So, you've bought an Android TV device. Congratulations! But now what?

A few apps—like YouTube and Netflix—might come pre-installed. For the rest, it's up to you.

Android TV is an excellent platform if you're looking to unlock the full potential of your big screen. It comes with Google's Play Store, which gives you a good range of apps to choose from and install.

For the best experience, you need a mix of videos, music, productivity, and system apps. With that in mind, here are the essential Android TV apps you need to install right away.

1. MX Player

MX Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen.

The app can play a vast number of codecs and supports subtitle files. MX Player's interface is also smooth and easy to use.

MX Player can also read both locally saved files and content from external drives, making it an excellent companion for anyone whose Android TV device has USB ports.

Download: MX Player (Free)

2. Sideload Launcher

Sideload launcher on Android TV

The Google Play Store on Android TV is a slimmed-down version of the smartphone version. Some apps are not Android TV-compatible, so there aren't as many to choose from. However, the operating system is capable of running any Android app, making sideloading apps on Android TV a popular activity.

But there's an issue. Apps you sideload will not appear on your device's home screen or list of apps. The only native way to access them is via the Settings menu. Thus, the solution is to install a third-party app. Sideload Launcher is the easiest one to use. You'll see a list of all your sideloaded apps when you open it.

Check out our article about how to manage sideloaded apps on Android TV to learn more.

Download: Sideload Launcher (Free)

3. Netflix

This one is a no-brainer. Netflix might come pre-installed on your device. If it doesn't, grab the app.

A Netflix subscription plan will give you access to thousands of TV movies and shows. It's an essential service for anyone who wants to cut the cord.

Download: Netflix (Free)

4. Plex

Plex on Android TV

Another no-brainer. If you have an extensive personal collection of digital movies and TV shows, Plex is the best solution for casting them around all the screens and devices in your home.

In addition to its beautiful libraries, Plex can also automatically download subtitle files, metadata, movie artwork, viewer ratings, and more.

Aside from your personal collection, Plex gives you access to over 300 live channels and a massive catalog of movies and shows. As long as you don't want to watch your content remotely, Plex is entirely free to use.

Download: Plex (Free)

5. AirScreen

Android TV devices natively support Google Cast. This means you can cast content from Android smartphones and other Google products, such as the Chrome browser and Chromebooks, straight to your TV screen.

Apple's AirPlay is not supported. If you have an Apple device, one of the best apps you can install is AirScreen. It will let you mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac screen on your Android TV box.

AirScreen also works with Google Cast, Miracast, DLNA protocols and also supports tons of apps. This makes it an excellent all-rounder when it comes to casting your screen.

Download: AirScreen (Free)

6. X-plore File Manager

X-plore file manager on Android TV

It's always useful to keep a file manager installed on your device, but if you're planning to sideload apps, it's essential.

We are blessed with a good selection of file managers for Android TV. In our roundup, we recommended X-plore File Manager, Total Commander, TvExplorer, and AnExplorer File Manager.

From a sideloading perspective, we recommend X-plore File Manager. It uses a dual-pane approach, which makes it easy to transfer an APK file from a USB stick to your device's hard drive.

Download: X-plore File Manager (Free)

7. Kodi

Kodi on Android TV

If you don't have any of your own digital content, you can argue Kodi is a better choice than Plex.

The app has an almost endless number of add-ons that can provide access to on-demand videos, live TV, weather updates, the news, productivity tools, and much more.

You can also install an IPTV add-on for Kodi to watch television over the internet.

Download: Kodi (Free)

8. Wake on LAN

Wake on Lan on Android TV

Wake on LAN is the only Android TV app that can wake up your computer remotely.

It's a vital feature if you do a lot of local streaming using Plex or Kodi. If the computer on which you run the Plex or Kodi server goes to sleep, the Wake on LAN app can force it to wake up so you can start streaming content again.

Download: Wake on LAN (Free)

Steam Link on Android TV

In 2018, Steam finally launched its Android TV app, Steam Link.

The app lets you stream your Steam games directly onto any Android device. You can play all your PC games on your TV without worrying about moving your computer and a fiddly HDMI cable.

With Steam Link, the game will be running on your computer, with the screen being cast onto your Android TV device. You'll need to connect a Bluetooth controller to your Android TV device to interact with the games.

Download: Steam Link (Free)

10. Spotify

Spotify on Android TV

Cable TV music channels are annoying and full of ads. And the musical experience on YouTube isn't much better unless you pay for YouTube Premium.

Spotify is the answer. It runs smoothly on Android TV, and you can control it with your Android TV remote as well as other devices that have Spotify. All you need to do is to open Spotify on another device, tap the devices icon and then select your Android TV box.

The Android TV version lacks some AI features. For instance, you can't go to a song's radio or enhance playlists. It does display song lyrics, though, and they're even better on a big screen.

Other music services with a dedicated Android TV app include Pandora and YouTube Music.

