Tech
How to Open PDF Files on Android TV
If you want to open and view PDF Files on big screen then, how about the Android TVs? Google-based Android TVs are running on the Android OS, but doesn’t carry any application to view PDF files. However, sideloading a third-party application will solve this problem, but there are some select PDF viewer apps compatible with Android TV OS. So, in case you want to view PDF on your Android TV, then here’s how to open PDF Files on Android TV (two working methods).
Google PDF Viewer is one of the most popular apps to view PDFs, but the app is not working on Android TV in our testing. And the other frustrated thing is, Android TV’s Google Play Store doesn’t feature any PDF viewer to download. Yes, if you want to view Portable Document Format (PDF) on your TV, then you need to manually sideload the compatible application on your Android-based television.
Talking about the working application, then the famous application by Microsoft – MS Office is working fine in our testing. Yes, you can use MS Office on your TV to view PDFs.
There are two different ways by which you can view PDFs on your Android TV, in the first way, I will tell you how you can sideload third-party app on TV to view PDFs. While, in the second method, I will tell you how you can cast PDF from your smartphone to TV. So, let’s dive in to the steps on how to open PDF files on Android TV.
How to View PDF on Android TV [by sideloading App]
As I mentioned earlier, the application is not available on the Play Store, so you can manually download and sideload the app on your TV. You can download MS Office (Android APK) from websites such as APKMirror, APKPure, or any other third-party website.
Here’s the direct download link of MS Office from APKMirror, you can use to download the app.
After downloading the app, you can send the file on your TV, in case you don’t know how to share files between TV or smartphone, then you can send MS Office to your TV.
Now open the File Manager on your TV, (if your TV doesn’t have any File Manager), then you can simply install it any File Explorer you want from Google Play Store.
Then, head over to the location where you stored MS Office, then install the app on your TV.
Now send the PDF on your TV from your smartphone, and open it from File Manager.
It will automatically detect MS Office as your default PDF Viewer and open the PDF on your TV. That’s it.
This method is working on TVs like Realme Smart TVs, Mi TV, Motorola TV, Nokia, Sony, Samsung, Vizio, TCL TVs, Hisense TVs, Insignia TV, Philips, Chromecast, NVIDIA – Shield Android TV Pro, Buzz TV, and other smart TVs. I’ve tested this on Motorola ZX Pro Ultra HD Smart TV running on Android 10 TV OS.How to View PDF Files on Android TV [by Casting]
Casting is one of the best methods to view different type of documents from your smartphone to TV. And you can use the same method to cast or view PDF files on TV. If you don’t want to mess with installation process, then you can follow the below steps and cast your smartphone content on TV.
For casting, you need to install Google Home app on your smartphone and login with the same account which you’ve used on your Android TV.
Now open Google Home app, the app will automatically detect your TV, tap on it and complete the setup wizard.
Now you can see your Android TV in Google Home’s app home screen, tap on it, then scroll down and tap on Cast my screen.
It will now show your smartphone screen on your TV, then open the PDF you want to cast on your smart TV. That’s it.
You can use the afore-listed two ways to open and view PDF Files on Android TV.
