Can't install android apps
Discussion
I've been using an android tv box for a couple of years with no problems.I was playing with the audio settings and lost all audio output so I did a factory reset.That fixed the sound problem
I then logged in to my Google account and updated the built in apps.However it won't allow to me install any other apps,including the ones I was using before,such as VLC.
Any suggestions as to why ?
Android 8 btw
Add to that Google play services needs updating,it won't update from the play store and I can't sideload the apk as chrome won't load as it needs play services to be updated !
I think it's toast
I then logged in to my Google account and updated the built in apps.However it won't allow to me install any other apps,including the ones I was using before,such as VLC.
Any suggestions as to why ?
Android 8 btw
Add to that Google play services needs updating,it won't update from the play store and I can't sideload the apk as chrome won't load as it needs play services to be updated !
I think it's toast
Edited by V8covin on Tuesday 14th September 18:12
Make & model?
From your description it doesn't sound like an official or licensed Android tv device as if it was it'd be on Android 9 for the last couple of years.
So if it's some generic android box with GPS side loaded by the manufacturer onto their fork of android you're probably SooL at this point.
From your description it doesn't sound like an official or licensed Android tv device as if it was it'd be on Android 9 for the last couple of years.
So if it's some generic android box with GPS side loaded by the manufacturer onto their fork of android you're probably SooL at this point.
Corso Marche said:
Make & model?
From your description it doesn't sound like an official or licensed Android tv device as if it was it'd be on Android 9 for the last couple of years.
So if it's some generic android box with GPS side loaded by the manufacturer onto their fork of android you're probably SooL at this point.
It's an X96 Max if that means anything to you.From your description it doesn't sound like an official or licensed Android tv device as if it was it'd be on Android 9 for the last couple of years.
So if it's some generic android box with GPS side loaded by the manufacturer onto their fork of android you're probably SooL at this point.
It's not the kind of device that gets ota updates no.
I wonder if I could download the apk to a flash drive and install it that way ?
Dudley bloke beat me to it lol
Yeah, you can sideload. Copy from the USB to internal storage and install from the internal storage.
Next time you're buying a box just buy an officially licensed device. They cost the same, have support and updates, and you can still sideload and do anything you do on the current device. It's a far better solution, and much nicer and easier to live with and use.
Next time you're buying a box just buy an officially licensed device. They cost the same, have support and updates, and you can still sideload and do anything you do on the current device. It's a far better solution, and much nicer and easier to live with and use.
Corso Marche said:
Yeah, you can sideload. Copy from the USB to internal storage and install from the internal storage.
Next time you're buying a box just buy an officially licensed device. They cost the same, have support and updates, and you can still sideload and do anything you do on the current device. It's a far better solution, and much nicer and easier to live with and use.
I thought you were limited to what apps work with android tv os ? The app store is smaller isn't it ?Next time you're buying a box just buy an officially licensed device. They cost the same, have support and updates, and you can still sideload and do anything you do on the current device. It's a far better solution, and much nicer and easier to live with and use.
Can you really get an official android tv device with 4k ,4gb ram, 5.1 surround sound for £35 because that's what I paid for mine and even the latest spec models are under £50 on ebay....£35 from AliExpress
You can side load on official devices too, just as with those unofficial devices. I've done it many times, including last Saturday with HBO GO. The Play Store is region locked as per the country your payment card is from, but you can sideload an android tv APK from anywhere.
And yes, licensed devices start around 35-40 and go up to 70-80, dependent on spec, so buying some forked version of android with no updates and an iffy UI makes no sense.
(Before anybody points it out you can of course spend lots more on the likes of a Shield TV, but doing that also gets you more as the Shield will run as a full home server and not just a set top box. So that's a further extension of the topic, and not relevant for this comparison.)
And yes, licensed devices start around 35-40 and go up to 70-80, dependent on spec, so buying some forked version of android with no updates and an iffy UI makes no sense.
