Quick Links
Most new TVs are smart TVs, so you likely have one at home. While you likely use it for playing games on your console or watching movies or shows on your favorite streaming platform, TV channel, or cable subscription, did you know that it can do so much more?
These are the apps every smart TV should install straight away.
1BrowseHere
No attribution is required; sourced from composite image screenshot and Unsplash
URL:Flat screen TV photo – Free Interior Image on Unsplash
A smart TV is a computer. While it isn’t as powerful as your phone, tablet, or laptop, you can still do basic tasks like browsing the internet. And since most smart TVs also have Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair it with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and you have a full-fledged internet surfing device with a giant screen.
So, if you want to do this, you should install TCL’s BrowseHere app, a browser specifically designed for TVs and is made by TCL, the maker of the absolutely massive115-inch TCL QD-Mini LED TV. Nevertheless, you can install it on other Google TV products to browse the internet.
While you can use this app with your TV’s remote, we still recommend getting one ofthe best wireless miceandwireless keyboardsfor your convenience. And since most tablets and laptops have Bluetooth as well, you can also use these accessories with your other devices.
Download:BrowseHere(Free)
2Spotify / YouTube Music
No attribution is required; sourced from Unsplash / Jowi Moralescomposite image
URL:Black flat screen tv turned on near brown brick wall photo – Free Riyadh saudi arabia Image on Unsplash
Although Bluetooth speakers are great for parties and all, did you know you’re able to install Spotify or YouTube Music on your smart TV? That way, you can just turn on your TV and start playing music directly from it instead of letting your phone do all the playing when you’re hosting a party.
Doing this will help you set the mood for your gathering without having to fiddle around with your gear. If youbuild a budget home theaterin your house, you could take advantage of your system’s better speakers for playing music.
Using your smart TV to play music will also help you add more life to your home, even if you’re alone. For example, if you’re cooking and following the video recipe on your tablet, you can have Spotify or YouTube Music playing along in the background without interfering with the video you’re watching.
Download:Spotify(Free) /YouTube Music(Free)
3Steam Link
One of the reasons you buy a large TV is to enjoy your games on it. However, not everyone has a gaming console, especially those whoswitched from console to PCgaming or those who grew up with a gaming PC and have never owned a console. And while you can always install your gaming desktop or laptop in your living room and play your games there, it’s often not the best room where you can place your PC.
So, if you want to play games on a large screen but don’t want to move your gaming PC, you should install Steam Link on your TV. WhileSteam Link is primarily used to play Steam Games on your smartphone, you’re able to also use it to play games on a smart TV. But if you plan to do that, we recommend connecting a Bluetooth controller or using a wireless keyboard and mouse setup since playing games with a remote controller is next to impossible.
While you need a robust internet connection to enjoy your games via Steam Link, you’re able to use this instead of dropping hundreds of dollars on a console to enjoy gaming on your smart TV.
Download:Steam Link(Free)
4VLC for Android
Most of us enjoy our entertainment via streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or YouTube. However, there may be times when you want to watch videos that you own rather than those from a streaming service. If that is the case, you need to install VLC for Android on your TV.
VLC does more than just play videos that you load on your smart TV, as it can also access video and music files you’ve stored elsewhere, like your local network or even via an FTP server. You can also use it to play music files locally. So, if you have music and videos stored on a USB drive or an external drive, and you want to watch them on your TV, you should install VLC for Android.
Download:VLC for Android(Free)
5Google Meet
Although nothing beats meeting your family and friends in person, that may not often be possible. So, the next best thing is to contact them via video call on your smart TV. The larger screen will make you appreciate seeing them more, instead of having to settle for the small display on your smartphone or tablet.
However, to use this effectively, you need a smart TV with a microphone and camera. If your TV doesn’t have one built in, you can attach a USB webcam, and you can then start using your smart TV to call your family and friends via Google Meet.
Download:Google Meet(Free)
6Apple TV App
If you do not have an iPhone or any other Apple device, you likely won’t consider subscribing to Apple TV+. This is especially true as the Apple TV app is not available on Android phones, Android tablets, or Chromebooks. While Apple kept its streaming platform app exclusive to iOS and iPadOS, it knew that the Apple TV market share was small compared to Android or Google TV, so it made the Apple TV app available on other smart TV platforms.
Download:Apple TV(Free)
If you’re confused with some of Apple’s terms, check out our explanation ofthe differences between Apple TV, Apple TV+, and the Apple TV App.
These are the apps you need to install on your smart TV to get the most out of it. While smart TV’s are notoriously slow compared to other devices, the convenience of having these apps readily available on your TV will make entertainment much easier and might even make you use your TV more often.
