How to know if your Android TV is certified and why it matters

Not all devices with a system share the same functionalities, it sometimes happens that an Android TV does not have all the advantages of the majority. And this may be due to the certification: it is a guarantee that the television or player will have access to Google Playto Google services and the most important platforms. Now: how do you know if the Android TV is certified before buying it?

With the Smart TV capabilities that today’s televisions have, it is possible to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and others with just a few clicks on the remote control. Of course, provided that all these platforms can be installed on Android TV, since having this system does not guarantee full access to these services. The difference lies in the certification; from that of Google to that offered by streaming platforms.

Only if your Android TV is certified will you be able to install all streaming platforms

Google and media streaming services only offer their benefits to devices that have sufficient guarantees to reproduce the content. As is often the case, passing certifications involves a cost for manufacturers; Therefore, these cheaper Android TVs probably haven’t gone through any certification process.

Generally, the certifications available to an Android TV appear on its packaging and/or in the technical specifications offered by the manufacturer on its website. If it is certified by Google The Play Store and compatibility with its applications should appear. In addition:

• Netflix must also have certified Android TV. Your device may be certified by Google and not Netflix.
• Amazon Prime Video requires certification to allow access to the platform.

The same goes for the rest of the platforms, although the others tend to be less strict: if the Android TV has access to Google Play and is certified by Google, it can surely access Max, SkyShowtime, Disney+ and the stay. Yes indeed, this is not a guarantee: As is often the case with Android phones, each Android TV is a world.

And how do you know if an Android TV is certified by Google? The best way, besides diving into the features offered by each manufacturer on its website, is to confirm the make and model of the device on the Android TV Guide website. It’s the largest directory of TVs and players: use its search engine and you will immediately know whether or not you will encounter problems with the applications.

For example, if your Android TV is a television, search under “TVs”. Locate the make, model, and if it appears, it means Google certified it.

How to know if your Android TV is certified for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

As we said, just because a device is Google certified doesn’t mean it can access all streaming platforms. Netflix is ​​generally one of the platforms that restricts access the most, usually linked to the presence or absence of the Widevine DRM system.

Both Netflix and Prime Video have a list of devices certified to access their respective platforms. To find out if yours is valid, check the following points:

What to do if your Android TV is not certified

Although apps cannot be downloaded directly from the device’s Play Store, that doesn’t mean you should lose access to Netflix and its company. Even if your Android TV does not have the Google Play Store: the APK option will still be available. Of course, with some disadvantages:

• Install a streaming platform in APK does not guarantee it will work on Android TV.
• If the platform allows access to the content, it is very likely that it play in low quality.

To install the APK of your favorite platform, you must search for it in a repository with guarantees. Our recommendation is APK Mirror: go to this website and search for the version suitable for Android TV. If there is no difference, try installing the generic version. Trial/error.

Follow the above process after downloading the APK of your platform and launch it after installing it. It’s very likely that it will work, but you know: there is no guarantee that it will work correctly.

Cover image | Ivan Linares

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