How to install Google Chrome into a tv with Android TV

Until recently, not too long a tele was a screen with which you could access the tv broadcasts and to diverse content in physical format connect a video player. With the popularization of the Internet, and also streaming media, the brands of televisions diversified their capabilities turning them into Smart TVs: of idiot box went to tv smart. And with it came own operating systems, and also adaptations, such as Android TV.

Google has developed a tailored version of Android for televisions so as to facilitate the access to streaming services and also apps. Thanks to this, manufacturers such as Sony, Philips, Panasonic, HiSense and many other brands, apart from players such as Xiaomi Mi Box S or Nvidia Shield TV, they had access to an endless array of possibilities thanks to the apps. This is also relevant to web browsers, while with a clear absent: Google Chrome.

strange as it may seem, especially in the case of the commitment that has put Google in that Chrome is everywhere, the web browser is not available in the Play store of Android Tv. This implies that it cannot be installed in the tv (or in the compatible players), a drawback which diminish its performance to the big screen. Although there are very simple ways to install Google Chrome.

Download and install the APK

For more that Android TV is designed for tv, the system no longer Android; so not only allow the installation of applications from the Google Play store, also from APK files. Yes, the process is a little more cumbersome to install one of these APK on the mobile.

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To simplify the process of installing Google Chrome on Android TV we will use two applications: the file manager File Commander (to install the Apk) and the pitcher Sideload Launcher (to open Google Chrome). Both applications are reliable, secure, and does not exceed in the permissions. You can download them below.

File Commander

• Price: is Free
• Developer: MobiSystems
• Download: For Android on Google Play

Sideload Launcher

• Price: Free
• Developer: Chainfire
• Download: For Android on Google Play

When you have the two apps on your Android TV tap start the process of installing Google Chrome:

• Download the browser APK. The most advisable thing is to install one of the latest versions, for example from Apk mirror.
• once you have Google Chrome in the form of Apk, upload the file to your Drive account. It is recommended to upload it to the folder root (the start).
• Open File Commander on your Android TV and sign in to the section of Google Drive.
• When you are logged in to your Google account, navigate to the APK file that was uploaded and click on it: File Commander will ask you if you want to download it. Agree.
• once downloaded, tap ‘Install’. You’ll have to accept the permission to install files from outside Google Play.
• once you’ve installed Google Chrome on your Android TV will already be available for work, but probably will not appear among the applications already installed that are not downloaded from Google Play. To access it you only need to launch from the app you Sideload Launcher, which you already should have installed.

Using Google Chrome on the Nvidia Shield TV thanks to the gamepad of games

Despite the fact that Google Chrome is not specifically designed for Android TV, its performance is almost perfect: you won’t notice too many differences with the desktop browser or the mobile. Yes there is a problem: is not 100 % adapted to the control through the tv remote control (or player Android TV). This is solved by connecting a mouse, both wireless as wired USB. In addition, you can control the cursor on-screen with a physical control of games (we recommend it).

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The news How to install Google Chrome into a tv with Android TV was originally published in Xataka Android by Ivan Linares.

Xataka Android