If you are searching for free applications for Google TV, you can easily find them in this article, as today we will be taking a look at the best free apps for Android TV and Google TV that you should try on your TV.
There are a large number of smart TVs available for purchase. TVs that are running Google’s Android TV OS are the most popular ones and Google TV OS. Google TV is a user interface running on top of the Android TV operating system, but with a different look and feel. It comes preinstalled on many smart TVs from brands like Sony, TCL, and Hisense, as well as on the Chromecast with Google TV.
The main reason why people prefer Android TVs over other smart TVs is the support of Google apps and PlayStore which lets you download a number of apps. And it also allows sideloading Android apps that are either not available in your region or PlayStore.
So today, we will be taking a look at the best free apps for Android TV that you should try on your TV.
The PlayStore for Android has a wide range of apps for you to choose from. While paid apps are generally a good choice, most people prefer to get along with using free apps. And when you think of free apps, it can be a headache to find out which ones are the best and which ones you should be avoiding. So, in today’s list, we will be taking a look at the best free apps for your Smart TV.
Top Free TV Apps for Google TV and Android TV
There are a good number of free apps available to download for your Android smart TV. We take a look at the best ones you need to have installed on your Android TV. All the apps that are on the list are free to download and if you can’t find them on the PlayStore, you can always sideload the apps from third-party sources.
1. FX File Explorer
Ever got the annoying message on your Android TV that your TV storage space is full? Well, that can happen when you might have downloaded a few files and forgotten to delete them. In this case, you need a handy file explorer called FX File Manager. This is a free-to-use, ad-free File manager that you can install on your TV and clear out the cache files or any other files from your TV storage. Using the file manager you can track your storage use.
The app has a very simple and easy-to-navigate interface, which is needed when you are installing it on an Android TV. This file manager also helps you to search for any files on your TV. If you purchase the premium version of the app, you will be able to share the files between your TV and other devices via WiFi. You can get the file manager app from here.
2. Open TV Browser
A good number of smart TVs out there might have all the features that you use on a regular basis. These features are what make the TV smart. However, if you wanted to browse the internet on your big-screen TV, you will have to download an app as there is no pre-installed web browser that comes with Android TV OS. Open Browser on the PlayStore is a free and easy-to-use web browser that works perfectly on an Android TV.
You can not only browse the internet but also be able to watch free movies and play free games. The browser has the option to save bookmarks, have multiple tabs, and even make use of incognito mode. The browser is free to download. You can head here to download it for your Android TV. If you wanted to try other web browsers for your Android TV, you can check out this list.
3. Send Files to TV
When you use an Android TV, you might have wanted to transfer files like APKs, photos, songs, documents, and more from your phone or PC to your TV. This is where this handy app comes into play. The app is free to install and you need to have it installed on your Android device in case you wish to transfer files to your TV.
You can transfer images, apk, audio, and video files using the app. The setup is very simple. Launch the app on both devices, and choose whether the device is going to send or receive the files. Just ensure that both devices are connected to the same wifi network. Download the app from the Google Play Store.
4. VLC Media Player
VLC is another free app for Android TVs. It is the most versatile media player for Phones and PC. And luckily it is also available for Android TVs. The app can open and play all types of audio and file formats. Since it is a free app, it is recommended to have it installed so that you can always watch through your collection of shows and movies without having to worry about anything.
The user interface for Android TV is simple and easy to navigate. If you have used Google’s Play Music app previously, VLC TV App follows a similar design. You can get the VLC app for free from the Google Play Store.
5. AirScreen
Now, if you are someone that has an Android TV that has no Apple AirPlay, it can be difficult to share your Apple device’s screen with the TV. This is where the AirScreen app comes into play. With the AirScreen app, you can simply AirPlay or Cast content from your iPhone or iPad to the Android TV. You just need to have both devices connected to the same wifi network.
The plus point is that you will not be required to install any app on your iPhone or iPad. Get the AirScreen app from the Play Store.
6. ABC
ABC is a popular American Television Network with a streaming service called ABC Streaming. And the app is available on the Play Store for Android TV / Google TV users, so users can watch their shows on a big size smart tv, some of the shows available on ABC Streaming include Modern Family, The Bachelor, and Grey’s Anatomy. In addition to TV shows, users can also watch movies, documentaries, and other programs.
One of the best things about ABC is, it is a commercial-free platform, so you can watch anything without any interruptions. You can also take advantage of the video-on-demand feature if you want. As the app is freely available on the Play Store, you can easily download it by tapping on this link or by searching ABC on the Play Store.
7. Sling
Sling lets you watch popular TV channels as well as your local ones right away. The plans for Sling TV start at $35 and can increase gradually based on the plans and add-ons you would like to choose. However, you need to note that only the premium content channels are paid.
With regards to the local TV Channels, you can watch them for free. However, to get access to the local channels, you will have to purchase an HD antenna that is sold separately. Once you have the antenna, you can tune and watch your local TV Channels right away. Sling TV is preferred because of the offers that you can avail of on your first month’s subscription. Here’s the link to the Play Store.
8. tvUsage
If you have an Android phone, you might have used the Digital Wellbeing feature. It is a feature that helps you to control the amount of time that you spend on your phone and also helps in restricting the usage of certain apps after you cross a certain limit. Well, if you have kids who have an Android TV either in the living room or in their bedroom, you can now control how much content they get to watch and for how long.
tvUsage is the Digital Wellbeing app for your Android TV. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store.
