Fix App Install or Update Issues on a Sony Smart TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Your Android TV can install a huge range of apps, just like your smartphone or tablet. Sometimes, it can have some problems getting those apps installed, though.

This guide will walk you through the common fixes you can perform when an app won't install on your Smart TV.

Sony and Android TV.

2. Power Reset

  1. Unplug the power cable from the wall.
Power cable being unplugged from power outlet.
  1. Wait for 60 seconds.
  2. Plug the power cable back in.

3. Check Storage Space

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Storage & reset.
Settings with Storage and reset highlighted.
  1. At the top under Device storage, make sure there is enough storage space available.
Storage and reset menu with Internal shared storage highlighted.

For most apps, you will want about 100 MB free; this gives the app enough space to work and perform its task. For music and video apps, it's best to have 200 MB or more, so the app can hold some of the music and video, and play it properly.

4. Install / Update App

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Under Apps, select Google Play Store.
Android TV Menu with Google Play Store highlighted.
  1. From the Google Play store, search for and select the app you'd like to install or update, and try again.

5. Clear Data and Cache for Google Play Services

You will need to sign back in with your Google account after this. Make sure you have your Gmail email address and password ready.

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Apps.
Settings menu with Apps highlighted.
  1. Select Google Play Services.
Apps list with Google Play Services highlighted.
  1. Select Clear data.
Google Play Services app menu with Clear data highlighted.
  1. When prompted, select OK.
Clear data prompt with OK highlighted.
  1. Select Clear cache.
Google Play Services app menu with Clear cache highlighted.
  1. When prompted, select OK.
Clear cache prompt with OK highlighted.

6. Install / Update App

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Under Apps, select Google Play Store.
Android TV Menu with Google Play Store highlighted.
  1. From the Google Play store, search for and select the app you'd like to install or update, and try again.

7. Set Parental Controls to Allow All

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Apps.
Settings menu with Apps highlighted.
  1. Select Google Play Store.
Apps list with Google Play Store highlighted.
  1. Select Settings, then for Parental controls, make sure Allow all, including unrated is selected.
Parental controls with Allow all, including unrated highlighted.

8. Install / Update App

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Under Apps, select Google Play Store.
Android TV Menu with Google Play Store highlighted.
  1. From the Google Play store, search for and select the app you'd like to install or update, and try again.

9. What's next?

10. Uninstall Apps

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote inset with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Apps.
Settings menu with Apps highlighted.
  1. Look through the list of apps, and choose one you do not use or do not want, and select it.
  2. Select Uninstall to remove the app.
App menu with Uninstall highlighted.
  1. Repeat the steps above to remove any other apps you do not want anymore.