Here Is the Best Way to Sideload Android TV Apps
With an Android TV media streamer, you can easily sideload TV apps not found in the Google Play Store. This opens your device to a long list of modded apps without ads. Or apps that will let you watch more great content without an expensive monthly subscription.
Before we start, please be aware that sometimes Android apps can contain harmful malware. So always send any apps you plan on sideloading to an online Android virus scanner like VirusTotal. Before you install sideloaded apps on your Android Device.
Why Sideload Android TV Apps?
Any app that is in the Google Play Store must be signed by a developer key before it can be added. Google keeps a close watch of any apps added to their Store. If it does not meet their criteria, or follow their rules on the type of content they allow. The app will soon be removed and banished from their app store.
One good reason to sideload apps is many can be found modded. What this means is someone stripped out the ads, and other bloatware which uses limited resources on your Android device. Warning some apps may contain copyrighted movies and shows. And some may even contain Adult films. Apps containing this kind of content are also not allowed in the Google Play Store.
Sideloading apps is the only way to enjoy this type of content besides using Chromecast to cast this type of content directly from a website using a browser to play the content on your TV.
Where to Download Android TV Apps for Sideloading
Since you won't find apps to sideload in the Play Store, you need to search online to find apps that can be downloaded and installed directly on your Android devices.
These could be from an app developer's website, or from a 3rd party Android app store. Here are five popular alternative apps stores, that are good places to find apps to sideload. Another good source for downloading Android apps is in the Telegram, UserFree Filesharing Channel.
1. AppBrain
2. SlideME
3. F-Droid
4. ApkMirror
5. Mobogenie
Step-by-Step Guide to Sideload Android TV Apps
- On your device enter Android TV Settings and then navigate to Device Preferences.
- Choose Settings and Restrictions.
- Toggle on the Unknown Sources setting. If a warning pops up simply acknowledge this warning.
- Once finished, you can download any apps you want to install to your Android TV.
Use the Cast Files to TV App to Install Android Apps from Your Android Phone
Follow these steps to download and install apps from an Android phone to an Android TV media player.
1. Use your Android phone to download the APK file you would like to install on your Android TV media streamer.
2. Visit the Google Play store and add the "Cast Files to TV" app on both your Android TV and Android Phone.
3. Once the apps are installed on both devices open the app on your Android TV box and choose to Receive.
4. Then open the app on your Android phone, and choose Submit.
5. On your Android phone you will now need to navigate to the APK file you previously downloaded. Then from the list of devices under contact choose your Android TV media player. It will then move the apk file from your phone to your Android TV box. Use X-Plore File Manager to locate and install the app on your Android TV box.
You can also download files stored on cloud storage services like DropBox or Google Drive to your Android TV box using X-Plore File Manager. Open the X-Plore app and choose the install from Cloud menu and choose your storage service to download files from the cloud to your Android TV media streamer. Once on your box, click on it and scroll down to the install menu, and add the file to your media streamer.
A final tip about updating sideloaded Android TV apps. Apps that have been modded and sideloaded will not update. If you try to update them it will show a warning message that the file can't be updated. That's because it was not signed by the developer. If you want to update these sideloaded Android files, you need to first delete the file and then search for a newer updated modded version of the app and then reinstall it.
This is the best and only way to update sideloaded Android TV apps.
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