Most people treat their Android TV like a digital poster for Netflix and Disney+ — a simple gateway to the next binge-watch. In reality, Android TV is a versatile operating system that can handle file management, web browsing, and system customization just like your smartphone.

If you are ready to stop ‘just watching’ and start actually using your hardware, these essential apps will help you reclaim your remote and unlock features you probably didn’t even know your TV had.

Cx File Explorer

Manage apps and files like a pro

If you want to manage your device, you need Cx File Explorer. It's the single most important app you can install because it turns your TV into a fully accessible computer.

I love it because it doesn’t just show your local folders; it gives you a high-level, visualized storage analysis right on the home screen. When my TV starts acting sluggish, I can see at a glance exactly which app or forgotten 4K video file is hogging all my space.

The best part for me is the network and cloud integration. I don’t use USB sticks anymore. With Cx, I can link my Google Drive or Dropbox directly to my TV.

This means I can download an APK or a high-res photo on my laptop and see it on my TV instantly without ever leaving my couch.

Cx File Manager uses a clean, familiar, PC-like navigation that feels natural even with a clunky TV remote.

LocalSend

Send files in no time

I used to use the popular ‘Send Files to TV’ app, but it always felt a bit clunky. It often struggles when I try to send things from my Mac or Windows PC. LocalSend is open-source, completely ad-free, and it works on every device I own. It doesn’t need the cloud or an account; as long as your devices are on the same Wi-Fi and see each other instantly.

When I find a cool new APK on my laptop, I don’t look for a thumb drive. I click the file, send it to TCL TV, and it’s there in seconds.

If I want to show a group of friends some vacation photos on the big screen, I select the whole album on my phone and beam it over.

LocalSend gives devices funny names like Cunning Onion or Wise Apple. I recommend going into settings and renaming your TV so that you don’t end up sending files to another device.

AnyDesk

Unlock remote sessions on Android TV

The main reason I keep AnyDesk on my TV is for unattended access. Once I set a password in the security settings, I don’t even need to be in the same room to manage my TV.

If I’m at work and realize I forgot to update an app or want to clear the cache, so my family can watch a movie without lag, I log in from my phone and do it in seconds. Besides, typing ‘The Lord of the Rings’ into a search bar with a remote is a test of patience. With AnyDesk, I use my laptop keyboard to type instantly into any text field on the TV.

I have even become the IT guy for my parents’ TV. I installed AnyDesk on their box, and now when they complain about network connectivity, I can gain access to their TV and fix it in no time.

TV Bro

A handy file browser on a big screen

When I first bought my Android TV, I tried using a sideloaded version of Chrome, and it was a disaster. I hated navigating a standard webpage with a D-pad remote. That all changed when I found TV Bro.

TV Bro isn’t just a browser that works on TV — it's a browser built exclusively for the remote control. Most TV browsers feel like an afterthought, but this is free and understands that I’m sitting ten feet away on a sofa, and two feet away with a mouse.

Unlike most browsers that hide where files go, TV Bro has a dedicated download section. When I find a wallpaper or a rare APK online, I download it directly and then use Cx File Explorer to move it to the right folder.

TV Bro is designed for a big interface with giant buttons that are easy to navigate and use. On the home page, you can add titles for your most-visited sites. I have mine set to local weather, sports news, and my favorite tech site (which is obviously XDA).

Stop just streaming

The beauty of Android TV lies in its flexibility. While movies and TV shows will always be the main event, these utility apps prove that your biggest screen can handle much more than just the basics.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let that processing power go to waste – install a few of these today and see how much smoother (and more capable) your living room experience can become.

If you have recently purchased a new smart TV, make sure to tweak these settings to get the best out of it.