There is no shortage of good file manager for your Android smartphone. You get a bunch of solid file explorer on the Play Store like Files by Google and Solid Explorer etc. But when it comes to Android TV, the options are limited and some of them even seem to be unreliable at times. I spent my time testing a bunch of file explorers that are built natively for the Android TV OS and the good news is they also work smoothly with the Fire TV Stick and Mi Box as well. So, let's check out some of the best file managers for Android TV.
- Tv With Android Os
- Android Tv File Format
- Android Tv File Manager
- Android Tv File
- Android Tv File System
All the file explorer are optimized for Android TV (so you don't need mouse or keyboard) and of course, we do not include apps like ES File Explorer that compromises your privacy. Let's begin.
Use your voice to do more on your TV. Press the Google Assistant button and ask Google to search for the latest blockbuster, stream shows or open multiplayer games. Have it dim the lights by connecting smart home devices. Or ask it questions and see the answers right on your TV. I've never come across an Android TV box that didn't come pre-installed with either a file explorer or an app store. The manufacturers usually need one or the other to install their software. Once you install it, open it up just to make sure that there aren't any additional setup steps.
Read: Best Browsers for Android TV That Actually Works
Best File Managers for Android TV
1. File explorer
Let's start with the simplest one on the list. File Explorer. It's available on the Play Store and is just 6 MB. As its name suggests File Explorer is a simple yet effective file explorer which lets you open any file on your Android TV with a single click.
Once you open the app, you get five tabs: Device, APK, Music, Picture, and Video. Clicking on the ‘Device' tab will open all the files on your system, and the other tabs consist of the different file formats that can be a handy way to seek out files. The only downside is you can't do any other operation apart from opening files, for examples, if I have a bunch of files that I'll like to copy, move, upload to cloud, unfortunately, there is no option to do so.
Overall, file explorer is a simple file manager that should get things done with the limited use case. Try it out
Features
- Open all type of files
- Only 6 MB
Check out File explorer
2. File Commander
This one is another simple yet powerful file manager. FIle commander shows you similar looking options as you saw in the previous one, but it also has one special feature i.e. ‘PC File Transfer' which allows its users to access the Android TV contents on the desktop browser.
The major difference between the previous one and File Commander is the file management options, you can hold select on any file and cut, copy delete or move them to your desired location. File commander also allows connecting to cloud storage like Google Drive etc. But my favorite feature is the native dark mode.
File commander is free and you can upgrade to a pro version if you want, which unlocks various services like recycle bin, storage analysis and 50 GB of its own drive storage, etc.
Features
- One-click PC File Transfer
- Cut, Copy, Delete files
- Cloud Storage
- Dark Mode
Check out File Commander
3. Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer is simply the best when it comes to transferring data from primary storage to internal folders or even external drives such as thumb drive etc. Once you open Solid File Explorer you see a two-column layout of similar looking folders which is essentially the main interface of the app. You can directly open two folders on either side of the screen and copy from one side and paste to another. This makes complex tasks super simple and effective for example: copying APK files or videos from my Thumb drive to the internal storage becomes easier if I use the side by side view of the solid explorer.
Themes consist of the black theme along with onyx and dark themes as well. This is the only file manager that lets you hide your files. Solid Explorer is free with premium upgrade available do check it out
Tv With Android Os
Features
- Two-column layout
- Cut, Copy, Delete files
- Multiple Themes
- Cloud Storage like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive
Check Solid Explorer
Read: Chromecast vs FireStick vs Roku vs Android TV vs Apple TV – Which one to buy?
4. X-Plore
Xplore is one of those apps which might give you a negative impression at first due to its weird UI but eventually, the usability makes up for the UI and features makes up for the weirdness. Xplore lets you view files in a similar manner like Solid Explorer. It has some unique features like Hex code editors and root explorer (if you're into rooting your TV). You can also allow Xplore to directly open a window every time a thumb drive is inserted to your TV. You can also make your own Hidden files and folder by creating a Vault with password and copying files to it. Overall, if you can look past the ugly UI, it's one of the best free/no-ads file manager out there. Check it out.
