How to sideload apps (APK files) on the Nexus Player or ADT-1

Since Android TV is Android-based, you can sideload just about any Android app you want. Now that doesn't guarantee that it will work properly. In fact chances are that it won't. However, if you're sporting an Air Mouse remote control or a USB Mouse, a lot of apps will be usable. The good news is that sideloading an APK is really easy. You don't have to connect your Nexus Player or ADT-1 to your computer and fumble around with ADB commands. It's so easy that my dog could do it. Well, maybe not, but I'm pretty sure you can so hit the break to get started.

1) Open the Google Play page for ES File Explorer on your desktop browser. This app will serve as the “heart and soul” for sending APK files to your device.

2) Click on Install, and then choose your device, which is either the Nexus Player or the ADT-1.

3) Click on Install again.

4) Assuming your Android TV device is turned on and connected to the internet, ES File Explorer will be downloaded and installed on the device within a couple of minutes.

5) Now open the Google Play page for Sideload Launcher for Android TV, again on your desktop browser. Since the majority of APK files won't be apps that are officially compatible with Android TV, they don't show up on the main launcher of the home page. You can access them through Settings > Apps, but Sideload Launcher makes it easier in that it's much quicker to access all the apps on your device, especially the ones that don't show on the main launcher.

6) Click on Install, and then choose your device, which is either the Nexus Player or the ADT-1.

7)  Click on Install again, and the app will be installed on your device within a couple of minutes.

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Now you're ready to install any APK you want.

1) Before you get started, you need to allow apps to be installed from “unknown sources.” Head into Settings…

2) Then scroll down to “Personal” and select “Security and Restrictions”

3) Make sure “Unknown Sources” is set to “On” and return to the main Home screen

4) Navigate to the Sideload Launcher app on your Android TV device (most likely all the way to the right) and select it

5) A window will pop up showing your installed apps. Select ES File Explorer.

6) Now the first thing you will notice is that the app might not display correctly (especially on the Nexus Player) in that some things are cutoff at the edges. The screenshots below don't reflect that. This okay since it's not an official Android TV app, but it's functional. I never said it was going to be beautiful :-). Using the arrow keys on your remote control or game controller, navigate to Network, which is on the left side. Select it and then choose Remote Manager.

7) You should see that you're connected to your network. At the bottom, choose Turn On.

8) The app will provide an ftp address that will be something like this…..ftp://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxx

9) Now go to your desktop PC and open “My Computer.”

10) Type the ftp address exactly as it's shown on your TV in the address bar at the top of the window.

11) You should now be connected to your Android TV device, and you will see a bunch of directories.

12) Your best bet is to simply use the Download folder, so double click on it.

13) Copy the APK file(s) to this directory.

14) Now go back to your Android TV device. Using your remote or game contoller, select Turn Off to turn off network sharing.

15) Using your remote or game controller, navigate to the left side and choose Local at the top.

16) Then choose Download as in the Download folder.

17) You will now see the APK file(s) that you copied over to your device.

18) Just select the one you want to install using your remote or game controller.

19) You will then see a popup asking you if you want to install. You will obviously select Install.

20) Now just accept any permissions and the app will be installed. You will then be given the opportunity to open the app right away if you wish. Either way, you will will be able to easily open it later, by going back to the Side Launcher app since it will most likely not show up on the main launcher.

As I mentioned earlier, you will probably need a USB mouse, Bluetooth Mouse, or some other remote control that features and Air Mouse for these apps to be functional.

Now it's time to go find some apps to install. Check out my guide on how to download APK files directly from the Play Store.

I hope this guide helped you. If I left anything out, please let me know.