TVs based on Android TV or Google TV give access to thousands of applications, but without a browser their capabilities remain limited. Want to visit a site that doesn't have its own app? Need to download a file directly from the web? Or do you just prefer surfing the Internet on a big screen? All this requires installing a browser - but not every one. Standard mobile versions Chrome or Firefox often work incorrectly on TVs: the interface is not adapted for the remote control, the text is too small, and the video is slow.

In this article we tested 5 specialized and adapted browsers for Android TV, evaluating them according to key criteria: compatibility with remote controls, page loading speed, video support 4K HDR, ad blocking and security. You will also learn how to bypass restrictions Google Play on TVs and install the browser manually - even if it is not in the official store. Spoiler: only 2 out of 5 browsers correctly display sites with vertical scrolling (for example, Instagram or TikTok) without having to connect a mouse.

Why are regular browsers not suitable for Android TV?

Install Google Chrome or Samsung Internet on a TV is technically possible, but using them will be extremely inconvenient. Here are the main problems:

  • 🎮 Lack of remote control support: most mobile browsers are designed for touch input. Navigating links using DPAD (the cross on the remote control) turns into torture - the cursor jumps, and text selection is impossible.
  • 🖥️ Unadapted interface: menus and tabs take up half the screen, fonts are too small, and the "Back"/"Forward" buttons are hidden in the depths settings.
  • 🐢 Performance: TVs are often equipped with weak processors (for example, Amlogic S905 or Realtek RTD1319). Mobile browsers consume a lot of resources, which is why pages take longer to load, and video slows down. 1080p slows down.
  • 🔒 Google restrictions Play: many browsers simply do not appear in the app store on TVs due to filtering by device type (android.tv).

In addition, most mobile browsers do not support hardware video acceleration via VP9 or AV1 standard codecs for YouTube and streaming services This means that high-definition video will be played with artifacts or not at all. will start.

⚠️ Attention: Some TVs (for example, models Sony Bravia 2020-2022 or Xiaomi Mi TV Stick) block the installation of APK files from unknown sources. Before downloading the browser, check the security settings in the section Settings → Device → Security and restrictions.

TOP 5 browsers for Android TV: comparison table

We tested the browsers on three devices: NVIDIA Shield TV Pro 2019, Xiaomi Mi Box S and Sony KD-55X85J (built-in Google TV). The results are in the table below. Pay attention to the column "Remote support": this is a key parameter for comfortable use.

Browser Speed
(page loading)		 Remote support Lock advertising 4K HDR video Available on Google Play for TV
TV Bro ⚡ Very high ✅ Full (cursor, gestures) ❌ No ✅ Yes (with hardware acceleration) ✅ Yes
Puffin TV ⚡⚡ High ✅ Full (virtual mouse) ✅ Built-in AdBlock ✅ Yes (via cloud rendering) ❌ No (APK only)
JioPages ⚡ Average ✅ Partial (problems with forms) ✅ Yes (basic) ❌ No (max. 1080p) ✅ Yes
Firefox Focus ⚡⚡ High ❌ No (mouse required) ✅ Yes (strict privacy) ❌ No (max. 720p) ❌ No (APK only)
Kiwi Browser ⚡⚡⚡ Low ✅ Partial (lags when scroll) ✅ Yes (extensions) ❌ No (max. 1080p) ❌ No (APK only)

From the table it is clear that only two browsers - TV Bro and Puffin TV - are fully adapted for remote control and support high-resolution video. The rest either require a mouse/keyboard connection or are limited in functionality. Also pay attention to the "Ad blocking" column: if privacy is important to you, Firefox Focus will be the best choice, despite the inconvenient interface.

📊 What browser do you use on your TV?
TV Bro
Puffin TV
Other (write in the comments)
I don’t use a browser on TV

TV Bro is the best choice for most users

TV Bro is the only browser on our list that originally developed specifically for Android TV. Its main advantages:

  • 🎯 Optimized interface: large buttons, adaptive layout for a large screen, support DPAD (navigation with the remote control).
  • 🚀 Speed: uses the engine Chromium s optimizations for weak processors. Pages load 20–30% faster than in Puffin TV.
  • 📺 Video support: plays YouTube in 4K HDR without brakes, supports VP9 i AV1.
  • 🔍 Voice search: integration with Google Assistant (works only on devices with Google TV).

