Streaming local files on your Android TV can significantly enhance your home entertainment experience, allowing you to enjoy personal media collections directly on the big screen. With a variety of Android TV apps designed for this purpose, users can easily access and stream videos, music, and photos stored on external drives, network-attached storage (NAS), or even cloud services. Here’s a look at some of the best Android TV apps that support streaming local files.
1. Android TV Home
The built-in Android TV Home interface serves as the central hub for launching all activities on your Android TV device. While it doesn’t directly stream local files, it integrates with other apps that do, making navigation seamless. Users can pin their favorite media apps to the home screen for quick access .
2. Kodi (formerly XBMC)
One of the most popular media center applications, Kodi, is fully compatible with Android TV. It allows users to organize and play media from USB drives, SD cards, or network locations. Kodi supports a wide range of file formats and offers a highly customizable interface. Its add-on ecosystem also enables integration with online streaming platforms alongside local media playback .
3. Plex
Plex is another excellent option for streaming local files. It acts as both a media server and client, enabling you to stream content stored on your home network or cloud storage. Once set up, Plex organizes your media into a clean, user-friendly library, complete with metadata like movie posters and show descriptions. The Android TV app provides a smooth viewing experience with minimal setup required .
4. VLC for Android TV
VLC is a versatile open-source media player known for its broad format compatibility. The Android TV version supports direct playback from USB drives and network shares, making it easy to stream high-definition videos without conversion. Its simple interface and robust performance make it a go-to choice for many users .
5. AllCast
AllCast is a powerful media casting app that lets you send content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your Android TV. It supports streaming from local storage, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more. While not a media player itself, AllCast excels at bridging the gap between devices and your TV .
6. Infuse
Though traditionally an iOS app, Infuse now offers an Android TV version that delivers a premium media playback experience. It supports streaming from SMB, WebDAV, and FTP servers, as well as direct file import from USB storage. Infuse features automatic subtitle downloads, hardware-accelerated video decoding, and a sleek interface optimized for TV screens .
How to Install Apps on Android TV
Installing these apps is straightforward. Simply open the Google Play Store on your Android TV, search for the desired app, and click "Install." If you’re using a device like a Chromecast with Google TV or an Android TV box, the process remains consistent across platforms .
For added privacy while streaming, consider using a trusted VPN service like ProtonVPN, which has a dedicated Android TV app. This ensures your local media traffic remains secure and private, especially when accessing files over public networks .
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to relive family memories, binge-watch your personal movie collection, or enjoy offline music, Android TV offers several capable apps to bring your local files to life. From the flexibility of Kodi to the simplicity of VLC and the elegance of Infuse, there’s a solution tailored to every type of user. By leveraging these tools, you can transform your Android TV into a full-fledged media hub that complements your digital lifestyle.
