Google TV vs Android TV: why a separate guide?

Google TV is the newer interface running on top of Android TV OS. The app itself installs the same way, but two things trip people up: the unknown-sources permission moved into a per-app menu buried under "Apps", and the Chromecast has famously little storage, so installs fail if the device is nearly full. This guide handles both.

Step 1: Install Downloader

1
Search for Downloader on your Google TV
Say "Downloader" into the remote's microphone or find it under Apps → Search for apps. Install the orange app by AFTVnews.

Step 2: Allow Downloader as an install source

1
Open the security settings
Go to Settings → Privacy → Security & Restrictions → Unknown sources, or on some models Settings → Apps → Security & Restrictions.
2
Toggle Downloader ON
You'll see a list of apps allowed to install other apps. Flip the switch next to Downloader.

Step 3: Enter code 1910890 and install

Downloader icon Code: 1910890

1
Open Downloader and type 1910890
Enter the code in the field on the home screen and press Go. The HiTV download page opens on your TV.
2
Download and confirm the install
Select the download button, wait for it to finish, then choose Install. When Downloader offers to delete the APK afterwards, accept to free up space.
3
Find HiTV in your apps
It appears under Apps → See all. Long-press to move it to the front of your app row.

Chromecast storage: the one real gotcha

The Chromecast with Google TV ships with 8 GB, and after system files you keep maybe half. If the install fails with a storage error:

  • Open Settings → System → Storage and see what's eating space.
  • Clear cache for big streaming apps (they rebuild it automatically).
  • Uninstall anything you haven't opened in months.
  • HiTV itself is small; you rarely need more than a couple hundred MB free.

If you plan to use the in-app download feature for offline episodes, a USB-C hub with expandable storage is worth considering, though most people just stream.

Other Google TV notes

The app installed but doesn't show anywhere

Google TV's "For you" home screen only surfaces Play Store apps. Go to the Apps tab and scroll: sideloaded apps sit at the bottom of "See all". Pin it from there.

Playback stutters in 4K menus

The 1st-gen Chromecast 4K runs warm under sustained load. Closing background apps helps, and HiTV's adaptive quality handles the rest. Persistent buffering is usually network, not device; see the buffering fixes.

Kids profile can't open HiTV

Sideloaded apps are unavailable inside Google TV kids profiles by design. Switch to the main profile.

Older smart TV without Google TV? If your set runs plain Android TV, follow the Android TV guide instead; the settings paths differ.