How to Sideload Apps on Google TV and Android TV
Google TV and Android TV can install any Android app — not just what's in the Play Store. The technique is called sideloading, it's officially supported, and it takes about five minutes the first time. Here are the three best methods, compared, with exact steps.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | Needs a phone? | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send Files to TV | Yes | Easiest | Chromecast & Google TV sets |
| Downloader app | No | Easy | Any TV with Appstore/Play Store access |
| USB drive | No | Easy | Boxes with USB ports, offline installs |
One-Time Setup: Allow Unknown Apps
Whatever method you choose, Android asks once for permission:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Security & Restrictions → Install unknown apps (wording varies slightly by device).
- Turn the toggle on for the app that will open the APK — your file manager, browser, or Downloader.
This is a per-app permission, not a global switch, and you can revoke it after installing.
Method 1: Send Files to TV (Phone → TV)
- Install Send Files to TV from the Play Store on both your phone and your TV.
- Download the APK on your phone — for example, the ViMovies APK.
- Open the app on both devices; tap Send on the phone and pick the APK.
- On the TV, open the received file (the app prompts you) and tap Install.
This is the smoothest route on a Chromecast with Google TV, which has no browser out of the box.
Method 2: Downloader (TV Only)
- Install Downloader by AFTVnews from your TV's app store.
- Grant it the unknown-apps permission (setup section above).
- Open Downloader, type the download URL, and the APK fetches and prompts to install automatically.
This is the standard method on Fire TV — full Fire-specific steps are on our Firestick page.
Method 3: USB Drive
- On a computer, copy the APK to a FAT32/exFAT USB drive.
- Plug the drive into the TV box and open it with a file manager (install FX File Explorer or use the built-in one).
- Open the APK and install.
Handy for boxes without reliable internet, or when you want to install the same app on several TVs.
After Installing
- TV-ready apps appear straight in your apps row; pin favorites to the front.
- Remember updates are manual — bookmark the developer's site. For ViMovies, new builds are announced on the changelog.
- Sideloading opens up a whole catalog of TV apps — our picks are in the best movie apps for Android TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sideloading allowed by Google?
Yes. Installing apps from outside the Play Store is a documented Android feature. You grant a per-app permission called 'Install unknown apps' — no hacks, no root, no warranty impact.
Will sideloaded apps update automatically?
No. The Play Store only updates its own installs. To update a sideloaded app, download the new APK and install it over the old one; data is preserved.
Do sideloaded apps appear on the home screen?
Apps built for TV (with a TV launcher icon) appear in your apps row. Phone-only apps install but may need a launcher app like 'Sideload Launcher' to open.
Can sideloading harm my device?
The technique is harmless; the risk is the file itself. Only sideload APKs from a developer's official website, and check requested permissions at install time.