Google TV is an entertainment discovery app that helps users find movies and television programmes across different streaming services. Previously known as Google Play Movies & TV, it can show where a title is available, save content for later and control a compatible television from a phone.

Google TV is not a standalone streaming subscription like Netflix. Watching most titles requires access to the relevant streaming service or a separate purchase or rental.

Google TV features

The app organises content from supported streaming platforms into genres and themed collections. Searching for a movie or programme can reveal which connected services currently offer it.

Key features include:

• searching across supported streaming services;

• personalised movie and programme recommendations;

• rating titles to improve future suggestions;

• one synchronised Watchlist;

• buying or renting eligible content;

• downloading purchases for offline viewing;

• a built-in remote for Google TV and Android TV devices.

The Watchlist is linked to a Google Account. Titles can be added from the mobile app, a compatible television or Google Search in a web browser.

The virtual remote can navigate the television interface. The phone’s keyboard also makes it easier to enter account passwords, movie names and search terms.

Things to consider

The available catalogue, prices, rentals, purchases and supported services vary by country. Streaming subscriptions are not included with the Google TV app and must be paid for separately.

Offline downloads generally apply to eligible purchased or rented content, not programmes from every connected streaming platform. Rental periods and viewing conditions may also differ.

A Google Account is required to synchronise the library, Watchlist and recommendations. To use the remote, the television or media device must support Google TV or Android TV and be available for pairing on the same network.

How to download and install Google TV

To download Google TV for Android, tap the download button on this page. Google Play will open, where you can select “Install” or “Update”.

The app may already be installed on some Android devices. After opening it, sign in with the Google Account that contains your purchases and Watchlist.