How To Download And Run Android Apps On Your Smart TV (2026 Guide)
Most smart TVs sold today run either Android TV, Google TV, or a proprietary OS like Samsung’s Tizen or LG’s webOS. If your TV runs Android TV or Google TV, you already have direct access to the Google Play Store and can install apps natively. If it doesn’t — or if the app you want isn’t available in the Play Store’s TV version — you’ll need to sideload it or use an external Android device. This guide covers every method, step by step.
Which Smart TVs Can Run Android Apps Natively?
Before trying workarounds, check what operating system your TV runs. Android TV and Google TV are the same underlying platform (Google TV is a newer interface layer on top of Android TV), and both support Android apps from the Play Store.
TVs that run Android TV / Google TV (as of 2026):
| Brand | OS | Play Store Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sony (most models since 2015) | Google TV | Yes |
| TCL (many models) | Google TV | Yes |
| Hisense (select models) | Google TV / VIDAA | Google TV models only |
| Philips (select models) | Google TV | Yes |
| Sharp (select models) | Android TV | Yes |
| Samsung | Tizen OS | No — cannot run Android apps directly |
| LG | webOS | No — cannot run Android apps directly |
| Vizio | SmartCast OS | No — cannot run Android apps directly |
How to check your TV’s OS: Go to Settings → About (or Settings → System → About) and look for “Android TV,” “Google TV,” or the Android version number. If you see “Tizen,” “webOS,” or “SmartCast,” your TV does not run Android natively.
Method 1: Install Apps From the Google Play Store (Android TV / Google TV)
This is the easiest path if your TV already runs Android TV or Google TV.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Open the Google Play Store (or navigate to Apps on Google TV).
- Use the search bar to find the app you want.
- Select the app and press Install.
Important: The TV version of the Play Store only shows apps optimized for big screens. Many phone apps — like Instagram, most banking apps, and some games — won’t appear in search results even though they exist on the phone Play Store. For those, you’ll need to sideload (see Method 2).
Method 2: Sideload Android Apps via APK (Android TV / Google TV)
Sideloading means manually installing an APK file that isn’t available through the Play Store’s TV section. This works on any Android TV or Google TV device — both built-in TV systems and external boxes like the NVIDIA Shield or Google TV Streamer.
Step 1: Enable Unknown Sources
- Go to Settings → Device Preferences → Security & Restrictions (on older Android TV) or Settings → System → About → Android TV OS build and tap it 7 times to enable Developer Options.
- Navigate to Settings → Apps → Security (or Settings → Privacy → Unknown Sources on some models).
- Toggle on permission for the app you’ll use to install APKs (like Downloader or a file manager).
On Android TV 14 and newer (Google TV Streamer, recent Sony TVs), the process changed slightly: you must allow unknown sources on a per-app basis. When you try to install an APK through an app, you’ll get a prompt to allow that specific app to install unknown apps.
Step 2: Get the APK File Onto Your TV
There are several ways to do this:
Option A — Use the Downloader App (Easiest)
1. Open the Play Store on your TV and install the Downloader app (by AFTVnews).
2. Launch Downloader, type or paste the URL of the APK you want to install, and press Go.
3. The APK will download and prompt you to install it.
Option B — Transfer via USB Drive
1. Download the APK to your computer from a trusted source like APKMirror.
2. Copy the APK to a USB flash drive.
3. Plug the USB drive into your TV’s USB port.
4. Use a file manager app (install Cx File Explorer or File Commander from the Play Store) to navigate to the USB drive and tap the APK to install.
Option C — Transfer via Cloud Storage
1. Upload the APK to Google Drive, Dropbox, or another cloud service from your phone or computer.
2. On your TV, open the cloud storage app or use a file manager that supports cloud accounts.
3. Download and install the APK from there.
Option D — Send via Send Files to TV App
1. Install the Send Files to TV app on both your phone/computer and your TV (available on the Play Store).
2. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Send the APK from your phone or computer to the TV.
4. Open the received file on the TV to install.
Step 3: Find and Launch Sideloaded Apps
Sideloaded apps won’t appear in the normal app launcher on most Android TVs. To find them:
- Install the Sideload Launcher app from the Play Store — it shows all installed apps including sideloaded ones.
- Alternatively, go to Settings → Apps → See All Apps to find and launch sideloaded apps.
A word of caution: Sideloaded phone apps may not work well with a TV remote since they’re designed for touch screens. You may need a Bluetooth mouse or game controller connected to your TV for usable navigation.
Method 3: Use an Android TV Box (For Non-Android TVs)
If your TV runs Tizen (Samsung), webOS (LG), SmartCast (Vizio), or another non-Android OS, you cannot install Android APK files directly on it. The most practical solution is to connect an Android TV box — a small device that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and gives you full Android TV / Google TV with Play Store access.
