How to Sideload Apps (APKs) on Google TV or Android TV

Ever craved an app on your Google TV but found it missing from the Play Store? Well, fret not! Let us introduce you to the world of sideloading. Sideloading allows you to install any app on your Google TV.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what sideloading is, why it’s necessary, and how to sideload apps on your Google TV. At the end of it, you can install and run any Android app on your Android TV. So, let’s get to it.

What Is Sideloading and Why Is It Needed

Sideloading refers to the manual process of installing apps onto your device outside of the official app store. In this case, we’ll be sideloading the APK files of applications onto your Google TV to install and run them. While the Play Store offers a curated selection, some apps, be it niche browsers or streaming services, emulators, or productivity tools, might not be officially available there. However, sideloading allows you to access a broader selection of applications, enhancing your overall entertainment and productivity on your Android TV.

Essentially, you can download and install apps on Android TV without the Google Play Store. That being said, sideloading comes with inherent risks. Apps outside the Play Store haven’t been vetted by Google, potentially harboring security threats or malware. So, proceed cautiously and only download apps from trusted sources like APKMirror or F-Droid.

How to Sideload Apps on Google TV

Now, onto the exciting part. While you can hop onto the browser of your choice inside your Google TV and directly download the APK file, navigating different menus using your TV’s remote can be tedious. As such, it makes more sense to directly transfer an APK file and install it on your Google TV. You can do that with the help of an Android phone or using a cloud storage of your choice. Let’s look at each method.

Method 1: Using Android Phone

Step 1: Find the APK file of the app you wish to install on your Android TV. For this guide, we’ll be using Silk Browser. Download the APK file onto your Android smartphone.

Step 2: Next, install the Send Files to TV app on your Android device and your Google TV.

Install Send Files to TV

Step 3: First, launch the app on your Google TV. Here, select Receive.

Step 4: Then, launch the app on your Android smartphone. Here, tap on Send. Now, browse to find the APK file you downloaded in the first step. Ideally, it should be in the Downloads folder.

Step 5: Once you’ve selected the APK file, you will be taken to the device selection screen. Here, select your TV from the list of devices.

Step 6: The transfer should automatically begin, and the same should reflect on your Google TV. Once done, select the file on your Android TV and select Open.

This should ideally install the APK file onto your Google TV. However, in some cases, the installation might not begin.

Step 7: Alternatively, you might want to transfer APK files in bulk and install them later on. For that, you can use a File Manager app. Download it from the Google Play Store on your Google TV.

Install File Manager

Step 8: Launch the File Manager App and grant it the necessary storage permissions.

Step 9: Now, navigate to the Downloads folder. Here, you’ll find the APK file you transferred previously. Select it, and the app should begin installing.

Method 2: Using Cloud Storage

Alternatively, you can also use cloud storage to transfer files as well. This is undoubtedly easier than navigating various websites. The best part is that you can use the File Manager app to access your cloud storage easily, too. Here’s how to go about it.

Step 1: Download the APK file of the app you wish to install on your smartphone or PC and upload it to your preferred cloud storage. We’ll choose Google Drive.

Step 2: Now, open the File Manager app on your Google TV. Here, select Cloud.

Step 3: Now, select ‘Add a cloud location’.

Step 4: Then, select Google Drive. Alternatively, you can choose any other cloud platform in the first step.

Step 5: Now, log in to your cloud storage account. Once done, find and select the APK file you uploaded in the first step.

The app will begin downloading the APK file onto your Google TV.

Step 6: Once downloaded, the app will automatically start installing on your Android TV.

How to Open Sideloaded Apps on Google TV

Unlike normal apps that you download from the Google Play Store, sideloaded apps will not appear inside the launcher or the apps menu. Instead, there’s a workaround to opening sideloaded apps on Google TV.

Step 1: Navigate to Settings on your Google TV. Then, select Apps.

Step 2: Here, scroll down and select ‘See all apps’.

Step 3: Navigate to the sideloaded app of your choice and select it.

Step 4: Finally, click on Open inside the app settings.

And that’s it. Your sideloaded app should now launch on your Google TV. Alternatively, if you don’t wish to go through this hassle, you can download ‘Sideload Launcher – Android TV’ on your Google TV. It displays all your apps in one place – officially installed and sideloaded.

Install Sideload Launcher - Android TV

Sideload and Explore New Apps

And there you have it. With the help of sideloading apps on your Google TV, you can easily expand your app library and elevate your entertainment experience. What’s more? This guide will allow Chromecast users to install APK files on their devices. However, remember that with great freedom also comes great responsibility. Make sure first to check the Google Play Store; if need be, always download apps only from trusted sources.