Androidtv com setup: We’ll walk you through the basic setup process for Android TVs in this article. In contrast to Android smartphones, there is little software segregation on Android TV devices. If you can set up and use one, you can set up and use all of them.
In addition to teaching you where things are on your Android TV and how to utilize its many features, we’ll provide you with a list of apps you might want to download to get the most of your Android TV.
Androidtv com setup: Pre-installation requirements
Before you begin configuring your Android TV, you should establish a list of the items you will require. Check to see if you have the following:
- An internet connection using Wi-Fi
- A Gmail account
If your TV does not already have Android TV, you will need:
- A portable Android TV device
- One HDMI-equipped TV or monitor that supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)
- a single HDMI cable (usually provided within the box)
If you have met all of these requirements, you are now ready to begin configuring your new Android TV. You may accomplish this in three ways: with your Android phone, with your Android TV remote, or with your computer.
All of these strategies will be discussed in depth below. If you’ve already finished the initial setup of your Android TV and want to skip through to the following parts, select the relevant option from the menu on the left.
Androidtv com setup: Initial Configuration
Step 1: Power on your Android TV and connect the remote.
Every Android TV has a unique method for connecting a remote, and this is the first thing you’ll need to do when you switch on your TV. Most Android TV remotes can only turn on/off your device via an IR connection by default. Every other feature requires a Bluetooth connection. To pair your Android TV with its remote, follow the steps below.
- Turn on your Android TV or the monitor that is connected to your Android TV device.
- To pair your remote, follow the on-screen directions.
- When the remote connects to the TV, a checkmark appears on the screen.
Step 2: Install Android TV
After you’ve paired your remote, you’ll be able to rapidly set up your Android TV with your Android phone or tablet. With a few simple clicks, you may transfer account and network information from your Android mobile to your TV. You can skip this step if you want to finish the setup with the remote. You can also use your computer to configure your Android TV. Check out the instructions for all three options listed below.
How can I connect an Android phone to an Android TV?
- When your TV prompts you to “Quickly set up your TV with your Android phone?” use your remote to answer Yes.
- Open the Google app that was pre-installed on your Android phone.
- “Set up my device,” type or say.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until you see a code. Check that the same code appears on your TV.
- When the name of your TV appears on your phone, tap it.
- Follow the directions on your TV to complete the setup.
How can I use the remote to set up an Android TV?
- When your TV prompts you to “Quickly set up your TV with your Android phone?” press the Skip button on your remote.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- It’s possible that you’ll have to wait for the system to update.
- Select Sign in and then use your remote to log in.
- Login to your Google Account (you can also skip this step and do it later).
- To complete the setup, follow the on-screen directions.
How do I install Android TV on a computer?
- When your TV prompts you to “Quickly set up your TV with your Android phone?” press the Skip button on your remote.
- Connect to the same Wi-Fi network that your smartphone or computer is connected to.
- Select Sign in on your TV and then use your computer.
- Log in with your Google Account.
- To finish the setup, follow the on-screen directions.
Androidtv com setup: Examine for software and app upgrades.
Androidtv com setup: If you followed the steps above, you should be ready to use your Android TV. The first step should be to check for software upgrades. Go to Settings (gear icon) > Device Preferences > About > System Update to do so.
Android 11 is the most recent Android TV version. Most Android TVs, however, should be running Android 10 or Android 9 right now. Some older televisions are still running Android 8.0 Oreo. If this is the case, your only choice is to wait for your Android TV OEM to release the updated software version.
When you first start using your Android TV, you should also check for app updates. Several popular streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and others, come pre-installed on your Android TV. Before you begin using them, go to the Google Play Store on your Android TV to check for app upgrades.
The Play Store may be found in the top row of your Android TV’s home screen. You can also locate it in the Apps channel on the left side of your home screen.
To update all apps, go to Google Play Store, then to the My Apps section at the top, and click Update All.
To enable auto-updates for apps, navigate to Settings (gear symbol) in Google Play Store > Auto-update apps > Auto-update apps at any time.
