Nvidia Shield is an Android TV device that has been around for a few years now, and many people still use it as their primary streaming device. However, it has some competition from the likes of Roku and Chromecast, so if you’re looking to upgrade your Nvidia Shield setup, you may be wondering how to do so.
The answer lies in the best apps for Nvidia Shield 2020. These are all apps that can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store, and if you want to make sure that your Android device is running the latest software, then this might be the way to go in order to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that these will work on all versions of Nvidia Shield, but if you have an older model then it’s worth giving them a try anyway because they’re likely to improve its performance in one way or another.
If you have any more questions regarding this subject then please don’t hesitate to leave them below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Best Apps For Nvidia Shield 2020
So, you’ve bought an Android TV device. Congratulations! But now what?
A few apps—like YouTube and Netflix—might come pre-installed. For the rest, it’s up to you. For the best experience, you need a mix of videos, music, productivity, and system apps.
With that in mind, here are the essential Android TV apps you need to install right away.
- MX Player
MX Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen.
The app can play a vast number of codecs and supports subtitle files. The interface is smooth and easy to use.
MX Player can also read both locally saved files and content from external drives, making it an excellent companion for anyone whose Android TV device has USB ports.
Download: MX Player (Free)
- Sideload Launcher
sideload launcher app
The Google Play Store on Android TV is a slimmed-down version of the smartphone version. Some apps are not Android TV-compatible, so there aren’t as many to choose from. However, the operating system is capable of running any Android app, making sideloading apps on Android TV a popular activity.
But there’s an issue. Apps that you sideload will not show up on your device’s home screen or list of apps. The only native way to access them is via the Settings menu. Thus, the solution is to install a third-party app. Sideload Launcher is the easiest one to use. When you open it, you’ll see a list of all your sideloaded apps.
Check out our article about how to manage sideloaded apps on Android TV to learn more.
Download: Sideload Launcher (Free)
- Netflix
This one is a no-brainer. Netflix might come pre-installed on your device. If it doesn’t, grab the app.
A Netflix subscription will give you access to thousands of TV movies and shows. It’s an essential service for anyone who wants to cut the cord.
Download: Netflix (Free)
- Plex
Another no-brainer. If you have an extensive personal collection of digital movies and TV shows, Plex is the best solution for casting them around all the screens and devices in your home.
In addition to its beautiful libraries, Plex can also automatically download subtitle files, metadata, movie artwork, viewer ratings, and more.
As long as you don’t want to watch your content remotely, Plex is entirely free to use.
Download: Plex (Free)
- AirScreen
Android TV devices natively support Google Cast. This means you can cast content from Android smartphones and other Google products such as the Chrome browser and Chromebooks straight to your TV screen.
Apple’s AirPlay is not supported. If you have an Apple device, one of the best apps you can install is AirScreen. It will let you mirror your iPhone or iPad screen on your Android TV box.
The app also works with the Google Cast, Miracast, and DLNA protocols.
Download: AirScreen (Free)
- X-plore File Manager
It’s always useful to keep a file manager installed on your device, but if you’re planning to sideload apps, it’s essential.
We are blessed with a good selection of file managers for Android TV. In our roundup, we recommended X-plore File Manager, Total Commander, TvExplorer, and AnExplorer File Manager.
From a sideloading perspective, we recommend X-plore File Manager. It uses a dual-pane approach, which makes it easy to transfer an APK file from a USB stick to your device’s hard drive.
Download: X-plore File Manager (Free)
- Google Drive
google drive logo
If you want to access your computer’s files on your Android TV device, Google Drive offers the best solution.
Unfortunately, Google Drive is not available on the Google Play Store for Android TV. You will need to sideload the app. Make sure you’ve got X-plore File Manager installed before you try to install the app’s APK file.
Download: Google Drive (Free)
- Kodi
kodi android tv
If you don’t have any of your own digital content, you can argue Kodi is a better choice than Plex.
The app has an almost endless number of add-ons that can provide access to on-demand videos, live TV, weather updates, the news, productivity tools, and a whole lot more besides.
RELATED:
The Best Free IPTV Apps For Android
Download: Kodi (Free)
- Wake on LAN
wake on lan app
Wake on LAN is the only Android TV app that can wake up your computer remotely.
