Use Your Smart TV Apps

March 2021 — Tip of the Month

There are several ways to send video from your mobile device to your TV. You can use Google or AirPlay to "cast" video to your television screen or use a physical cable to connect your device to the TV's HDMI input.

If you are regularly casting content from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, or other popular video services, there's an app for that — on your TV. Most smart TVs use the Android OS and come with several pre-installed Android apps. Examples include:

1. Netflix
2. Hulu
3. Amazon Prime
4. YouTube
5. Disney+
6. Apple TV

That's right — as of late 2020, even the Apple TV app is installed on Android televisions. Nice to see Apple and Google working together.

Instead of casting content to your TV, open the app from your TV's "Apps" menu and play your content directly from the TV. Using the built-in app bypasses the extra step of sending content from your mobile device to the TV (via Wi-Fi), which may result in smoother, higher-quality playback.

If the app you need is not installed on your TV, don't fret. You may be able to download and install the app using the "Play Store" app on your TV. Most Android TV apps are free, though streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu charge a monthly fee.

- Per Christensson