The Best File Manager for Android TV
AnExplorer is the only file manager built for the living room. Fully D-pad optimised, every menu, dialog, and file operation is reachable by remote control — no keyboard, no mouse, no tapping on glass.
Available on the Google Play Store (Android TV, Google TV, Nvidia Shield, Sony Bravia, Samsung Tizen-Android) and Amazon Appstore (Fire TV), AnExplorer runs on every major smart TV platform.
Features Available on Android TV
| Feature | Works on TV | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Transfer | ✅ | Phone → TV wirelessly |
| USB OTG | ✅ | Hub required on Fire TV Stick |
| SMB / NAS Share | ✅ | Connect to home server |
| FTP Client | ✅ | Browse any FTP server |
| Dropbox | ✅ | Full read/write |
| OneDrive | ✅ | Full read/write |
| Box | ✅ | Full read/write |
| Archive Manager | ✅ | ZIP, RAR, 7z |
| APK Installer | ✅ | Sideload Android APKs |
| PDF / Image Viewer | ✅ | Remote-navigable |
| Root File Manager | ✅ | Rooted Shield TV only |
| Google Drive | ✅ | Full read/write |
Supported TV Platforms
AnExplorer works on every Android-based TV platform:
- Amazon Fire TV — Fire TV Stick (all gen), Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Edition TVs
- Google TV — Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Bravia XR, TCL Google TV
- Nvidia Shield TV — Shield TV and Shield TV Pro (2019+)
- Samsung Smart TV — Samsung Tizen models with Android app support
- LG Smart TV — LG webOS models via Play Store sideload
- Sony Bravia — Bravia XR and older Android TV models
- Xiaomi Mi Box — Mi Box S, Mi Box 4K, Redmi TV Stick
Transfer Files from Phone to TV
The fastest way to get files onto your TV is WiFi Transfer — no cables, no cloud, just your local network.
- Open AnExplorer on your Android phone and tap WiFi Share
- Select the files or folder you want to send
- On your TV, open AnExplorer → Network → WiFi Receive
- Accept the incoming transfer — files arrive in seconds
Transfer speeds reach 30–80 MB/s on a modern dual-band router. See the full guide: Transfer from Phone to Android TV
Browse USB Drives on TV
Plug in a USB drive to access photos, videos, and documents on the big screen:
- Fire TV Cube — USB-A port is built in; plug and browse immediately
- Fire TV Stick — Requires a USB OTG hub (power + data)
- Nvidia Shield TV Pro — Two USB 3.0 ports built in
- Google TV Streamer — USB-C with OTG adapter
- Sony Bravia XR — USB-A port on rear panel
AnExplorer auto-detects the drive and displays contents sorted by type: photos, videos, music, documents.
Connect to NAS or Home Server
Use AnExplorer's SMB file manager to mount a Synology, QNAP, or Windows shared folder directly on your TV:
- Open AnExplorer → Network → Add Storage → SMB
- Enter your server IP, username, and password
- Browse shares and play media without transferring a single file
FTP and WebDAV are also supported. See the full guide: Network Storage on Android TV
System File Picker on Android 11+ TVs
Many emulators, media players, and sideloaded apps throw a "You don't have an app that can do this" error when trying to open files on modern Android TV and Google TV devices. This is because Android 11+ on TV lacks a native system file picker.
AnExplorer automatically registers as the default system file picker. Once installed, apps that previously threw errors will effortlessly open AnExplorer to let you select ROMs, subtitles, or configuration files natively.
How to Install AnExplorer on Android TV
Google Play Store (most Android TV devices)
- Open the Play Store app on your TV
- Search for AnExplorer
- Select and install — takes about 30 seconds
Amazon Appstore (Fire TV)
- On your Fire TV, open the Appstore
- Search for AnExplorer
- Install and launch — developer options not required
Manual Sideload (any Android TV)
If your TV lacks a Play Store, use the APK Installer workflow:
- Download the APK from anexplorer.io/download
- Transfer to TV via USB drive
- Install with AnExplorer's built-in APK installer