9. Plex
If you are someone that stores all their movies and tv shows on a media server, then Plex is what you need. Because this app lets you connect to your media server and will provide you details of your movies and tv shows as well as organize and arrange them perfectly. All you need to do is launch the app, connect the server and now you can watch your own collection of movies.
The app also lets you watch a number of movies and tv shows available within the app itself. There are also a good number of Live TV Channels that you can watch. These channels show you news, sports, entertainment, and everything else. Get it for free from the Play Store.
10. Sideload Launcher
The good part about owning an Android TV is that you can sideload Android apps. However, when you install them, you will not see them on your TV’s home screen, and that can be annoying. Thankfully, with the help of the Sideload Launcher which you can download from the PlayStore, is a launcher that will display all installed apps on your TV, just like a launcher on your Android mobile.
The TV launcher is available for free and is a must-have for those who sideload Android apps on their TV on a regular basis. Head here to get the app from the Google Play Store.
11. Projectivy Launcher
Projectivy Launcher is one of the best alternatives for the default launcher available on Android TVs. The launcher has the option to change the background wallpaper on the TV, shows all apps right on the home screen, a separate section for the mobile apps (the apps which are not optimized for TV), a section to select input, and a display settings section as well.
If you want to change the background, then there are three options – user-defined wallpaper, random Earth, Astrophotography, or Wallpaper from Reddit, and you can also go with plain background by choosing none. In launcher settings, you can hide time, app names, and sections, if you want, there are a lot of options for customization. You can download it from the Play Store for free.
12. iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio app lets you listen to the music, radio, and podcast, all for free, and the best thing is you can install it on your Android TV. The app has thousands of live radio stations, podcasts, and playlists. You can discover all AM and FM radio stations near you and from cities across the globe. Sports lovers can tune in to any of these stations to get updated scores – NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer, Golf, and Tennis.
The app has the option to change or control the playback speed – 0.5x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x. Talking about the other controls, then it has basic controls, a library section at the top, a search section, a home tab, and settings. You can freely install the iHeartRadio app from the Play Store, here’s the link to the app.
13. Some Other Streaming Apps
If you are looking for free movie apps for Android TV, this section is for you. There are a number of streaming services that you can install and watch content. However, if you wanted to watch content for free without having to pay any money whatsoever, there are actually a good number of streaming apps such as Peacock TV, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Tubi TV, Crackle, Vudu, and Xumo.
Most of these apps do not require you to register or create an account. However, some of them might require having an account. Well, these are free services and are supported by ads, which is good enough to watch a ton of free content. You can download all of these apps for free from Google Play Store.
14. Google Meet (formerly Duo)
Google Duo aka Google Meet needs no introduction, a famous video calling app now available on Android TV. Yes, you can install it right on your TV and pair a webcam to make video calls right from your big-screen television. These days some TVs come with a built-in webcam, whether your TV has a webcam or you paired it separately you can install Google Meet and make a video call to your family and friends or schedule a meeting.
The app lets you make a group video call with up to 100 participants. Speaking about the other features, then there’s a dedicated low-light mode for better quality, noise cancellation, Filters, AR masks, effects, and more. The app is compatible on Android TVs running on Android 8.0 Oreo or newer. It is freely available on the Play Store.
15. WeatherNation
If you want to know the latest happening about the weather in your locality, the best free tv app to get all of that information has to be the WeatherNation app. This is a must-have app as it has a wonderfully easy-to-use interface and it is free. Also, no Android TV has a built-in weather app, so this one does the job just right.
Get the app for your Android TV via the Google Play Store.
16. Aerial Views Screensaver
Do you leave your TV on for a long time? Well, you can simply turn it into a nice active display thanks to the Aerial Views Screensaver app. This is a screensaver app that you can install and play various kinds of aerial shots that have been captured in 4K. This kind of screensaver turns your TV into an enjoyable window to the world or can even be considered as a live canvas depending on what videos have been set as the background.
Since the videos are in 4K quality, you can also choose to download them locally to your device and then apply the videos as a screensaver. You can install the screensaver app from the Google Play Store.
17. Sparkle TV – IPTV Player
If you have any IP TV provider in your city or region, you can simply install Sparkle TV and get access to all of your favorite channels and streams right away. This IPTV lets you watch all your Live TV channels and also has an electronic program display to show you what programs are in line for the day.
Sparkle TV also lets you sort and categorize your channels, hide channels you do not want to view, and favorite the channels that you love. It also has a built-in DVR that lets you record shows automatically by setting up a specific recording time. You can also customize the look of the player with several built-in themes. Install Sparkle TV IP TV Player from the Google Play Store.
18. Kodi
If you are looking for an app that houses all your videos, live TV, audio, and everything else TV-related, then the Kodi app is for you. With the help of the Kodi app, you can easily add your favorite Live TV channels, and radio stations and even install add-ons of popular streaming services. The app also lets you see the weather forecast for whatever city you want.
While the Kodi store has many plugins for you to check out, you are free to install any third-party plugins of your choice. The only thing you need to note is that Kodi does not give you live TV channels. Those channels and radio stations need to be added by you manually. You can download Kodi for your Android TV as well as your smartphone from the Google Play Store.
Conclusion
This concludes the best apps for Google TV for free. Sure, we could add other apps like Netflix and similar ones, but then when the whole idea is to talk about free apps, these are the ten best pens out there. All of the apps mentioned in this list are essential and help improve your experience owning an Android TV. Have an app on your mind that is completely free but not on this list? Comment the apps down below and we’ll add them to this list.
Android TV Guides:
