How to sideload an app on Android TV or Google TV with the Downloader app

Not every app you want is in the Play Store. Sideloading — installing an app from a file instead of the store — sounds technical, but on Android TV it's a two-minute job with a free app called Downloader. Here's the whole process.

What you need

• An Android TV, Google TV, or Chromecast with Google TV device.
• The Downloader app by AFTVnews, free in the Play Store on your TV.
• The numeric code for the app you want. For Sipario it's 5358756.

Step by step

1. On your TV, open the Play Store and install Downloader. Open it once so it's ready.
2. The first time, Downloader will ask for permission to install apps. Allow it — you can find this later under Settings → Apps → Security, if you need to.
3. On the Downloader home screen there's a text field. Type the code 5358756 and select Go.
4. Downloader fetches the app file and, when it finishes, shows an Install button. Select it, then Done.
5. That's it. Sipario is now in your apps list. You can delete the downloaded file when Downloader offers to, to save space.

The code 5358756 always points at the current Sipario build, so you never have to hunt for the right file. After this first install the app updates itself.

No Downloader? Use the browser

If you're setting up from a phone or laptop instead, every download link lives at sipario.tv. On the TV, the Downloader code is simply the fastest path because typing a short number with a remote beats typing a URL.