We’ve come a long way since the best android tv apps were initially launched as a smart TV platform in 2014. We can now buy Android TV boxes and turn any TV with an HDMI port into an Android TV with features like HDMI CEC.
Android TVs were once only available from TV makers who chose to include the best android tv apps operating system in their top-of-the-line models. Thanks to these TV boxes, Android TVs have become much more accessible and inexpensive.
So, whether you’ve bought the best android tv apps box or already have the best android tv apps, here are the top 15 best android tv apps to use in 2022.
Top 15 Best Android TV Apps In 2022
Android TV, like Android phones, comes in a lot of different flavors because of the custom skins made by different TV makers. These apps will function on all the best android tv apps, including the OnePlus TV, the Xiaomi Mi TV lineup, Samsung’s Android TVs, iFFalcon TVs, TCL TVs, Nokia Smart TVs, and more.
1. SlingTV
SlingTV is the best Android TV app for a wide choice of live TV channels, including sports, lifestyle, and news (local and worldwide), and is a terrific cable TV alternative. The app has networks like ESPN, NFL, Food Network, CNBC, BBC, and many more, to name a few. While you may download the app for free, you will have to pay for the Live TV subscription.
In terms of the app itself, it’s pretty smooth and well-designed. Like with typical TVs, I was able to rapidly switch between channels. Overall, SlingTV appears to be the best app for watching live TV channels on the best android tv apps, especially because it also supports cloud-based DVR (Digital Video Recording).
2. Send files to TV (SFTV)
Send Files to TV is without a doubt one of my favorite best android tv apps. There are occasions when you want to transfer files, images, or music files to your TV, and you discover you’ll need a thumb drive to do it. The Send files to the TV app, on the other hand, makes wireless file transfer a breeze. You only need to install the app on both your TV and smartphone, and you’ll be able to transmit files like a WhatsApp forward.
Keep in mind that this only works if you’re on the same WiFi network. When it comes to the app’s dependability, the transfer speed is decent, and I’ve only observed a few botched transfers. Simply said, if you’re looking for the best app for transferring files to and from your Android TV, SFTV is the one to go for.
3. Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer has deservedly earned its place as the best file manager on Android, and this is also true for best android tv apps, following the demise of ES File Explorer. This file explorer is a great replacement for ES File Explorer, and you will love its unique look and functionality. The app has a two-pane layout that makes it easy to move around folders and work with files.
The best thing is that you can control your Android TV’s internal storage directly from Solid Explorer. On Android TV, it allows you to uninstall, remove, and install third-party APKs. Not to mention that you can add your FTP server if you want. Solid Explorer is not just the best file manager for Android TV, but it’s also one of the best Android TV apps.
4. Retroarch
Even though the best android tv apps have their own Play Store with some of the best Android TV games available for download, Retroarch is a great place to go for traditional retro-console gaming fun. This is an emulator for Android TV that allows you to play NES and SNES games with a controller. Retroarch is one of the best emulators for playing SNES, NES, PS1, and N64 games on Android TV, and I highly recommend it. Furthermore, if you have a large library of outdated games, you may put them on an external hard disc and play them from there instead of sacrificing storage space on your TV.
5. VLC
The VLC media player is a widely used video player, and for good reason. The app can play videos that have been encoded in a number of different codecs and can play almost any type of file. VLC can also decode videos encoded with the HEVC H.265 codec. When you consider the user-friendly design and the reliability that VLC provides, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
The VLC app automatically sorts your material into three categories: video, audio, and other. You may also manage things like hardware acceleration and more through the app’s settings. VLC is pre-installed on Android TV boxes such as the Mi Box, but it can also be downloaded via the best android tv apps Play Store.
6. Aptoide
Aptoide is one of the best Android TV apps since it allows you to access hundreds of Android apps without having to worry about geo-restriction or Android TV compatibility. Aptoide is a third-party app store and a Play Store alternative, in case you didn’t know. You can find and install apps that aren’t available on the Play Store otherwise. Make sure you know that Aptoide is backed by the developers directly, so there are no middlemen repackaging the apps. Simply said, if you can’t locate your favorite apps on Android TV through the Play Store, head over to the Aptoide app store.
7. Spotify
Spotify is, without a doubt, the best free music app available when it comes to streaming music. You can stream music directly through your Android TV using the Spotify app on your Android TV. The best part about Spotify is that it offers a free tier of service.
The premium membership, on the other hand, includes unlimited track skipping and no commercials in between tracks. Spotify is pre-installed on Android TV boxes like the Mi Box, and you only need to log in with your Spotify account to begin streaming music.
