Sideload Launcher - Android TV

Show all hidden apps on your TV with a simple launcher

Sideload Launcher - Android TV is a straightforward utility from Chainfire that solves a very specific annoyance: apps you have installed but cannot see on the stock TV interface. Instead of wrestling with menus or guessing where those titles are hiding, this launcher lays everything out in one place so you can open what you need without fuss.

The experience centers on a clean, highly viewable drawer-style layout that lists every app on your device, not just the ones your default launcher chooses to display. It feels closer to a phone or tablet grid, which is exactly the point. Nothing is filtered out, so previously hidden or unrecognized items finally show up alongside your officially supported titles. From there, launching an app is as simple as selecting it.

Setup is essentially nonexistent. Once added, it is ready to go with no extra configuration, and it can even stand in as your main launcher if you prefer a no-frills app list over a curated home screen. For users who frequently add software outside the usual catalog, that practicality is the big appeal.

There is an important caveat. Making an app visible and launchable does not guarantee it will function correctly. Some titles may have compatibility quirks or lack proper optimization for TV use, so outcomes can vary depending on the software you are trying to run. Sideload Launcher clears the path to open them, but it cannot fix underlying app issues.

If your TV interface hides apps you know are installed, this tool is an efficient way to surface and access them. It is minimal, purposeful, and ideal for anyone who wants an all-apps view with zero extra steps, provided you are comfortable with the possibility that some items may not behave as expected once opened.