(Before anybody points it out you can of course spend lots more on the likes of a Shield TV, but doing that also gets you more as the Shield will run as a full home server and not just a set top box. So that's a further extension of the topic, and not relevant for this comparison.)
V8covin said:
I thought you were limited to what apps work with android tv os ? The app store is smaller isn't it ?
Can you really get an official android tv device with 4k ,4gb ram, 5.1 surround sound for £35 because that's what I paid for mine and even the latest spec models are under £50 on ebay....£35 from AliExpress
You're quite correct but I don't believe the OPs box is an official Android TV box, it's from a few years ago when most of the Android TV boxs were using standard Android.Can you really get an official android tv device with 4k ,4gb ram, 5.1 surround sound for £35 because that's what I paid for mine and even the latest spec models are under £50 on ebay....£35 from AliExpress
The X96 Max was certainly one such generic Android box, I did actually update one for my mate a couple of years ago to Android 9.
The update wasn't particularly difficult but it felt like it had potential to quite wrong, which it didn't but YMMV
I used a site called freaktab.com for firmware and discussions about it.
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 15th September 08:05
JimbobVFR said:
You're quite correct but I don't believe the OPs box is an official Android TV box, it's from a few years ago when most of the Android TV boxs were using standard Android.
The X96 Max was certainly one such generic Android box, I did actually update one for my mate a couple of years ago to Android 9.
The update wasn't particularly difficult but it felt like it had potential to quite wrong, which it didn't but YMMV
I used a site called freaktab.com for firmware and discussions about it.
I'm pretty sure Freaktab is no longerThe X96 Max was certainly one such generic Android box, I did actually update one for my mate a couple of years ago to Android 9.
The update wasn't particularly difficult but it felt like it had potential to quite wrong, which it didn't but YMMV
I used a site called freaktab.com for firmware and discussions about it.
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 15th September 08:05
For further clarity -- it's possible to also sideload regular android apks onto licensed android tv boxes, but as they were designed for touch interfaces rather than an interface with a tv remote I find them a PITA (see my earlier comment about 'iffy' user interfaces). Some are better than others, and some are only really of use with a mouse and keyboard. Hence I prefer to use apps designed specifically for the android tv interface which support a remote. You don't have to do this of course. You can literally install and use any android app, it all depends on your levels of tolerance re. the interface and display. But if you've been using an X96 you've probably become accustomed to the UI compromises at this point anyhow.
I've had a quick Google of authorised android tv streaming boxes and the specs seem lower than what I've already got unless I go for a Shield which is way out of my price bracket.
I'll have a go at loading the apks off a memory stick first,if that doesn't work I think I'll be going for the latest A95X F4
I'll have a go at loading the apks off a memory stick first,if that doesn't work I think I'll be going for the latest A95X F4
I've used lots of the generic stuff like the X96 and their ilk (years of living in Asia where they're everywhere).
The specs aren't reflective of performance and experience compared to official android TV.
Something to think on - I've a MiBox S from 2016 here on the latest OS update. The performance difference between that and my Shield is barely noticeable to me. It's not noticed at all by my wife or others.
I've a 2019 1080 Fire Stick here also, and that's a device which I deem only suitable for the trashcan because it absolutely sucks as a user experience and is painfully slow. It was relegated to the spares drawer after a week's use in Dec 2019.
I guess the reality is don't make judgements based on specs printed on paper. Base judgements on real life trials of the available options.
The specs aren't reflective of performance and experience compared to official android TV.
Something to think on - I've a MiBox S from 2016 here on the latest OS update. The performance difference between that and my Shield is barely noticeable to me. It's not noticed at all by my wife or others.
I've a 2019 1080 Fire Stick here also, and that's a device which I deem only suitable for the trashcan because it absolutely sucks as a user experience and is painfully slow. It was relegated to the spares drawer after a week's use in Dec 2019.
I guess the reality is don't make judgements based on specs printed on paper. Base judgements on real life trials of the available options.
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