting!
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Last updated on 04 March, 2024
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