Where can you find stuff on your Android TV?
The user interface
Androidtv com setup: The Android TV user interface is quite simple to use. All of your default channels, such as applications, Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Music, Amazon Prime Video, and more, may be found on the left side of your home screen.
Suggestions for that category can be found in the row beside each channel. The applications channel, for example, will provide suggestions for downloaded apps on your Android TV, while the Netflix channel will present streaming options, and so on. We’ll go over how to customize these channels in further detail below.
If you want to customize and alter your TV settings, such as image quality, sound, app permissions, Bluetooth connections, and so on, go to the main settings menu. The familiar gear icon for your Android TV’s settings can be found in the top right corner of your home screen. You can access all of your Android TV device’s hardware settings and device preferences from here.
One thing to keep in mind about the Android TV interface is that it will be phased out in favor of the new Google TV for Android interface in the future. Google debuted the new user interface with its latest Chromecast and has promised to upgrade smart TVs with it soon. More information regarding Google TV for Android and the redesigned Chromecast UI can be found here. If you have a Chromecast and Google TV, you can read Google’s setup instructions here.
In February 2021, Google announced another UI refresh for Android TV devices. It appears to be a stopgap measure before the firm launches the new Google TV interface. It is currently being rolled out to Nvidia Shield TV devices. However, the firm has not said when the update would be available for additional Android TV devices or whether it will apply to all Android TV versions in all areas.
Home-screen personalization
Androidtv com setup: If you don’t like how your Android TV’s home screen is set up, you may alter the default channels and rearrange the home screen apps.
Scroll right to the bottom of the home screen to add or remove existing channels (the icons on the left of your home screen). You’ll see a Customize Your Channels option here. Rearrange your preferences by tapping on it.
Navigate to Settings > Device Preferences to re-order apps and change autoplay settings for previews on your home screen. You may enable/disable video and audio previews, as well as rearrange apps on your Android TV’s home screen, using this menu.
Voice search and Google Assistant
Androidtv com setup: The majority of Android TV remotes now include a dedicated Google Assistant button for voice search and navigation. Google Assistant is pre-installed on your Android TV, and you may access it by pressing the Assistant or microphone buttons on your remote. Speak into the microphone on your remote to ensure the Assistant can hear you. Some premium Android TVs also allow you to summon Google Assistant by saying “Ok, Google” or “Hey, Google,” like you would on a smart speaker.
You can ask Google Assistant to search and play your favorite shows, get internet answers, and operate your smart home devices. With voice commands, it can even adjust playback and volume, as well as turn off your Android TV. A complete list of what you can ask Google Assistant may be found here.
Chromecast
Androidtv com setup: You can cast photographs and videos from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your TV screen if you have an Android TV. As a result, your phone serves as a remote control for the content you’re watching on your TV. To do so, your phone or other casting devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. After that, you can utilize Chromecast on your Android TV by following the steps below.
- Launch the app containing the content you want to cast.
- Find the cast icon in the app, which looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi emblem in one corner.
- Once you’ve located the cast symbol, tap it and select the name of your TV.
- When the cast icon changes color, it indicates that you have successfully connected to your television.
- You should be able to see your media on it now.
If you’re having problems casting, make sure it’s enabled on your Android TV by following the steps below.
- Press the home button on your remote.
- Select Settings from the upper right corner of your TV.
- Apps should be selected.
- Select Google Cast Receiver from the list of system apps.
- Make sure it’s turned on.
In August 2020, Google will also launch a new Android TV feature called Cast Connect. Cast Connect extends the traditional Chromecast features by allowing you to control casted material on your TV using the remote. Cast Connect isn’t generally available right now. Google is collaborating with app developers to incorporate the feature into their own apps. For the time being, only CBS and the Australian streaming service Stan have introduced Cast Connect.