It’s a vital feature if you do a lot of local streaming using Plex or Kodi. If the computer on which you run the Plex or Kodi server goes to sleep, the Wake on LAN app can force it to wake up so you can start streaming content again.
Download: Wake on LAN (Free)
- Steam Link
steam link
In 2018, Steam finally launched its Android TV app, Steam Link.
The app allows you to stream your Steam games directly onto any Android device. You can finally play all your PC games on your TV without worrying about moving your computer and a fiddly HDMI cable.
Download: Steam Link (Free)
- Spotify
spotify
Cable TV music channels are annoying and full of ads. And the musical experience on YouTube isn’t much better unless you pay for YouTube Premium.
Spotify is the answer. Other music services with a dedicated Android TV app include Pandora and Google Play Music.
Download: Spotify (Free)
- Google Chrome
chrome logo
Oddly, Google Chrome does not come pre-installed on Android TV devices. There’s not even an Android TV version of the app.
Despite the lack of a store version of Chrome, you don’t need to sideload it. If you head to Chrome’s listing in the Google Play Store on the web, your Android TV box will be listed as a compatible device.
Download: Google Chrome (Free)
- Sling
The cord-cutting revolution is showing no signs of slowing down. Users have been canceling their cable subscriptions en masse and migrating to à la carte live TV services.
One of the most popular cable-cutting services is Sling. Depending on which package you buy, you can enjoy AMC, CNN, ESPN, Disney, Comedy Central, NFL Network, and many more.
Download: Sling (Free)
- Hulu
hulu android tv
If you want live TV and on-demand content all in one service (and you live in the US), the best service is Hulu + Live TV. The full package (with no ads) currently costs $65/month.
Away from the content, the app itself deserves credit. After a few years of development, it’s now one of the best designed Android TV apps on the entire platform.
Download: Hulu (Free)
- Network TV Apps
itv hub
Almost all the most prominent TV channels in Europe and the United States now offer some form of Android TV app. You can catch up on new series, watch some of their older classics, and, in some cases, even tune into live TV.
Networks with an Android TV app include ESPN, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, HGTV, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, ABC, Disney, HBO, Showtime, and Nickelodeon. Users in the UK can install BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub.
Note: Some of the apps require you to have a cable TV subscription.
- YouTube TV
youtube tv
Another popular cord-cutting service is YouTube TV. Despite only launching in 2017, it has already racked up millions of subscribers.
YouTube has agreements in place with most of the big networks. That means you can watch channels such as CNN, Discovery, BBC News, FOX, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, VH1, and more.
Download: YouTube TV (Free)
- TVUsage
Kids watching too much TV has been a common theme of family life since televisions themselves entered American households during the 1950s.
However, given the number of channels now available, the problem is arguably worse than ever.
TVUsage is a parental control app for Android TV that lets you set screen time restrictions and monitor kids’ viewing habits.
Download: TVUsage (Free, in-app purchases available)
- Send Files to TV
Moving files from your computer or smartphone to your Android TV device is easier said than done; there is no native, user-friendly way to make it happen.
Send Files to TV is the answer. It lets you share movies, TV shows, and other files between your other devices and your Android TV box via your local network.
Download: Send Files to TV (Free, in-app purchases available)
- Photo Gallery and Screensaver
screensaver android tv
Android TV’s native screensaver settings are extremely basic. And these days, you can’t even access your Google Photos library to turn it into a screensaver slideshow.
For a more feature-rich screensaver experience (which includes Google Photos integration), check out Photo Gallery and Screensaver. You can use Google Photos, Facebook, and Flickr as sources.
Download: Photo Gallery and Screensaver (Free, in-app purchases available)
- Haystack News
Live news has often been cited as one of the pitfalls of cord-cutting. In truth, that’s no longer the case. You can find 24-hour news channels on all the live TV apps that we have mentioned here.
And even if you don’t want to pay for a service, you still have options. One such option is Haystack News. It sources stories from all of the major news networks based on your preferences and viewing history.
Download: Haystack News (Free)
Android TV Is Right for Everyone
As this list shows, there are very few areas that aren’t covered by an Android TV app.
