The official Google Play Store on your Android TV or Google TV device has about 5,000 apps.

That's 0.2% of all Android apps available.

The other 99.8% aren't on your TV — not because they don't work, but because Google restricts which apps appear in the TV version of the Play Store.

Sideloading is the process of manually installing apps outside the Google Play Store. It's how you unlock that missing 99.8% and get apps like IPTV players, sports streaming tools, third-party browsers, game emulators, and international content apps onto your TV.

This guide walks you through every method for sideloading apps on Android TV and Google TV in 2026, from the easiest one-click installs to advanced ADB setups.

What Devices Does This Work On?

This tutorial works on any Android TV or Google TV device, including:

  • Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD and 4K models)
  • Google TV Streamer 4K (2024 model)
  • Walmart Onn 4K / Onn 4K Pro (best budget option)
  • Xiaomi Mi Box S (all generations)
  • Sony, TCL, Hisense Android TVs (built-in Android OS)
  • Nvidia Shield TV (all models)
  • Cheap Chinese Android TV boxes (T95, X96, H96, MECOOL)
  • TiVo Stream 4K
  • Dynalink Android TV Box

If your device runs Android TV OS (check Settings → About), these methods will work.

Why Sideload Apps?

Here's what sideloading unlocks:

  • IPTV players: TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, XCIPTV, Perfect Player — the best apps for live TV streaming aren't on the Play Store.
  • Sports streaming: Access geo-restricted sports content and international leagues.
  • Third-party browsers: Full-featured Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers (not the limited TV versions).
  • Game emulators: RetroArch and other emulation apps for classic gaming.
  • APK stores: Aptoide TV, APKTime — entire third-party app ecosystems with thousands of apps.
  • International content: Apps from other countries that Google blocks in your region.
  • Modified apps: Ad-free versions, unlocked features, custom builds.

Method 1: Sideload Using Downloader App (Easiest — No Computer Needed)

Best for: Beginners, first-time sideloaders, anyone without a computer. Time required: 5–10 minutes.

This is the easiest and most popular method for sideloading on Android TV. The Downloader app (available free on Google Play Store) lets you download APK files directly from the internet using just your TV remote.

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

1

Before you can sideload any apps, you need to unlock Developer Mode:

  1. Press the Home button on your remote.
  2. Scroll to the Settings gear icon (top right corner) and select it.
  3. Navigate to System → About.
  4. Scroll down to Android TV OS Build.
  5. Press the Select/OK button on your remote 7 times repeatedly.
  6. After the 7th press, you'll see: "You are now a developer!"

Step 2: Install Downloader App

2
  1. Return to the Home screen and open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for "Downloader" or "Downloader for TV".
  3. Select the official app by AFTVnews.com (or HKInnovate for the "Downloader for TV" version).
  4. Click Install and wait for installation to complete.

Step 3: Download and Install APK Time

3

APK Time is an app store designed for Android TV that lets you browse and download hundreds of third-party apps with one click.

  1. Open the Downloader app and click the URL/code field.
  2. Type 2254 (APK Time's Downloader code) and press Go.
  3. Wait for the APK file to download (5–10 seconds).
  4. Once downloaded, Downloader will automatically prompt you to Install.
  5. If you see "For security, installations from this source are blocked," click Settings and toggle Allow from this source.
  6. Return and click Install, then Done.
  7. Delete the APK file when Downloader asks (frees up storage).

Step 4: Use APK Time to Install Any App

4
  1. Find APK Time in your Apps section and launch it.
  2. Use the Search icon to find any app (e.g., "TiviMate", "Chrome", "IPTV Smarters").
  3. Select the official APK (check version number and developer name).
  4. Click Download, then Install when prompted, then Done.

APK Time categories include Android TV apps, IPTV and streaming apps, sports apps, web browsers, Kodi forks, and tools.

Method 2: Sideload Using Send Files to TV (Transfer from Android Phone)

Best for: Users with an Android phone who want to transfer APKs already on their phone. Time required: 10 minutes.

Step 1: Install Send Files to TV on Both Devices

1
  1. On your Android TV, open the Google Play Store and search for "Send Files to TV". Install the app.
  2. On your Android phone, install the same app from the Google Play Store.
  3. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Transfer APK from Phone to TV

2
  1. On your Android TV, launch Send Files to TV and select Receive.
  2. On your Android phone, launch the app and select Send.
  3. Browse to the APK file on your phone and select it.
  4. Select your Android TV from the device list. The transfer will begin.
  5. On your Android TV, click Open on the transferred file. If prompted, enable Unknown Sources for Send Files to TV.
  6. Click Install.

