Android Tv Apps Free Download: The Best Ones to Get
Android TV is a great platform for watching movies, playing games, and streaming content. If you’re looking for the best Android TV apps that are Free to download, look no further! This blog post will discuss some of the best Android TV apps available on the Google Play Store. Whether you’re looking for a new movie to watch or want to play some games with your friends, these Android TV apps are sure to keep you entertained!
Android TV was first announced as a Smart TV system in 2014, and we’ve come a long way since then. Android TVs were initially only available from television manufacturers who installed the Android TV operating system onto their top models. We can now purchase Android TV boxes and convert any television with an HDMI input into an Android TV with functionality such as HDMI CEC, which is impressive. Android TV boxes have made Android TVs more accessible and inexpensive to a lot more people. So, if you own an Android box or use one, here are the 35 best Android TV apps you should be using in 2022.
Best Android TV Apps Free Download
There are a variety of Android TV flavors, owing to the custom skins utilized by distinct TV manufacturers. However, don’t worry; these apps will also run on all Android TVs, including the OnePlus TV, Xiaomi Mi TV line, Samsung’s Android TVs, FFalcon TVs, TCL TVs, Nokia Smart TVs, and others.
MX Player
For a long time, MX Player has been hailed as one of the best Android video players. When viewed on a larger screen, its advantages are readily apparent. Subtitles are supported by the program, which can play a variety of formats. The UI is simple and pleasant to use. MX Player may also read locally stored files and content from external storage, making it ideal for anybody with an Android TV device with USB connections.
Sideload Launcher
The Android TV version of the Google Play Store is a simplified version of the smartphone version. There are fewer options available due to the fact that some applications are not Android TV-compatible. On the other hand, the operating system can run any Android app, allowing for sideloading on Android TV – this is a popular pastime.
However, there is a snag. Although apps that you sideload will not show on your device’s home screen or list of applications, they will appear in the Settings menu. The only native method for accessing them is via the Settings menu. As a result, third-party software was required to solve the problem. Sideload Launcher is the most simple to use among 3rd-party addons. When it opens, you’ll see a list of all the apps you’ve sideloaded (note that this doesn’t require root). In short, it’s one of the best Android TV apps that are Free to download.
Plex
The logical choice. A large personal collection of digital movies and TV shows can be projected across all of your home’s screens and gadgets using the Plex media server.
Plex may automatically download subtitles, metadata, movie artwork, viewer ratings, and other items. As long as you don’t plan on watching your content from afar, Plex is completely free to use.
AirScreen
Android TV devices natively support Google Cast. This means you can cast material from Android smartphones and other Google goods such as the Chrome browser and Chromebooks to your television set.
AirPlay is not supported. If you have an Apple gadget, one of the best apps to download is AirScreen. It will allow you to mirror your iPhone or iPad screen on your Android TV box using the Google Tv Cast, Miracast, and DLNA protocols.
X-plore File Manager
It’s always a good idea to have a file manager on your device, but it’s vital if you’re going to sideload applications. X-plore File Manager is a fantastic option for those who want to sideload applications. An APK file can be easily transferred to the device’s internal storage by using the two-pane interface.
Wake on LAN
The only Android TV app that can wake up your PC remotely is Wake on LAN. This is a must-have feature if you use Plex or Kodi to stream local media. The Wake on LAN software may be able to wake up the computer running the Plex or Kodi server so that you can resume streaming.
Steam Link
In 2018, Steam launched its Android TV app, Steam Link. The software lets you play your Steam games on an Android mobile device. You may now play all of your PC games on your television without having to worry about moving your machine or dealing with a pesky HDMI cable.
Spotify
TV music channels are annoying and rife with commercials. Even if you pay for YouTube Premium, the music experience on YouTube isn’t much better. Spotify is the better alternative. Pandora and Google Play Music offer other music services with dedicated Android TV apps.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is not pre-installed on Android TV devices, even though it is available for download from the Google Play Store. There isn’t even an Android TV version of the app. Although there is no store edition of Chrome, you don’t need to sideload it. If you go to Chrome’s listing in the Google Play Store on your computer, your Android TV box will be recognized as a compatible gadget.
