How to Sideload Any App on Your Chromecast With Google TV

Google’snewest Chromecast donglehas a lot lead for it , including support for anincreasingly broadrange of apps . But despite being made by Google , you wo n’t find every Android app on the gimmick — just the ones that have been approved and tweak for big - screen economic consumption . If you want to install other apps and games , here ’s what you want to do .

If you ’re raw to the concept of sideloading , or putting apps on your Android gimmick that are n’t uncommitted through the official app stock , it ’s worth pointing out that you do it at your own risk . Whether you ’re sideloading apps on your phone or a Chromecast dongle , you ’re bypassing the common security protections that Google puts in property . Stick to trustworthy APK ( Android program Package ) libraries likeAPKMirrorand you should be OK , but there ’s always an extra element of risk .

You should also bear in idea that the app store on the Chromecast with Google TV is limited for a reason . Not every app works well on a television - sized silver screen controlled with piddling outside rather than a touchscreen , and you may see bug and crashes as you install apps that were n’t specifically made for the equipment you ’re using .

Don’t limit the apps you can install on your Chromecast.

Don’t limit the apps you can install on your Chromecast.Screenshot: Google

With those caution out of the way , it ’s clock time to protrude installing . sail toAPKMirroron your computer to download the belated edition of the app you want . Save it and you ’re quick to move it over to your Chromecast gimmick .

The easiest style , demand no extra computer hardware , is to move the APK into Google Drive and transfer it via the swarm . File Commanderis a popular tool for the job , which you may find if you go to the Apps tab on your Chromecast with Google TV , and then piece Search for apps . It have you graze local files on the Chromecast and files store in Google Drive , so it ’s perfect for this purpose .

Once File Commander is installed , you may join Google Drive via the Add Cloud entry on the main app menu ( Dropbox , Box and OneDrive are also defend if you do n’t desire to use Google Drive ) . After the link has been made , you ’ll be able to pilot to the APK you ’ve uploaded to the cloud .

You’re going to need a file manager.

You’re going to need a file manager.Screenshot: Google

You ’re not quite ready to install it yet though . First , you need to ground your Chromecast to accept apps that have n’t come straight from the Google Play Store . From the Chromecast home base screen , select your profile characterization ( top right ) , then preferences , System , and About . Go down to Android TV OS build and select it seven times in a quarrel to enable developer options on the gadget .

Go back to the primary configurations menu , then select Apps , Security & Restrictions , and Unknown source . Here you could add File Commander as an app that you trust to install other apps . With that done , you’re able to go back to File Commander , take the APK in your Google Drive account , and then choose Install . You ’ll also have the option to afford the app straight away , or you’re able to find it by and by in your master apps lean .

That ’s perhaps the most straightforward option for sideloading , and there are multiple swarm services and filing cabinet direction puppet you’re able to employ or else of Google Drive and File Commander . There is another choice , though , which might be preferred , which is to plug a USB - century hub into your Chromecast with Google TV .

Apps need to be approved before they can install APKs.

Apps need to be approved before they can install APKs.Screenshot: Google

You ’ll need one with pop off - through charging so that the dongle stay powered as well as the hub . Check the ware listings carefully or do some research before purchase a hub specifically for this purpose . You might also need to elevate the USB - C mogul source depending on how much you ’re planning to connect to the hub .

It may voice like a lot of extra employment when you could do everything wirelessly , but it means you could punch in a USB instant drive packed with APKs and sideload apps that way . you could also act local files from a flash thrust , associate to an Ethernet cable television service ( if your USB - hundred hub supports it ) , and more .

connect a USB - C hub to your Chromecast with Google TV dongle is a whole other project in itself in terms of what you’re able to do with it — you’re able to also attach a keyboard this way , for example — but as far as sideloading goes , it ’s another method acting to keep in psyche . It save you having to link up another app to your Google account at least , though you will still need a file manager of some description to get at the outside storage and open APKs .

Adding a USB-C hub plus external storage is another option.