How to Use Android TV: A Beginner's Guide (2026)

Android TV turns any compatible television or streaming box into a full smart-TV system: live channels, movies, sports, music and games, all from apps you choose. If you have just switched on a new Android TV device and feel a little lost, this guide walks you through everything from first setup to fixing a slow home screen — no jargon, no cable box required.

Setting up your Android TV for the first time

Most of the initial setup happens automatically the first time you power on, but here is what matters:

• Connect to the internet. A wired Ethernet cable gives the most stable stream, especially for live TV. If you use Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Network & Internet, pick your network and enter the password with the on-screen keyboard.
• Sign in with a Google account. Open Settings > Accounts & sign-in > Add account. Signing in unlocks the Play Store and personalised recommendations.
• Pair your remote and accessories. Under Settings > Remotes & accessories the TV scans for Bluetooth remotes, game controllers and headphones.
• Name your device. In Settings > Device Preferences > About > Device name, give it a clear name so it is easy to find when you cast from your phone.

Finding your way around the home screen

The home screen shows rows of recommendations and a list of your installed apps. Open the Apps row (the app drawer) to launch anything you have installed. To add more, open the Google Play Store, search by name and select Install — the app then appears in your drawer.

Installing apps: two ways

1. From the Play Store (recommended)

Open the Play Store, search for the app, and install. This is the simplest and safest route and covers the vast majority of streaming, music and game apps.

2. Sideloading (for apps not in the store)

Some legitimate apps are distributed outside the Play Store. To install one, enable Settings > Device Preferences > Security & restrictions > Unknown sources for your file tool, then use a downloader app to import the APK and install it. Only ever sideload apps from trusted, official sources. For example, LionTV provides its own official install steps on the Download page.

Watching live TV and movies

Once a streaming app is installed, just open it and start watching — the system learns your habits and improves its recommendations over time. The key point for anyone leaving cable behind: you do not need a separate set-top box. A subscription streaming app is enough to watch live channels, sports and on-demand titles. We cover this in detail in how to watch live TV on Android TV without cable and how to watch live sports on Android TV.

Voice search and Google Assistant

Press the microphone button on your remote to search for a show, open an app, adjust the volume, or pause playback — all by voice. It is usually far faster than typing with a remote.

Casting from your phone

In any cast-enabled phone app, tap the Cast icon and choose your Android TV from the list. Your phone and TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. You can also install the Google TV app on your phone to use it as a virtual remote — handy when you need to type.

Fixing the most common problems

Buffering or stuttering

Buffering is almost always a network issue. Use a wired connection where possible, aim for at least 25 Mbps for live streams, close background apps, and clear the app's cache. See our full guide to fixing buffering for more.

The system feels slow

Uninstall apps you never use, clear caches, disable unnecessary start-up apps and keep some free storage. Cheaper boxes with limited memory are the most likely to lag.

An app keeps crashing

Clear that app's cache and data, update it to the latest version, or reinstall it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a set-top box to use Android TV?

No. If your TV runs Android TV, or you use an Android TV streaming device, you can watch live TV, sports and movies directly through apps.

How do I install apps that aren't in the Play Store?

Enable "Unknown sources" for your file/downloader app in Settings, then sideload the APK. Only install from trusted, legitimate sources.

Why does my Android TV keep buffering?

Buffering is usually a network problem. Use a wired connection or fast Wi-Fi (25 Mbps+), close background apps and clear the app cache.

Ready to watch?

Once your device is set up, all you need is a good streaming service. LionTV bundles live TV, live sports and a large movie and series library into a single app for Android TV — with no activation code and no set-top box. Browse the membership plans or read the FAQ to get started.