In this article, we have discussed how to run those android apps that are not supported for direct use on Android. Android TV lets you access Google Play Store on it, and you can simply run any of your recommended Android app on it. However, if you want to run an app that is not there on Play Store, you can do so by transferring an APK file of that app on your Android TV. With some of the apps, you may face issues while installing them.
In case you’re searching for a convenient method to run the Android apps that are incompatible on your Android TV, then go through the below mentioned ways for installing the Android apps that are incompatible on your Android TV.
Run Incompatible Android Apps on Android TV
Below we have mentioned the ways you can follow to run the incompatible apps on your Android TV. Some of the instructions mentioned below are interlinked, so we suggest you follow the instructions from the very first step. We will progress from the most basic ones to the advanced grades.
If you already have access to the APK file of any specific app that you want to install, the first thing you need to make sure is that “Install unknown apps from third-party sources” is enabled on your Android TV. Just to make sure, you can go to the Settings, further click on the option “Device Preferences,” and then go to “Security & Restrictions.” You will find an option “Unknown Sources,” where you need to check if the toggle of your respective browser is turned or not.
Once you have checked that, you can now easily install the APK files on your Android TV.
If needed, you can also force install the apps by overriding the basic compatibility of Android TV. The apps can be installed through wireless ADB. On your PC, set up ADB and then proceed to the Settings, click on Network and Internet, further check Android TV’s Wi-Fi Network and note your IP address.
Further, run “adb connect ipaddress” to connect wirelessly with the Android TV. Replace the “ipaddress” with your device’s IP address and press enter. Your Android TV will now get connected with your PC wirelessly through ADB.
Then download the APK and transfer it to the ADB folder. Then, run “adb install firefox.apk,” and in a moment or two, the app will get installed.
If the app does not appear in the app drawer of your Android TV, then go to the Settings, click on “Apps,” and further tap on “See all apps.” The list of apps will appear, from where you can open the required one.
If you want all the sideloaded apps in one dedicated space, you can install the Sideload Launcher from Google Play Store.
If the downloaded app doesn’t appear under Settings or in the app drawer, then you need to call any of the app’s activity to open it. To do this, simply install Activity Launcher. You need to download its APK file and then install it that way. This is because it is not available on the Play Store for Android TV.
Once you have installed Activity Launcher, check for the app that is incompatible and, however, needs to be opened on the Android TV. You need to then open the app, try checking every activity; one among them will help in launching the application on your Android TV.
In case you are facing issues with the Activity Launcher, you may force start the application from your PC’s ADB terminal. Further, keep a note of the app’s package name and activity name from the Activity Launcher and run “adb shell am start -n packagename/activityname.”
If the steps mentioned above fail, then go for some alternatives like sideloading an Aptoide TV, and then you can install the incompatible apps usually.
So, these were the steps with which you can run all kinds of Android apps on your Android TV. You can run those apps too that aren’t present on Google Play Store. The apps downloaded from external sources can be used just like the apps downloaded directly from Google Play Store.
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