How do I add apps to my TCL smart TV?

TCL is building a reputation as one of the most owned smart TVs in the market. However, this doesn’t come easy as they gained their market share because of their affordability compared to Samsung, LG, or Sony. TCL Smart TV runs on Android OS and Roku OS. Since it runs on Android OS, does that mean TCL TV has Google Play Store?

The TCL android TV has a preinstalled Google Play Store, which means you can download popular apps on your TV. Most of the apps in the store are free to download, while few are paid apps.

Read along to know how to install and add apps on your TCL Smart TV. Additionally, we’ll even cover how to solve simple problems like your TV not properly downloading apps. 

How To Install Apps from Google Play Store on TCL Android Smart TV

This video will guide you on installing or browsing through apps on your TCL Android Smart TV.

Installing favorite apps or games from the Google play store on your TCL TV can be done easily by following these step-by-step guides.

  1. Go to your TV’s home screen
  2. Navigate to Apps
  3. Click Get more apps or Get more games. This takes you to the Google play store
  4. Search for media in the search bar
  5. Browse by pressing the up or down buttons
  6. Select your desired app or game
  7. Select install
  8. Follow the onscreen instructions
  9. When the app or game is installed, you will see an option to open or uninstall
  10. Press open to launch the app or game
  11. Press Uninstall to remove the app or game

Now you should be able to install and uninstall apps as you wish. If you would like, you can  bookmark this page in case you ever forget in the future. 

What Apps Are Available on TCL Smart TV

TCL Smart TV has apps for most streaming services. Among the available services are Netflix, Pandora, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO GO, HBO Now, and many others. Android TV is typically compatible with these apps.

To learn more about what is available through your TCL smart TV web browser, click here. 

Why Can’t I Download Apps on My TCL Smart TV?

Are you having issues installing apps, apps won’t work, apps refuse to open after installing, or are you getting a “Download Pending” error? 

Try some of the steps below to solve the issue:

  1. Restart your TV.
  2. Check the strength of your internet connection.
  3. Turn on system speedup.
  4. Update with the latest firmware.
  5. Reset your internet (located at the top right corner of the home screen).
  6. Retry downloading the app.

Nine times out of ten, if you’re having trouble downloading apps it’s because of one of these issues. 

How To Update the Software on Your TCL Smart TV?

Updating your TV software will guide against or solve current issues experienced on your TV. 

Follow the steps from TCL below to update the software on your TCL Smart TV:

  1. Go to the home screen
  2. Click on the settings icon
  3. Press “Ok.”
  4. Click “More Settings.”
  5. Click on “About.”
  6. Click “System Update.”
  7. Click “Network Update” on the pop-up box.
  8. After your TV searches for updates, it should prompt you to confirm that you want to install the updates it discovered
  9. Click “Ok.”

Once you’ve followed each of these steps, your TCL smart TV should update itself. 

Does TCL Smart TV Have a Web Browser?

TCL smart TV runs on two different OS; Android OS and Roku OS. With this technological advancement, you can do almost everything you do on your phone now on your smart TV. There are options to different apps and games available for you to use and view content, but does TCL Smart TV come with a web browser?

TCL Smart TV does not come with a built-in web browser. But there are ways you can browse the internet using your TV, as it will be shown in the guide below.

How to Browse the Web on a TCL Smart TV

Since TCL smart TV runs on Android OS, you would imagine it also has a built-in Google Chrome browser. Unfortunately, the TV doesn’t come with a built-in web browser, but you can find a handful via the Google play store.One of the best browsers you can download is Google Chrome, a great browser for your TV. To get the app, you will have to sideload it. Download the app on a USB drive from a PC, connect to your Smart TV and install. Visit this link to learn about how to sideload apps, or you can watch this video to learn how to install Google chrome.

Smart TVs can be defined as one of the most important gadgets in the house. Why? Well, TVs for at the beginning used to just be huge boxes with audio and video playing out from either a cable or a satellite dish. Modern TVs however have become slimmer and smarter. Thanks to various Smart TV operating systems available. One of the popular TV brands out there in the market is TCL. These are TVs that are priced at an affordable tag and come with Roku OS Preinstalled. If you are someone that has just got a new TCL Roku TV and wants to install apps or channels as they are called, this guide is on how to download apps on TCL Roku TV.

