Can you update your AndroidTV beyond the firmware updates provided by the manufacturer?

by iSailor

Hello everybody,

I've recently bought cheaply used Phillips TV that fits my needs perfectly (43PUS6501). The only problem is that it has been manufactured back in 2017. It was initially released with Android 6.0 and has been maintained up till Android 8.0. I can't update it beyond that version from the build-in updater.

And here comes my question. Can I update this to Android 12 in any way? Perhaps there is a way to download firmware for newer Philips TV and install it? Firstly, I'd like to connect my DualSense controller (which support was introduced in Android 12) and secondly, I don't feel comfortable having my Google account hooked up to an ancient version of Android. I wish I could do that, as apart from the OS, I totally love the TV.

latinriky78

That's why it's better to buy an smart TV different than Android TV and use an external box, you can replace the box once it reaches its life cycle with something new while keeping the same TV, recommendations for external certified Android TV or Google TV boxes and dongles are as follows:

CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES ONLY:

- AirTV Mini (More info at http://airtv.net/products )

- Directv Stream (More info at http://www.directv.com/stream/technology )

- Tivo Stream 4K (Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. More info at http://tivo.com/products/stream-4k )

- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at http://t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )

- Verizon Stream TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://verizon.com/home/accessories/verizon-stream-tv/ )

CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:

- Chromecast with Google TV (Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. more info at http://tv.google )

- Realme stick with Google TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://buy.realme.com/in/goods/426 )

- Mecool KD3 stick with Google TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)

- Dynalink TV dongle (More info at http://dynalink.life )

- Homatics Box R (More info at http://homatics.com )

- Homatic Box R 4K Plus (AV1 hardware decoding. Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. 32GB internal storage. More info at http://homatics.com )

- Mecool KD5 stick (AV1 hardware decoding. 1080p max resolution. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)

- Mecool KM2 Plus (AV1 hardware decoding. S905X4-B SoC for Dolby Digital Plus to Dolby Digital conversion. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)

- Nvidia Shield (The most expensive. Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. Gigabit ethernet. AI upscaling. Suitable for gaming. More info at http://nvidiashield.com )

- SkyStream Max (It's expensive. AV1 hardware decoding. 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. More info at http://skystreamx.com )

- Xiaomi Stick 4K (AV1 hardware decoding. Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. More info at http://www.mi.com/global/product/xiaomi-tv-stick-4k/ )

- Walmart Onn (More info at http://walmart.com )

CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH ONLY PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:

- Formuler GTV (Gigabit ethernet. Exclusive MYTVOnline2 app for IPTV. More info at http://formuler.tv/gtv )

WARNING!, ALTHOUGH MECOOL IS THE BEST OEM WHEN IT COMES TO RELEASING NEW DEVICES EVERY YEAR, THEY ARE THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO RELEASING FIRMWARE UPDATES TO FIX BUGS AND ISSUES, IF YOU DON'T MIND ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN GET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MODELS AT http://mecoolonline.com WHERE YOU CAN GET A 10% DISCOUNT WITH THE CODE "MECOOLBOX" AT CHECKOUT:

- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (AV1 hardware decoding)

- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM)

- Mecool KM7 (AV1 hardware decoding. 2GB/16GB and 4GB/64GB versions)

- Mecool KT1 (AV1 hardware decoding. DVB-T2/S2/C tuner built-in)

- Mecool Now (AV1 hardware decoding. Built-in camera and microphone for videoconferencing)

- Mecool KD2 stick (AV1 hardware decoding)

- Mecool HomePlus KA1 (AV1 hardware decoding. Built-in speaker. DVB-T2/C tuner built-in variant)

For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.

Drwankingstein

unfortunately the answer is usually"you can't" but you can check in XDA for your specific TV to see if a custom rom is available.

virmele

Short answer - no

Evenyx

No, but buy an Android box of some sort instead? I have a Shield which is pretty neat and hardware-wise suprerior to the TV in terms of app responsiveness etc.

vadimbz

Buy a TV box - latest Chromecast if you don't have money, Shield Pro if you do.

joshualoveslumia

Custom ROMs?

max1001

NO!