Download: Spotify (Free)

11. Google Chrome

Google Chrome on Android TV

Oddly, Google Chrome does not come pre-installed on Android TV devices. There's not even an Android TV version of the app.

Despite the lack of a store version of Chrome, you don't need to sideload it. If you head to Chrome's listing in the Google Play Store on the web, your Android TV box will be listed as a compatible device. Even if that didn't work, there are other ways you can install Google Chrome on your Android TV device.

The good thing about having Chrome on Android TV is that once you sign in with your Google Account, all your bookmarks and saved history will be available on your Android TV device.

The downside is that since Google never bothered optimizing Chrome for Android TV, you'll need a mouse and a keyboard to navigate through it.

Download: Google Chrome (Free)

12. Sling

The cord-cutting revolution is showing no signs of slowing down. Users have been canceling their cable subscriptions en masse and migrating to à la carte live TV services.

One of the most popular cable-cutting services is Sling. Depending on which package you buy, you can enjoy AMC, CNN, ESPN, Disney, Comedy Central, NFL Network, and many more.

Download: Sling (Free)

13. Hulu

Hulu on Android TV

If you want live TV and on-demand content all in one service (and you live in the US), the best service is Hulu + Live TV.

In addition to the base Hulu subscription, Hulu has partnered with Disney and ESPN to offer a bundle subscription with access to all three services without ads. The bundle also includes DVR, so you can record live shows and watch them later.

Away from the content, the app itself deserves credit. After a few years of development, it's now one of the best-designed Android TV apps on the entire platform.

Download: Hulu (Free)

14. YouTube TV

Another popular cord-cutting service is YouTube TV. Despite only launching in 2017, it has already racked up millions of subscribers.

YouTube has agreements in place with most of the big networks. That means you can watch channels such as CNN, Discovery, BBC News, FOX, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, VH1, and more.

Download: YouTube TV (Free)

15. TVUsage

TVUsage on Android TV

Kids watching too much TV has been a common theme of family life since televisions themselves entered American households during the 1950s. However, given the number of available channels, the problem is arguably worse than ever.

TVUsage is a parental control app for Android TV that lets you set screen time restrictions and monitor kids' viewing habits. You can set different limits for different apps and encrypt the app with a pin code.

Aside from parental control, TVUsage is useful for adults too. The app gives you overviews of your screen time and lets you set break timers for apps such as Netflix.

Download: TVUsage (Free, in-app purchases available)

16. Send Files to TV

Moving files from your computer or smartphone to your Android TV device is easier said than done; there is no native, user-friendly way to make it happen.

Send Files to TV is the answer. It lets you share movies, TV shows, and other files between your other devices and your Android TV box via your local network. All you need to do is to install the app on both devices and connect them to your local network.

Download: Send Files to TV (Free, in-app purchases available)

Photo Gallery and Screensaver on Android TV

Android TV's native screensaver settings are extremely basic. And you can't even access your Google Photos library to turn it into a screensaver slideshow.

For a more feature-rich screensaver experience (which includes Google Photos integration), check out Photo Gallery and Screensaver. You can use Google Photos, Facebook, Flickr, and NASA as sources.

Download: Photo Gallery and Screensaver (Free, in-app purchases available)

18. Haystack News

Haystack News on Android TV

Live news has often been cited as one of the pitfalls of cord-cutting. In truth, that's no longer the case. You can find 24-hour news channels on all the live TV apps that we have mentioned here.

And even if you don't want to pay for a service, you still have options. One such option is Haystack News. It sources stories from all the major news networks based on your preferences and viewing history.

The app is free to use, although it includes ads. You can get rid of the ads with a premium subscription.

Download: Haystack News (Free, subscription available)

19. Puffin TV Browser

If you don't care for your Chrome bookmarks and history, then Puffin TV is the way to go.

Puffin TV Browser is a web browser designed specifically for Android TV. As a result, Puffin TV is fast and works seamlessly with your Android TV remote.

Puffin TV also supports Adobe Flash Player, and you can enable it when needed.

Download: Puffin TV Browser (Free)

20. Network TV Apps

News apps for Android TV on Google Play Store

Almost all the most prominent TV channels in Europe and the United States now offer some form of Android TV app. You can catch up on new series, watch some of their older classics, and, in some cases, even tune into live TV.

Networks with an Android TV app include ESPN, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, HGTV, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, ABC, Disney+, HBO Max, Showtime, and Nickelodeon. Users in the UK can install BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Note: Some of the apps require you to have a cable TV subscription.

Android TV Is Right for Everyone

As this list shows, very few areas aren't covered by an Android TV app. Be it movies, music, web-browsing, or even retro gaming.

This catalog of apps gets even larger once you learn to sideload apps on your Android TV. This way, even if a specific app isn't available on Play Store, you can still install and use it.

In our opinion, the sheer breadth of available apps means that Android TV is right for everyone, even if you're not an Android smartphone user. There simply isn't a better cord-cutting solution on the market right now.