So you have got a new Raspberry Pi and want to build something useful? Well, first and foremost, if you don’t have a separate monitor, no need to worry. You can use your Windows laptop as a monitor for Raspberry Pi and even set up VNC Connect on RPi for remote connection. However, if you are looking to build an Android TV Box with Raspberry Pi then you will need a separate monitor or TV. In this guide, we have explained the details on how to install Android TV on Raspberry Pi and get Google Play Store and Services. So on that note, let’s begin.
Build Your Own Android TV Box with Raspberry Pi (2021)
I have written this guide keeping beginners in mind so if you are completely new to Raspberry Pi, don’t worry. Just go by the instructions and you will be running your custom Android TV on Raspberry Pi. For your ease, you can jump between sections from the table below.
Table of Contents
Requirements
1. You will need a monitor or TV to set up and install Android TV on Raspberry Pi. This can’t be done remotely.
2. HDMI cable based on your board. Raspberry Pi 4 will need a micro HDMI to HDMI cable whereas Raspberry Pi 3 will require an HDMI to HDMI cable.
3. Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 are only supported for Android TV and they must have at least 2GB of RAM.
4. A microSD card having free space of 16GB or more.
5. Keyboard and mouse. If you have a wireless combo one then that’s even better.
6. A power adapter based on your board.
Downloads
- First of all, to build an Android TV Box with Raspberry Pi, you need to download Android TV OS for Raspberry Pi. KonstaKANG is a popular developer known for building all sorts of Android ROMs for Raspberry Pi. The TV OS is based on Lineage OS and is available in many versions including Android 9, 10, and the latest 11. Based on your board, you can download any Android TV version but I would recommend Android TV 10 for stability. That said, for this guide, I am trying out Android 11 just to check how well it runs. You can click here to head over to the download page for RPi 4. If you want to download Android TV OS for RPi3 then click on the Devices menu on the top-right corner.
- Next, you need to download the GApps package as the Android TV build does not come with Google apps and services. If you are installing Android TV 10 then open this link and simply click on the download button (make sure “tvstock” is selected). If you are like me, trying a newly released Android TV 11 build then click here and download the “tvstock” test build.
- Next, you need to download balenaEtcher(Free) to flash the Android TV OS onto the SD card.
Install Android TV on Raspberry Pi (2021)
1. Once you have downloaded the Android TV build, extract it and you will get an IMG file.
2. Next, fire up balenaEtcher and select the Android TV IMG file. In my case, it’s an Android TV 11 build, but you may have a different version. After that, choose the SD card and click on “Flash!“.
3. Once the flashing process is done, remove the SD card and insert it into the Raspberry Pi. In addition,connect a mouse and keyboard. Finally, connect the power source and HDMI cable to the monitor/TV.
4. Within seconds, you will findLineage OS loading upon the screen.
5. After a while, you will be on the barebone Android TV home screen. Now we need to add Google Play Store and Services on our Android TV. By the way, to go back, press the F2 key on the keyboard. And some keyboard shortcuts for Android TV on Raspberry Pi are: F1 = Home, F2 = Back, F3 = Multi-tasking, F4 = Menu, Press and hold F5 = Power Menu, F11 = Volume down, and F12 = Volume up.
Install Google Play Store and Services on Your Custom Raspberry Pi Android TV Box
1. Now that you have installed Android TV on Raspberry Pi, it’s time to add support for Google Play Store and other services. Use a thumb drive and move the GApps package (ZIP file) to Raspberry Pi from your computer.
2. Once you have moved the GApps package, open Settings -> Device Preferences -> About -> Scroll down to the Build menu. Now, click on the “Build” menu 7-8 times continuously. It will enable Developer Options on Android TV.
3. Next, go back to Device Preferences and scroll down. You will find “Developer Options“. Open it.
4. Here, turn on “Advanced Reboot“.
5. Now, to restart Android TV on Raspberry Pi, open Settings -> Device preferences -> Reboot -> Recovery. This will take you to TWRP Recovery.
6. You will now boot into the TWRP recovery. If prompted, click on “Swipe to Allow Modifications”. After that, open “Install“.
