Apple TV is built around one company's own catalog and devices, while Google TV tries to sit above many services at once. It points you to movies and episodes from the streaming apps you already use, and it also sells and rents titles in its own Shop tab. The app is free, carries no ads, and is available through Google Play only.
From Play Movies & TV to Google TV
The publisher is Google LLC, and the package ID is com.google.android.videos. The app was first released on June 2, 2011, and was previously called Play Movies & TV. Its latest update is dated November 3, 2026.
Google Play lists over 10 billion installs and a rating of 3.9 from about 2.9 million ratings. Content is rated Teen. The category is TV and radio apps, with tags for video players and no ads.
Search, Shop tab, Watchlist and phone remote
The core idea is discovery. The developer says the app covers 700,000+ movies and TV episodes from across streaming apps, grouped by topic and genre. Search shows which streaming app carries a given title, and recommendations draw on your tastes and on what is trending in services you can already access.
The Shop tab handles purchases and rentals of new releases. Bought items go into your Library and can be downloaded for watching offline. Playback is available on a laptop, an Android phone or tablet, or a TV running Google TV.
The Watchlist is shared across devices. You can add a title from your TV, phone or a browser search and find it later elsewhere. A remote is built into the app too, and your phone keyboard can type passwords, titles or search terms on a Google TV or another Android TV OS device.
Subscriptions, Pantaya and pricing
Google TV does not replace your streaming subscriptions. Some services and some content need their own separate subscription. Pantaya, for one, is offered only in the US.
The app is free to install, though it includes in-app purchases such as buying or renting movies and shows. The version number varies by device.
Google TV pros and cons
Pros
- No ads
- Free to install, with 8 screenshots on the store page
- Search shows which streaming app carries a title
- Watchlist is shared across phone, TV and browser
- Phone can act as a remote and keyboard for Android TV OS devices
Cons
- Includes in-app purchases, and buying or renting titles costs extra
- Some streaming services and content need separate subscriptions
- Google Play rating is a modest 3.9
- Some services and content need their own separate subscription
Is Google TV safe?
Google TV comes from Google LLC and uses the package ID com.google.android.videos. Its content rating is Teen. It carries no ads, though the Shop tab sells and rents movies and shows, so in-app purchases are part of the experience. Purchases are kept in your Library.
How to install Google TV
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Google TV when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
