Since its launch, Google has been improving and adding new features to its Google TV platform, the successor to Android TV. The company recently introduced Apple TV+ support on Google TV and fixed a major bug where users were facing data corruption issues on Google TV. It’s all good now, but Google is yet to add a dedicated Play Store shortcut on the homepage, which is frankly disappointing. To access the full-fledged Play Store on Google TV, you have to summon Google Assistant or dive into various menus and sub-menus. So to make things easier for you, we have compiled five ways to access the full Play Store on Google TV in this article.
Here, we have added multiple ways to open the full Play Store on Google TV. Based on your expertise level, you can utilize any of the five methods listed below. To move to a particular method, expand the table below.
- Open Play Store on Google TV via Google Assistant
- Access Play Store From Google TV Settings
- Create a Shortcut for Play Store on the Homescreen
- Install a Third-party Launcher
- Remap a Remote Button to Open the Play Store
Method 1: Open Play Store on Google TV via Google Assistant
The easiest way to access the full-fledged Play Store interface on Google TV is to use the Google Assistant. Follow the steps below to learn how it works:
- Instantly, Google Assistant will launch the Play Store app on your Chromecast with Google TV. Now, you can update apps manually, turn off auto-updates, manage parental controls, and more.
Another nifty way to open the Play Store on Chromecast with Google TV is through the “App Info” page. From there, you can open the main interface of the Play Store.
Next, navigate to “Apps“.
Finally, you will be able to access the Google Play Store on your Chromecast with Google TV.
Since Google does not offer a shortcut to the Google Play Store on Google TV, we need to sideload a third-party app for that. The app has been developed by edwaine of XDA-Developers, and it adds a simple shortcut for the app store on the homescreen. Let’s see how it works:
Method 4: Install a Third-party Launcher
If you find the Google TV launcher too complex to use, you can install a third-party launcher from the Play Store. It will give a clean look to the homescreen and add a Google Play Store shortcut as well. Here is how to go about it.
- Once installed, press the Home button, and you will find the ATV launcher added to the top-row.
Finally, you can remap a remote button to open the Play Store on your Google TV. We have explained how it works in the steps below:
- You need to install Button Mapper (Free, offers in-app purchases) on your Google TV and follow our guide on how to remap the Android TV remote to grant all the permissions.