In our opinion, the sheer breadth of available apps means that Android TV is right for everyone, even if you’re not an Android smartphone user. There simply isn’t a better cord-cutting solution on the market right now.
best free apps for smart tv
As cable subscription prices rise higher and higher and customer satisfaction ratings dive lower and lower, cutting the cable has never been more popular.
Sure, there are the usual big names in streaming services available for a monthly fee, but it’s possible to kick subscription fees entirely.
Luckily, there are more options than ever for replacing your traditional cable setup. Many free streaming services have stepped up to offer access to content overlooked by subscription-based services.
And you aren’t confined to squinting at your phone’s screen or gathering the family around the old iPad to watch your favorite TV series and movies — you can download apps to your Smart TV or even your Xbox or PlayStation consoles.
Of course, there are some rather shady options out there that stream pirated content. But we’ve rounded up free, legal streaming apps that provide no-strings-attached cable-cutting solutions.
13 Free TV Apps That Will Help You Cut Cable
With so many free streaming options out there, it’s easier than ever to cut the cord and save big. Whether you’re looking to keep up with the news, find a good movie for date night or entertain your kids with educational content, a streaming service exists to ensure you can do so without paying a dime.
Try these free TV apps out and see which works best for you.
- Crackle
One of the go-to names not just in free streaming but in streaming video in general is Crackle. The cost-free service has a variety of content, ranging from classic TV shows like “Bewitched” and “Barney Miller,” as well as the newer “The Uncommon History of Very Common Things” series. It also has hundreds of films from major studios.
For a free streaming service, Crackle’s library is truly impressive. Crackle even has a handful of original series to its name. Best of all, Crackle works on nearly all mobile devices, streaming boxes and smart TVs.
- Tubi TV
A division of FOX Entertainment, Tubi TV has deals with major studios like Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Lionsgate. It also features lots of foreign and independent productions.
Tubi TV’s library is updated regularly, and the service claims to add new content every week. The Tubi TV app works on more than 18 devices, including Android and iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV.
The library is solid and has started offering popular Fox TV series like “The Masked Singer” and “Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back.”
Since the service is ad-supported, you can expect to watch a couple minutes of ads every 10 minutes or so. The experience is pretty similar to watching normal television.
- Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers TV channels of linear content much like a cable package
There are dozens of classic TV, movie and sports channels — and even some highly curated streams of niche content.
If you’re looking for breaking news, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
The kids (or kids at heart) can check out Nickelodeon classics like “The Fairly Odd Parents” and “Dora the Explorer.”
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Or if you just want to veg out, switch over to their Binge menu for a seemingly endless stream of TV series, like “The Hills” and “Mystery Science Theater 3000.”
Pluto TV boasts a large list of supported devices including iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TVand Chromecast devices and Android TV.
Like Tubi TV, Pluto TV has advertisements similar to the ad load of normal TV.
- NewsON
Streaming video isn’t always just about entertainment. The NewsON app provides hundreds of local and national news streams.
Both live TV and on-demand news broadcasts can be streamed from over 275 local news affiliates in 165 markets. The broadcasts are available for up to 48 hours after they air, so even if you don’t catch the news as it happens, you can catch up later.
Users can then select which news segments they want to watch from categories like sports, weather or entertainment. NewsON is compatible with iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
- PBS Kids
Kids need free streaming content, too. PBS has a PBS Kids Video app that provides hundreds of hours of educational and enriching content for the youngest members of the family. The app has a colorful, child-friendly interface, which makes it easy for kids to take control themselves.
You can even tap the “Live TV” button to watch what’s currently airing on your local PBS station.
PRO TIP
Almost all of the networks and cable TV channels have their own free apps for you to download — although many charge you to actually watch current content.
Videos from many of PBS’s most popular series are available for streaming including “Curious George,” “Wild Kratts” and “Sesame Street.” The PBS Kids app is supported for Android phones and tablets, iOS phones and tablets, and the Amazon Kindle.
- Xumo
Whether you want it now or later, Xumo offers live TV and on-demand options.
Like Pluto, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels like NBC News that are live streaming.