7. Here,choose the GApps packagethat we transferred to the Raspberry Pi.
8. Finally, click on “Swipe to confirm Flash“.
9. Now, click on the TWRP icon on the top-right corner and it will take you to the main menu. This time, move toWipe -> Swipe to Factory Reset.
10. Once the reset is complete, click on “Reboot” on the same page.
11. Voila, you will boot directly into Android TV on your Raspberry Pi. And this time, you will be prompted with the Google Setup. Now, go ahead and follow the on-screen instructions. I will suggest you not add your primary Google account as Google has been lately terminating accounts for unknown policy violations. If you get a popup to set up a remote, press “Esc” on the keyboard. Further, if you face an error during Google login, use the remote option for on-device login.
12. So here it is. Google Play Store, Chromecast, and all Google services are available on your Raspberry Pi-based Android TV and working absolutely fine. In case, Chromecast is not working or apps like Netflix are not available then follow the below fix.
Fix Chromecast on Raspberry Pi-based Android TV Box
1. If Chromecast is not working on your Raspberry Pi, there is nothing to worry about. You can manually enroll your custom Android TV on Google’s list of certified devices. To begin with, install the Device ID appby Evozi (Play Store/APKMirror) on Raspberry Pi. Since the Play Store on Android TV does not have this app, you will have to sideload it.
2. Next, open the Device ID app and it will display the code forGoogle Service Framework(GSF). Click on it and copy the code.
3. Now opengoogle.com/android/uncertified on Raspberry Pi or your computer and log in with the same Google account that you have used on the Raspberry Pi. After that, paste the GSF code and click on “Register“. You have finally done it. Now, wait for 5-10 minutes and Chromecast should start working.
4. If you are still facing issues then restart your RPi-based Android TV. Press and hold the F5 key and click on Restart. This time, Chromecast should work fine.
5. To further customize your Raspberry Pi-based Android TV, head over to Settings -> Device Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Settings.
6. You can even add an IR remote to your Raspberry Android TV setup. Just enable the Infrared remote toggle and use your IR remote to control Android TV. For more information, head over to the developer’s documentation.
Install Android TV on Raspberry Pi to Make Your TV Smart
So that is how you can install Android TV and utilize Raspberry Pi as an Android TV Stick or Box. I know the installation process is a bit lengthy, but once you set it up, everything works fine. I even tested the latest Android 11 build and it worked like a charm. So go ahead and try it out.
Additionally, we would recommend you install Pi-hole on your Raspberry Pi to clean your home network from ads and trackers. And if you are wondering, yes you can set up Raspberry Pi remotely without a monitor or Ethernet/HDMI cable. Anyway, that is all from us. If you are facing any issues then let us know in the comment section below.
FAQs
How can I make a Android box at home? ›
So i'm good the motherboard of the tablet has a rockchip cortex a9 rk3188d which is equipped with
How do I turn my Raspberry Pi 4 into a Android TV? ›And transform into a powerful android smart tv that provides an amazing media experience so without
Can a Raspberry Pi run Android? ›To run Android on Raspberry Pi, you would need a robust Android version that is regularly updated and actively developed. There are versions in the wild out there, but the best way for running Android on Raspberry Pi is to go with a tested system.
How do I turn my Raspberry Pi into a TV? ›You need either a micro HDMI to HDMI cable, or a standard HDMI to HDMI cable plus a micro HDMI to HDMI adapter, to connect Raspberry Pi 4 to a screen. Raspberry Pi 1, 2, and 3 have a single full-size HDMI port, so you can connect them to a screen using a standard HDMI to HDMI cable.
How do I turn my Raspberry Pi 3 into a Android TV? ›Preparing for Android TV on the Raspberry Pi. Installing Android TV requires us to download a particular version of LineageOS built by KonstaKang. We will also need to download the Google Apps package. Without this package, you won't have access to the Google Play Store on your Raspberry Pi Android TV.
How do I make my TV an Android TV? ›- Connect your device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Android TV.
- Open the app that has the content you want to cast.
- In the app, find and select Cast .
- On your device, select the name of your TV.
- When Cast. changes color, you're successfully connected.
