The best apps for Android TV

Thanks to Google Play and access to install APK files, devices with Android TV offer a great way to make any TV smart. Whether it’s because the TV comes standard with Android TV or because you’re installing an independent player: we’ve selected the best apps for you.

Since Android TV is still an Android, part of the mobile applications have their equivalent for the television system. It’s not that devices dedicated to the big screen have access to a gigantic catalog, but they have enough applications to play streaming media content from the phone, with which to listen to music and for other uses mainly related to entertainment. We have selected for you the applications that we consider to be the best.

The best media apps for Android TV

The main purpose of television is to play multimedia content, either by downloading streaming or by access videos and music you’ve already saved offline. Considering that Android TV is a widespread and widely used system, the most important streaming platforms have their own application to access it from television.

Let’s take it step by step: from well-known streaming platforms to players with which to view and listen to what you have stored in the player.

Streaming platforms for Android TV

They form the basis of Android TV since gamers with this operating system offer excellent service on the usual platforms. As is evident, you need a subscription to access most content.

netflix. The most popular film and series platform has its own application for Android TV. It is available on Google Play.
Disney+. There is not much more to say about this platform: it offers house classics and new productions, all at the touch of ‘play’. Your app for Android TV is here.
HBO Max. The platform provides access on Android TV to the catalog it currently distributes in Europe. Download the app from here.
Amazon Prime Video. If you have Amazon Prime, you also have a large number of films and series at your fingertips. And you can watch this content on your Android TV; download it from this link.

Crunchyroll. Indispensable if you like anime: the best legal catalog, with almost simultaneous releases and with content dubbed (and/or subtitled) in Spanish. It is here.
AppleTV+. The Apple application allows you to take advantage of the entire catalog displayed on TV+; other than that, you can play anything you purchased or rented from your Apple devices. Is here.
Tic. Perfect for following your favorite streamers from the comfort of your couch at home. You have it on Google Play.
Movistar +. Essential if you have subscribed to one of its payment plans, even if you have Movistar + Lite. Live, video on demand and a large catalog: you will find its application for Android TV on this link.
orange television. If you have contracted a convergent tariff with the operator, you also have access to the multimedia content of Android TV. Download it from Google Play.
Vodafone TV. The red operator also has its app for Android TV, although it is quite upgradable. You can download it from here.
from the movie. One of the platforms with the most curated cinema catalog also offers access via Android TV. If you have a Filmin account, the app is here.
vivify. Excellent platform if you want to have access to DTT with on-demand viewing of everything that has been broadcast during the last seven days (in addition to being able to record the content). If you are a Tivify subscriber, download its app from this link.
RTVE à la carte. Application of the Spanish Radio and Television Company with direct and thousands of hours of programs, series and films on demand. It’s on Google Play.
Pluto TV. What do you want to see quality content without paying a penny? Pluto TV offers you a great selection of free channels and with advertisements. It’s on Google Play.
Spotify. Do you want to listen to music on TV? The Spotify app for Android TV gives you access to your playlists and tracks. You have it on Google Play.
Deezer. As with Spotify, Deezer also offers its own app for TVs and players. If you are a subscriber, download the app here.
Amazon Music. Also with its application adapted to the needs and appearance of Android TV. Download it to your TV from here.
Listen to the radio. Radios are already coming through the terrestrial antenna, but you may need a much wider range of stations. Well, there’s TuneIn Radio: download it from Google Play.

Broadcast your content on TV

With the previous applications, you have access to the various streaming platforms. Now okay: What if you already have your own content and want to play it directly on your Android TV?

There are many ways, with the following apps you will have it easy.

Coded. An application so gigantic that you can even play with it. It is also used to watch all the music and videos you have recorded on the TV: either by connecting a storage medium to Android TV, or by accessing your content in server mode. You can download Kodi from Google Play.
Plex . Quite similar to Kodi: with Plex, you can access the content you have on your local servers from the TV; or on mobile, for example. You have Plex here.
air screen. This application allows you to share everything you have recorded on your mobile with the TV. And it supports various wireless transmission protocols including AirPlay. You can download it from this link.
VLC. These three letters already say everything that the application offers: it is a high quality player compatible with a wide variety of codecs. It also has a version for Android TV: you have it here.

The best apps to manage your Android TV

In this section, we will add the extremely useful apps on Android TV, either to manage the installed content or to extend its possibilities. It’s not that the TV system is as versatile as that of cell phones, but it just keeps offering possibilities.

puffin flat. It is the best web browser available on Google Play for Android TV. Quite powerful, very complete and suitable for use with the remote control: download it from this link.
Send files to TV. Very useful application to send files between TV and mobile. With it you can send a video, an APK, a song, a file… You have to install it on the TV and also on your mobile: download Send Files to TV from here.
EasyJoin Go TV. Very useful for transferring files between TV and mobile: fast, efficient and suitable for any content. Of course, it’s paid: you have it for 2.39 dollars on Google Play.
File Commander. Our favorite file manager on Android TV. With it you can access what is saved in the cloud, everything you have on TV and it also allows you to install APK files. Highly recommended, you have it here.

Side Load Launcher. If you are going to install Android apps that are not specifically designed for Android TV, this launcher will come in handy: Sideload Launcher collects all installed apps to open them easily. It’s on Google Play.

The best apps to customize your Android TV

Android mobiles allow you to modify almost all aspects of the interface, but Google has not transferred all the possibilities to televisions. However, there are ways to give your Android TV a personal touch.

Flauncher. This is a custom interface that makes it easier to see and use without losing channel categorization. It even offers the possibility of selecting wallpapers: you can download the application from Google Play.
Google TV Launcher. In case you don’t have the Google layer on your Android TV, you can install it without undue complication if you follow these instructions. The appearance is more elaborate, it offers recommended content that borders on advertising and is much more visual.

Apps suitable for Android TV that are not in the store

From the Google Play Store on your Android TV you can download all the software specifically adapted to the system, but that’s not the only thing that works on your device: there are a large number of very useful applications which, however, don’t work appear on Google Play. This, yes, no one is stopping you from installing APKs.

Then we leave you with our essential APKs for Android TV.

Microsoft Game Pass. Indispensable if you want to enjoy all your streaming games on TV and without the need for more devices apart from your Android TV. Download the Android app (the mobile app), connect a Bluetooth controller and log in with your account. Install the file after downloading it from Apk Mirror.
GeForce now. In the Nvidia Shield it looks native, but that’s not the case with other Android TVs. Even so, you can easily install the Android version: it also works on other Android TV devices. Download the latest APK from Apk Mirror.
Google Chrome. What do you want from a browser for the big screen and you’re not convinced by Puffin TV? You can use Android’s Google Chrome, it adapts well to the TV interface. All you have to do is install the latest APK available.
TDT channels. This excellent application allows you to watch all the free DTT channels live and without needing to have a terrestrial antenna connected. You can download it from their website.