Android TVs have become a part of almost every home, and honestly, they’ve changed the way we enjoy entertainment. Gone are the days when a TV was just about cable channels. Now, with Android TV, you basically have a smartphone on a big screen. From apps to games to streaming, it’s all right there. But what makes it even cooler are the small tricks that many people don’t know about. And when you discover one of these tricks, trust me, your whole experience feels upgraded.
One of the most useful new tricks on Android TV is screen mirroring without any third-party app. A lot of people install random apps to cast their phone screen, but the latest Android TV versions already have a built-in option. All you need to do is enable “Cast” from your phone’s quick settings, and boom—your entire phone screen is mirrored onto your TV. This is super handy when you want to show photos to your family, watch a video from your phone, or even play mobile games on a bigger screen. It feels like carrying your phone into your TV.
Another crazy trick that many users don’t realize is connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Yes, your Android TV can actually function like a mini computer. Just pair a wireless keyboard or mouse, and suddenly typing into YouTube or searching on Google Play becomes way faster. No more struggling with the on-screen keyboard using your remote. In fact, with this trick, you can even browse the internet like you do on a laptop.
There’s also a hidden gem in the settings called Developer Options. Just like on Android phones, you can unlock it on your TV by tapping the build number multiple times. Once unlocked, you get extra controls like improving graphics performance, speeding up animations, or even force-enabling features that aren’t normally available. To be honest, most people never touch this, but it can make your Android TV run smoother and faster.
One more trick that blew my mind is using your phone as a remote control. Sometimes the TV remote goes missing, or maybe the batteries die right when you’re about to watch something. Instead of panicking, you can just download the Google TV app on your phone, connect it to your Android TV, and use it as a fully functional remote. It even lets you type using your phone keyboard, which feels like a blessing compared to typing with a TV remote.
Another really useful feature is sideloading apps. Not all apps are available on the Play Store for Android TV, but you can still install APK files manually. Imagine installing mobile apps like Telegram, MX Player, or even some cool third-party streaming apps directly on your TV. This trick basically turns your Android TV into an all-in-one device.
And let’s not forget about voice commands. A lot of people don’t explore this deeply, but with Google Assistant built into Android TVs, you can just press the mic button and say things like “Play Stranger Things on Netflix” or “Show me the weather”. It saves so much time scrolling and typing. Plus, it’s kind of fun to control your TV like you’re talking to a smart assistant.
At the end of the day, Android TV is more powerful than most people realize. These little tricks—whether it’s casting your phone, connecting a keyboard, or unlocking developer settings—can make your experience smoother, faster, and honestly, more fun. It’s like discovering secret levels in a game; once you know them, you can’t imagine going back.
So, the next time you sit down to watch something, try out one of these tricks. You might end up using your Android TV in a completely new way and wonder how you lived without it.
