Sideloading...is there much of a point?

by Phaedrusnyc

Recently got an Android TV and since I've been using Android phones and tablets forever I figured there wouldn't be much of a learning curve. Immediately added file transfer and management apps and followed all the appropriate steps to sideload about 15 apps I'm used to from both my phone and from my previous Roku and...a grand total of one app functioned. I tried to solve the frequent orientation problems with a separate app, which helped that issue. But it seems almost all of them these days are designed strictly for touchscreen tapping and it seems pretty much impossible to move a cursor or even find one so you can click on things. Am i missing something? Is there yet another fix I should be trying? Or should I just accept that sideloading doesn't really do anything except waste time?

pawdog

You're not missing anything except it's not a phone and not built to do what you do with a phone. What are you wanting to with that many non TV apps?

RobsterCrawSoup

As you said, most Android apps that do not already have an Android TV version are built around a touch screen interface and it often isn't going to be worth trying to make it work. Sometimes with my keyboard and trackpad, it works ok (Corsair K83), sometimes using the nvidia shield app for control and navigation works better, other times it is hopeless.

I have a number of apps sideloaded, but relatively few get lots of use. I have MS Remote Desktop Client, Chrome, Wagic and some other apps that I hardly ever use, but the sideloaded apps that have been great are Zoom, Teams, and Duo (before the TV version was available). I have an nvidia Shield TV Pro (2019) so it has the USB ports. I plugged in a Logitech webcam and we've been able to have video calls with family and friends mostly for our kids right in front of the big screen. I certainly love having the option to sideload, but realistically, other than the video-calling (which isn't an option for most android TV users) I think it is best to be content with the Android TV app ecosystem.

ThisIsNotAClue

I haven't used my sideloaded apps in a couple years, but they were hit or miss. I plugged a mouse into my TV's USB port to create/control a cursor.

richhh01

This is why an air mouse is essential.

robjpod

There are some fun apps such as SmartTube Next which gives you more options that the standard YouTube app. Side loading older app versions in case you accidentally updated and don’t like the results. Before an app makes it to the tv side, example certain VPN providers I’ve had success with. Apple has not licensed Apple TV yet to Shield TV but it’s a go on The Amazon side of Android.