How to install apps on Android TV: APK from a USB drive, a link or a phone
Android TV and Google TV install apps in two ways: from Google Play on the TV itself and from an APK file. The APK comes from a USB drive, a link, a phone or a computer, and a file manager or browser installs it. Since Android 8.0 each such app needs its own “Install unknown apps” permission, and Android offers it on the first install. The fastest way is a link in Downloader: the file downloads straight to the TV, with no USB drive and no computer.
Ways to install apps on Android TV
Google Play on a TV lists only apps that the developer built for TV. A phone app will not appear in the TV catalog even if it runs on the box, so such apps and apps outside the store are installed from an APK.
| Method | What you need | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play | A Google account on the device | The app is in the TV catalog |
| USB drive | A USB drive, a computer, a file manager on the TV | The file is already on the computer |
| By link | Downloader or a browser on the TV | There is a direct link to the APK |
| From a phone | A file transfer app on the phone and the TV, one Wi-Fi network | The APK is on the phone |
| From a computer over adb | “USB debugging” on the TV, adb on the computer | Several files in a row, testing and development |
All methods except Google Play and adb end the same way: the APK opens on the TV, Android asks for the permission and shows the “Install” button.
The “Install unknown apps” permission
Android grants the permission to install APKs not to the whole TV but to a specific app: a file manager, a browser, Downloader. On the first attempt to open an APK the system shows a warning with a “Settings” button. In the list that opens, turn on the switch next to that app, then press Back to return to the installation.
On Google TV 14 this list opens from the warning during installation: there is no separate item in “Settings → Apps”. On Android TV 9 and 10, for example on the Xiaomi Mi Box S, the same list is in “Settings → Device Preferences → Security & restrictions → Unknown sources”; on Android TV 11 the “Security & restrictions” section is under “Settings → Apps”.
The permission can be turned off right after installation: the app keeps working. You will need it again for the next APK from the same source.
Installing an APK from a USB drive
A USB drive fits when the file is already on a computer or the TV has no internet. Almost all Android boxes read FAT32, and not all read NTFS, so it is better to format the drive as FAT32 in advance.
- Copy the APK file from the computer to the USB drive.
- Plug the drive into the USB port of the TV or the box. Most sticks have no free USB port: the drive connects through a powered OTG adapter, and a Chromecast with Google TV through a USB-C hub with pass-through charging.
- Open a file manager. Google TV has none out of the box; X-plore File Manager and File Commander are available in Google Play for TV.
- Find the APK on the drive and press OK. If Android asks for the permission, press “Settings”, turn on the switch next to the file manager and go back.
- Press “Install”. After installation the “Open” button launches the app right away.
A TV app appears in the app list on the home screen. The stock Android TV launcher does not show phone apps without a TV icon: they open from “Settings → Apps → All apps”. In SolaTV phone apps are shown in “All apps” together with TV apps.
Installing by link with Downloader
Downloader by AFTVnews downloads an APK by its address straight to the TV and opens the installation right away. The app is free, installs from Google Play on Android TV and Google TV, and has an address bar, a field for numeric codes and a browser.
- Install Downloader from Google Play on the TV.
- Type the APK address into the address bar with the on-screen keyboard and confirm.
- Wait for the download: Downloader opens the install window itself.
- On the first install, allow Downloader to install unknown apps and press “Install”.
Long addresses take a while to type with a remote, so short ones are easier. SolaTV downloads from solatv.ru/dl.php: this address always leads to the latest version.
Installing from a phone over Wi-Fi
File transfer apps such as Send Files to TV are installed on both the phone and the TV. The phone finds the TV on the same Wi-Fi network and sends the APK to a folder inside “Download” on the TV; the path is shown in the app settings. From there a file manager opens the file. The rest is the same as with a USB drive: permission, “Install”, “Open”.
This method is handy when the APK was downloaded to the phone from a browser or a messenger. No cables or computer are needed, but the transfer app has to be on both devices.
Installing from a computer over adb
The adb tool from Android SDK Platform-Tools installs an APK on the TV over the network with one command. It suits those who install many files, test their own builds or work with a box without a remote at hand.
