Top 8 Best Android TV Apps to Upgrade Your Smart TV

Just bought an Android TV device? Here are the must-have Android TV apps to install on your device today!

Since its initial release in 2014, Android TV has been slowly but steadily improving as a platform. Though the fight for dominance between Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, and other smart TV platforms gets hot by the day, the Android TV platform retains a stronghold thanks to its integration with the new Google technology and a wider variety of apps.

These are the best Android TV applications to teach you what owning a smart TV is all about whether you own an Android TV or have bought an Android TV set.

Android TV apps to get the most out of your TV

1. Netflix

This is the best TV app for video streaming, and it’s a great example of how an app can work through various channels and devices without failing. You’ll remember your preferences and keep your place in all of your favourite shows as you switch from television to computer, web browser, and back.

Although watching Netflix on your phone is convenient, the videos do not look amazing on such a small screen. On your smart TV, you can watch your favorite shows and Movies on a much bigger screen.

The app itself is free but unless you pay, you won’t be able to see it. The cheapest, most basic plan is $9 a month but at full resolution, you won’t be able to watch 4K movies and TV shows. To do that, you’ll have to switch to the $16 monthly premium pack. If you have a TV set that supports that sort of resolution, paying out the extra cash for a better picture might be worth it.

Netflix is available for Apple TV and Android TV.

2. Spotify

Most people download music these days and a number of popular services are available on Android TV. Although the list is much shorter than one for video (TV is, after all, a video platform), it does include some heavy hitters like Spotify, Pandora, Vevo, and iHeartRadio. This function in a similar way to video streaming sites. You download one, pay for a subscription (if desired), and listen to music on your TV. Each app has its advantages and disadvantages, but really, it comes down to personal preference rather than any objective comparison. Each has tens of millions of songs to choose from.

With Spotify, you can listen to music and play millions of songs and podcasts for free. Stream music and podcasts you love and find music – or your next favorite song – from all over the world.

Spotify makes streaming music easy with curated playlists and thousands of podcasts you can’t find anywhere else. Find music from new artists, stream your favorite album or playlist and listen to music you love for free.

3. Plex

Just think of Plex as Netflix for your personal video collection. This TV app organizes the movies and shows you own — whether on your computer or in the cloud — and beams them into your smart TV. All you’ll need is to make sure your location for TV and video storage is connected to the same wireless network.

Even if you don’t have a huge collection, Plex’s partnerships with companies including Lionsgate and Legendary Entertainment ensure it has thousands of movies and TV shows on demand. It’s also associated with Tidal, so you can also use it to listen to music.

All the Plex features stand out — including a sleek and reliable design, the ability to pick up where you left off on any video, simple library management, and the opportunity to download artwork and metadata directly from the web — make them work well on the big screen.

If you pay for the premium version, named Plex Pass, you will be able to sync your videos with your phone or tablet as well as your smart TV. In addition to saved videos, it will also enable you to watch computer-to-TV with live TV broadcasts online.

Plex is free for Apple TV and Android TV, with Plex Pass, offered at a cost of $5 a month, $40 a year, or $120 a lifetime.

4. YouTube

Actually, it’s YouTube. Without it, there would be no list of cost-free streaming video services. YouTube apps are compatible with any smartphone that has a screen out there and the service offers videos to choose from almost every possible subject on.

Many of these videos are not premium content, but there are still plenty of full-length movies, documentary series and selected channels that provide the entire family with cost-free entertainment services. While there are ways to access YouTube content for offline viewing, be careful: Many of these sites and apps are loaded with malware issues.

With so many free streaming choices out there, it’s easier than ever to cut the cord and save big. Whether you’re trying to keep up with the news, find a movie for late-night dinner or entertain your kids with educational content, there’s a streaming service available to make sure you can do that without paying money. Check them, and see what works best for you.

5. Kodi

Kodi, the massive video platform that doesn’t require much of an explanation, is one of the easiest ways to download content from your home network’s multiple devices – from Wi-Fi media devices to PCs. The endless wealth of add-ons that allow you access to entertainment content from all over the world, though, is the real selling point for many people. Any of these sites, such as Fox Sports and BBC iPlayer, are legal.

Other Kodi add-ons are a bit more devious, providing streams created by Kodi users all over the world that allow you to watch free international TV, cable, and movies. It’s up to you to decide what’s legal and what isn’t, but the fact remains that Kodi can be used for a lot of things.

6. VLC Media Player

The VLC Media Player is the app to use if you want to enjoy stunning video streaming on your Android TV. Almost all video codecs are supported by this amazing media player. Network feeds, most kinds of audio files, and DVD ISOs are also supported. Of the Android TV apps, it’s potentially the best all-around multimedia player.

Furthermore, the VLC player can arrange your library into audio, video, and other categories automatically. Furthermore, you can monitor playback in whatever way you like using the player’s settings, as well as other features like hardware acceleration. The Android TV Play Store has the VLC Media Player available for free.

7. Google Drive

The Google Drive app is a good option if you want to view all of your files on your Android TV. Installing the Google Drive app on your TV allows you to have unlimited access to all of your cloud data when doing it on the huge screen.

The only problem is that the Google Drive app is not actually available in the Play Store for Android TV. But that doesn’t rule out the possibility of having it installed! You should still use apps like ES File Explorer to sideload or instal it. You can also save a copy of the APK to your SD card and run it from there.

8. Twitch

Twitch is the place to be if you like seeing players show their gaming abilities in real time. Twitch is a video website for players to stream live video game streams. To the average person, watching live video streams can seem to be a complicated task, but for players, it is not only entertaining but also important.

Gamers can learn new gaming strategies and new ways to play various games by watching gameplay on Twitch. They can also gain a new knowledge of the different challenges of complexities a game has to bring by watching gameplay on Twitch. It will significantly assist players who are stuck on a stage in learning how to advance to the next level. If you’re a die-hard gamer, you’ll love Google’s inclusion of Twitch in the list of Android TV games.

Conclusion:

Android TVs come with several pretty cool applications pre-installed, but there are a number of serious apps you can add to get even more out of your Android TV. Furthermore, the pre-installed apps can contain adware and show advertising on your Android TV’s home screen. As a result, it is better to seek out a third-party alternative.

There are applications that can bring you up to date with the breaking news from around the world, tell you about the weather, and help you relax with a movie after a busy day at work, among other things. This are the perfect Android TV applications on your smart TV.