Connect Your Phone to a TV
Connect the USB hub to your phone and connect the HDMI cable to your TV. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to your USB hub. Connect the mouse to your USB hub. If you have a Bluetooth mouse, you should be able to connect it directly to your Smart TV.
Android TV box is basically a set-top box. It allows the users to watch on-demand videos, video content sites, play games, and watch regular network shows on big screen. All you need is a good internet connection and a TV that supports Android operating system.
How do you open a TV box? ›Explained: How To Unbox Your Large Screen Television - YouTube
How do I stream with Raspberry Pi? ›- Step 1: Material. 2 More Images. ...
- Step 2: Enable Raspicam. ...
- Step 3: Installing Raspicam Driver. ...
- Step 4: Start the Streaming Server. ...
- Step 5: Find Raspberry Pi Local IP Address. ...
- Step 6: Configure Your Router. ...
- Step 7: Final Test. ...
- 2 People Made This Project!
Can I install Android OS on my smart TV? ›
Although it may seem a complicated process at first, installing the Android TV OS on your smart TV is actually straightforward. All that's needed is a Google Chrome web browser with a stable internet connection, some USB drivers, and ADT-3 Developer Kit to get the popular Android TV OS installed on your smart TV.
How do I install lineage OS on Android TV? ›- Download lineage-18.1-rpi-magisk-v25. zip and save it to your device's internal storage or use an external USB drive.
- Download Magisk-v25. apk.
- Boot to TWRP recovery (see FAQ)
- Install lineage-18.1-rpi-magisk-v25. zip from your selected storage.
- Boot out of recovery (see FAQ)
- Install Magisk-v25.
If you want to install an APK file from your cloud storage, open the storage in the browser and download the APK file. Once downloaded, drag down the notification bar from the top of the screen, and select the APK file to install it.
Is there a Raspberry Pi 5 coming? ›The Foundation recently celebrated the tenth anniversary since the first Raspberry Pi was launched. Since then, speculations about the release of the fifth generation of Pi boards have increased. There is no official statement yet, but enthusiasts expect the Raspberry Pi 5 to be launched in late 2022 or early 2023.
Can I run Netflix on Raspberry Pi? ›You can also enjoy Netflix on Raspberry Pi. The combination of Raspberry Pi & Netflix is a perfect one. Raspberry Pi can be a perfect replacement for your desktop while Netflix allows you to enjoy unlimited content via connecting to the best VPNs for Netflix.
Can a Raspberry Pi control a TV? ›Searching for the model of your TV should help you find what this setting is called. Using the HDMI-CEC protocol, you can use your Raspberry Pi to control a TV in a variety of different ways, such as turning it off and on or changing the volume.
Can I use a Raspberry Pi as a chromecast? ›As such, you cannot just turn a Raspberry Pi into a Chromecast. Further, the Pi itself is only a piece of hardware, so it needs specific software that'll allow it to communicate with your mobile device and TV. Enter Raspicast, a mobile application that lets you stream media from your device onto your TV.
What is the price of Raspberry Pi 4? ›| Raspberry Pi Boards | Cost |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 (1GB RAM) | Rs.3550 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB RAM) | Rs.4399 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM) | Rs.4969 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB RAM) | Rs.8799 |
Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) is a Debian-based operating system for Raspberry Pi. Since 2013, it has been officially provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation as the primary operating system for the Raspberry Pi family of compact single-board computers.
How do I install Android 12 on my TV? ›- Use the ADT-3 Developer Kit for Android TV. The provided system image is for ADT-3 developer devices only.
- Download the system image.
- Install the system image on your ADT-3 device.
What is an android television? ›
What is an Android TV? An Android TV, simply put, is a TV that uses Android as its operating system. The operating system has been adapted for the big screen, and unless you're deep into the Apple ecosystem, is your best option for a smart TV.
Is 2gb RAM enough for Android TV box? ›you don't need to worry about ram, all certified android tv boxes runs android tv 32 bit with 2 gigs of ram including the shield tv stick.
Is 1gb RAM enough for Android TV box? ›No, really not. The android applications being developed today are more RAM consuming. And even when you do online streaming via YouTube, Netflix, etc.., the video content will be loaded in temporary memory called RAM. So of you really want to use all smart TV features, go for more than 1 GB RAM TV.
