Three ways to install APK apps on your Android TV or Chromecast with Google TV

Want to have all the apps on your Android TV or Chromecast with Google TV even if they are not available on Google Play? As in cell phones, televisions and media players are also have the possibility to install applications in APK format. And it’s not complicated at all, you are told three ways to achieve this.

Since Android is based on the operating system that Google is developing for Android TV-based mobiles, TVs and media players (including the latest Chromecast with Google TV) have very similar characteristics, they can even install identical applications. Of course, not all of them are suitable for the TV interface, which is the main reason why many apps that might be compatible do not appear in the Android TV store. Fortunately, there are APK files.

Install apps that do not appear on Google Play on your TV

Android TV interface with Google TV

APK files are a very easy way to enjoy apps that are not available in the official Android store, the Google Play Store. Because they are not compatible with the device, because they are not located in the country or because they offer functions that Google does not allow, the reasons for installing an APK can be multiple. The ways to add APKs to Android TV too.

Since Android TV does not include a serial file manager, the first step will be to download one to the TV or player. I always recommend File Commander, it seems to me the best in its class, also the most secure. It’s available in your Android TV store (or Chromecast with Google TV), it’s free, and has a few ads that don’t get in the way.

File Manager and Cloud

With File Commander, you can navigate to the directory where APK files are downloaded, by clicking on it, install them on the device. This step is common to any installation outside of Google Play, what varies is how to send the APK to Android TV. Here are, in my opinion, the best ways to achieve this.

Install APKs on Android TV from USB or SD

The usual thing is that your TV or player includes a USB port or SD card socket which is used to expand device storage, an element that suits what we are looking for: installing APK applications. Unfortunately, this is not valid for the Chromecast with Google TV because it lacks expansion or SD ports (its USB C p ort is only powered).

As you would move any file to computer, just add the APKs to the USB or SD card (they must be formatted as FAT32), insert the external media into the corresponding socket of the Android TV and install files from File Commander (Enter external media and install APKs from there). The app will recognize the external storage and install the apps after clicking on it.

USB with APK detected by File Commander

This method is quick and almost universal, although it does involve moving a memory or USB drive from the computer to the TV. If you want to use the phone anytime, the best method is as follows.

Utiliza una app: send files to television

Send files to TV on Android TV

If you don’t want to depend on a computer or external media You can do the entire transfer process from the Send Files to TV app, both mobile and TV. You need to install the app on both devices: it can be found in the Google Play Store.

Send files to TV

• Developer: Yablio
• Download it on: google play
• Price: Free
• Category: Tools

Once Send files to TV is installed on the TV and on the phone, follow these steps:

• Download the APK files to your mobile.
• Open Send Files to TV on both devices: mobile and Android TV. Both must be connected to the same WiFi network.
• It gives permission to access storage, which is essential for sending and receiving data.
• Select the files to send to the phone with the “Send” button.

• Send Files to TV will show you nearby devices to send the files to. Your Android TV or Chromecast should appear with Google TV. Click on it.
• The file will be sent by saving in the “Downloads” or downloads folder of the Android TV.
• Open Files Commander and install the APK from the downloads folder by clicking on the file. You already have the app on your device.

Via the File Commander server

Direct transfer from web browser to TV using File Commander

This method is my favorite: it is fast, very simple and avoids the intermediate steps since the transfer is done directly from the computer to the Android TV. You can also use your mobile browser to send the APKs you downloaded to the TV – the process is the same.

Let’s see how to use the HTTP server built into File Commander:

• Open File Commander on your Android TV or Chromecast with Google TV and enter the “File transfer to PC“.
• Tap the switch to enable direct connectivity with the app. You will see an IP link appear.

Enter the IP address that appears in File Commander to connect from the web browser of your computer or mobile

• Write this IP in the web browser of your computer (or mobile): you will access your Android TV storage.
• Go to the “Download” folder and download all the APK files you want to install with the “Download files” button at the top.

File selector to send from the web browser (computer or mobile)

• Once the files are sent to Android TV, disconnect the “Transfer files to PC” from File Commander. The HTTP server will stop.
• Install the applications as in the previous methods: navigate to the “Download” folder via File Commander and click on each file to run them.

All three methods allow you to upload and install any app in APK format on Android TV devices. They are the fastest and most comfortable, they allow you to expand the horizons of your TV or player and are perfect for applications which, incomprehensibly, you cannot download from the google play store. It is worth having these methods among your favorites.