Key Highlights
- Install APK File using USB Drive: Copy the APK file on the USB flash drive and insert it into your TCL Smart TV to install the APK file.
- Download USB File using Downloader: Install the Downloader tool on your TCL Smart TV and follow the on-screen prompts to get the APK file.
- Install APK file using Android: Install the Send Files to TV app on TCL Smart TV and Android devices and follow the prompts to install the APK file.
- Download APK using Web browser: Open the web browser on your TCL Android TV and navigate to the respective website to install the APK file.
There is a curated collection of applications available on TCL Smart TV to install directly without any issues. As TCL TV is running on different operating systems, you can’t install every single app directly from the app store. In such cases, you can install the APK file for the respected app on your TCL Smart TV to access the content hassle-free.
APK files can be installed using a USB drive, third-party applications, and web browsers. However, the installation procedure will vary according to the operating system that your TCL Smart TV is running on. In this article, we’ll guide you to the possible ways to sideload the APK file on your TCL Smart TV in the blink of an eye.
How to Install APK on TCL Smart TV using USB Flash Drive
Using the USB flash drive, you can copy the APK file from your smartphone and install it on your TCL Smart TV.
Before You Sideload on TCL TV
Before installing the APK file on your TCL Smart TV, you must download the apk on your PC and copy the APK file onto a USB flash drive.
1. Navigate to the respective website and install the APK file from a web browser on your Windows PC.
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2. After that, plug the USB flash drive into the USB port of your PC.
3. Open the file and copy the APK file to the USB drive.
4. Now, eject the USB drive and insert it into the USB port of your TCL Smart TV.
Install APK on TCL Android TV
1. After plugging the USB flash drive, turn on your TCL Smart TV.
2. Press the Home button on your TCL remote control and navigate the home screen.
3. After that, select the Settings option.
4. Then, scroll down and choose the Apps section.
5. Click the TV Guard option to proceed further.
6. From the next screen, click App Manager.
7. Select Install from USB and choose your Disk.
8. Now, choose the APK file you want to download and click the OK button.
9. Finally, the APK file begins to download on your TCL Android TV.
10. Once downloaded, navigate back and select the Apps section from the Settings menu to view the installed apk file.
Select the app to launch on your TCL TV to access the respective content.
Download APK on TCL Google TV
Installing an APK file on your TCL Google TV is quite similar to Android TVs. Follow the below prompts to download and access the APK file on your TCL Googe TV.
1. Insert the USB flash drive into the TCL Smart TV.
2. Power on your TCL Smart TV and navigate to the home screen.
3. From the home screen, click the TV Guard option.
4. After that, click App Manager on your TCL Google TV.
5. Further, click Install from USB and choose the Disk.
6. Now, choose your APK file from the available options and click OK.
7. Now, the respective APK will be installed on your TCL Google TV.
8. After installing the app, navigate back to the TV Dashboard and select the Apps section.
9. Click See All Apps to view and manage the installed APK on your TCL Google TV.
Get APK on TCL Fire TV
Unlike Android and Google TVs, you must install the ES File Explorer tool on your TCL Fire TV to install the APK file.
1. Install the ES File Explorer on your TCL Fire TV.
2. After that, navigate to Settings → Device → About → and select Developer Options.
3. Make sure to enable ADB Debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources.
4. Enable the ES File Explorer option.
5. After enabling the option, insert the USB drive on your TCL Fire TV and open the ES File Explorer app.
6. From there, locate your APK file coped on your USB flash drive.
7. Click Install to download the APK app on your TCL Fire TV.
How to Install Third-Party APK on TCL Smart TV Via Downloader
Instead of using the USB flash drive, you can also install the Downloader tool to sideload any application on your TCL Smart TV without using a USB drive.
Note: You can’t use the Downloader tool to sideload apps on your TCL Roku TV.
1. Launch your TCL Smart TV (Android, Google, or Fire TV) and navigate to the respective home screen.
2. Open the respective app stores and install the Downloader app on your TCL Smart TV.
Note: After Installing the Downloader app, you must enable the respective settings on your TCL Smart TV to sideload the application.
3. Follow the below prompts to enable Unknown Sources on your TCL Smart TV:
- TCL Android/Google TV: Go to the home screen and select Settings → Device Preferences → choose Security & Restrictions → Unknown Sources → Downloader → turn On.
- TCL Fire TV: Navigate the home screen and select Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps → Downloader → turn On.
4. After enabling the settings, open the Downloader application on your TCL Smart TV.
5. Click Allow to access the files on your smart TV and tap OK.
6. Click the URL field on the Downloader box and paster the respective APK’s URL.
7. Click the Go button to start the download.
8. Wait for a few minutes to install the APK file on the Downloader app. Once installed, the APK is ready to install on your TV.
9. Tap the Install button to download the app on your TCL Smart TV.
10. Once installed, click Open to launch and access the app on your TCL Smart TV.
Note: Similar to the Downloader, you can also use the ES Files Explorer tool to install the APK file on your TCL TV.
Installing APK on TCL Smart TV from Android
Using the Send Files to TV application, you can install APK files on your TCL Smart TV using your Android smartphone.
1. Install the Send Files to TV application from the Play Store on your TCL Android TV and Android smartphone.
2. Once installed, open the app on both devices and follow the on-screen prompts to catch up to the home screen.
3. Make sure to connect both devices to the same WiFi network.
4. After that, click the Receive option on your TCL Smart TV.
5. Further, fetch your smartphone and select the Send option.
6. Choose the respective APK file and select your TCL Android TV from the list of available devices.
7. Now, the respective APK file will be stored in the Downloads folder on your TCL TV.
8. Select the respective file on the Send Files to TV app on your TCL Android and TV and install it.
9. Once installed, go to the See all Apps section to open and access the APK file on your TCL Smart TV.
How to Install APK on TCL Android TV using Web Browser
1. Switch on your TCL Android TV and navigate to the home screen.
2. Click the Apps section.
3. Scroll through and select the web browser (Firefox, Google Chrome, and others).
4. Select the search bar and navigate to the respective website to install the APK file.
5. Click the Download button link to install the APK file on your TCL TV.
6. Once downloaded, select the APK file and click the Install button to download the APK file on your TCl Android TV.
Can I Install APK Fles on TCL Roku TV?
No, as Roku is a closed operating system, you can’t install APK files on your TCL Roku TV. Instead, you can install the APK file on your Android smartphone or PC to screen mirror the content to your TCL Roku TV to access the respective content.
Can’t Install APK on TCL Smart TV – Best Fixes
If you have issues installing the APK file on your TCL Smart TV, don’t worry. System glitches and temporary bugs are the major causes of the issue. So you can follow the below troubleshooting guide to fix issues regarding TCL TV.
- Check the USB Flash Drive: While sideloading an APK file, make sure the USB drive is connected to your TV’s USB port properly.
- Check the Internet Connection: If you’re using the Downloader tool, ensure your TCL Smart TV is connected to a standard WiFi network with a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps.
- Restart the Device: If your TCL TV is corrupted by bugs and glitches, you can proceed with a simple restart to fix the issue.
- Update the Firmware: If the firmware is outdated, update your TCL Smart TV to its latest version to fix the issue.
- Reset the Device: Finally, you can proceed with a factory reset on your TCL Smart TV to revert the system settings to their factory defaults.
FAQ
Yes, you can install APK files on your TCL Smart TV using a USB drive and third-party applications.
Uisng the Downloader app and enabling the respective settings on your TCL Smart TV, you can install unknown apps.
Yes, you can install the TCL app store apk on your Android smartphone to control your TV without using a remote control.
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