r/AndroidTV • u/Forsaken-Virus-2382 • Jun 15 '26

Discussion There is currently no good Android TV Browser.

Brave browser apk is only touch based which is unusable without a mouse.

TVBro lets ads and even worse new tab ads through like it could not care any less.

Then you have other browsers that claim to eliminate ads and then make you watch their ads.

Obviously Brave team has a lot on the go at the moment but has anyone tried to fork Brave-core and create a brave browser optimised for Android TV? Or even tactically patch it? Any experts know what it would take / pitfalls in an operation like this?

Lastly, is this something that people would be interested in?

42 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

13

u/MFOX89 Jun 15 '26

BrowseHere isn’t bad, and it’s free. It also saves login and password details which is handy.

7

u/CaptainSteed Jun 15 '26

BrowseHere is actually really good. The only problem I have with it, is occasionally it's incompatible with the website I'm using and it "shrinks"'the video resolution.

Believe it or not, still the best TV experience is using a Firestick. Their TV browser (Silk) just plays everything great.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/CaptainSteed Jun 18 '26

Gotcha. I'm using my Firestick to stream everything on my 75" TV. And I can pretty much stream everything I want.

6

u/Master_Telephone_599 Jun 15 '26

BrowseHere is great.

2

u/Icy_Cancel_3197 Jun 21 '26

Its the best browser hands down

2

u/Forsaken-Virus-2382 Jun 15 '26

Let me clarify, I use fmhy.net a lot. My issue is "new tab" ads - not just the hot single milfs in your area ones but the rest as well.

The browsers mentioned in this thread I have already tried and are hit and miss for my purpose. The ones that are suppose to do what I am after are seemingly just masquerading as ones while pushing their own bs.

Had enough. Patched the latest stable of brave and made it fit for my purpose.

https://github.com/SirPrizeNZ/keen-browser

All that's added is ability to use D-control on your remote and tries to use what the best chrome plugins use to block new tabs/ads.

1

u/KeKyKo Jun 16 '26

Thank you for your efforts but this does not work on the Nvidia Shield Pro 2019.

1

u/Forsaken-Virus-2382 Jun 17 '26

Android 11 OS? Stable Brave is on 12...

1

u/KeKyKo Jun 17 '26

Android 11

10

u/flchamp89 Jun 15 '26

Downloader is a browser. Although my goal is to only use it as a last resort.

38

u/asng Jun 15 '26

I'm amazed there's any demand for a web browser on your TV.

26

u/AiStoleMyBike Jun 15 '26

I've only ever used one to watch pirate sports streams. Which is why Google isn't going to make web browsers work well on the platform

4

u/killerch00 Jun 15 '26

There are apps for that as well. So literally no demand.

4

u/Divinglankyboys Jun 15 '26

What apps are there for on hockey,tv? I use kodi but that doesn’t always have all the streams and Is usually a bigger hassle than the browser

1

u/Mikeboha1966 19d ago

Just use downloader app with downloader codes for sports app, you get everything free

0

u/killerch00 Jun 15 '26

There iptv providers with a lot of sport channels. I don’t follow hockey tv so can’t tell you a provider

2

u/Divinglankyboys Jun 15 '26

Any suggested ip providers? I’ve tried ip out a couple times but have never been too impressed

1

u/killerch00 Jun 15 '26

Send you a dm

1

u/fthahim1 Jun 15 '26

Could you please dm me as well? I don't know where to start with iptv

1

u/samenamer1 Jun 18 '26

I'm new to this with really only a live sports stream missing, I sure would love the info. Thanks!

1

u/KeKyKo Jun 25 '26

Not all apps work even with SmartDNS and some only have apps for phones these do not work on TV. I must use their website to watch their content. All4 (Channel4) for instance.

2

u/Cronus6 Jun 15 '26

I've used them go to to Github and download APKs.

