Category: TV

Key Highlights

• Android TV offers similar benefits to Android smartphones but can also have preinstalled apps
• Users have the option to mass-delete or disable pre-installed apps on their Android smart TVs
• This allows them to remove unwanted bloatware and customize their TV experience according to their preferences

Android TV is essentially Android on a television. This has many benefits that we enjoy with Android smartphones, but it also has drawbacks, such as preinstalled apps that we don’t want, commonly known as “bloatware.”

On your Android smart TV, there is a simple option to mass-delete all of these pre-installed apps or, if you’d like, just disable them. Follow this post to learn how to remove bloatware from your Android TV if you’re looking for exactly that. Let’s find out:

Also Read | Buying A New Smart TV: Top Premium 43-inch. 50-inch, 55-inch Smart TVs Under Rs. 50,000 In 2023

How To Uninstall Apps On Android TV?

Let’s first go over how to remove an app using the Settings menu. Every app you install on your devices, including several that come preinstalled by the manufacturer, will function after you follow this procedure. To start:

Step 1: Go to the Settings menu. You can get there by tapping the gear-shaped icon in the home screen’s upper right-hand corner.

Step 2: To go to that sub-menu, click on Apps.

Step 3: You’ll need to tap ‘See All Apps’ and scroll down until you find the one you’re looking for.

Step 4: Click on the app you want to uninstall to get to its detail page.

Step 5: Tap on ‘Uninstall’ to continue.

Step 6: A new screen will pop up and the system will ask if you really want to uninstall this app from your Android TV. Click ‘OK’ to continue.

The screen will temporarily flash white while it’s removing the application. Once finished, the app will no longer be listed when you return to the Settings screen.

Read Also | How To Set Up Google Duo On Your Android TV: Follow These Steps

Disable Apps On Android TV

It’s likely that you’ll run into applications that don’t have the ‘Uninstall’ option available. You will discover Deactivate in its place. Disabling an app means that it will no longer appear anywhere and will still stream on TV even though its data has been removed.

The majority of the TV bloatware should now be gone, but there will always be preinstalled system apps that you cannot remove or disable from the menus. Although there are a few extra stages, you can also skip them.

Also Read | Best 55-inch High-Res Smart TVs Under Rs. 40,000 In 2023

Apple is not just popular for iPhones or iPads. The Cupertino Giant is well-known for its Mac notebooks, laptops, and Apple TV lineup (smart TVs). Like iPhones and its other popular products, Apple makes sure it uses top-tier hardware for its smart TV lineup. Siri  Remote is one of the prime accessories that ships with Apple TVs. As the name suggests, the Siri Remote is a wireless remote accessory enabled with the digital voice assistant Siri.

But Apple has also made it possible for users to control Apple TVs using Apple iPhones and iPads, or even iPod touch. This option is also available for compatible AirPlay 2 devices. This is a useful feature that becomes a savior at times you aren’t able to find the TV remote.

In such scenarios, you don’t have to wait to buy a new Apple TV remote and rather can use the range of available Apple devices at your place to control the audio and video playback on your Apple TVs. You would first need to add the Apple TV remote to Control Centre only then you will be able to complete the setup. Below are all the steps to add and setup Apple TV Remote to the control center so that you can use your iPhone or iPad as a remote:

Steps To Add Apple TV Remote To Control Center

Step 1: Make sure the device to be connected (iPhone or iPad) is running on the latest firmware version (iOS and iPadOS). If the devices are already using the latest firmware build, they will be automatically added to the Control Center. Just for reference, the Apple TV Remote feature in the Control Center is compatible with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3^rd Gen), and compatible AirPlay 2 models.

Step 2: If in case your device is running on the older iOS or iPadOS version, you will need to complete the procedure manually. In such scenarios, go to the device settings first.

Step 3: Click on the Control Center option.

Step 4: Select the Add “+” icon placed right next to the Apple TV Remote tab.

How To Complete Apple TV Remote Setup In Apple TV Control Center

Step 1: Launch the Control Center app on your respective Apple devices.

Step 2: Scroll to the Apple TV Remote option.

Step 3: Click on the Apple TV or smart TV from the list on the screen.

Step 4: You will see a bunch of on-screen instructions. Follow the steps and enter the four-digit passcode that you will receive on the connected iPhone or iPad. You will need to use the Siri Remote to enter the four-digit passcode into the Apple TV. This is for 3^rd Gen Apple TVs. Once you complete these steps, you’ll be able to use your iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch as your Apple TV Remote.

Samsung is one of the largest players in the big screen markets. The South Korean tech giant has shown its expertise with smart TVs and monitors and is meeting the user requirements with feature-rich products in this segment. Samsung smart TVs v tech advanced features that you would expect on any premium range smart TV.

You can use the internet, connect wireless accessories, and much more with modern Samsung smart TVs. Screen sharing is another useful option that most of the new-generation Samsung smart TVs allow. Samsung is also known for adding customized features to its smart TV range. And since we are speaking of screen sharing, the Tap View and Multi-View features are two of these features that help with easy screen sharing.

The Tap View feature lets you transfer content including photos and videos from your smartphones and other mobile devices including tablets to your smart TV. On the other hand, the Multi View feature allows users to view a split screen for different content types simultaneously on the TV. The Multi View option on Samsung smart TVs also lets users sort content and allot screen size (small or large) respectively.