Features
- Dark mode
- Cut, Copy, Delete files
- Hex code editors and Root explorer
- Automatically opens a window when the thumb drive is inserted
- Hidden Files and Folder
Check out X-Plore
5. Network Access
Finally, this one is not a file manager app for your Android TV rather, it uses the file explorer of your Windows or Mac to push files from computer to Android TV.
Android Tv File Format
To get this working, on your Shield or Android TV go to Settings > Storage and Reset > Storage Access and turn on Over local network. It will give you a username and password. Make note of that.
Now head over to your Windows PC on the same WiFi network and type ‘SHIELD' in File Explorer.
On Mac, head over to Go > Connect to Server and type ‘smb://SHIELD/'. Enter your username and password when prompted, and you will have access to all your device's files and folders. If you are on Mac, open finder and press Cmd +K, and type smb://SHIELD/, enter the username and password and there you go. Now, you can access your Android TV file manager from your Mac.
Best File Managers for Android TV
So those were some of the best file managers for your Android TV, that you can download them either using the native play store or 3rd party app stores like Aptoide TV. If you need a robust file manager for everyday use goes with Solid Explorer or X-Plore. The later one has weird UI but offers more options. On the other hand, if your rarely user file manager consider using Network Access feature to directly send files from your computer to your Android TV. Android tv file sharing. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments below.
Read: How to Install Chrome Browser on Android TV
The Android OS is conquering various platforms rapidly. It all began with smartphones, then the OS arrived in tablets and now it has made its debut in the Smart TV industry. The Android TV is one of the newer TVs to arrive in the market.
Android Tv File Manager
The variety of apps available for the Android TV platform is also growing rapidly. Unfortunately, a lot of Android TV owners don't know how to properly function it but, fear not for we are here to help. In this article, we will give you a complete walkthrough on how to install any Android app to you Android TV.
Downloading apps through Google Play Store and other similar app stores is a piece of cake. All you need to do is to follow the steps carefully without disturbing your Android TV and its OS during the process. Android TV and its functions are not hard at all.
This is the sole reason due to which Android TV protects its sinking ships because people who are not so tech-interested opted for this TV instead of the dynamic Apple TV.
Coming to our point, let's start with the simple method to install apps and games to your Android TV. And the easiest way is to download apps through Google Play Store.
5. Network Access
Finally, this one is not a file manager app for your Android TV rather, it uses the file explorer of your Windows or Mac to push files from computer to Android TV.
Android Tv File Format
To get this working, on your Shield or Android TV go to Settings > Storage and Reset > Storage Access and turn on Over local network. It will give you a username and password. Make note of that.
Now head over to your Windows PC on the same WiFi network and type ‘SHIELD' in File Explorer.
On Mac, head over to Go > Connect to Server and type ‘smb://SHIELD/'. Enter your username and password when prompted, and you will have access to all your device's files and folders. If you are on Mac, open finder and press Cmd +K, and type smb://SHIELD/, enter the username and password and there you go. Now, you can access your Android TV file manager from your Mac.
Best File Managers for Android TV
So those were some of the best file managers for your Android TV, that you can download them either using the native play store or 3rd party app stores like Aptoide TV. If you need a robust file manager for everyday use goes with Solid Explorer or X-Plore. The later one has weird UI but offers more options. On the other hand, if your rarely user file manager consider using Network Access feature to directly send files from your computer to your Android TV. Android tv file sharing. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments below.
Read: How to Install Chrome Browser on Android TV
The Android OS is conquering various platforms rapidly. It all began with smartphones, then the OS arrived in tablets and now it has made its debut in the Smart TV industry. The Android TV is one of the newer TVs to arrive in the market.
Android Tv File Manager
The variety of apps available for the Android TV platform is also growing rapidly. Unfortunately, a lot of Android TV owners don't know how to properly function it but, fear not for we are here to help. In this article, we will give you a complete walkthrough on how to install any Android app to you Android TV.
Downloading apps through Google Play Store and other similar app stores is a piece of cake. All you need to do is to follow the steps carefully without disturbing your Android TV and its OS during the process. Android TV and its functions are not hard at all.
