TCL is a brand of household appliances of Chinese origin that has launched in 2022 models of 43, 50, 55, 65 and 75 inches equipped with the Google TV operating system, which is actually a customization of the Android TV interface developed by Google , which results in both entertainment platforms behaving in the same way when running applications.
Therefore, a TCL television with Google TV and any model of another brand that shares this same operating system, including the Chromecast device with Google TV, also have the ability to run applications published outside the official distribution channel Google Play Store, provided that are published in the native APK format of Android TV and Android in general. One such app is SmartTube.
What is SmartTube?
SmartTube is a clone of the YouTube application that comes pre-installed on the Google TV system in which there is an important differentiating element: the absence of advertising before starting the video playback or in the middle of it.
In addition, it offers support for the highest screen resolutions and offers a generous settings section from which you can configure the control of the application through the smartphone, the login with a Google account, among many other possibilities.
But since it is not published in the official Play Store, it is necessary to use a simple trick to install it on the Google TV. Follow these steps from your TV.
How to watch YouTube ad-free on TCL Google TV
To get started, you’ll need to enable developer options on the Google TV system that controls your TV, as this is the starting point for installing apps from unofficial sources.
Click on the icon of your Google user profile located at the top right of the screen and select the Settings option. Now, go to System > About and hover over the Android TV OS Build option.
Next, press seven times in a row on said option using the remote control of the television. Once this is done, a notice on the screen will tell you that you are already a developer.
Next, enter the official Google Play Store to download the Downloader application, which has among its functions downloading files from the Internet. After this, go to Settings > Apps > Security and restrictions > Install unknown apps.
Select Downloader and press the OK button (check that the Allowed option has been activated). This step allows you to install apps from unknown sources through Downloader.
Now, go back to the main screen and launch Downloader. Next, locate its side panel and select Browser. In the address box located at the top of the screen, enter smartyoutubetv.github.io and hit the Enter key.
Hover over Stable release (below Downloads) and press the OK key on your remote. Wait a few moments for the SmartTube APK file to download and click Install. To finish and enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience, tap Open.