What’s the Purpose of Sideloading?
As mentioned above, sideloading apps has significant advantages, such as adding new functionality to your device. Users who opt to do this benefit in a variety of ways. For example, all apps undergo a review process before they can be listed on official platforms. Unfortunately, this can take some time. Sideloading allows users to install an app direct from a developer without having to wait for this review process. It allows users to try apps that are still in a development stage before they are officially released to the public.
Is Sideloading Safe?
How to Sideload Apps on Roku Devices
All iterations of the wildly popular Roku player run a custom version of Linux called Roku OS. To install new apps, or channels, users navigate to the Roku Channel Store and simply select whatever interests them. That being said, there are apps available for Roku that are not listed on the Roku Channel Store. Fortunately, adding them to your Roku device manually is simple.
Enable Developer Mode
To sideload an app on a Roku device, you will need to enable developer mode. As the name implies, developer mode is intended for developers to test channels before they are released to the public. Enabling developer mode allows users to sideload apps on a Roku device, opening up new streaming possibilities. To get started, follow the below instructions:
Access Developer Mode
At this stage, you want to transition to a PC that is connected to the same network as your Roku.
Upload and Install Apps to Your Roku
Once you log in, your browser will open the Development Application Installer. You will see two buttons, one labelled “Upload” and another labelled “Install”.
Be aware that there is one major caveat when sideloading apps to a Roku. Only one app can be sideloaded at a time. If you want to try a new app, simply follow the steps outlined above. However, the new app will replace any app that was previously installed.
How to Sideload Apps on Fire TV
Allow Apps from Unknown Sources
Install the Downloader App
Download and Sideload an App
How to Sideload on Google Chromecast
Google’s newest version of the Chromecast is the most versatile yet. However, while it certainly is an improvement, you won’t find every Android app available to install. In fact, the only ones that are available at the time of this writing are the ones that have been optimized for use on your big screen TV.
Enable Developer Mode
There are two ways that you can sideload apps on your Chromecast, but before you attempt either of them, you’ll need to prep your Chromecast.
Download a File Management App
Next, you’ll want to install a file management app. There are a few of these to choose from, including File Commander and X-plore File Manager. Both of these options are free, although X-plore File Manager has some additional features hidden behind a paywall. These file management apps will allow you to fetch files (including apps) from cloud storage and transfer them to your Chromecast, allowing you to sideload the app. However, there are a few more things we need to do first.
Enable Installation from Unknown Sources
Here, you can tell your Chromecast to allow your chosen File Manager to install apps. This enables you to bypass the Google Play Store and sideload an app you want.
Download the APK of the App You Want to Sideload
Install the App on Your Chromecast
The Hardware Method
If you don’t want to utilize the cloud storage method to sideload apps on to your Chromecast, you can do it with some extra hardware. You’ll need a USB-C hub as well as a flash drive.
How to Sideload Apps on Android TV
If you have a television that runs the Android TV OS, sideloading apps is pretty straightforward. Download the Send Files to TV app on both your Android phone/tablet and your Android TV by launching the Google Play Store on both devices and searching “Send Files to TV.” Note: if you do not have an Android phone or tablet, you can use the Send Files to TV desktop application on a Windows computer. Unfortunately, a desktop application for Macs is still in development.
Download the Send Files to TV App and Prep Your Android TV
Sideload the App on Android TV
Once the transfer has completed, select the file on your TV and click “Open.” You should see a prompt that asks you if you want to install the app. However, some users have reported that the “Open” button in the Send Files to TV app does not work. Be aware that regardless of whether you want to install the app via a file manager or the Send Files to TV app you’ll have to allow them to do so. You can sideload virtually any app on your Android TV; however, there are a few things to take into consideration. Apps that are available to install through official app stores like Google Play are vetted to ensure that they function well within the Android TV UI. This means they are optimized to fit your TV screen and be easily navigable with a remote. Sideloading apps that have not been designed for Android TV can result in performance issues, glitches, and poor navigation.
Accessing Sideloaded Apps on Android TV
After sideloading an app, you may be left wondering how to actually launch it. Sideloaded apps that are not designed for Android TV will not show up in your TV’s app list. Therefore, you’ll need to follow these instructions: If opening up the Settings menu every time you want to launch a sideloaded app sounds like a hassle, there is another option. You can install an app called Sideload Launcher. You can access this app via the standard app list on your Android TV and use it to launch any sideloaded app.
Conclusion
Sideloading apps can open up new possibilities for your device. However, there are risks to consider before attempting to do so. If you’d rather stream without a separate device, read our guide on YouTube TV vs. YouTube Premium.