8. Netflix
Spotify is to music what Netflix is to video streaming. It is one of the most widely used sites for streaming movies and TV shows around the globe. And, because Netflix is now available practically everywhere on the planet, chances are you already have a membership. Even if you don’t, I strongly advise you to give Netflix a try. If you have the Netflix app loaded, you can view some of the best Netflix originals, including some thrilling Netflix TV shows and more, if you have the app. Many Android TVs come with the Netflix app pre-installed, and you can just log in with your Netflix account and begin binge-watching the best Netflix movies.
9. Haystack
Android TV boxes like the Mi Box come with a plethora of apps, from music and video streaming to the news. If those news apps don’t satisfy your needs, you might want to look into Haystack. Haystack is a news app that keeps you up to speed on a wide range of topics, including science and technology, politics and current events, games, and movie trailers.
The news is shown in a way that is easy to use on an Android TV. In addition, the way everything is set up is quite well thought out. Haystack picks news from a lot of different sources, like the Associated Press, BBC News, CBS, and more. Additionally, there is a useful “weather pane” on the bottom of the window that keeps you informed about the weather in your area.
10. Kodi
One of the most powerful media server programs available is Kodi. The app may be used to consolidate all of your material into a single area that can be viewed anywhere. In addition, there are a lot of add-ons for Kodi that can make the app even more powerful. If you click on the link, you can learn how to install Kodi on different types of computers.
If you have a lot of offline media and want to easily arrange it all with a correct hierarchy, you should certainly use Kodi on your Android TV. Any further material you add to your device after installing Kodi will be automatically sorted into the appropriate categories and organized in the places you specify. Kodi’s add-ons also let it handle practically any music or video format, giving it an extremely versatile choice for watching media on your Android TV.
11. Plex
Plex is another excellent media center tool that you may wish to utilize. Plex isn’t quite as strong as Kodi, and it doesn’t have nearly as many plugins. Plex, on the other hand, shines in terms of the app’s simplicity. Whereas Kodi may seem or feel overwhelming, Plex has an easy-to-use interface that will have you hooked in no time.
Once you’ve worked out how things operate, that is. To use Plex on your Android TV, you’ll need a Plex server running on another laptop or computer that your Android TV can access through WiFi. Following installation, you can play any media file stored on your Plex server directly on your Android TV without the need for cables, file transfers, or other complications. If you don’t like Plex, you may check out some of the best Plex alternatives to see if they provide the same set of features.
12. Tunnelbear
It’s never a bad idea to have a VPN app on your phone. It allows you to remain anonymous when surfing the web and may be used to get around regional limitations on a lot of online material. Tunnelbear is one of the best Android VPN apps you can use on your Android TV unless you want to steal content. Despite the fact that the app is not yet optimized for Android TV, it functions well and looks rather nice.
Every month, Tunnelbear provides you with 500 MB of free data, and you may upgrade your data limit by purchasing one of their commercial memberships. However, 500 MB should be sufficient for basic browsing. For security and legal reasons, Tunnelbear will not allow you to download things that use P2P protocols. If Tunnelbear fails to fulfill your needs, there are a slew of different free VPN services to choose from.
13. Google chrome
It’s natural that Android TVs don’t come with a web browser, but it’s still upsetting. If you wish to use a web browser on your Android TV, you may do so by installing Google Chrome. With Google Chrome installed on your Android TV, you can surf the web and do a lot more.
Because we’re downloading a full-fledged Android app, it’ll have all of the same features as the Google Chrome app on an Android phone. Google Chrome, on the other hand, is not accessible in the Android TV Play Store, so you’ll have to sideload it. To discover how to accomplish this, see our article on sideloading apps on Android TVs.
14. Youtube tv
For anybody serious about cord-cutting, YouTube TV is a must-have app. A YouTube TV membership grants you access to a variety of live channels, sports, and other content. It’s one of the most common ways to watch all of your favorite cable TV channels without needing a cable TV subscription. CNN, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, ABC, CBS, and others are among the main channels offered by YouTube TV. However, YouTube TV is currently only available in the United States, so you won’t be able to subscribe to or watch YouTube TV material if you’re from another country.
15. Sideload Launcher
You’ve probably noticed that many of the Android apps we install on our Android TV require sideloading. This is good. The problem is that sideloaded apps do not appear in the Android TV launcher by default. The Sideload Launcher comes in handy in this situation. Chainfire created the app, which shows all of the sideloaded apps on your Android TV.
At least for the time being, this is the only option to run sideloaded apps on an Android TV. So, if you’re intending on sideloading apps on your Android TV, this launcher is a must-have. There are a few other launchers that do the same thing as the Sideload Launcher, but this one is the best in my opinion.