Of course, you grab a cable network connection and watch your TV Channels, but, the bills will eventually be pretty high. So if you have a Roku OS TV, then you are in luck. You get to access the Channel store with a range of free apps for you to download and stream on your TV Sure, there are paid and free apps that you can choose to download. Paid in the sense that you might need to purchase a subscription plan to access the apps streaming services. Without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at how to download apps on TCL Roku TV.

How to Add Apps to TCL Roku TV

There are three ways that you can follow to add apps to your TCL Roku TV. These are simple and very easy ways. The methods mentioned below will also show you how to install apps if you do not have access to your TCL Roku TV.

Method 1 Via The Channel Store

How do I add apps to my TCL smart TV?

  1. Power up your TCL Roku TV and connect it to a WiFi network.
  2. Press the Home button on your TCL Roku remote.
  3. Select the Streaming Channels option on the screen.
  4. You will now see a list of categories for you to choose from.
  5. Simply scroll and browse through the categories for the particular app that you wish to install.
  6. Once you have found the app that you wish to install, select it and then select the Add Channel button.
  7. The app will now be downloaded and installed on your TCL Roku TV.

Method 2 Via The Web

How do I add apps to my TCL smart TV?

  1. Go to your PC and launch your favorite browser.
  2. Now, head over to channelstore.roku.com
  3. Click on the My Account button to sign in.
  4. Make sure to sign in with the same Roku account that you have signed with on your TCL Roku TV.
  5. Once signed in, simply enter the name of the channel you want on your TV in the search box.
  6. With the channel found, click on it and then click on the Add Channel or Purchase button.
  7. Once you have added the channel, go to your TCL Roku TV.
  8. Open the Settings menu, followed by System and finally System Update.
  9. Now, click on the Check Now button.
  10. The TV will check for updates and install any channels if you have added them.
  11. You will now see your added channel on your TV’s home screen.

Method 3 Via the Roku App

How do I add apps to my TCL smart TV?

  1. The Roku app is free to download on Android and iOS.
  2. Launch the Roku app and log in with your Roku credentials.
  3. Tap on the Channels tab, then select the Channel Store option.
  4. You can now browse and select the channel that you want on your TCL Roku TV.
  5. Simply tap on the Add Channel option and you will now have the app tied to your Roku account.
  6. If you have set up a PIN to your Roku, you will have to enter it.
  7. Now that this is done, simply check for updates on your TCL Roku TV.
  8. The newly added channel will be downloaded and installed on your TCL Roku TV.

Conclusion

And this is how you can download the apps to your TCL Roku TV. It surely is a good way to add specific channels to your TCL Roku TV without needing to use the TV itself to add these channels. If you have any doubts or queries on how to download apps to your TCL Roku TV, let us know them in the comments below.

Related to TCL Smart TV:

  • How to Browse Internet on TCL Smart TV
  • How to Connect Bluetooth Devices to TCL Smart TV
  • How to Reset TCL Roku TV [Guide]
  • Best Browsers for Smart TVs

By Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

Why can't I download apps on my TCL Smart TV?

Try the following steps below to resolve the issue: Check the status of your Internet connection. Turn on System Speedup located the top right corner of the Home screen (Launcher) Re-try downloading the app again.

How do I download apps onto my TCL Smart TV?

How to download and install new apps to your TCL Android TV.
From the Android TV Home screen, navigate to Apps..
Select the Get more apps or Get more games. ... .
Browse or search for apps and games. ... .
Select the app or game you want. ... .
Once you have successfully downloaded the app or game..

How do I add apps to my smart TV that are not listed?

To find and access an app, you will need to visit “Internet @TV.” There should be an “Internet @TV” button on your remote control. If there isn't one, then you need to press the “Content” button and then proceed to the “Internet @TV” icon on your TV. All the available apps are sorted there.