Sling Tv
The cord-cutting revolution shows no signs of slowing down. Customers have been canceling their cable contracts in droves and moving to à la carte live TV platforms at a rapid rate.
Sling is one of the most popular cable-cutting alternatives. You can watch AMC, CNN, ESPN, Disney, Comedy Central, NFL Network, and many more popular channels depending on the package you choose.
Hulu
Hulu With Live TV is the best option for live TV and on-demand video content in one package (and live in the United States). The complete bundle (no advertising) costs $65 per month.
The app’s design, in addition to the material, deserves credit. After several years of development, it is now one of the most well-designed Android TV apps on the market.
Network TV Apps
Most of the most well-known television networks in Europe countries and the United States now provide Android TV applications. If you have an Android device, you may watch current shows, catch up on previous seasons, and even tune into live TV.
The following are some examples of Android TV-optimized networks: ESPN, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, HGTV, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, ABC, Disney, HBO, Showtime, and Nickelodeon. Users in the United Kingdom can use BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. Note that some applications require you to have a cable television subscription service.
YouTube TV
Another popular cord-cutting service is YouTube TV. Despite its young age, it already has millions of subscribers. Most major networks have agreements in place with YouTube. That means you can watch channels like CNN, Discovery, BBC News, FOX, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, VH1, and more.
TVUsage
Since the advent of television sets in American homes during the 1950s, reports of children watching too much television have been a regular topic of family conversation.
However, with the many channels now accessible, this is perhaps more serious than ever. TVUsage is an Android TV parental control software program that allows you to restrict children’s screen time and keep track of their viewing habits.
Send Files to TV
It’s more difficult to move files from a computer or smartphone to an Android TV device than it sounds; there is no native, user-friendly solution.
The solution is to Send Files to TV. It allows you to share movies, TV shows, and other media from your other devices to your Android TV box on the same local network.
Photo Gallery and Screensaver
The Android TV native screensaver settings are rather limited. And you can’t even reach your Google Photos library to convert it into a screensaver slideshow these days.
Try out Photograph Gallery and Screensaver for a more feature-rich screensaver experience (which includes Google Photos integration). You may use Google Photos, Facebook, or Flickr as sources.
Haystack News
Regarding the drawbacks of cord-cutting, one of the most common warnings is that you won’t be able to catch up on current events. That isn’t necessarily true now. All of the live TV apps we’ve discussed here include 24-hour news channels.
Even if you don’t want to pay for a service, there are still alternatives. Haystack News is one such alternative. It gets stories from all major news networks based on your preferences and history of viewing.
Solid Explorer
After the demise of ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer has rightfully taken its position as the finest file manager on Android. It’s true for Android TV, too, since Solid Explorer is the best file explorer on Android, and it’s no exception. You’re going to love this file explorer’s unique combination of design and functionality, and it’ll be a great replacement for ES File Explorer. The program features a two-pane interface that makes file navigation and interaction with files very simple.
The greatest feature of Solid Explorer is that it allows you to manage the internal storage on your Android TV from within the program. It enables you to remove, delete, and install third-party APKs on your Android TV. Not only that, but if you desire, you may add your FTP server as well. To summarize, Solid Explorer isn’t just one of the finest file managers for Android TV; it’s also one of the finest apps for Android TVs.
Retroarch
Even if Android TV comes with its Play Store, which has some of the greatest Android TV games available to download, if you’re searching for some classic retro-console gaming action, Retroarch is a good option. This emulator allows you to play NES/SNES games on Android TV using a controller.
