Watching YouTube videos on the TV is no longer an effort. Almost all smart TVs have an operating system capable of running your application and allowing you to view the content stored in your cloud.
However, this ease of viewing YouTube videos comes at a cost. These are the batches of advertising in the middle of playing videos that can only be avoided by users who contract a subscription and by those who choose to install an alternative YouTube client with the ability to block ads on their television.
SmartTube: Block YouTube Ads
This is the case of SmartTube, a YouTube client for the Android TV platform, which, in addition to blocking ads, offers 4K and 8K video resolutions, allows you to link a Google account and has support for control via remote control, smartphones and external keyboards.
However, it is not available in the Google Play Store, a situation that forces us to install this software from its APK file.
How to install SmartTube on a TV or TV Box Android TV
The steps are the following.
To begin with, you will have to activate the developer options of your Android TV system, as this feature is what allows the installation of applications from unofficial sources.
To achieve this, click on the icon that represents your user profile and select the Configuration option. Now, go to System > About and hover over the Android TV OS Build option.
Next, press seven times in a row on that option using the OK key on the remote control. An on-screen notice will let you know that you are already a developer.
Next, open the Google Play Store and download the Downloader app. Once this is done, go to Settings > Apps > Security and restrictions > Install unknown apps.
Select Downloader and press the OK button (make sure the Allowed option is activated). This step is intended to allow you to install apps from unknown sources via Downloader.
Now, go back to the main screen and open Downloader, go to its side panel and select Browser.
In the address box located at the top of the screen, type smartyoutubetv.github.io and click Go.
Hover over Stable release (below Downloads) and click OK. Wait for the SmartTube APK file to download and tap Install. Then click Open.
If you want, sign in with your Google account, in order to access your favorite YouTube content.