The disadvantage is the lack of built-in ad blocking (you will have to install a separate application like Blokada) and sometimes slows down when opening heavy sites (for example, Facebook with video autoplay). However, for most tasks - from watching news to streaming - this is the best option.

How to install TV Bro:

  1. Open Google Play on the TV.
  2. In the search, enter "TV Bro Browser".
  3. Click "Install" and wait until the download completes.
  4. Launch the browser and in the settings (⚙️ → General) enable the option "Enable Mouse Cursor" for ease of navigation.
💡

If TV Bro is not displayed on Google Play, try going to the store through the browser on your phone, finding the application and sending it to the TV using the "Install on other devices" function.

Puffin TV is a cloud browser with Flash support

Puffin TV is a unique browser that works on the principle of cloud rendering: all calculations take place on the company’s servers, and only the picture is transmitted to your TV. This provides two key advantages:

  1. Support for legacy technologies: Puffin is the only browser that can run Flashcontent (for example, old online games or animations).
  2. High performance: even on weak TVs (for example, TCL with Amlogic S905Y processor) pages load instantly.

However, there are serious disadvantages:

  • 🔌 Requires stable Internet: at speed below 10 Mbit/s lags occur.
  • 💰 Paid subscription: free version is limited to 14 days, then $4.99/month.
  • 🛡️ Privacy: all traffic passes through Puffin servers, which may be unsafe for entering passwords.

Installation instructions:

  1. Download the APK file from the official website Puffin TV (version for Android TV).
  2. Transfer the file to the TV via USB drive or Send Files to TV.
  3. Enable installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
  4. Install the APK and launch the browser. When you first launch, you will need to register.
⚠️ Attention: Puffin TV blocks access to some sites (for example, Netflix or Disney+) due to licensing restrictions. If you need a browser specifically for streaming, select TV Bro.
How to bypass site blocking in Puffin TV?

Use the built-in VPN (setup in Settings → Privacy → VPN Mode). However, this may slow down the performance. An alternative is to install a separate VPN application (for example Windscribe) and connect to servers in the US or Europe.

JioPages - a free browser with ad blocking

JioPages is a little-known browser from an Indian operator Reliance Jio, but it deserves attention due to two chips:

  • 🚫 Built-in AdBlock: blocks banners, popunders and video ads without additional extensions.
  • 🌍 Support for regional languages: interface translated into Hindi, Bengali and other languages (useful for users from Asia).

However, there are nuances:

  • 🐌 Slow operation on weak TVs (for example, Xiaomi Mi TV 4A).
  • 📱 Problems with remote control: the cursor sometimes “sticks” when scrolling.
  • 🔍 Limited functionality: no support for extensions and synchronization with other devices.

How to set up ad blocking:

  1. Open JioPages and go to Settings → Privacy.
  2. Enable the option "Block ads".
  3. For more aggressive filtering, activate "Block trackers".

JioPages is suitable for those who are looking a simple and free browser with basic ad protectionbut do not pretend to have high performance.

Make sure your TV has at least 1 GB of free memory|Disable other browsers (they may conflict)|Check the speed Internet (minimum 5 Mbit/s for comfortable work)|Configure the remote control to control the cursor (in Settings → Input devices)

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Firefox Focus and Kiwi Browser: for advanced users

These two browsers are not specifically designed for Android TV, but they can be adapted to your needs - if you are willing to sacrifice convenience for additional features.

Firefox Focus: maximum privacy

Firefox Focus is a “light” version of Firefox, which by default blocks trackers, deletes cookies after closing and does not save history. Pros:

  • 🔒 Anonymity: does not collect data about visited sites.
  • 🚀 Minimalistic interface: no tabs, bookmarks or extensions - only a search bar.