It might take some time for you to fully comprehend the emulator, but Retroarch is one of the best emulators for playing SNES, NES, PS1, and N64 games on Android TV, so I suggest you give it a shot. Furthermore, if you have a large collection of ancient games, you can install them on an external hard drive and play them there instead of sacrificing storage space on your TV.
VLC
The VLC media player is a popular video playback software with many fans. With good cause, the app supports almost every file format and can playback videos in various codecs. VLC can also quickly decode movies encoded using the HEVC H.265 codec, which adds to VLC’s popularity. You’ll understand why VLC is so popular when you consider its easy-to-use interface and the stability it offers.
The VLC media player automatically classifies your files as movies, music, or something else. You may also fine-tune certain features such as acceleration and more using the app’s settings. VLC is pre-installed on Android TV devices like the Mi Box, but it can be readily downloaded from the Android TV Play Store.
Aptoide
Because it allows you to access thousands of Android apps without any geo-restrictions or Android TV compatibility concerns, Aptoide is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Android TV apps. Aptoide is a third-party app store and Play Store alternative that enables you to discover and install applications that aren’t available on the Play Store.
If you’re concerned about the app’s security, I’d recommend that you stick with Aptoide. The developers are fully behind Aptoide, so no intermediaries are repackaging the software. Simply said, if you can’t locate your favorite Android TV apps on Google Play, the Aptoide app store will bring you straight home.
Netflix
Spotify is for music streaming what Netflix is for movie and TV show streaming. It’s one of the most popular video-streaming services on the planet. And, given that Netflix is now accessible almost everywhere in the globe, you’ve probably already subscribed. I highly suggest that you give Netflix a shot even if you don’t have a subscription.
With the app, you can also see some of the greatest Netflix Originals, including several exciting Netflix TV series and more. Many Android TVs come pre-installed with the Netflix app, and you may start watching excellent Netflix movies right away by signing in using your existing Netflix account.
Kodi
Kodi is one of the most powerful media server applications available. The software may be used to organize your media into a single location and even remotely accessible. Kodi’s capabilities may also be enhanced with various Kodi add-ons, which provide it with lots of power. By following the link, you can learn how to set up Kodi on various operating systems.
You should use Kodi on your Android TV if you have a lot of offline media and want to organize it all fast with a clear hierarchy. Any different media you may add to your device after setting up Kodi will be automatically organized into the appropriate categories and locations, according to your preferences. Kodi’s plugins also allow it to play almost any audio or video files format you throw at it, making it a versatile tool for viewing media on your Android TV.
Tunnelbear
It’s always beneficial to have VPN software on your Android TV. It allows you to remain anonymous while surfing the web and can be used to avoid content restrictions imposed by several websites. Tunnelbear is one of the finest Android VPN applications for your Android TV, regardless of whether or not you want to pirate things. Even though the app isn’t yet optimized for Android TV, it runs smoothly and appears quite well.
If you’re looking for a free VPN, Tunnelbear is a very popular option. Every month, Tunnelbear gives you 500 MB of data for free, and you may upgrade to one of their paid subscriptions to increase this amount. However, 500 MB should be enough for basic surfing. For security and legal reasons, TunnelBear will not allow you to download files that use P2P technologies. There are numerous other free VPN services available if TunnelBear does not meet your needs.
iHeartRadio
Do you want to listen to your favorite radio stations on your Android TV? There is an app for that, and it works rather well. iHeartRadio is one of the greatest radio apps for Android, and it’s particularly suited for individuals who enjoy listening to radio stations, music playlists, and podcasts. This software supports thousands of AM and FM radio stations from both local and international sources.
There’s much more, too. You can also listen to ESPN Radio, Fox Sports, and other sports stations. The software is rather tidy in design and looks quite similar to Spotify. It offers a lot of radio station labels, such as music, news, sports talk, and comedy. In general, iHeartRadio is an excellent Android TV application with a cherry on top if you’re a radio listener. It’s one of the best Android TV apps that are Free to download.