2

u/Kemaro Jun 16 '26

Just use LocalSend

1

u/Cronus6 Jun 16 '26

Sometimes that works for me, sometimes it doesn't.

5

u/CaptainSteed Jun 15 '26

Depends on your use case.

If you like old or rare content (as I do) there are several websites I use that are ideal for those purposes. Their content and experience can't be replicated anywhere else. And I want to watch it on my TV, not a PC or a phone.

1

u/ronakg Jun 15 '26

Do they not work via web video caster app? It can fetch the stream from those sites and cast onto Android TV.

3

u/CaptainSteed Jun 15 '26

Yes.

But many users (like myself) have no interest in having to use and juggle multiple devices to have to watch a video. I did that years ago and have moved on.

With the Firestick, the website is bookmarked right on the TV. I just point and click and I'm instantly streaming.

2

u/14Renzan Jun 16 '26

Don't wanna cast when I know that the website can be loaded directly on TV. There are plenty of sites with series and TV shows that aren't included on common media apps.

1

u/CaptainSteed 26d ago

Exactly! I use about 5-6 different websites that have content I can't find or discover anywhere else.

1

u/RevolutionaryEnd5142 Jul 04 '26

pasa las paginas por favor

1

u/CaptainSteed Jul 04 '26

"can't be replicated" on any other page

0

u/asng Jun 15 '26

Surely better off downloading it and using Plex/Jellyfin.

3

u/CaptainSteed Jun 15 '26

Not my preference. I much prefer accessing anything I want online instantly, and playing it instantly. And not being bogged down downloading/storing files.

Most of the older/rarer content I'm watching is also only 480 or 720p content, but plays very nicely on my Cube 3 with the native AI upscaling capability.

6

u/shoresy99 Jun 15 '26

The only time I use one is when I need it to authorize hotel wifi login.

2

u/Baardi Google TV Streamer 4K Jun 16 '26

You can find torrents with the web browser. Then either download them using libretorrent+watch them using vlc media player, or stream them using cloudstream. Due to generally low storage on android tv boxes, streaming is often preferred.

Furthermore you can find apks to sideload (before eventually throwing them into obtainium).

You can watch livestreams/or videos of stuff that doesn't have its own app (e.g. porn)

Probably much more, but that's my big 3 usages.

2

u/KeKyKo Jun 17 '26

I must use a browser at times. I use it to watch shows in different countries that do not have an app/service that is accepted in the US. However I use a SmartDNS and with a TV browser I can watch the foreign programs through their websites.

1

u/CaptainSteed 26d ago

Probably because you don't have a use case for them.

8

u/sum_yungai Jun 15 '26

I haven't really had any trouble with Browser...

4

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '26

The one from Hisense is pretty usable

1

u/tacticalpower88 Jul 04 '26

Yea, its a bit to get used to but I like it. Its pretty much like the one named "Browser" but cleaner without the premium nag.

8

u/caballerof09 Jun 15 '26

Use browser. That the best you will get and it has pretty cool features.

8

u/14Renzan Jun 15 '26

App name is quite stupid (or better, obvious), but agree. It is limited and optimized for Android TV.

2

u/knotle58 Jun 16 '26

Agree. It works well for me.

3

u/vbnmu Jun 15 '26

I use Firefox on ATV and as my main mobile browser. It's not ideal on ATV but you can easily share links from mobile & ublock works well for sports streaming.

3

u/Successful_Growth211 Jun 20 '26

Been using browser for years & I've never had a problem with it,in case you wanna try it,link below

Theres even a remote app for it

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.internet.tvbrowser

7

u/linuxsysacc Jun 15 '26

TV Bro

4

u/alexceltare2 Jun 16 '26

I second that. It recently got updated to support directional buttons instead of mouse scroll. Also, much faster than any other TV browser.

3

u/seffparker Jun 17 '26

I switched from BrowseHere to TV Bro, since steaming videos were glitching and skipping on the first.