Are Android Boxes legal? ›"These boxes are illegal, and those who continue to sell them will face significant consequences," Bell spokesperson Marc Choma told CBC news in March.
How do I increase RAM on my smart TV? ›...
Add space by removing apps or games
- On your Android TV, go to the Home screen.
- Scroll down and select Settings .
- Under "Device," select Apps.
- Under "Downloaded," select an app you want to remove Uninstall. OK.
Usually, the cheapest way to make your TV a smart TV is by buying a streaming stick. There's a range of standalone streaming devices that give you access to the streaming service or catch-up app. These devices will make your TV smart, but only through the apps you use on the device itself.
How can I make my non smart TV Smart? ›- Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa Voice Remote. ...
- Android TV-Based Media Player or Chromecast. ...
- Regular Apple TV. ...
- Gaming Console: Xbox/PlayStation.
Preparing for Android TV on the Raspberry Pi. Installing Android TV requires us to download a particular version of LineageOS built by KonstaKang. We will also need to download the Google Apps package. Without this package, you won't have access to the Google Play Store on your Raspberry Pi Android TV.
How do I stream with Raspberry Pi? ›- Step 1: Material. 2 More Images. ...
- Step 2: Enable Raspicam. ...
- Step 3: Installing Raspicam Driver. ...
- Step 4: Start the Streaming Server. ...
- Step 5: Find Raspberry Pi Local IP Address. ...
- Step 6: Configure Your Router. ...
- Step 7: Final Test. ...
- 2 People Made This Project!
The Twitch stream is handled using an application called Streamlink. This can be installed on a Pi running Raspberry Pi OS and requires a bit of configuration to optimize it for a particular stream.
What operating system can Raspberry Pi run? ›
Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) is a Debian-based operating system for Raspberry Pi. Since 2013, it has been officially provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation as the primary operating system for the Raspberry Pi family of compact single-board computers.
How do I install Android TV on my phone? ›- When your TV says, “Quickly set up your TV with your Android phone?” use your remote to choose Continue or Yes.
- On your Android phone, open the Google app .
- Type or say “set up my device.”
- Follow the instructions on your phone until you get a code.
Although it may seem a complicated process at first, installing the Android TV OS on your smart TV is actually straightforward. All that's needed is a Google Chrome web browser with a stable internet connection, some USB drivers, and ADT-3 Developer Kit to get the popular Android TV OS installed on your smart TV.
Can a Raspberry Pi run Netflix? ›Alternatively you can run Netflix within the Chromium web browser, all you need to do is install the Widevine DRM package to your Raspberry Pi. Getting Netflix to run on your Raspberry Pi requires a few different steps as the software will need to obtain a version of the DRM library so that you can stream videos.
Which is easier to learn Arduino or Raspberry Pi? ›The coding in Arduino is also easier than Raspberry Pi, the latter requiring knowledge of Linux and its commands.
Can I watch movies on Raspberry Pi? ›And with newfound Widevine DRM support, the Raspberry Pi can comfortably stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and Spotify. Alternatively, you can also run Kodi on the Raspberry Pi and install the unofficial Netflix for Kodi add-on.
Can you run OBS on a Raspberry Pi? ›One of the most used software for video capture on PC is OBS Studio, and it is possible to install it on Raspberry Pi. Let's see how. OBS Studio is a free software for streaming and video recording. On Raspberry Pi, the installation can be done by building the source available on the GitHub project.
Is 2gb RAM enough for Android TV box? ›you don't need to worry about ram, all certified android tv boxes runs android tv 32 bit with 2 gigs of ram including the shield tv stick.
Is 1gb RAM enough for Android TV box? ›No, really not. The android applications being developed today are more RAM consuming. And even when you do online streaming via YouTube, Netflix, etc.., the video content will be loaded in temporary memory called RAM. So of you really want to use all smart TV features, go for more than 1 GB RAM TV.
Are Android Boxes legal? ›"These boxes are illegal, and those who continue to sell them will face significant consequences," Bell spokesperson Marc Choma told CBC news in March.