Android TV rocks—mostly. Although it is arguably the best operating system for your smart TV or streaming box, there is a drawback. You may not find the app you’re looking for in the Google Play Store.
If you look for available apps on the Google Play Store via your Android TV, you’ll find far fewer apps than you would find if you were to access the Play Store with your smartphone.
That’s why there’s a need for alternative app stores other than the go-to Google Play Store. Both customers and developers can benefit from these alternative app marketplace options.
Why are some apps unavailable in the Google Play Store?
There are several reasons why some apps aren’t available in the Play Store:
- Some apps are geo-restricted to prevent people in unsupported countries from downloading them. Your IP address is what reveals your location, which, in turn, results in geo-restrictions. However, you can overcome this problem by using a VPN. Simply hide the IP address assigned to your TV by changing the server to a country where the app is not blocked.
- The app you’re looking for may not have passed the technical or legal requirements to be allowed in the Google Play Store. The Google Play Store is the primary app store for Android applications, which means that restrictions on apps are more stringent. Even though the chances of encountering harmful apps in the Play Store are low, it’s crucial to keep in mind that Google doesn’t assure the safety of all the apps.
- Some developers simply refuse to submit to Google’s commission structure and rules about in-app purchases.