Best Android TV Boxes in 2026
| Device | Price | Storage / RAM | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Shield TV Pro | ~$200 | 16 GB / 3 GB | AI upscaling, Plex server, 2x USB 3.0, Dolby Vision + Atmos | Power users and gamers |
| Google TV Streamer (4K) | ~$100 | 32 GB / 4 GB | Fastest Google TV, smart home hub, Dolby Vision + Atmos | Google ecosystem users |
| onn. 4K Pro (Walmart) | ~$50 | 32 GB / 3 GB | WiFi 6, Ethernet, Dolby Vision + Atmos, Find My Remote | Best budget option |
| Chromecast with Google TV (4K) | ~$40 | 8 GB / 2 GB | Compact dongle form factor, voice remote | Simple plug-and-play setup |
| Xiaomi TV Stick 4K | ~$45 | 8 GB / 2 GB | Portable stick form, Dolby Vision + Atmos | Travel or secondary TVs |
Our Recommendation: For most people, the onn. 4K Pro offers the best value at $50 with specs that rival devices costing twice as much — 32 GB storage, 3 GB RAM, WiFi 6, and an Ethernet port. If you want the absolute best performance and plan to use it as a Plex server or for GeForce NOW cloud gaming, the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro remains the gold standard despite its higher price.
Buy NVIDIA Shield TV Pro on Amazon
Buy Google TV Streamer (4K) on Amazon
How to Set Up an Android TV Box
- Connect the box to your TV’s HDMI port using the included cable.
- Plug in the power adapter.
- Optionally, connect an Ethernet cable for a more stable internet connection (on models with Ethernet ports).
- Turn on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI input.
- Follow the on-screen setup wizard — sign in with your Google account, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re ready to install apps from the Play Store.
Once set up, use your TV remote to switch to the HDMI input for the Android box whenever you want to use Android apps.
Method 4: Screen Mirroring / Casting From Your Phone
If you don’t want to buy additional hardware and just need occasional app access on the big screen, screen mirroring works across all smart TV brands.
For Android Phones:
– Chromecast / Google Cast: If your TV has Chromecast built-in (most Android TVs and many other brands), open the app on your phone, tap the Cast icon, and select your TV. This works with YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and thousands of other apps.
– Screen Mirroring: Go to Settings → Connected Devices → Connection Preferences → Cast on your phone (exact path varies by manufacturer). Select your TV to mirror your entire phone screen.
For Samsung TVs:
– Use Samsung Smart View or the built-in AirPlay support (2019+ models for iPhones, or SmartThings app for Android phones).
For LG TVs:
– Use Screen Share (Miracast) from the TV’s home screen dashboard.
Limitations of mirroring: There’s noticeable lag (100–300 ms), your phone’s battery drains faster, video quality depends on your Wi-Fi speed, and DRM-protected content from apps like Netflix may show a black screen when mirrored.
What About Samsung Tizen and LG webOS TVs?
These TVs use completely different operating systems from Android, so there is no supported way to install Android APK files on them directly.
Samsung Tizen TVs use TPK-format apps from the Samsung App Store. While an experimental Application Compatibility Layer (ACL) for Tizen exists in developer circles, it’s not reliable enough for everyday use and Samsung doesn’t officially support it.
LG webOS TVs use IPK-format apps from the LG Content Store. You can sideload webOS apps through LG’s Developer Mode, but these must be webOS-native apps — not Android APKs.
For both Samsung and LG TVs, the most reliable solution is connecting an Android TV box via HDMI (see Method 3 above) or using screen mirroring (Method 4).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“App not compatible with your device” in Play Store
This means the app hasn’t been optimized for Android TV. You’ll need to sideload it using Method 2. Check APKMirror for the APK — make sure to download the ARM64 or universal version, not the x86 version.
Sideloaded app crashes on launch
Some phone apps simply won’t work on Android TV because they require touchscreen input, GPS, phone sensors, or other hardware a TV doesn’t have. Try an alternative app designed for TV, or use a Bluetooth mouse to navigate touch-dependent interfaces.
“Install from unknown sources” option missing
On Android TV 14+, this setting moved. Go to Settings → Apps, find the app you’re using to install APKs (like Downloader), select it, and look for Install Unknown Apps in its permissions.
USB drive not recognized
Make sure the drive is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT (NTFS may not be supported on all TVs). Try a different USB port if your TV has multiple ports.
Android TV box remote not working
Replace the batteries first. Then re-pair the remote: hold the Back + Home buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds (Google TV Streamer), or follow the pairing instructions specific to your device. As a temporary workaround, install the Google TV app on your phone and use it as a virtual remote.
Final Thoughts
If your TV already runs Android TV or Google TV, you have full Play Store access and can sideload any additional apps you need. If your TV runs a non-Android OS like Tizen or webOS, the most practical solution in 2026 is a dedicated Android TV box — the onn. 4K Pro at $50 or the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro at $200 both deliver the full Android app ecosystem on any TV with an HDMI port. Screen mirroring works in a pinch but isn’t ideal for regular use due to lag and battery drain.