TCL android TV - Is there any good setup tips, tweaks I can do.

by darklighthim

I recently got a cheap TCL TV with android TV built into it, for use in a bedroom where the TV doesn't need to be high-end or fancy but having built in chromecast and some smart features was preferable.

Is there a good way to change the layout? I don't like having to scroll horizontally through countless apps I have or will have installed .

What's the best way to sideload apps and manage them?

Is there any good tweaks I can do to make the most out of Android on my TV?

Finally are there any 'must have' apps I should get? I currently have solid file explorer so I can access my NAS and in case I need it for anything else.

atifsh

They're not countless they are fav list. It's android tv navigation screen and to see all apps you use app drawer.

Gongui

The only useful app I can recommend is smartyoutubetv which is YouTube client that blocks ads and lets you change the playback speed. It doesn't replaces the original YouTube app, you will need that for casting and using Google assistant to play YouTube videos.

You can also remap some of the buttons of the control installing a remapper from Play store.

You can enable android debugging (it works through wifi) and delete apps you don't care about like the security app, streaming services you don't use.

Tcl releases firmware updates from time to time, but there are (almost) weekly updates you can download and install using an USB drive that fix (and maybe add) bugs.

You can check XDA for that.

davpad12

Get 'sideloader' in the play store, then get 'filelinked' . Find the TVZion Facebook support page, follow the basic setup how-to units, do everything they tell you. You'll be able to watch everything you want free and legal.

davpad12

🤣 You can downvote me all you want, it's not going to change anything. You asked a question, I gave an answer, you don't have to like it, agree with it, or follow it. But you're not entitled to your own facts.