It is of little use to have a TV with Android TV at home - or connected to a TV Box - if not apps are installed to help you to exploit it at meglio.
Don't panic if you haven't done so yet, with the help of this list you can find out the best free apps for Android TV and TV Box that you can currently download and install.
As with your mobile, these applications will allow you to expand the possibilities of the device to be able to change its interface, play, transmit and manage multimedia contents or even surf the Internet.
Clear examples are Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, Twitch, Google Chrome or Google Drive, apps that we all know and that you can also install on your android tv or tv box.
In addition to these popular applications, on your Android TV you can exploit also features of other free apps which we will talk about below.
These are the best free apps that you can install on Android TV and TV Box.
The best pitchers
An Android launcher is used to launch applications installed on the device, also allowing you to change the visual appearance and behavior of the home screen.
If the Android TV launcher doesn't convince you, you should know that you can change it with the following free apps.
Home square home pitcher
Square Home is one of the most popular launchers for Android TV.
One of the most curious launchers you can use to change the visual appearance of your Android TV or Android box is Square Home.
This free app is for integrate the Windows 10 user interface in the device, aspect that you will master if in recent years you have used a PC with this system.
If you don't like the details, you can easily change them with the multiple customization options that the Square Home launcher offers you.
For example, it is possible change the background image or the colors of the interface.
Sideload launcher
Sideload Launcher allows you to install apps that aren't on Google Play on your Android TV.
This launcher called Sideload adds a very, very useful feature to your Android TV: install apps that are not available on Google Play.
Actually, what Sideload does is show you apps that don't appear on Android TV Home because they aren't 100% compatible.
Thanks to this launcher, you can access it and test its operation.
Simple TV launcher
Simple TV Launcher turns your Android TV into something easier to use.
If you are one of those who they don't use many apps on android TV, we recommend Simple TV Launcher.
This free app changes the default design to a much simpler one than ti show the 6 apps you use the most.
You have the task of choosing those 6 applications to which you will have direct access from the main screen.
Besides, you can also change the background for other images.
The best file explorers
What good is having a lot of multimedia files if you can't find them? Next, find out what are the best free apps you can use on Android TV for explore files stored on your device.
Xplore File Manager
With Xplore File Manager you will be able to explore and manage files on Android TV.
One of the best file managers and explorers for Android TV is Xplore File Manager, which you can download for free.
Compatible with a large list of file formats, with this app you can also play music and read PDF files.
Without a doubt, X-Plore File Manager is a great option to browse to the last file stored on your device.
The best media players
Getting the most out of your Android TV or TV Box is synonymous with using a good multimedia content player. Our recommendations are as follows.
VLC
VLC, one of the best video players for Android
In Andro4all we have already told you on several occasions about VLC, which we consider to be the best player for Android.
Among its advantages we find that it is free and that it can play countless formats, come MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, Ogg, FLAC, TS e M2TS.
Design, usability and security are other features that make it recommended to be installed on your Android TV if you want to play archived multimedia files without problems.
Kodi
Kodi is a multimedia center for your Android TV.
Kodi is a free app for Android with which you can organize your entire library and play the multimedia files you keep inside.
Videos, music, podcasts and images are some of the file types you can open thanks to this app.
Plus, as we explained in our Kodi mega guide, you can install "add-ons" to add extra features to the app, such as watching streaming content.
MX Player
MX Player is characterized by being a very customizable app.
Another well-known player for Android is MX Player, which is characterized by its extensive customization options.
Furthermore, MX Player supports any kind of video format and is also compatible with most subtitle formats, eat DVD, DVB, SSA, SRT, SUB or IDX.
Let's go back to the subject of personalization to tell you that you can easily change the style of this player and modify the buttons that appear on the screen, all without losing the simplicity of use that characterizes it.
In short, MX Player is a complete media player that you can install for free.
Other great free apps for Android TV and TV Box
Although they do not belong to the above categories, the following apps will also be of great help to you to make the most of your Android TV or Android box.
Airscreen
AirScreen is an app for casting multimedia content to your TV.
In safety and with broad compatibility, this is the broadcast content thanks to the free AirScreen app.
You do not need cables to see your mobile screen on television if you use this application, which is also used to record the screen content.
Thanks to encrypted transmission, you can rest assured while streaming your private content, as no one will be able to access it.
puffino tv
With your Android TV you can also browse the web, and this is allowed by this free browser called Puffin TV.
It is a browser optimized for Android TV, so you won't find the typical usability issues of apps that aren't suitable for installing on TVs.
TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN helps you protect your privacy on Android TV.
An essential tool on your Android TV is TunnelBear VPN, which helps you to hide your geographic location and therefore to protect your privacy.
Plus, with a VPN you can avoid geographical restrictions and access the websites of other countries.
