blocked apps on googld play store?

[kenken325]

i've just receive my pik tv box yesterday and while customizing it i've try to search some apps like Google Chrome and RSS Player on Google Play Store came up with nothing. 

does this android box blocked certain apps from play store being install onto it? anybody has the same issue as i do?

thanks!

[Nighthawk]

The apps that will work with the Pik TV will need to be available for the Android TV platform specifically. It won't run regular phone or tablet compatible apps. 

Now that being said there may be a way to do it. When I go into the Google Play store via the web instead, and look up the Chrome browser, when I click install and the list of devices comes up, the Pik is listed. (Shows as Arcadyan) It will actually install but only show up under My Apps in the play store on the Pik and can not be used. 

[kenken325]

thanks!

i wonder why it listed as cannot be use? can someone from telus support answer that?

other than Google Chrome are there any browser that works for Pik TV so far?

[WestCoasterBC · Accepted solution]

Apps need to be coded for the Android platform. They have all the proper API calls, screen resolution etc built in. Otherwise you’re using a mobile platform app that’s not totally built for the android tv platform. Hence you can’t see it in the playstore.

You can sideload apps (apks) if you wish, but don’t expect them to work properly on androidtv.

[DeniseMilani]

Hi. I just got a Pik TV box. Tried to download some apps. Gmail and  CTVgo. Both simply won’t show on google play. And yes am signed in. I have them on another android box...no problem. Does the Pik box not have FULL access to gooogle play? Is there a setting that I need to change? 

Help would be appreciated. 

[DeniseMilani]

I just watched this. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a1k-hVNHz0w

Is it possible a “special” android operating version was used. Would this be the fix?

What Android version do the Pik boxes run?

[Nighthawk]

Judging by the extra navigation icons at the bottom of the screen and the search bar at the top, that box was running plain Android, not the Android TV platform. You can even see at 1:32 very briefly that it's configured as a tablet.

The Pik boxes are running Android TV 7.1.1 which means they will only work with Android TV compatible apps. CTVGo and all the other Go apps, are not Android TV compatible. Compatibility is up to the company / programmer behind the apps.

[DeniseMilani]

yes....but Global Go and CTV Go....DO download and Global Go does not work...but CTV Go does. Gmail does work on my other android box. But the 3 I just mentioned dont EVEN show on the Pik Tv Google Play. 

[Nighthawk]

Are you looking for support for a third party android box or the Pik TV? If it's for a third party box, please contact the device manufacturer or search Google for assistance. Please re-read my previous post regarding the operating system on the boxes.

The following are not available on the Google Play store on the Android TV platform:

• GlobalGo
• CTVGo
• Any of the other Go apps from one of the major broadcasters.
• Gmail
• Chrome
• etc.

The one mainstream Canadian broadcaster that does have an Android TV app is CBC.

App programmers also have the ability to specify individual devices they want their apps to work on as well. If they don't want them working on certain devices, even if you get them downloaded on one of them, they won't work.

[WestCoasterBC]

Android TV - PikTV, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi MiBox, Nexus Player

Android mobile version which cheap boxes on eBay etc. Which you own also own.

[WestCoasterBC]

Remember there are two seperate versions of android the cheap boxes you can buy on eBay, amazon etc that run the Mobile version of android wrapped in a launcher. Then you have Android TV while it is android is not based on the mobile version.

Unless the app is specifically made for android tv, you roll the dice with a mobile version of an app that 90% of the time isn’t compatible. (You will have to side load)

You won’t see the app in the play store because google knows your device isn’t compatible (PikTV) with the mobile version of and app. The apps you do see are Android TV compatible.

[TheWizard]

I believe it is called Penguin. It has a couple of different browsers built into it. I love my Pik TV so one of the first things I found was an easy way to get chrome. 

[Skulchyski]

They have also blocked all the network apps!

cant load GlobalGo or CTVGo very annoying 

[Nighthawk]

It's actually the creators of those apps that have decided to not release them for the Android TV platform. I'm not aware of any network with an Android TV app at this point.