How to Install TVRivo on Android TV and Google TV

If your TV or streaming box runs Android TV or Google TV, you can install TVRivo on it directly. That covers the Google TV Streamer, the Chromecast with Google TV, the Nvidia Shield, and TVs with Google TV built in, which includes many Sony TVs and some TCL and Hisense models. It takes about ten minutes the first time.

You'll use the free Downloader app, the same as on a Fire Stick. The only difference is where the settings live.

Before you start

• Your TV or box is signed in to Google, so the Play Store works. If you skipped that during setup, sign in under Settings › Accounts & sign in.

• It's connected to the internet, ideally on the same Wi-Fi your phone uses, since you'll scan a QR code with your phone at the end.

• You have a TVRivo account, or you're ready to start the free 1-day trial. You don't need to type any login details into the TV.

Step 1: Install Downloader

1. Open the Google Play Store on your TV.

2. Search for Downloader and pick Downloader by AFTVnews.

3. Select Install.

Step 2: Turn on developer mode

Google TV hides the setting that lets Downloader install apps until developer mode is on. These steps are for current Google TV models:

1. Go to Settings › System › About.

2. Scroll to the bottom and select Android TV OS build about seven times in a row.

3. Stop when you see You are now a developer!

Step 3: Install the TVRivo app

1. Open Downloader.

2. Type 4097027 in the box and press Go.

3. When a security message appears, select Settings and switch Downloader to Allowed.

4. Press Back to return to Downloader, then select Install.

5. When it finishes, select Open.

No security message? Go to Settings › Apps › Security & restrictions › Unknown sources and turn on Downloader, then try the code again. On some older Android TV boxes, Security & restrictions is under Device Preferences instead.

Step 4: Sign in with your phone

1. Open the TVRivo app on your TV.

2. Scan the QR code on the screen with your phone's camera.

3. Sign in with your email on your phone.

Your TV signs itself in. If you don't have an account yet, start the free 1-day trial on the TVRivo plans page first.

Android TV boxes like the Nvidia Shield work too. Their settings menus are laid out a little differently.

Common questions

Downloader says "Unknown Sources is disabled"

Developer mode isn't on yet. Go back to Settings › System › About and select Android TV OS build a few more times, until the message says you're a developer.

Does this work on a Chromecast with Google TV?

Yes. Google stopped selling it after launching the Google TV Streamer in 2024, but it runs Google TV, so the steps are the same.

Will TVRivo show up on my home screen?

Yes. The TVRivo app is made for TVs, so after installing it you'll find it with your other apps and can open it with the remote.

My TV is a Samsung or LG

Those run Tizen and webOS, which can't install Android apps. See what works on Samsung and LG TVs.