How to Sideload Apps on the Google TV Streamer (Android TV 14) with the Downloader App

Published guide • Updated for Android TV 14

Google TV Streamer Sideload Guide

Sideloading applications on the Google TV Streamer is a quick and efficient way to expand your device's capabilities beyond the official Google Play Store catalog. By using the widely trusted Downloader by AFTVnews app, you can easily install third-party APKs.

Before you begin - Please READ

  1. This is a guide. You WILL need OUR downloader code for our apps.
  2. Downloader Code for Canada Android/Google TV: 9541379
  3. Downloader Code for USA Android/Google TV: 3078317
  4. Android Mobile App releasing soon.

Quick Guide

  1. Go to Settings > System > About
  2. Scroll down to “Android TV OS build” at the bottom and select it about 7 times until you see “You are now a developer!” appear at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Install “Downloader by AFTVnews” from the Google Play Store and use it to download your APK file.
  4. Once the file is done downloading, select the “Settings” button in the security message that appears.
  5. Toggle Downloader to “Allowed” on the “Install unknown apps” screen.
  6. Select “Install” when asked if you want to install the app you downloaded inside Downloader.
  7. Optional: Return to Downloader to delete the APK you downloaded as it’s no longer needed once the app is installed.

Detailed Guide

  1. Go to "Settings"

    Go to Settings

  2. Go to "System"

    Go to System

  3. Go to "About"

    Go to About

  4. Scroll to the bottom and repeatedly tap “Android TV OS build” until a “You are now a developer!” message appears.

    Enable Developer Options

  5. Install “Downloader by AFTVnews” from the Google Play Store.

    Install Downloader app

  6. Launch Downloader and download the APK file you want to install by entering a numeric short code, a search query, or the URL to a file or website into the text field.

    Launch Downloader and download file

  7. Once the download completes, select “Settings” on the security pop-up message that appears. Note: If Downloader displays a message saying “'Unknown Sources' is disabled” instead of the security pop-up appearing, it means you did not enable developer options correctly in step 4, so you should start the guide over.

    Security Settings message

  8. Select Downloader to toggle it to “Allowed” on the “Install unknown apps” screen.

    Toggle Downloader to Allowed

  9. Select “Install” on the message asking if you want to install the app you downloaded in Downloader. If a “Blocked by Play Protect” message appears instead, you need to select “Details” and then “Install anyway.” You can prevent such messages by disabling Play Protect under Settings > Privacy > Security. Note: If no install message appears, return to Downloader and select the app file you downloaded from the “Files” tab to make the install message appear.

    Install prompt

  10. Optional: Once the app is finished installing, you should select “Done” instead of “Open” so you can return to Downloader and delete the APK file you downloaded as it is no longer needed once the app has been installed.

    Delete APK file in Downloader

Accessing Sideloaded Apps

Keep in mind that sideloaded applications do not always display on the standard home screen layout. You can open them by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps, or by using a custom launcher utility.

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