SmartTube is not in the Google Play Store, so you install it by allowing unknown sources and downloading the file directly

SmartTube is a third-party YouTube app built for Android TV that removes ads and lets you customize playback. Because it is not an official Google product, Google does not distribute it through the Play Store. Instead, you download the installation file (called an APK) from the developer's website and install it manually on your TV.

This process is safe if you download from the official SmartTube source, but it does require you to change a security setting on your TV that normally blocks installation from unknown sources. The steps take about ten minutes and work on most Android TV devices, including TVs made by Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Nvidia Shield.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartTube requires you to enable installation from unknown sources in your Android TV settings before you can install it.
  • You download the SmartTube APK file from the official GitHub repository (github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube) using your TV's web browser or a file manager app.
  • After installation, you can disable the unknown sources setting again if you want to restore the default security posture.
  • SmartTube works offline from Google Play and does not require a Google account to function, though you can sign in if you want to sync your subscriptions.

Enable installation from unknown sources on your TV

Android TV blocks installation of apps from anywhere except the Play Store by default. You need to turn this off temporarily to install SmartTube. Go to Settings on your TV remote, then navigate to Security & Restrictions (the exact name varies by TV brand — some call it Device Preferences or Apps). Look for an option called Unknown Sources or Install from Unknown Sources and toggle it on.

This setting applies to your entire TV, not just one app. Once you turn it on, your TV will allow installation of any APK file, not just SmartTube. That is why you should turn it back off after installation if you want to restore the default protection.

Download the SmartTube APK file

Open your TV's web browser (usually Chrome or Firefox, depending on your TV model) and go to github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube. This is the official repository where the developer publishes new versions. Scroll down until you see a section labeled Releases or Latest Release.

Look for a file name that ends in .apk — it will usually be named something like SmartTube_[version number].apk. Click on it to download. Your TV will ask you where to save the file; choose a location you can find easily, such as your Downloads folder or the home screen. The file is typically 10 to 20 megabytes, so it should download in under a minute on a normal internet connection.

Do not download SmartTube from any other website. Copies hosted elsewhere may contain malware or outdated versions. The GitHub link is the only official source.

Install the APK file on your TV

After the download finishes, open your TV's file manager app (often called Files or My Files) and navigate to the folder where you saved the APK. Highlight the SmartTube file and press the center button on your remote to open it. Android TV will recognize it as an installation file and ask you to confirm that you want to install it.

Press Install or OK to proceed. The installation takes about 30 seconds. When it finishes, you will see a message saying the app is installed. You can now close the file manager.

Launch SmartTube and sign in (optional)

SmartTube will appear in your TV's app list, usually under My Apps or All Apps. Open it like any other app. The first time you launch it, SmartTube will ask whether you want to sign in with your Google account. You do not have to — SmartTube works without signing in, and you can browse and watch videos immediately.

If you do sign in, SmartTube will sync your YouTube subscriptions, watch history, and playlists from your Google account. This is useful if you want to see your subscribed channels, but it is not required. You can also sign in later by going to Settings inside SmartTube.

Turn off unknown sources again (recommended)

Now that SmartTube is installed, you can restore your TV's default security setting by going back to Settings > Security & Restrictions and toggling Unknown Sources off. This prevents any other APK files from being installed without your knowledge. SmartTube will continue to work normally — turning off the setting only affects future installations, not apps that are already installed.

If you plan to install other apps from outside the Play Store in the future, you can leave this setting on. Just be aware that it does lower your TV's security posture slightly, because it allows installation of any file without verification.

Update SmartTube when new versions are released

The developer releases updates to SmartTube regularly, usually to fix bugs or add features. To update, go back to the GitHub page, download the latest APK file the same way you did the first time, and install it. Android TV will recognize that you already have SmartTube installed and will update it instead of creating a duplicate.

You do not need to uninstall the old version first. If you want to check whether a new version is available, visit the GitHub releases page every few weeks or follow the SmartTube subreddit, where users often announce new releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to download SmartTube from GitHub?

Yes, as long as you use the official link (github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube). GitHub is a legitimate code repository used by millions of developers. The SmartTube project is open-source, meaning anyone can read the code to verify it does not contain malware. Many security researchers use SmartTube, and it has been in development for years without security incidents.

Will SmartTube work if I turn off unknown sources after installing it?

Yes. The unknown sources setting only controls whether new apps can be installed. Once SmartTube is installed, turning the setting off does not affect it. You can safely disable unknown sources to restore your TV's default security posture.

Can I use SmartTube without signing in to Google?

Yes. SmartTube works completely without a Google account. You can browse YouTube, search, and watch videos without signing in. Signing in is optional and only useful if you want to sync your subscriptions and watch history.

What do I do if the APK file will not install?

Make sure unknown sources is actually enabled — go back to Settings and verify the toggle is on. If it is, try downloading the APK again; the file may have been corrupted. If you are still stuck, check that your TV has enough storage space (at least 50 megabytes free) and that your internet connection is stable.

Is SmartTube legal to use?

SmartTube is a third-party app that is not affiliated with Google or YouTube. Using it does not violate YouTube's terms of service, though YouTube does not officially support it. Ad-blocking on YouTube is a gray area legally — YouTube's terms say you should not block ads, but enforcement against individual users is rare.