Smart TVs with Android TV operating system are already present in a lot of families. If you have bought a new television or you have a device that has Android TV and you want to configure it according to your needs, we will tell you about some of the best apps that you should install to make the most of its potential.

Let’s dive in.

11 Best Android TV Apps for Your Smart TV

1. Netflix

When it comes to video streaming services, Netflix rules. It is one of the most popular movie and TV show viewing platforms in the world. Even better, it is among the cheapest video streaming services. And now that Netflix has become worldwide, you may already have a subscription.

If you already have a Netflix subscription, using its Android TV app will give you an even more amazing experience. The service has a huge selection of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. It is also one of the few video streaming platforms that supports 4K and HDR video. Netflix comes pre-installed on most newer Android TV devices, but if you don’t have it, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

2. Peacock TV

Peacock TV is a relatively new video streaming service from one of the broadcast giants, NBC.

Best of all, you can use it to watch hundreds of shows and movies for free. Also, it even has its own collection of original programming, like the serial killer TV show Dr. Death and Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. You can also watch previous seasons of hit shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation.

The free tier offers plenty of content, although this will be supported by advertising. You’ll need a $5 Premium membership if you want bonus content that gives you access to all the shows, as well as live sports like the Olympics, Ryder Cup, and Premier League soccer. You can even watch WWE PPV events. The $10 Premium Plus subscription removes the ads and lets you download shows to watch online.

Peacock is supported on a wide variety of Android TV-enabled Smart TVs, and set-top boxes which includs NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, and AirTV.

3. Kodi

Kodi is another great app for streaming digital content from various home devices on your home network, from Wi-Fi enabled media centers to PCs. But for many people, the real selling point is the endless wealth of add-ons that give you access to streaming services from around the world. Some of them are legitimate sites like Fox Sports and BBC iPlayer.

Other add-ons for Kodi are a bit more underhanded, offering streams set up by Kodi users around the world that allow you to watch international TV, cable, and movies for free. It’s up to you to judge what’s legal and what’s not, but the point is that there are a myriad of things Kodi can be used for.

4. Steam Link

Steam Link is an Android TV app developed by Steam that allows you to stream Steam games directly on any Android device, including Android TV. The convenience is that you can play all your PC games on your TV without moving your computer and without having to search for cables.

If you want to play desktop-quality games on your Android TV, regardless of your TV hardware, Steam Link is the best app to try. However, there are a few caveats: Steam must be installed on your PC and running; your Android TV and PC must be connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi with Ethernet, and of course you need a Steam membership.

5. Spotify

It might seem a bit silly to install Spotify on TV. I used to think so…until I installed it and many times, I find myself using Spotify on TV when I’m working in the living room, cleaning or just hanging out.

This wildly popular music streaming app is available on all devices, making it super easy to line up music on phones or laptops and then play it on your TV.

You can also use the Spotify Android TV app directly through the TV, using the remote control or even voice activation to play your songs. It’s also worth adding that Spotify has made a big push into podcasts lately, landing loads of great podcasts with exclusive licensing deals.

6. VLC

If you want a very powerful video player, but don’t need the extra features of Kodi, it is best to install VLC.

VLC supports almost all video codecs. It also supports network streaming, most audio and ISO file types. It is probably the best media player for Android TV.

Also, VLC Player will automatically classify your library into audio, video, and more. In additional, by using the player settings, you can control playback the way you want, as well as control other things like hardware acceleration.

7. Twitch

If you like to watch live game streaming, then Twitch is the place to be. Twitch is a live video streaming platform where gamers post live video game streams.

Watching the game on Twitch allows players to learn new game tactics and new ways to play different games and also gives them a new understanding of the different levels and difficulties a game offers. It can greatly help players who are stuck on a certain level to learn how to move on to the next one. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll appreciate what Google has done by including Twitch in the list of Android TV apps.

8. Google Duo

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Google has finally decided to bring its Duo video calling app to Android TV.

With this app, you can make video calls directly from your Android TV without relying on the small screen of your smartphone. However, one caveat to the app is that it doesn’t show incoming calls at the moment. If you are interested, you can install Duo from the Play Store.

9. TikTok

As a popular social network, TikTok also has an app for Android TV. This app allows you to watch TikTok videos directly from your Android TV. It is quite simple. We will only have to press to the right or to the left on our remote control to go through the video.

10. AccuWeather

If you want to have the weather on your television, AccuWeather is a very good option. It is a cross-platform weather app that you can download on Android TV and it is free.

AccuWeather offers access to daily and even hourly forecasts, radar or satellite images, for which it uses the geolocation of the TV to find our city.

11. File Commander

File Commander is another Android TV apps that we cannot miss. It is a very complete file explorer. It offers direct access to images, videos, music, and files. It adapts to dark and light theme and allows synchronization with Google Drive.

It is a free app that also has a premium version that allows you to remove advertising, file encryption and recycle bin, among others.

Summary

In this post, we brought you best Android TV apps that you should use to get the most out of your Android TV. Instead of enjoying Android apps on smaller screens, why not buy an Android TV or Android TV Box that allows you to enjoy Android apps on a larger screen?