You don’t need to spend lots of of {dollars} on a brand new TV to get Android TV. In truth, all you want is a compact $50 laptop and a microSD card. You can also make your personal Raspberry Pi Android TV field for a fraction of the worth of a brand new TV, and configure it precisely the way you need.
Discover ways to set up Android TV on Raspberry Pi 4 and 400 computer systems.
Android TV on Raspberry Pi
Earlier than beginning, it is essential to grasp that the variations of Android and Android TV used on this mission are beta commonplace. As such, they arrive with sure shortcomings that you could be not expertise with an precise Android TV unit.
Two Raspberry Pi fashions are appropriate for working Android TV:
- Raspberry Pi 4
- Raspberry Pi 400
You’ll get the very best outcomes with a Raspberry Pi 4 with 8GB of RAM.
The steps for the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 400 are under.
If you wish to construct a Raspberry Pi good TV with out spending cash on a brand new Android TV, right here’s what it’s essential to do.
It’s doable to put in Android on a Raspberry Pi 3 or 3B+, however putting in apps will sluggish issues significantly. Moreover, there isn’t a sufficient consumer interface to create an Android TV-like expertise. As such, a Raspberry Pi 4 is the best choice for Android TV.
Set up Android TV on a Raspberry Pi 4 or 400
To construct your personal Raspberry Pi 4-based Android TV, you may want:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB or 8GB fashions are greatest)
- A superb high quality microSD card (16GB or extra)
- Raspberry Pi 4 PSU
- USB keyboard and mouse (alternatively, a combi distant)
- USB flash drive
- HDMI cable
- Ethernet cable (optionally available)
With these objects gathered, you are prepared to begin.
Step 1: Obtain and Set up Android TV
To put in Android TV in your Raspberry Pi 4, begin by grabbing the LineageOS 20 Android TV construct.
Obtain: LineageOS 20 Android TV by KonstaKANG
You must then set up LineageOS to the SD card utilizing Etcher. Seek advice from our information to putting in a Raspberry Pi OS for particulars.
When full, eject the SD card, place it in your Raspberry Pi 4 or 400, and boot the pc.
Step 2: Pair a Bluetooth Controller
If in case you have a Bluetooth distant (or spare sport controller), you need to use it with the Raspberry Pi Android TV.
After the primary boot, you can be prompted to pair the controller, so guarantee it’s in pairing mode first. Comply with the on-screen directions for pairing. Notice that wi-fi and cabled USB controllers will also be used, together with a mouse and/or keyboard.
As soon as that is finished, click on Begin and Settle for the EULA. Choose your Location, then, if utilizing Wi-Fi, connect with the very best community (click on Skip when you’re utilizing Ethernet or wish to arrange Wi-Fi later). Uncheck the telemetry possibility (LineageOS Options) then Begin to start utilizing the Android TV surroundings.
Step 3: Be taught to Use Android TV on Raspberry Pi
Earlier than you begin putting in any apps, it’s a great time to familiarize your self with the controls. This can be a significantly good concept if you’re utilizing a keyboard.
The controls are as follows:
- F1 = House
- F2 = Again
- F3 = View open apps
- F4 = Menu
- F5 = Energy
- F11 = Quantity down
- F12 = Quantity up
Notice that when you faucet F5, the gadget will go into standby. To totally shutdown, maintain F5. Different energy choices can be found within the Settings > System menu.
Step 4: Replace Android TV
To make sure you’re utilizing the newest and most safe construct of Android TV, test for updates. Go to Settings > System > Updater. If a brand new replace is offered, click on Replace and anticipate the package deal to obtain. As soon as this completes, click on Set up and wait.
Use the Preferences button to find out how usually the system checks for updates.
Step 5: Set up Streaming Apps
This model of Android TV doesn’t presently help Google Apps. As such, you have to to sideload APK information.
APKs are Android installer information, the equal of EXE information on Home windows.
The easiest way to do that is to seize a bunch of appropriate apps from a protected APK obtain web site.
Recommend apps:
- A browser
- VLC participant
- Your regular media streaming apps
- A VPN
When you’ve finished this, copy them to a USB storage gadget. Eject this, join it to your Raspberry Pi, and open the File Supervisor app in Android TV. To put in an APK:
- Browse to the APKs
- Choose one to put in
- On the warning, click on Proceed
- When as if you wish to set up the app, click on Set up
- Click on Open to make use of it, or Executed to put in one other
Some variations of widespread apps might not work. On this occasion, strive older releases as an alternative. There is a component of trial and error to this.
Step 6: Reboot Your Raspberry Pi 4 to Use Android TV
With the Google apps put in you can begin utilizing Android TV. Check in to your accounts, obtain media streaming instruments, or join your personal media to the system. It is all there for you!
Need additional configuration? This construct of Android TV for Raspberry Pi 4 options a number of tweaks you can also make to the set-up. This covers all the things from organising a {hardware} energy button to configuring SSH. It’s also possible to allow an IR distant and ship audio by means of the three.5mm jack as an alternative of HDMI.
You may discover Raspberry Pi 4 particular choices in Settings > System > Raspberry Pi settings.
Tweaks and troubleshooting suggestions could be discovered on the obtain web page on the KostaKANG web site, and tweaks can nonetheless be made within the /boot/ partition. In any other case, you now have an Android TV Raspberry Pi 4!
By now it’s best to have a Raspberry Pi 4 (or 400) Android TV streaming movies and music and enjoying video games due to the LineageOS and the Android TV consumer interface. To all intents and functions, you may have a DIY Raspberry Pi TV field powered with Android TV.
Admittedly, you might run into bother with efficiency, so guarantee your microSD card is as much as scratch. Additionally, test you are utilizing an accepted Raspberry Pi energy provide. This can make sure the Pi will get the facility it wants with out risking undervoltage and microSD card corruption.
