The 20 Best Android TV Apps Worth Installing ASAP - MUO - MakeUseOf
So, you've bought an Android TV device. Congratulations! But now what?
A few apps—like YouTube and Netflix—might come pre-installed. For the rest, it's up to you.
Android TV is an excellent platform if you're looking to unlock the full potential of your big screen. It comes with Google's Play Store, which gives you a good range of apps to choose from and install.
For the best experience, you need a mix of videos, music, productivity, and system apps. With that in mind, here are the essential Android TV apps you need to install right away.
1. MX Player
MX Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen.
The app can play a vast number of codecs and supports subtitle files. MX Player's interface is also smooth and easy to use.
MX Player can also read both locally saved files and content from external drives, making it an excellent companion for anyone whose Android TV device has USB ports.
Download: MX Player (Free)
2. Sideload Launcher
The Google Play Store on Android TV is a slimmed-down version of the smartphone version. Some apps are not Android TV-compatible, so there aren't as many to choose from. However, the operating system is capable of running any Android app, making sideloading apps on Android TV a popular activity.
But there's an issue. Apps you sideload will not appear on your device's home screen or list of apps. The only native way to access them is via the Settings menu. Thus, the solution is to install a third-party app. Sideload Launcher is the easiest one to use. You'll see a list of all your sideloaded apps when you open it.
Check out our article about how to manage sideloaded apps on Android TV to learn more.
Download: Sideload Launcher (Free)
3. Netflix
This one is a no-brainer. Netflix might come pre-installed on your device. If it doesn't, grab the app.
A Netflix subscription plan will give you access to thousands of TV movies and shows. It's an essential service for anyone who wants to cut the cord.
Download: Netflix (Free)
4. Plex
Another no-brainer. If you have an extensive personal collection of digital movies and TV shows, Plex is the best solution for casting them around all the screens and devices in your home.
In addition to its beautiful libraries, Plex can also automatically download subtitle files, metadata, movie artwork, viewer ratings, and more.
Aside from your personal collection, Plex gives you access to over 300 live channels and a massive catalog of movies and shows. As long as you don't want to watch your content remotely, Plex is entirely free to use.
Download: Plex (Free)
5. AirScreen
Android TV devices natively support Google Cast. This means you can cast content from Android smartphones and other Google products, such as the Chrome browser and Chromebooks, straight to your TV screen.
Apple's AirPlay is not supported. If you have an Apple device, one of the best apps you can install is AirScreen. It will let you mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac screen on your Android TV box.
AirScreen also works with Google Cast, Miracast, DLNA protocols and also supports tons of apps. This makes it an excellent all-rounder when it comes to casting your screen.
Download: AirScreen (Free)
6. X-plore File Manager
It's always useful to keep a file manager installed on your device, but if you're planning to sideload apps, it's essential.
We are blessed with a good selection of file managers for Android TV. In our roundup, we recommended X-plore File Manager, Total Commander, TvExplorer, and AnExplorer File Manager.
From a sideloading perspective, we recommend X-plore File Manager. It uses a dual-pane approach, which makes it easy to transfer an APK file from a USB stick to your device's hard drive.
Download: X-plore File Manager (Free)
7. Kodi
If you don't have any of your own digital content, you can argue Kodi is a better choice than Plex.
The app has an almost endless number of add-ons that can provide access to on-demand videos, live TV, weather updates, the news, productivity tools, and much more.
You can also install an IPTV add-on for Kodi to watch television over the internet.
Download: Kodi (Free)
8. Wake on LAN
Wake on LAN is the only Android TV app that can wake up your computer remotely.
It's a vital feature if you do a lot of local streaming using Plex or Kodi. If the computer on which you run the Plex or Kodi server goes to sleep, the Wake on LAN app can force it to wake up so you can start streaming content again.
Download: Wake on LAN (Free)
9. Steam Link
In 2018, Steam finally launched its Android TV app, Steam Link.
The app lets you stream your Steam games directly onto any Android device. You can play all your PC games on your TV without worrying about moving your computer and a fiddly HDMI cable.
With Steam Link, the game will be running on your computer, with the screen being cast onto your Android TV device. You'll need to connect a Bluetooth controller to your Android TV device to interact with the games.
Download: Steam Link (Free)
10. Spotify
Cable TV music channels are annoying and full of ads. And the musical experience on YouTube isn't much better unless you pay for YouTube Premium.
Spotify is the answer. It runs smoothly on Android TV, and you can control it with your Android TV remote as well as other devices that have Spotify. All you need to do is to open Spotify on another device, tap the devices icon and then select your Android TV box.
The Android TV version lacks some AI features. For instance, you can't go to a song's radio or enhance playlists. It does display song lyrics, though, and they're even better on a big screen.
Other music services with a dedicated Android TV app include Pandora and YouTube Music.
Download: Spotify (Free)
11. Google Chrome
Oddly, Google Chrome does not come pre-installed on Android TV devices. There's not even an Android TV version of the app.
Despite the lack of a store version of Chrome, you don't need to sideload it. If you head to Chrome's listing in the Google Play Store on the web, your Android TV box will be listed as a compatible device. Even if that didn't work, there are other ways you can install Google Chrome on your Android TV device.
The good thing about having Chrome on Android TV is that once you sign in with your Google Account, all your bookmarks and saved history will be available on your Android TV device.
The downside is that since Google never bothered optimizing Chrome for Android TV, you'll need a mouse and a keyboard to navigate through it.
Download: Google Chrome (Free)
12. Sling
The cord-cutting revolution is showing no signs of slowing down. Users have been canceling their cable subscriptions en masse and migrating to à la carte live TV services.
One of the most popular cable-cutting services is Sling. Depending on which package you buy, you can enjoy AMC, CNN, ESPN, Disney, Comedy Central, NFL Network, and many more.
Download: Sling (Free)
13. Hulu
If you want live TV and on-demand content all in one service (and you live in the US), the best service is Hulu + Live TV.
In addition to the base Hulu subscription, Hulu has partnered with Disney and ESPN to offer a bundle subscription with access to all three services without ads. The bundle also includes DVR, so you can record live shows and watch them later.
Away from the content, the app itself deserves credit. After a few years of development, it's now one of the best-designed Android TV apps on the entire platform.
Download: Hulu (Free)
14. YouTube TV
Another popular cord-cutting service is YouTube TV. Despite only launching in 2017, it has already racked up millions of subscribers.
YouTube has agreements in place with most of the big networks. That means you can watch channels such as CNN, Discovery, BBC News, FOX, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, VH1, and more.
Download: YouTube TV (Free)
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