Installing .apk files on Android TV over ADB

  1. Launching ADB and activating USB debugging on Android TV
  2. Launching ADB on Windows
  3. Activating USB Debugging on your Android TV and getting the device IP address
  4. Installing the .apk via ADB

Launching ADB and activating USB debugging on Android TV

First, you will need to download SDK Platform Tools to install apps over ADB for Windows. You can download SDK Platform Tools here.

Launching ADB on Windows

After you download SDK Platform Tools you will need to extract files (folder) from there. When you extract files (folder), you need to open extracted folder. After you open the extracted folder, click on free space in the Address bar of File explorer; then, when the File path is shown, type cmd and press ENTER on your keyboard. This will launch cmd (Command Prompt) inside the folder, and in this way, ADB is started.

Activating USB Debugging on your Android TV and getting the device IP address

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Device Preferences.
  3. Open the About part.
  4. Scroll down and tap on the Build repeatedly until you see a message You are now a developer!
  5. Now, when you become a developer, go back to the Device Preferences screen, and find and open Developer options.
  6. Find the USB debugging option and enable it by tapping the toggle button.
  7. Navigate back to the Settings screen and open Network & internet.
  8. After you open Network & Internet screen, tap on the connected Wi-FI network and remember the device’s IP address below the IP address section.

Installing the .apk via ADB

  1. In previously opened cmd (Windows), type adb start-server and press Enter on your keyboard. This will start the ADB server.
  2. Now, you will need to connect your PC to your Android TV device. Make sure that your devices are connected to the same network.
  3. In opened cmd or Terminal, type adb connect device_ip_address (example: adb connect 192.168.31.35) and press Enter on your keyboard.
  4. Now type in cmd, adb devices and press Enter; this will list devices connected to your PC, and make sure that your device is on the list.
  5. To install the app, you must type the following command: adb install file_path_to_the_apk and press Enter on your keyboard. After you press Enter on your keyboard, you should see the info message Performing Streamed Install. Now wait a bit, and when you see the info message Success, you will know that your app was successfully installed.
  6. Find a previously installed app on your TV and start exploring!