Install the app on a TV

Last updated 2026-10-20

The Church TV OS app runs on Fire TV and Google TV devices. Check your device first, then pick the install route that suits you.

Which devices work

Works	Does not work
Fire TV Stick 4K Max Fire TV Cube Fire TVs and sticks that run Fire OS Google TV and Android TV devices	The newest Fire TV sticks that run Vega OS. They cannot run Android apps, and so they cannot run Church TV OS.

Before you buy or install, check the device's product page. If it says Vega OS, choose a different device. A Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a Fire TV Cube or a Google TV streamer all work well. A wired network connection is a nice extra for TVs that run all day, but Wi-Fi is fine.

Option 1: the app store (easiest)

Amazon Appstore for Fire TV: link coming soon.
Google Play for Google TV and Android TV: link coming soon.

Once a listing is live, search for "Church TV OS" on the TV, choose Get or Install, then open it. Store installs also update automatically.

Option 2: install it directly (sideload) on a Fire TV

While the store listings are being approved, the app file is available on request: email support@churchtvos.com and we will send you a download link. Then use the free Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore to install it.

On the Fire TV, install Downloader (search for it).
Go to Settings, My Fire TV, Developer options, Install unknown apps and turn on Downloader. If you don't see Developer options, open About and press OK on the device name seven times.
Open Downloader and type the download link we sent you.
Download the file, press Install, then Open.
The app shows Pair this TV and a code. Carry on with Pair a TV and manage screens.

Pick one source per TV. Amazon signs store apps with its own key, so a TV installed directly cannot update to the store version. To switch a TV to the store version, uninstall the directly installed app first, then install from the store. You will need to pair the TV again.

Option 3: install with adb (advanced)

For people comfortable with a command line. You need the APK file and the TV on the same network as your computer.

On the TV, turn on ADB debugging in Developer options and note the TV's IP address (Settings, My Fire TV, About, Network).
On your computer run adb connect TV-IP-ADDRESS:5555. Accept the prompt on the TV if one appears.
Run adb install -r church-tv-os.apk (use the file name you were sent).
Launch the app from the TV's home screen, or with adb shell monkey -p com.churchtvos.tv 1.

Google TV and Android TV

Use Google Play once the listing is live. Until then, ask us for the app file (see Option 2) and install it with a file-transfer app or with adb as above. On Google TV, turn on Developer options first (Settings, System, About, press the Android TV OS build seven times).

After installing

The app can open by itself when the TV turns on. This is a setting you can turn on or off under Menu, Settings, "Auto-launch".
If your TV used the old Forward Kids TV app, remove it from that TV. Two auto-launching apps will compete for the screen.
Press the Menu button on the remote to find Demo mode, which shows sample content without a church account. It is a good way to check the TV, the sound and the picture.