- Turn on developer mode: “Settings → System → About”, press OK seven times on “Android TV OS build”. On Android TV 9–11 the path is “Settings → Device Preferences → About → Build”.
- Turn on “USB debugging” in “Settings → System → Developer options”, on Android TV 9–11 in “Settings → Device Preferences → Developer options”.
- Find the TV address on the network: “Settings → Network & Internet” → your Wi-Fi network.
- Run the commands below on the computer. On the TV, in the “Allow USB debugging?” window, tick “Always allow from this computer” and press “Allow”.
adb connect 192.168.1.50:5555adb install -r SolaTV.apk
The -r flag installs the new version over the old one and keeps the app data. The Success response means the installation went through. If adb connect to port 5555 fails, as happens on Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer with Android 14, turn on “Wireless debugging” in the same menu and pair with a code using adb pair.
Installing an APK on Xiaomi Mi Box S and Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
On Xiaomi boxes the installation follows the same order; the settings paths and ports differ. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K with Google TV 14 is the device this guide was tested on.
| What | Xiaomi Mi Box S | Xiaomi TV Stick 4K |
|---|---|---|
| System | Android TV 9 | Google TV 14 |
| Install permission | “Settings → Device Preferences → Security & restrictions → Unknown sources” | The “Install unknown apps” list opens from the warning on the first install |
| USB drive | Straight into the box’s USB port | Through a powered OTG adapter: no free USB port |
| Developer mode | “Settings → Device Preferences → About”, seven presses on “Build” | “Settings → System → About”, seven presses on “Android TV OS build” |
On the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K without a USB drive it is easier to install an APK by link with Downloader: the file downloads straight to the stick, and no adapter is needed.
Why an APK does not install on Android TV
Most install failures come down to four causes: the signature, the version, a damaged file and the permission.
| What happens | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “App not installed” on update | The old version is signed with a different key, for example taken from another source | Uninstall the old version and install the new one; the app settings are deleted |
| “App not installed” on downgrade | A newer version is already installed | Uninstall the installed version or install a newer one |
| Error parsing the package | The file is incomplete or built for a newer Android version | Download again and check the size; check the app’s minimum Android version |
| Nothing happens after OK on the file | The file manager has no install permission | Turn it on in the “Install unknown apps” list |
| A Play Protect warning | Google does not know this app | Check the file source; install only if you trust it |
File integrity is checked by its checksum. The SolaTV download button shows the file’s SHA-256; on Windows the command certutil -hashfile SolaTV.apk SHA256 calculates it.
Installing SolaTV
SolaTV installs with any method from this guide: one APK of about 4 MB fits any processor and Android 8.0 and newer. SolaTV downloads new versions from solatv.ru itself, checks the SHA-256 and installs them over the old one through the Android install window. For that SolaTV gets the same “Install unknown apps” permission once.
After installation SolaTV becomes the home screen in its settings, item “Default launcher”. How this works on Android TV and Google TV is described in the guide “How to change the launcher on Android TV and Google TV”.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install an app on Android TV without Google Play?
Yes. Any app installs from an APK file: from a USB drive, a link, a phone or a computer. Google Play is not needed, but such apps also have to be updated manually unless they update themselves.
Is it safe to allow installing unknown apps?
The risk depends on the file source, not on the permission itself. An APK from the developer’s site or a trusted forum thread is safer than a file from a random link. The permission is granted to one app and can be turned off right after installation.
Why is the installed app missing from the home screen?
The stock Android TV launcher shows only apps with a TV icon. A phone app opens from “Settings → Apps → All apps”. In SolaTV such apps are shown in “All apps” and can be added to the home screen.
How do I uninstall an app on Android TV?
In “Settings → Apps → All apps” select the app and press “Uninstall”. In SolaTV a long press of OK on the app tile and the “Uninstall” item do the same.
Do I need root to install APKs?
No. APK installation works on Android TV and Google TV without root: you only need the “Install unknown apps” permission for the app that opens the file.