Get The Most Out of Your Android TV With These Tips and Tricks

Thousands of games and apps await on your Android TV. As soon as you set it up, you can be tempted to start using it with the default settings. But tinkering to make your smart TV personalized is always a good idea. Here are some tips and tricks to help you use it fully.
Enable Parental Controls
Unless you’re going to watch TV all alone, you need to set up parental controls. Children can spend too much time watching online videos or the wrong content. Having control over what they can view and for how long is essential in this day and age.
Enabling parental controls on Android TV is easy. You can install an app or use the built-in feature in the Settings section. Go to Settings, then Channels, and you’ll see the option for Parental Controls. Type the 4-digit PIN, and you’ll see all of the options.
Add Your Favorite Apps to The Home Screen
Every Android user knows that versatility and flexibility are what make the brand. You can customize everything. One of the first things to start with is the Home Screen. Install your favorite apps by going to Settings, then Apps, and clicking Get More Apps.
Search for whatever you need, and when you’re done with the process, go back to the home screen. Find the Apps row, and navigate to the plus button at the end. Select the new ones, and move them around in your desired order.
Use Voice Commands
Voice commands are the future, and Android TV has them ready and available. Google Assistant is one of the most powerful tools in existence. Use the same account from your phone to sign into the TV, and connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. When you sync them up, click on the microphone and start talking. You can change the ambient, adjust playback and volume, or search for content more easily.
Control the TV With Your Phone
If you’re watching YouTube on your smartphone, there’s the option to broadcast the video on your smart TV. It’s called screen mirroring, and you can view your phone display on the screen. Plus, there are some great TV remote apps to give you even more control.
Install a VPN
An Android TV VPN is an essential component of your setup. It secures your connection and protects your TV. There are two ways to install a VPN. The first is to find the app for the software in the Play Store. That way, you just open it and enter the credentials to connect. The other way is to get the APK from the provider’s website and install it manually.
Enable Auto Updates
Apps offer updates that come with new perks and security patches. Instead of waiting for an app to update when you want to use it, it’s better to enable the auto-update option. Go to your profile and open the Settings tab. There, you’ll see the option that lets you Auto-update apps. Based on your preferences, you can turn it on or off for each entry or all simultaneously.
Turn on a Sleep Timer
If you can’t escape the Netflix binge, set up a sleep timer to turn off the TV at bedtime. This option helps you keep a healthy sleeping schedule and saves your progress for the following day.
Edit the Screen Saver
When the TV is idle, the screen saver will keep the ambient going. It’s simple to set up. Go to Settings and find the Device Preferences. There, you’ll see the options for the screen saver. You can turn it off, add a backdrop-specific color, or choose something custom. What’s cool about it is that you can do this from your phone as long as you have Google Home.