====== How to sideload the HDHomeRun app on Android TV ======
<lead>This guide is for people who either don't have access to the Google Play Store, or need to test a specific version of the HDHomeRun app. Most users should install the HDHomeRun app from the [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.silicondust.view|Google Play Store]].</lead>

===== Sideloading on Fire TV =====
For how to sideload on the Fire TV, see this guide from AFTVnews: https://www.aftvnews.com/sideload-apk-app-amazon-fire-tv-stick-cube-edition-firestick-downloader/

Use this code where you would put a URL: **391123**
===== Sideloading on Android TV =====
<WRAP indent>

<panel type="success" title="Part 1: Install a file manager app on Android TV">
  - Open the Google Play Store.
  - Search for "X-plore File manaer". You should be able to just type in "X" in search and it will be among the top results.
  - Install X-plore File Manager.
  - Open X-plore File manager from the Play Store page or the app launcher screen.
  - Say "Allow" when asked if X-plore should have access to local files.
  - Press the right arrow until you have highlighted the right-side column, then press down to select "WiFi file sharing". "WiFi" is just part of the name for this option, you will still use this option even if using a wired ethernet connection.
  - Navigate down to "WiFi server".
  - Select "Start".
  - Write down the web address that it shows under "WiFi file sharing".
</panel>

<panel type="success" title="Part 2: Uploading the special APK from a PC or Mac">
{{ :sideload_xplore_upload.png?400|}}
  - On a desktop or laptop computer, download the APK file on that computer.
     * For example, this link will download the most recent release version of the HDHomeRun APK: [[https://download.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/hdhomerun_view_android.apk|hdhomerun_view_android.apk]]
  - Open a new browser window and enter the web address from Part 1.
  - You will see a grid of icons that say things like "Android" and "Alarm", and above those will be a smaller row of icons, including one that is a blue up arrow. The blue up arrow is an "upload" button. Click on that button.
  - This will show you a window with files on your computer. Navigate to the APK file from step 10 and select it. This will upload the APK file.
</panel>

<panel type="success" title="Part 3: Installing the APK on Android TV">
  - Back in the X-plore app, navigate to the "Internal shared storage" option. You can do this on either of the two columns, it doesn't matter which one.
  - Scroll down until you find the APK file you uploaded from your PC and select it.
  - A screen will open asking you to grant X-plore the ability to install "unknown apps". Select the "Settings" button on this screen.
  - Select the "X-plore" option, which will turn the "switch" icon blue.
  - Press the back button on your remote to go back to X-plore.
  - Select the APK you uploaded from your computer a second time.
  - Select the "Install" button.
  - You're done.
</panel>

<panel type="success" title="Part 4: Clean up">
Delete the APK file from your computer and from the Android TV device:
  - In X-plore, go back to the "Internal shared storage" option and expand it if it isn't already expanded.
  - Scroll down to the APK file you previously uploaded.
  - Press-and-hold the select button on your remote to bring up a menu of actions.
  - Select "Delete".
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If you want to keep X-plore File Manager and use it later, then you should still disable the "WiFi sharing option" by selecting it and turning it off:
  - In X-plore, navigate to “WiFi file sharing” and select it.
  - Select "WiFi server enabled".
  - Select "Stop".
  - You can now exit out of the X-plore app.
</panel>

</WRAP>

{{tag>Android}}