Android smartphone shares very similar features to android tv but still they have some major differences. Android TV and smartphones offer support for the google play store but the app collection is very different. On android smartphones, we get tons of useful apps which we can use on any smartphone but on tv choices are very limited.
On Android TV we only get some popular streaming apps and games. I try to install smartphone apps and games which are not officially available on the android tv play store. To use these android smartphone apps on tv, we need to connect the mouse and keyboard. You can use any keyboard or mouse, all types of USB-wired and wireless mice and keyboards are compatible with android tv.
After installing a couple of smartphone apps, I realised that android tv is far more capable than just streaming videos on tv. We can use the tv for office and personal work, from editing documents to ordering food, we can explore many features on android tv. So let’s check out some interesting apps you can use on any android tv.
Mailing Apps
Gmail
You can use a dedicated Gmail app on Android TV to send and receive emails. The Gmail app needs no introduction, as it is one of the popular mail services which offers several useful features. On Android TV UI feels super smooth I didn’t notice any lag or jitter while using this app on the TV. All the essential functions are working properly from attaching files to reply emails.
Download Gmail App For Android TV
Outlook
Outlook is another popular mailing app developed by Microsoft. This app includes an email, calendar, task manager, and contact manager. The Outlook email app allows users to send and receive emails, manage their email accounts and calendars, and keep track of tasks and contacts. It is available as part of Microsoft Office and as a standalone application on Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Now you can use the app Outlook app on your android tv too.
Download Outlook App For Android TV
Messaging Apps For Android TV
Telegram
Now you can use the Telegram app on android tv, this messaging app is very similar to popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos, and other files to individual contacts or groups of contacts. Telegram is known for its focus on security and privacy, offering features like end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages. It is available for free on a variety of platforms, from windows pc to android tv. You can use this app on the popular platform.
Download Telegram App For Android TV
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, and other files to individual contacts or groups of contacts. It is one of the most popular messaging app available worldwide. On android tv, you can simply log in with your mobile number and access all your contact and messages on android tv.
Download Whatsapp for Android TV
Discord
Discord is a communication platform that allows users to create and join virtual “servers” where they can communicate with others through voice, video, and text. It is primarily used by gamers but has also become popular in other online communities.
On Discord, users can create and join channels dedicated to specific topics, such as a particular game or hobby, and participate in voice and text conversations with others within the channel. Discord also has a variety of features, such as the ability to send direct messages to other users, share files and images, and create custom emotes (small graphics used in chat).
Download Discord App For Android TV
Social Media Apps
Reddit is a social media platform where users can submit content such as text posts, links, images, and videos. On Android TV you can use this app to check out posts and upvote or downvote content to based on your preferences.
Download Reddit App For Android TV
Instagram needs no introduction this social media app is very popular to share photos and videos. Now you can use this app on android tv, you can use the mouse to navigate on UI. From liking pictures, commenting on posts and direct messaging features all are usable on android tv.
Download Instagram App For Android TV
The Facebook app which is officially available on the android tv play store offers very limited features, we can only use the app to watch Facebook videos. So, sideloading the smartphone Facebook app is the perfect option as we can use this app to check notifications and messages and post directly from android tv.
Download Facebook App For Android TV
Photos Viewer
Google Photos
Now you can use the google photos app on android tv, this app works great. It is also compatible with an android tv remote so you can easily navigate photos and videos. With this app you can check out all your google photos in one place, we don’t need to share videos or photos on tv.
Download Google Photos App For Android TV
Canva
Canva is a great design tool that allows users to create and edit photos for social media posts, presentations, posters, and more. It offers a wide range of pre-designed templates and design elements, as well as intuitive tools for editing and customizing designs. I have used this app on android tv and it worked perfectly from uploading photos to making changes to the poster designs, all features work perfectly.
Download Canva App For Android TV
Shopping
Amazon Shop
With the amazon app, you can directly order any products directly from android tv. This app also offers amazon mini tv, where watch hundreds of free mini-series, tv shows and movies are available to watch for free in high quality. This app is exclusively available for smartphones, by using this app on tv we can explore all the exclusive content on android tv.
Download Amazon Shop App For Android TV
Zomato
Zomato is one of the popular food ordering platforms which is available in various countries around the world. This app allows you to order food directly on tv, the only thing you need to enter the address manually as android tv does not offer inbuilt GPS.
Download Zomato App For Android TV
Microsoft Office
I have used Microsoft Office on android tv and surprisingly it works perfectly, from editing documents to sharing files with colleagues everything works great. You can use this app to create and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, presentations. With Microsoft Office 365, you can access their Office applications and documents from any device with an internet connection, making it a convenient and flexible way to work and collaborate.
Download Microsoft Office App For Android TV
Web Browser
You can use almost all the popular web browsers on android tv. Microsoft Edge to firefox all the smartphone browsers work great on android tv. You might be wondering why we need to install a web browser on tv. Typing any website, email or password isn’t that easy on tv. So, you can use any of your preferred browsers and sync all your web history, email and password. I have made a how-to guide to install a popular web browser on any android tv, you can check it out here best web browser for android tv.
Download Edge Browser On Android TV
If you are not familiar to install apps on android tv, then this post will help you:-
Previously I have covered some android smartphone games which work perfectly on any android tv. If you like to play games on android tv then I would highly recommend you to check out
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