But it also includes more than 180 free channels, including themed ones in case you’re in the mood for action movies or comedies.
Xumo is available on most smart TVs. It’s also available on Roku and for download on iOS and Android devices.
PRO TIP
Many of the free TV apps offer “premium” channels — if you see that word, expect to pay for those services.
- Crunchyroll
Anime and manga fans are likely already familiar with Crunchyroll. It specializes in mostly Japanese content, but it also features films and series from all over the world. Crunchyroll boasts a library of thousands of anime films and series, many of which are hard to find on other streaming services.
There is a paid premium feature, but the free Crunchyroll service has thousands of hours of popular series like the “Dragon Ball” franchise, “Attack on Titan,” “Naruto” and “One Piece.”
The Crunchyroll app is supported by Apple, Android and Windows mobile devices, as well as by gaming consoles, Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku.
Crunchyroll is a great app for anyone with an interest in anime. Of course, when it comes to anime content, you have to be watchful with your younger children, as a lot of it is geared toward teens (and sometimes even adults.)
- Twitch
For anyone with even a passing interest in gaming and esports, Twitch is the go-to free streaming service.
Twitch hosts user-created channels and streams focused on video games and other esports. It features a built-in chat feature, so users can chat with other streamers in real time.
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While there are thousands of free streams, Twitch also features premium features for a monthly subscription. Twitch apps are compatible with PCs, iOS and Android devices, game consoles, Chromecast, Apple TV and Fire TV.
While Twitch is popular with children, parents should be aware: Twitch streams are somewhat unregulated and can sometimes contain adult language or content.
- IMDb TV
Owned by Amazon, IMDb TV (formerly Freedive) features a host of full episodes of your favorite current and classic TV shows as well as an array of movies.
The catalog includes some binge-worthy sci-fi hits like “Lost” and “Fringe.”
The free version of IMDbTV is ad-supported, so you’ll have to sit through a few commercial breaks.
It is available in the United States on the IMDb app, the Amazon Prime Video app and Amazon Fire TV devices.
- YouTube
Yes, YouTube. YouTube apps are compatible with just about every device that has a screen, and the service features videos to choose from on nearly any topic imaginable.
Most of those videos are not exactly premium content, but there are still plenty of full-length films, documentary series and curated channels that provide cost-free entertainment for the whole family.
While there are ways to download YouTube content for offline viewing, proceed with caution: Many of these sites and apps are full of malware.
- Peacock
NBCUniversal launched this streaming service, which includes over 7,500 hours of free content, in July 2020.
Although Peacock offers paid premium options, the free version includes current and classic TV shows, movies, news, sports, kids’ shows, Spanish-language programs and even select episodes of Peacock originals.
If you’re a fan of shows like “Psych,” “Law and Order: Organized Crime,” or “Punky Brewster,” you can watch them on this streaming service.
Customers can stream Peacock on a variety of platforms, including LG Smart TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs, Roku, Google and Apple devices and Playstation and Xbox consoles.
Wonder which portable streaming device is right for you? We compare Amazon Fire Stick and Roku and find it’s a coin toss.
- The Roku Channel
Even if you don’t have a Roku, you can download the free Roku Channel app. This channel hosts a rotating selection of free movies and TV series. Past offerings have included options like 24, Alias and Army Wives.
The Roku Channel is also home to slew of Roku Originals, like Singled Out, Elba vs Block and Mapleworth Murders. Those in the US in Canada can also stream live news 24/7. The Roku Channel does have ads, but it doesn’t require a subscription.
You can access the Roku Channel from your Roku device.
- Popcornflix
If you’re into action flicks, sci-fi or horror, you might want to check out Popcornflix. Some of the categories of free movies and free tv shows on this platform include: “Sci-Fi Sanctuary,” “Disasterpiece Theater” and “Fists of Fatality.”
You can access Popcornflix on any Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or Roku device. You can also access it via Xbox One, or any Apple or iOS mobile devices. While you won’t need a subscription for Popcornflix, you will have to watch a few ads spread throughout the content.
Staff writer Nicole Dow and The Penny Hoarder contributors Chris Brantner and Brynne Conroy contributed to this report.
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