This is the sole reason due to which Android TV protects its sinking ships because people who are not so tech-interested opted for this TV instead of the dynamic Apple TV.
Coming to our point, let's start with the simple method to install apps and games to your Android TV. And the easiest way is to download apps through Google Play Store.
How to Download Apps through Google Play Store:
The easiest alternative to installing apps on the Android TV is through the popular, pre-installed Google Play Store. Here is how:
Go to your Home Screen, scroll down and search the 'Apps Row'.
- Search and opt for the 'Play Store' option.
- After clicking on the Play Store, you can browse and search apps all by yourself;
- SEARCH: In order to search the app, you want to download scroll to the top most part of your screen. Tap on the 'Search' icon or press the voice search option to order manually through your remote. Now after choosing your desired option, speak or type your desired search.
- BROWSE: If you do not have a specific game or an app in mind, you can browse through different sections to download the app which attracts you most. Move up and down to review different groupings. When you reach to the category per your choice, move to the right to view desired items.
- After deciding the app you want to install, select the item to install directly or purchase.
- If the apps are free, you can download them directly, otherwise, you will have to pay through Google Wallet. Set up your account, if you haven't. Add the form of payment you are comfortable with, and buy the app.
Things to Rememeber:
Try call of duty for free. Before downloading the games and apps, you should keep these important points in mind;
Android Tv File
- Some of the games need a gamepad to play and perform perfectly. Such games will be mentioned in Play Store under the separate option of 'Gamepad Games'.
- Most of the people confuse Android TV with the products of Google and Google Play. Although, Google services are the major part of the TV but they are not an essential tools provider. Hence, some content like Google Play Books and Google Play Newsstand are not viewable on Android TV.
- Android TV allows you to listen to the Google Play Music. But you are not allowed to purchase any kind of music or to register yourself on All Access.
Android TV is a good platform for all the newbie Smart TV fans. But, the major problem is that it has very little number of apps, games and other entertainment related content to download when to compare to similar other TVs present in the market. Even Ruko and Amazon TV have better apps as compared to Android TV. But, the big plus here is that Android has always made it easy for the users to do whatever they want.
Some of the times apps show you the warning that certain game is not compatible with your Android TV and you cannot download it. The easiest method in such circumstances is to download the applications through sideloading them. Here's how;
How to Install Apps through Sideloading:
- Download 'Sideload Launcher' app from the Google Play Store.
- Go to your Home screen. Scroll to the bottom and find 'Apps' From there slide and find the 'Sideload Launcher' app.
- Open the app and it will show you all the downloaded content that is sideloaded to your Android TV.
- All the mentioned apps in this section can be opened through Android TV remote, regardless of the fact that they were working prior or not.
- Under the sideload folder, there would be an 'ES File Explorer'. It would be present there, and if not go and download from Play Store.
- Open ES File Explorer. Select 'Network' option and then select 'Cloud'. Under the cloud option, you will see a bunch of different cloud services including Dropbox, Drive etc.
- Now, select whichever cloud storage option you like. Sign-in to your desired service.
- Go to the Google on you Web or whatever device is connected. Search the app or game you want to download. Keep in mind that the app should be with 'apk' After finding the apk file, download it.
- Position the downloaded apk game file to your Cloud Storage folder. Now select Cloud Storage through Android TV through ES File Explorer. Now you will be able to see the downloaded apk file there.
- After that, install that app and there would pop up an error. Go to the Settings option, select Security and checkmark on Unknown Resources. After it is down, press install again. Now the application will download successfully.
- Now hop on to the main screen again, select the sideload launcher and see you desired app resting there. That's it.
This is the gruesome and excruciating download method summed up into easy steps. If, unfortunately, you are unable to get your app through Play Store you now know what to do. Well, we have made it very easy for you. Gear up and install the apps on your Android TV. Also, we got through this hell of a method to explain to you how to download. Don't we deserve a bit of gratitude? Seriously, Don't we?
How to install any Android app to Android TV Video Walkthrough:
Android Tv File System
