JW Library on Android TV?

[Naith]

Just to ask if it's possible to run JW Library on Android TV? I've got a NVidia Shield that runs Android TV, but there's no sign of the Library in the official store...

 

TIA ☺️

[Myew]

Nvidia Shields are awesome, I have the K1 Tablet. But I'm fairly sure that Android TV devices use a different/limited Play Store that only allows select apps?
Since it's Android, it's always possible, but not necessarily straightforward for a TV based device. I would first try logging into your Google account on a computer browser at play.google.com: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jw.jwlibrary.mobile&hl=en_US See if you can choose your Shield in the dropdown menu to install JW Library to.

Another method would be to download the apk file itself and sideload it to the Shield. This can be done via any decent file manager app or over a network connection from a PC. This is a bit more technical. https://www.maketecheasier.com/sideload-apps-android-tv/
https://www.howtogeek.com/280763/how-to-sideload-apps-on-android-tv/

 

ES File Explorer was removed from the Play Store, I believe something to do with auto clicking adverts... I still have it on my old Shield.
Most people recommend Xplore or Solid Explorer now as a file manager. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2&hl=en_US

For managing my Android devices from a PC over USB or WiFi, I use MyPhoneExplorer which utilizes developer/debugging modes for greater access.
https://www.fosshub.com/MyPhoneExplorer.html https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fjsoft.myphoneexplorer.client&hl=en_US

Edited May 15, 2020 by Myew

[AH173]

23 minutes ago, Myew said:

Another method would be to download the apk file itself and sideload it to the Shield. This can be done via any decent file manager app or over a network connection from a PC. This is a bit more technical. https://www.maketecheasier.com/sideload-apps-android-tv/
https://www.howtogeek.com/280763/how-to-sideload-apps-on-android-tv/

I agree, sideloading is the key or maybe getting it from apkpure.com may be helpful also.

 

https://apkpure.com/jw-library/org.jw.jwlibrary.mobile

 

[Myew]

I prefer apkmirror if I must download an apk since it's done by android police and they vet everything. Usually though I can just use myphoneexplorer or a rooted file manager to make a backup of the APK on my own android devices. https://www.slant.co/versus/7899/22173/~apkmirror_vs_apkpure https://www.apkmirror.com/faq/

[Jendo]

I using it on Thomson android tv. You can download it from jw.org and put it to Google drive. My only problem is little space on tv. But it works fine. (And install Sideload launcher for easyer launching)

[Myew]

Derp. I thought there was a download page on JW.org but I didn't find it the first time. This is the source.
https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-library/android/manually-install-jw-library-android/

They should really put it over on the right side next to the other downloads. :< https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-library/

Edited May 15, 2020 by Myew

[Naith]

Thanks for all the replies. So am I right in thinking the app won't auto update? I'd have to re-install if I wanted to update it?

 

Also, the only way for it to appear in my app drawer is to use Sideload Launcher?

 

TIA  🙂

[Myew]

Mm, I believe it is still possible for apps to auto update when sideloaded, but I may be wrong.

Regarding the second question:
https://www.howtogeek.com/280763/how-to-sideload-apps-on-android-tv/
"Unlike on Android phones or tablets, sideloaded app will not show up in the launcher. If they’re unsupported, they’re just that: unsupported. There are two ways to launch these apps: you could go to Settings > Apps  and find the app you want to run, then select it and choose “Open,” or you could just use a simple app called “Sideload Launcher.” Seems like a no-brainer to me."

[Naith]

4 hours ago, Myew said:

Mm, I believe it is still possible for apps to auto update when sideloaded, but I may be wrong.

Regarding the second question:
https://www.howtogeek.com/280763/how-to-sideload-apps-on-android-tv/
"Unlike on Android phones or tablets, sideloaded app will not show up in the launcher. If they’re unsupported, they’re just that: unsupported. There are two ways to launch these apps: you could go to Settings > Apps  and find the app you want to run, then select it and choose “Open,” or you could just use a simple app called “Sideload Launcher.” Seems like a no-brainer to me."

Thanks for that. I might reset my Shield to update it to 8.0.2. soon, so I'll have a look at Sideload launcher... 👍

[.Ivan.]

I have 2 years old Sony smart TV, KD-65XE8577
Have android 9.0, it is good tv, but processors on all those tv-s are not much powerful.. and jw library app is big and huge and need hardware resources.
Rather use my newer samsung phone and cast to tv. Had also android tv box which have better chipset.
80000 antutu points instead 40000 of sony tv.