How To Use Tap View On Samsung Smart TV For Screen Sharing

In order to use the Tap View and Multi View feature on your Samsung smart TV, you would need to have the Samsung SmartThings app installed on your respective phones. If you don’t have this app, make sure you do that from Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your respective Android phones or iPhones.

Step 1: Launch the SmartThings mobile application on your respective smartphones.

Step 2: Click on the Settings menu from the app’s home screen.

Step 3: Scroll to the Tap View option and toggle it on.

Step 4: Now, move your smartphone closer to the TV and wait for the Allow phone presence option on the app. That’s all you need to activate the Tap View screen sharing feature on Samsung smart TVs.

Precautions You Need To Take While Using Tap View Feature

You must take certain precautions while using the Tap View feature on Samsung smart TVs. One is primarily to avoid damage on the screen or corner of the TV.  You can avoid accidental cracks by avoiding tapping on the screen or the corners. You can tap on the top or the side of the TV frame to avoid damage while using the Tap View feature.

How To Use Multi View Screen Option For Split Screen View On Samsung TVs?

The method varies for using the Multi View feature on Samsung smart TVs. It depends on the type of device that is connected to the smart TV. You will simply need to toggle on the screen mirroring option if it’s a smartphone or mobile device.

On the other hand, if it’s an external device such as a gaming console, you will need to select open the Content Menu and then select the required device from the list. You can drag and adjust the screen sizes and placement of the content with the Multi View option.

Key Highlights

• Sending files from a phone to a smart TV is easy
• There are several ways to do it including using a USB cable
• Ensure both devices are on the same network

Smart TVs, mainly Android TVs, have become popular, with their sales skyrocketing due to the smart features with integration across multiple platforms. You may wish to stream music, watch videos, or even view documents on your Android television straight from your phone if you have one. But how?

Once you know how to get around it, transferring files from your Android phone to a smart TV is simple. Two methods for transferring files from your Android phone to your Android smart TV will be covered in this article. Let’s quickly dive in.

Also Read | Buying New Smart TV? List Of Best 32-inch Smart TVs Under Rs. 10,000 In India

How To Send Files To TV From Your Phone?

First things first, you need to download and install the necessary app on your Android TV and Android smartphone. To do this, all you have to do is follow the listed steps:

Step 1: Open the Play Store on both your TV and your Android phone.

Step 2: Search for the ‘Send Files to TV’ app.

Step 3: Open the app on your TV and select ‘Receive’.

Step 4: On your phone, go select the files you’d like to send to your TV and hit Share.

Step 5: Choose ‘Send Files to TV’ from the resulting window.

Step 6: Now, select your Android TV from the list. The files will be sent over.

Note: The ‘Send Files to TV’ app is not yet available for iOS devices.

Also Read | Best Smart TVs In India With 120hz Refresh Rate: Popular Options From LG, Samsung, And More

Mirror Your Phone’s Screen To Chromecast Or Firestick

Mirroring is another method for watching content from your phone or computer on your TV. If you only want to play videos or view images on the big screen, you can mirror your mobile device to your TV. Also, note that the file will not be transferred to the TV.

For mirroring, you must connect your TV and mobile phone to the same Wi-Fi network, locate the casting option on your smartphone, press on it, and choose your smart TV from the list of connected devices. You can play the movie on your smartphone, which will then be played on the TV, and it will mirror your device to the screen.

For the tech geeks, stay updated with the latest cutting-edge gadgets in the market, exclusive tech updates, gadget reviews, and more right on your phone’s screen. Join Giznext’s WhatsApp channel and receive the industry-first tech updates.

Key Highlights

• Juggling multiple remotes is frustrating
• Use your phone to control your smart TV
• Phones with IR blasters control various devices

Are you ready to binge-watch your favorite TV shows? Now imagine all the remotes that currently reside on the coffee table. One for the cable, DVD player, video game console, or television. Additionally, there must have been times when you couldn’t find the remote or its battery died. It’s annoying, isn’t it?

Gratefully, smart as they are, Android smart TVs can also be controlled by Android phones and even iPhones. Users of smartphones with IR blasters can download TV remote apps to operate not just their smart TVs but also set-top boxes, cable TV boxes, DVD players, Blu-ray players, stereo equipment, projectors, air conditioning systems, cameras, and other devices that receive IR signals or light beams.

According to the Google blog page, here’s how you can use your smartphone as a remote for your smart TV.

How To Control Smart TV With Your Android Smartphone?

Step 1: On your mobile phone, download the Android TV Remote Control app from the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Connect your Android phone and smart TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Open the smart TV Remote Control app on your phone and tap the name of your smart TV.

Step 4: A PIN will appear on your smart TV screen.

Step 5: Enter the PIN on your phone. Click on pair to connect both devices.

How To Control Smart TV With Your iPhone?

Step 1: Download the ‘Smart TV Remote’ app from the App Store to your iPhone.

Step 2: Your phone and smart TV should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: On your phone, open the Smart TV Remote Control app.

Step 4: To access your smart TV, tap its name.

Step 5: Your smart TV’s screen will display a PIN.

Step 6: On your phone, enter the PIN that is displayed on your TV.

Step 7: To link the two devices, tap pair.

Once paired, users can turn their TV on or off with the remote. They can easily use their mobile phone to view the same menu that is available on the remote control.

For the tech geeks, stay updated with the latest cutting-edge gadgets in the market, exclusive tech updates, gadget reviews, and more right on your phone’s screen. Join Giznext’s WhatsApp channel and receive the industry-first tech updates.