Cons:

  • 🖱️ Requires a mouse: without it it is impossible to click on links or fill out forms.
  • 📉 Low performance: video in 1080p slows down even on powerful TVs.

Kiwi Browser: extensions like on PC

Kiwi Browser is Chromium with support for extensions from Chrome Web Store. Its main advantage is the ability to install uBlock Origin, Dark Reader or Tampermonkey. However:

  • 🐢 Slow operation: due to extensions, the browser consumes a lot of memory.
  • 🎮 Poor remote support: you have to connect a Bluetooth mouse to control.

How to install extensions in Kiwi Browser:

  1. Open the browser and go to the website Chrome Web Store.
  2. Select the desired extension (for example, uBlock Origin) and click "Install".
  3. Confirm installation in the window that appears.
  4. Restart your browser.
⚠️ Attention: Installing APK files from unknown sources may lead to your TV becoming infected with viruses. Before downloading, check the file hash (for example, via VirusTotal) and give preference to official developer sites.

How to install a browser on Android TV if it is not on Google Play?

Many browsers (for example, Puffin TV or Kiwi Browser) are not available in the official TV store. In this case, there are three installation methods:

Method 1: via APK file

  1. Download the browser APK file to your computer or phone (use trusted sources like APKPure or APKMirror).
  2. Transfer the file to your TV:
    • 📁 Via USB drive (formatted in FAT32).
    • 📲 via the app Send Files to TV (available on Google Play).
  • On TV open File manager (for example, X-Plore) and find the downloaded APK.
  • Run the installation. If the error "Installation blockedappears, go to Settings → Security and enable "Unknown sources".

    • Method 2: via ADB (for advanced users)

    If you have a computer with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can install the browser using the command:

    adb install path_to_file.apk

    To do this:

    1. Enable USB Debugging on the TV (Settings → About TV → Build number - press 7 times, then return to Settings → For Developers).
    2. Connect the TV to your computer via USB or via a network (if supported ADB over Wi-Fi).
    3. Run the installation command in the terminal.

      4. Method 3: through alternative stores

      Install one of the alternative application stores on the TV:

      • Aptoide TV —has its own a selection of browsers for Android TV.
      • Aurora Store —an open client for Google Play without region restrictions.

    After installing an alternative store, find the desired browser in it and install it as a regular application.

    💡

    The safest way is to install via APK from the official developer. Avoid sites with "hacked" versions of browsers: they often contain malicious code.

    FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

    Can Chrome be used on Android TV?

    Technically yes, but it is extremely inconvenient. Google Chrome is not adapted for control with remote control: no support DPAD, small interface, and tabs open in separate windows. If you want Chrome, install it via APK, but be prepared to connect a Bluetooth mouse.

    How to enable mouse support in the browser on your TV?

    Most browsers (for example TV Bro or Puffin TV) have an option "Enable Mouse Cursor" in the settings. If it is not there, connect the mouse via Bluetooth or USB-OTG. To Firefox Focus a mouse is required - without it the browser is almost unusable.

    Why does video on websites slow down or not play?

    This is due to the lack of support for hardware acceleration. Check:

    1. Video codec: YouTube v 4K requires support VP9and Netflix — Widevine DRM Level 1.
    2. TV performance: on weak chips (for example, Realtek RTD1295) video above 720p will lag.
    3. Browser settings: in TV Bro enable "Hardware Acceleration" in Settings → Advanced.
    How to reset your browser settings to factory?

    Go to your browser settings and find the item "Reset data" or "Clear cache". If there is no such option:

    1. Open Android TV Settings → Applications.
    2. Select a browser and click "Storage → Clear data".
    3. Restart the browser.

    ⚠️ This will delete all bookmarks, history and saved passwords!

    Is it possible to synchronize bookmarks between the browser on your TV and your phone?

    Yes, but only in some browsers:

    • TV Bro: no built-in synchronization, but you can export bookmarks to a file.
    • Puffin TV: synchronization via Puffin account (subscription required).
    • Kiwi Browser: supports synchronization with Google Account (as in Chrome).

    For Firefox Focus synchronization is not available.