Android TV is nice if you’re simply watching one thing. The second you attempt to handle it, although, issues change into barely clunky. You need to depend on the boring distant to navigate a layered interface, which feels annoyingly sluggish. Additionally, issues like sideloading apps, shifting information, and even taking a easy screenshot aren’t as direct as you’d anticipate.
atvTools solves this actual downside. As an alternative of interacting together with your Android TV’s interface, it permits you to handle it straight out of your telephone, the place every part feels sooner and extra intuitive.
Establishing atvTools in your telephone is as simple because it will get. Merely obtain the app in your telephone, ensure that your telephone and TV are linked to the identical Wi-Fi community, and select your Android TV as soon as it seems. Generally, that’s all you’ll want to do. In case your Android TV doesn’t seem as an accessible system, although, allow USB debugging within the Developer Choices menu and take a look at once more.
OS
Android, iOS
Value
Free, Professional model accessible
Handle TV apps and information remotely
Skip your TV’s interface
Google Play Retailer already permits you to set up apps straight in your TV from a telephone or pc. However for those who ever must sideload an app, issues get unnecessarily sophisticated. You first must obtain the APK file in your telephone or PC, switch it to your TV utilizing an app like Ship Recordsdata to TV, after which use a file supervisor app to put in it.
With atvTools, the entire course of is far more easy. You’ll be able to head to its Set up tab, choose the APK file downloaded in your telephone, and set up it straight. There’s no must switch it or set up it manually.
Managing apps already put in in your TV is simply as clean. As an alternative of diving into your TV’s settings, go to the Apps tab within the atvTools app, and also you’ll see all of the choices you want. From right here, you may open the app, create its shortcut, uninstall it, and even handle its permissions.
There’s additionally a File Supervisor choice, which helps you to browse your TV’s native storage straight in your telephone. This allows you to simply switch information between your telephone and TV. And it doesn’t simply cease right here. The Information tab in atvTools provides you data like your TV’s storage standing, CPU and RAM utilization, and even community speeds. It’s the sort of monitoring you don’t notice you have been lacking till you even have it.
Associated
In case your TV has Bluetooth, you’ll want to set up this free app
This app makes the TV expertise a lot smoother
Seize screenshots, run shell instructions, and clear cache
No want to the touch the TV distant
Screenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution requiredScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution requiredScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution required
Android TV is sort of versatile, little doubt about that. However there are some duties that take too many steps to be handy. As an illustration, anytime I must seize a screenshot of what’s on my TV, I must depend on the TCL TV app, which isn’t probably the most handy answer. atvTools, alternatively, not solely lets me take screenshots but additionally report the display.
Operating shell instructions on an Android TV is one other factor that requires a little bit of setup. You need to allow developer choices, join through ADB, and use a pc or terminal app to lastly run any command. It really works, however it’s not precisely user-friendly.
avtTools simplifies this with a devoted Shell tab. From right here, you may run instructions straight with none setup. There’s even an choice to bookmark instructions you want regularly so that you don’t must kind them many times. Even issues like clearing your TV’s cache and mirroring your telephone’s display take just one faucet.
Use your telephone as a TV distant or gamepad
No want to search out the misplaced distant
Pankil Shah / MakeUseOfCredit: Pankil Shah / MakeUseOfScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution requiredScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution required
The Google TV app already permits you to use your telephone as a distant. However with atvTools, there is not any want to change apps as a result of it has a built-in distant characteristic. Plus, there are additionally shortcuts for issues like Energy Off, Restart, and Sleep, which prevent from digging by means of menus.
The place it actually stands out, although, is the gamepad characteristic. As an alternative of merely mimicking your distant, your telephone may also act as a controller for video games. In fact, it’s not a alternative for an precise gaming controller, however for informal video games and even making an attempt cloud gaming, it’s greater than supreme.
You’ll want the Professional model to do most issues
atvTools has changed a bunch of single-function TV apps on my telephone. However for those who actually need to profit from all these options, you’ll must improve to the app’s Professional model. That’s as a result of most of its options, like app administration, distant management, display recording, and gamepad are solely accessible with the improve.
atvTools Professional is priced round $2 on Android, whereas the iPhone model is accessible for $1 upfront. The great factor is, it’s solely a one-time buy and for the comfort it brings, I really feel it’s value it for anybody who has a number of sensible TVs of their house. It really works with Fireplace TV gadgets in an identical method, so that you’re not restricted to managing Android TVs solely.
If I had one criticism concerning the app, although, it could be stability. Initially, I ran right into a fair proportion of connection points, random crashes, and situations the place the app merely refused to open. However ever since then, it’s been operating easily, and I hope it stays that method.