Method 3: Sideload Using Google Drive (Cloud Transfer)

Best for: Users who prefer cloud storage or don't have an Android phone. Time required: 10–15 minutes.

  1. On your computer or phone, download the APK from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror.com) and upload it to Google Drive.
  2. On your Android TV, install File Commander from the Google Play Store.
  3. Open File Commander, select Cloud → Google Drive, and sign in to your Google account.
  4. Navigate to the APK file and select it. If prompted, enable Unknown Sources for File Commander.
  5. Click Install, then Done.

Method 4: Sideload Using USB Drive

Best for: Users who want offline installation without internet. Time required: 5 minutes (if your TV has a USB port).

  1. Download the APK on your computer and copy it to a USB flash drive.
  2. Plug the USB drive into your Android TV's USB port.
  3. Open File Commander (or any file manager) on your Android TV.
  4. Select USB or External Storage, navigate to the APK, and click Install.

Method 5: Sideload Using ADB (Advanced — Computer Required)

Best for: Power users, bulk app installs, automated setups. Time required: 20–30 minutes (first-time setup).

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line tool that lets you wirelessly install APKs from your computer to your Android TV without any third-party apps on your TV.

Step 1: Enable ADB Debugging on Android TV

1
  1. Make sure you've enabled Developer Options (see Method 1, Step 1).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Developer Options.
  3. Enable USB Debugging (toggle on).
  4. Enable ADB Debugging (toggle on).

Step 2: Find Your Android TV's IP Address

2

Go to Settings → Network → About (or Network Status) and note the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

Step 3: Install ADB on Your Computer

3

Download and install ADB from the official Android developer site (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux).

Step 4: Connect to Your Android TV via ADB

4
  1. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
  2. Type: adb connect 192.168.1.100 (replace with your TV's IP) and press Enter.
  3. On your Android TV, select Allow when prompted (check "Always allow").

Step 5: Install APK via ADB

5
  1. Download the APK to your computer.
  2. In Terminal, navigate to the folder containing the APK (e.g., cd Downloads).
  3. Type: adb install tivimate.apk and press Enter.
  4. Wait for "Success" to appear. The app is now installed on your Android TV.

For app bundles (.apkm, .xapk, .apks): use the command adb install-multiple base.apk split_config.apk.

Where to Find Safe APK Files

Always download APKs from trusted sources:

  • APKMirror.com — the most trusted APK repository with verification
  • APKPure.com — large selection with security scanning
  • Official app websites — many apps offer direct APK downloads (TiviMate, IPTV Smarters)
  • APK Time — built-in app store for Android TV (once sideloaded)
⚠️ Never download APKs from: random Google search results, sketchy file-sharing sites, torrent sites, or unverified third-party stores. APKMirror verifies every upload to ensure files aren't modified or infected.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Installation blocked" or "Unknown sources not allowed"

Go to Settings → Apps → Security & Restrictions → Unknown Sources and enable the app you're using to install (Downloader, Send Files to TV, File Commander).

"App not compatible with Android TV"

Some phone apps don't have TV-optimized interfaces but will still work. Use a mouse or remote app to navigate.

"Developer Options not appearing"

Make sure you pressed the Android TV OS Build option exactly 7 times. Try again from the home screen.

"ADB connection refused"

Make sure your computer and Android TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, ADB Debugging is enabled in Developer Options, and try restarting your Android TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sideloading legal?

Yes. Sideloading apps on your own device is completely legal. You're simply installing software outside the official store, which Android allows by design.

Will sideloading void my warranty?

No. Sideloading doesn't modify the operating system or root your device, so it doesn't void warranties.

Can I uninstall sideloaded apps?

Yes. Uninstall them the same way you uninstall Play Store apps: Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Uninstall.

Which method is fastest?

Method 1 (Downloader + APK Time) is the fastest for beginners. ADB is fastest for power users installing multiple apps.

iStreamPilot guides are for informational and educational purposes. Always comply with applicable laws and the terms of service of any platform or service you use.

Continue Reading

Hardware

best cheap Android TV boxes Under $100 (2026 Tested Rankings)

Read Guide

VPN

Best VPNs for Roku in 2026: Speed, Streaming, and Setup Compared

Read Guide

IPTV

How to Watch IPTV on Roku: Complete m3u Playlist Setup Guide

Read Guide