Androidtv com setup: Apps to get you started with Android TV
Androidtv com setup: You won’t have to install Netflix or Amazon Prime Video because your Android TV comes pre-loaded with a variety of popular streaming apps. Google Play Movies & TV and Google Play Games are also pre-installed. It’s fantastic to have all of these apps already installed, but you might want to consider installing the apps listed below to get started with your Android TV.
VLC Player for Android
VLC is a fantastic video and audio player that supports a broad variety of formats. If you wish to play media files from an external source, such as a USB pen drive or hard disc, this is a wonderful app to have on your Android TV.
Plex
Plex is one of the best Android TV applications available. It organizes all of your personal stuff, including images, music, videos, shows, and more, and displays it in a simple, user-friendly interface. You can, of course, stream all of that stuff from within the app. But that’s not the only thing Plex is about. In addition, the app provides free access to dozens of HD over-the-air broadcast stations. In the United States, these free channels include CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS Plus, and many others. Plex also offers ad-supported video-on-demand content, which it has now expanded with a collaboration with Crackle. This means you may use the app to stream the complete Crackle collection.
Kodi
Do you have media files on a hard drive or a USB drive? Then you should get Kodi for your Android TV. It is a cross-platform, open-source Home theatre PC (HTPC) program that supports both local and network storage services. It supports a wide range of music and video file formats, so you may use it to play almost anything. Kodi may also add posters, trailers, fan covers, and other media to items in your media library automatically. If you want to stream your photos, you may import them into Kodi, which will create an image library for you. Furthermore, Kodi allows you to install third-party plugins, which may provide you access to content that is not always legal.
Link to Stream
You can effortlessly stream your Steam games directly to your TV at up to 4K resolution at 60fps using the Steam Link app on Android TV and a strong internet connection. All of the games suited for remote play on your Android TV can be found here.
Send files to TV with Google Drive
If you have media on your Google Drive, such as images or movies, and wish to view it on a larger screen, simply download the Google Drive app on your Android TV. Unfortunately, the Google Drive app for Android TVs is not accessible through the Google Play store. However, you may always use the Send files to the TV app on your smartphone and television to sideload the APK file. With this method, you can quickly transfer the Google Drive APK file from your phone to your TV.
Aside from the basic apps described above, you can download a variety of extra apps to enhance your Android TV experience. To get the most out of your TV, check out our list of the top Android TV apps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Androidtv com setup
Q: How do I reset an old Android TV before configuring it?
If you have a used Android TV and wish to start over, you can do so by resetting it. Go to the Home screen on an Android TV running Android 8 > Settings (gear icon) > Storage & reset > Factory data reset. After pressing this, you can reset your Android TV by following the on-screen directions.
If you have an Android TV running Android 9 Pie, go to Home > Settings (gear icon) > Device preferences > Reset
Q: How do you configure a parental lock on your Android TV?
On your Android TV, you may configure a PIN lock with specific limitations based on content ratings, timings, and other factors. To accomplish this, navigate to the Home screen > Settings (gear symbol) > Parental control.
Q: How can I add a new Google account to my Android TV?
You can link multiple Google accounts to your Android TV. To do so, navigate to the Home screen > Settings (gear icon) > Accounts and Sign-in > Add account.
Q: How do I alter the Android TV screensaver settings?
When your Android TV is idle, you can change the screen saver settings to display Chromecast backgrounds or colours. Go to the Home screen > Settings (gear icon) > Device preferences > Screen saver to do so.
You can also use your Google Photos app to make your own photos display as screen savers on your Android TV. To do so, go to your Android TV’s My Apps area and look for an app named Backdrop Daydream. Check that this app is up to date.
Now, open the Google Home app and touch on the name of your television. You’ll see an interface where you may control the volume of your Android TV. Tap the Settings button in the upper right corner (gear icon). Select Ambient Mode. There should be three alternatives for you to chose from here: Art Gallery, Experimental, and Google Photos. To make your images into screensavers, go to Google Photos and select the option.
Q: How do I use my smartphone to operate my Android TV?
Visit our step-by-step guide to learn how to use your phone to control your Android TV.