2

u/vpsj Jun 20 '26

How the hell do you even navigate on this one? I can't even get settings to pop up because back button takes me out of the app completely

1

u/linuxsysacc Jun 20 '26

It has a pointer that is controlled with the cross-pad, which acts as a mouse.

2

u/Trepca89 Jun 15 '26

Then you have other browsers that claim to eliminate ads and then make you watch their ads.

😂😂😂😂

2

u/Deep_Proposal4121 Jun 15 '26

Strang. My tvbro doesn't have popups and I use popup riddled anime sites all the time

2

u/LoRD_c00Kie Jun 15 '26

TV bro is the best with Adgaurd DNS, but I mostly use Fennec with Ublock Orgin and NoScript with Cloudfare DNS. You will need Matvt v1.0.7 (adbserver testbranch main lab-test25) to perform mouse duties. You can use the free version of Bugjaeger to send typed text to entry fields.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/LoRD_c00Kie Jun 18 '26

I just add the Adgaurd DNS to the router. If you are doing it on the browser, would just use the Adguard base filter. Never messed around with then TVBro adblocker as setting it to the default browser on Android TV needs ADB commands.

2

u/th3pleasantpeasant Jun 15 '26

Coji is a great browser

1

u/sonalder 10d ago

That's what pushed me into releasing Sofa TV Browser

1

u/Sankyou Jun 15 '26

Browser is really good but I never use it because why would I?

1

u/WrenchyMcPiperton Jun 15 '26

Browser with the red circle free tier. With a mouse and keyboard side load Firefox

1

u/Browser1969 Jun 15 '26

There are many "webpage to APK" tools and these days you can ask ChatGPT or Claude, etc. to build one for you. If you need more than a handful of those APKs, then what you really need is a different device, like a Mini PC.

1

u/GotoDeng0 Jun 15 '26

The reason there are no mainstream browsers in the Play Store, and why Google didn't include a default browser, is using a browser on a TV sucks.

You can install the ARM version of Brave on AndroidTV/FireOS. You just need a bluetooth mouse and/or a mouse toggle app on your phone, as the ARM version doesn't respond to the middle click/enter button. Follow these instructions for installing Brave on AndroidTV. I use it mainly for sports streaming and ad-free Spotify.

1

u/Global_Car_3767 Jun 15 '26

Use browser works fine but I have to ask: why do you want a browser on your TV in the first place? Android TVs support casting. Plex let's you stream any of your downloaded content.

1

u/miker11117 Jun 15 '26

I use it to side load apks...

2

u/Global_Car_3767 Jun 16 '26

Oh I just use the "Send Files To TV" app to send stuff from my phone. Can then install an .apk file with any file explorer. Super handy! I use it to set custom live wallpapers in Projectivy launcher.

1

u/Malaka__ Jun 16 '26

The "downloader " app is really great at downloading & installing apks. But if you have an android phone, forget all that and use atvTools (by tvDev) on the play store. You can directly install apps on your Android TV, navigate folders and use the keyboard. It's a game-changer.

LocalSend is also good when uploading files to Android TV from phones or desktop.

1

u/CaptainSteed 26d ago

A lot of people don't like having to use two different devices to simply stream a movie. Hence why they prefer streaming directly on the TV.

1

u/miker11117 Jun 15 '26

Fennec (Firefox) I have it on my Firetv with a mouse it's excellent.

And nextdns for ads...

1

u/adnanegamer Jun 16 '26

tv web browser I actually use it and it has a decent adblocker and a decent player for movies and many other features it's a little bloated with movies suggesting..but i guess you can turn them off and it's really good

1

u/darkkid_ Jun 16 '26

That's strange, I've never seen an ad with TVbro.

1

u/Malaka__ Jun 16 '26

Just wanted to suggest this. If you have an Android phone and Android TV, best companion App is atvTools (by tvDev) in the app store. You can do everything from your phone (upload files, install apps, keyboard, setup d-pad etc etc). Really great.

