How to Access the Full Play Store on Google TV

Aug. 12, 2021



Since its launch, Google has been improving and adding new features to its Google TV platform, the successor toAndroid TV. The company recently introducedApple TV+ support on Google TVand fixed a major bug where users were facingdata corruption issues on Google TV. It’s all good now, but Google is yet to add a dedicated Play Store shortcut on the homepage, which is frankly disappointing. To access the full-fledged Play Store on Google TV, you have to summon Google Assistant or dive into various menus and sub-menus. So to make things easier for you, we have compiled five ways to access the full Play Store on Google TV in this article.

Here, we have added multiple ways to open the full Play Store on Google TV. Based on your expertise level, you can utilize any of the five methods listed below. To move to a particular method, expand the table below.

The easiest way to access the full-fledged Play Store interface on Google TV is to use the Google Assistant. Follow the steps below to learn how it works:

  1. Just press and hold the Google Assistant button on the remote and say “Open Play Store“.

  2. Instantly, Google Assistant willlaunch the Play Store appon your Chromecast with Google TV. Now, you can update apps manually, turn off auto-updates, manage parental controls, and more.

Another nifty way to open the Play Store on Chromecast with Google TV is through the “App Info” page. From there, you can open the main interface of the Play Store.

  1. To do that, go to “Settings“.

  2. Next, navigate to “Apps“.

  3. On the right pane, press on “See allapps“.

  4. Scroll down and select “Show SystemApps“.

  5. Now, scroll down further and look for “Google Play Store“.

  6. Move to the right pane menu andopen the Play Store.

  7. Finally, you will be able toaccess the Google Play Storeon your Chromecast with Google TV.

Since Google does not offer a shortcut to the Google Play Store on Google TV, we need to sideload a third-party app for that. The app has been developed byedwaineof XDA-Developers, and it adds a simple shortcut for the app store on the homescreen. Let’s see how it works:

  1. First,click hereanddownload the APK.

  2. Next, we need tosideload the APKon our Google TV. You can follow our detailed tutorial onhow to sideload APKs on Android TV. The instructions are pretty similar for Google TV and Android TV as they share the same Android base.

  3. Once you have managed to transfer the APK to your Google TV, open a file explorer andinstall the downloaded APK.

  4. Once installed, press the Home button on the remote, and you will find a shortcut to Google Play Storeadded to the top-rowon your Google TV. Easy-peasy, right?

If you find the Google TV launcher too complex to use, you caninstall a third-party launcherfrom the Play Store. It will give a clean look to the homescreen and add a Google Play Store shortcut as well. Here is how to go about it.

Note: By the way, you can disablepersonalized recommendations on Google TVorcustomize the Google TV homescreenfor a seamless and clutter-free experience.

  1. You can install a third-party launcher from the Play Store. No need to sideload it. We have already curated a list of thebest Android TV launchers, so go through the list and select the one you like. I would suggestATV Launcher(Free) or Sideload Launcher (Free).

  2. To install a launcher, press and hold the Google Assistant button and say “search for X app“. Now, open the launcher and install it.

  3. Once installed,press the Home button, and you will find the ATV launcher added to the top-row.

  4. Open it to find a clean interface with aGoogle Play Storeshortcut.That’s it. You can now easily install and manage apps on your Google TV.

Finally, you can remap a remote button to open the Play Store on your Google TV. We have explained how it works in the steps below:

  1. You need toinstall Button Mapper(Free, offers in-app purchases) on your Google TV and follow our guide onhow to remap the Android TV remoteto grant all the permissions.

  2. Once you have set up everything, choose a button you want to use to open the Play Store. For example, I have chosen “Double tap” on the Home button to open the Play Store instantly.

  3. So, open the “Double tap” menu in the Button Mapper app. Then, move to the drop-down menu, choose “Applications” and scroll down until you find the “Play Store”. Select it.

  4. You are done. Now, whenever you willdouble-press the Home button, Play Store will open up instantly. How cool is that? Yes, it’s a bit lengthy process to set up everything, but it works like a charm once it’s done.

Five Ways to Access the Play Store App on Chromecast with Google TV

Five Ways to Access the Play Store App on Chromecast with Google TV

So these are the five different ways you can access the full-fledged Play Store app on Google TV. The Google Assistant method is fast and efficient, but frankly, I have just sideloaded the Play Store shortcut app for quicker access. And if you are an advanced user, I would suggest remapping the remote button. Anyway, that is all from us. If you want to learn more suchGoogle TV tips and tricks, follow our linked article. And if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below.

Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.

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