TV Setup - Remote control & guide

Welcome to TV Setup

Making your TV setup a breeze! Say goodbye to confusion and hello to endless entertainment. The Android TV developer website  provides developers with comprehensive development resources for the Android TV platform. It covers application development documentation, API references, design guidelines, and sample code to help developers build apps and games adapted to large TV screens. The website also includes content such as release processes, monetization strategies, and device testing tools, supporting developers in optimizing the user experience.    

What can you get from TV Setup? 

- Easy TV Device Configuration: 

- Effortlessly connect to Wi-Fi without the hassle. 

- Seamlessly log in to your accounts for personalized content. 

- Simplify the process of installing apps for more entertainment options. 

- Intuitive User Interface: 

- Enjoy a user-friendly interface that guides you through every step. 

- Access tips and tricks to optimize your viewing experience. 

- Troubleshooting Assistance: 

- Get help with common issues related to TV setup. 

- Receive prompts for software updates to keep your device running smoothly. 

- Personalized Recommendations:

- Discover new content based on your preferences.

- Tailor your TV settings for a customized viewing experience.

Introduction to TV App Development

Android provides a rich user experience optimized for apps running on large-screen devices like HD TVs. TV apps offer a new experience that allows users to enjoy content comfortably from their sofas.

TV apps use the same structure as mobile and tablet apps, meaning you can leverage your existing knowledge of building Android apps to create new TV apps. Alternatively, you can extend existing apps to run on TV devices. However, the user interaction model for TVs differs significantly from that of mobile phones and tablets. To ensure your app succeeds on the TV platform, you need to design new layouts that enable viewers to browse comfortably from a 10-foot distance and navigate easily using only directional keys and selection buttons. 

Android 14 for TV 

This platform update for Android TV OS not only integrates the improvements from Android 13 into compatible consumer devices but also enhances its own functionalities.

Refer to the release notes for Android 13 for TV to learn about the new changes since the last consumer platform version.

Recommended Content on the Home Screen

The Android TV home screen uses "channels" and "row-based channels" to display recommended content. Channels are shown as individual rows on the home screen with cards that display all watchable programs for that channel.Your app should have at least one channel. Your first channel becomes the default channel, and Android TV automatically displays it on the home screen. Your app can offer additional channels, but users must select and approve these channels before they are added to the home screen.If your app provides TV shows, movies, or other video content, we recommend that you support video previews and integration with the "Next Up" channel. The "Next Up" channel is controlled by the Android system. Your app can add user-relevant programs to this channel, such as shows marked as interesting by the user, shows the user stopped watching midway, or content related to what the user is watching (e.g., the next episode of a TV series or the next season of a drama).

Ensure Compatibility

The home screen displays recommended content in two ways, depending on the Android version:For Android 8.0 (API level 26) and higher, apps can display one or more channels in different rows. One channel (the default channel) is always displayed. Users can discover other channels and add them to their home screen. Learn how to create recommended channels.For versions prior to Android 8.0, Android TV centrally displays all recommended content in a recommended row that is always shown on the screen. Learn how to create a recommended row on the home screen.To display recommended content on all versions of Android TV, your app should implement both recommendation APIs. Test the current system API level and use the appropriate API to build recommended rows or channels.