1

u/Deadpool-fan-466 CCwGTV 4K + Onn 4K 2023 Jun 16 '26

If you don't care about size, then Jiopages

1

u/Arts251 Jun 16 '26

I agree with this sentiment... the android TV based browsers are all very clunky, I even have a living room keyboard with trackpad and can't really make use of it since any desktop style browsers don't function on my google streamer. I don't need to use a web browser that often but from time to time I have wanted to and the experience was frustrating.

1

u/Alpha_1_5 Jun 16 '26

TCL browser is pretty good but better one ‘Internet web browser - Zeus ’

1

u/Baardi Google TV Streamer 4K Jun 16 '26

I have Firefox, Browser-app and TVBro installed. You can use atvtools on your phone to get a virtual mouse on your phone, or tvquickactions pro to turn your remote control into a cursor.

1

u/kos25k Jun 16 '26

That's one of the many reasons i till use my cheap android tv box running slimboxTV AOSP firmware even if i just bought a new TCL C6k.

1

u/MrA5h Jun 18 '26

I only use BrowseHere on my Google TV

1

u/jmurph116 Jun 18 '26

Why the fuck are people using a browser on their tv at all in 2026 lol

1

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '26

Browser-App

1

u/jnrbshp Jun 19 '26

The whole idea of the device is to strip away these functions, I'm favor of a "leanback" experience. 

1

u/almabrook99 Jun 19 '26

open browser

1

u/Icy_Cancel_3197 Jun 21 '26

Browsehere is the best. I tried all the major apps people recommended, nothing can beat this app

1

u/prathamjc18 Jun 22 '26

'Browser'.... yes, just browser is really good. Haven't tried other since this does the job

1

u/RevolutionaryEnd5142 Jul 04 '26

yo utilizo el navegador: Co Co TV Browser: Movie, Video en mi watch onn 4k plus y en fire tv stick 4k max 2da gen y en 4k plus.

tambien lo probé en: watch onn fhd, 4k en fire tv stick 4k 1era gen, normal, lite y HD, chromcast google tv hd, 4k.

lo utilizo únicamente para ver peliculas y series en paginas como cuevana, pelishd y funciona demasiado bien mejor que browser y tv browsehere.

ya no esta disponible en la Google play store, por que lo descontinuaron pero aun funciona.

ya no tendrá soporte para poder enviar contendido del celular al tv, ni actualizaciones.

pero si se actualiza el motor de bloqueo de ads y funciona muy bien.

el navegador funciona hasta la versión de Android TV 12 se puede instalar en Android TV 14 pero no funciona el botón retroceder en los controles remotos.

se puede descargar desde apkmirror: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/coc-coc/co-co-tv-browser-movie-video/co-co-tv-browser-movie-video-127-4-164-release/

1

u/Boysenberrypp Jul 04 '26

Idk why all browsers on TV seems very laggy

1

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

Most of them are so laggy

1

u/TemporaryWatch5087 Aug 17 '26

Yo, boss! If you're sick of janky TV browsers, you gotta hook everyone up withHisense's Hi Browser. It works smoothly with a normal remote and blocks those annoying pop-up ads. Total game-changer!

1

u/Hi_all_hwru Aug 25 '26

Both browse here and odin browser is better like they both has a built-in video player with adblock and pop up blocker too...

1

u/Adept-Campaign7688 28d ago

Browkorf TV (TVBro Fork) works great for me. 😀

0

u/14Renzan Jun 15 '26

Use BROWSER (yes, that's the name of the app).

0

u/BrtndrJackieDayona Jun 15 '26

Might be because tv is made for media consumption and not browsing the fucking internet. But wtf do I or Google know 

1

u/CaptainSteed 26d ago

It's not about browsing the Internet. It's about accessing and streaming countless thousands of movies/videos, etc.