Apple TV
Apple has now launched an Android TV version of its Apple TV app. This means you can use your Android TV’s big screen to watch Apple TV+, even if you don’t own an Apple 4K set. The new software is accessible via the Play Store for all Android TVs running Android 8 and above with a compatible operating system.
You can watch 4K original content on your smart TV, and the Apple TV app also supports Dolby Vision and HDR material if your Android TV supports it. I’d suggest you watch For All Mankind and Ted Lasso on Apple’s service if you start using Apple TV on your Android TV — they’re some good shows.
Google Duo
Google finally released Duo for Android TV following the coronavirus epidemic. With this software, you can make video calls from your Android TV without using your phone’s tiny screen. One disadvantage of the program is that it does not display incoming calls presently. If you’d like to try it out, go to Play Store and install Duo. See our tutorial on sideloading Google Duo on your Android TV if that doesn’t work.
Puffin TV
It is difficult to browse the web on TV, but now you may do it easily. Puffin browser is designed for Android TV. The platform will transform your remote control into a cursor that can help you navigate the interface. All sites will be presented in a card style, making it simple to access any website, even if you connect your phone puffin browser to your TV. As a result, you may access the site on your TV directly. It’s one of the best Android TV apps that are Free to download.
Mix Apps
Mix App for Android TV lets you quickly access any android tv program from the home screen. We can open any sideload applications that aren’t visible on the Android TV home screen with Mix App on Android TV. This Android TV app puts all of the applications in one place so that you may access them with a quick press on the home button. If you’ve never heard of it, you can download it free from the Android TV Play Store.
TV Memory Cleaner
On a smartphone, we choose to remove applications to reduce background memory usage. We don’t have the option of freeing up android tv app memory on an Android TV. If your TV is lagging, you should consider using the TV cleaner software. This program instantly stops all unnecessary apps to free up Android Tv background memory use. The TV Cleaner app frees up space to enhance overall Android Tv performance.
Nebula Manager
On Android TV, sideloading applications is simple, although home screen support is lacking. We don’t have the option of adding sideloaded apps on the home screen on Android TV. We may easily make a shortcut for any installed Android app using the Nebula software. This app has an easy-to-use user interface that allows us to add any application to the home screen in one click. It’s one of the best Android TV apps that are Free to download.
Notifications for Android TV
Receive Android TV phone notifications with this app. We can get all smartphone notifications on Android TV, and we may even scroll through them in full-screen mode on the Android TV. Most popular apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, and Text Messages are available for viewing on Android TV in full-screen mode.
Rave
The most popular films are now available on Netflix, Prime Video, and other OTT platforms. If you want to watch popular movies with your family and friends, there’s no better app than Rave Watch Party. This software allows you to watch movies simultaneously with your family. We can text and voice call in this program, so we can stay connected with our friends while watching films. You may install this program on all major platforms, including iOS, Windows, Android TV. It includes all of the most popular platforms, and the nicest thing about it is that it does not have restrictions to streaming videos from OTT platforms; we can also stream any YouTube video and enjoy it with our friends. It’s one of the best Android TV apps that are Free to download.
TVF Play App
TVF (The Viral Fever) is a popular YouTube channel that has begun as an internet series. It is now recognized for its high-quality web series. On this app, you’ll discover top-rated web series like TVF Pitchers, Permanent Roommates, Incubicles, and many more. All free online movies and shows may be streamed; to view all premium material on it, you must first create a login with your Facebook or Google account primary.
Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream is a one-stop-shop for documentary series, and it has elements on just about every topic imaginable, including space exploration, adventure, and the secret life of pets. This platform offers free streaming platforms and viewing of premium content, as well as a seven-day trial.
I hope this post will help you find the best Android TV apps to satisfy your entertainment needs. If these few suggestions don’t work for you, we have a list of other great options for Android TV Apps that are free to download that might be just what you’re looking for! Happy browsing and happy watching!
