For a long time, the television no longer serves as a pure television set. Since smart TVs have been on the rise, the TV in your living room can be seen as a complete entertainment box – hundreds of apps and games like Minecraft (while connected to the best Minecraft servers can be installed.
Smart TV Apps – These games are available as an app
Before we look at other options on how you can use your Smart TV for gaming, let’s first look at the possibilities that you probably already know: Play apps!
Just as you’re used to gaming apps on your smartphone, you can also install them for your Smart TV. The selection ranges from genres such as arcades to strategic games. No wish remains unfulfilled.
Install games on Smart TV – Here’s how!
Installing a new gaming app is similar to installing a smartphone app.
- Press the Home button to enter the main menu
- Select “Games”
- Find the game you want
- Select “Install”
- Wait for the game to fully install
- Play
Can you play your favorite browser games on Smart TV?
Yes! For all fans of online browser games, such as “Fifa” or “Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light”, it is now possible to play your favorite game on Smart TV. The advantage for all users is that the selection of browser games is larger than that of the game apps. In addition, there is also the possibility to play poker, and roulette in the live casino on your Smart TV. So you get the casino feeling directly into your home’s four walls. Basically, all you need is your Smart TV remote control and a web browser. These are usually pre-installed on the Smart TV or can be added to your app selection as described above.
Tip: To make the gaming experience even more appealing, we recommend that you use the mouse and keyboard. You can connect these to your Smart TV via USB or Bluetooth.
Connecting via USB
- Connect your mouse or keyboard to the USB port
- Confirm once with the remote control
- Control TV via USB device
Connecting via Bluetooth
- Press the Bluetooth connection button
- Keyboard or mouse should be recognized by TV
- If not: Open Settings, Keyboard Settings, Add Bluetooth Keyboard
Android games on the TV through mirroring
Do you want to play a desired game from the Google Playstore on your Smart TV, but it is not offered in the TV App Store? No problem!
You can easily stream your phone screen to your TV. For this, you need the so-called mirroring.
Screen Mirroring is designed to transfer images or videos from small smartphone screens to larger screens. Everything you do on your smartphone will thus be displayed on your desired screen. Of course, this is also possible with apps and games. It becomes impractical if you want to play a game on the big screen, but still, have to perform all the “functions” on the smartphone.
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Again, there is a solution: ApowerMirror
ApowerMirror is an app that allows you to transfer your screen to your Smart TV but control it conveniently without your mobile phone with a connected mouse and keyboard. All you need is an HDMI cable, a laptop, a Smart TV, and the software of the ApowerMirror, which you can download free of charge from any App Store.
Here’s how it works:
- Connect your laptop to your Smart TV
- Select HDMI via “Input”
- Turn on USB debugging mode on your Android smartphone
- Connect your smartphone to your laptop via USB cable
- Installation of the app starts automatically
- Open the app and click “Start Now.”
Of course, the whole thing can also be used via WLAN. Make sure your laptop and your smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Game Streaming – PC Games on Smart TV
Through the so-called “game streaming”, the image and sound of your PC game can be transmitted to the TV via a network. So you can easily play your PC game on the TV – despite the distance. This possibility is offered by the “Steam Link”.
“Steam Link” is a box that you can use on any TV. The only important thing is that the TV is connected to a WLAN or LAN network.
Tip: Small advantage for users who have a Samsung 4K – Smart TV from the year 2016: These do not require a “Steam Link”. With these Smart TVs, the app can be downloaded directly from the Samsung Apps Store.
What is Steam?
Steam is an internet distribution platform. Once registered, many free and paid games can be downloaded on the platform. Furthermore, Steam offers a selection of software and hardware. Experiences in games can be easily exchanged with other players. If you have created a Steam account and connected the box to your TV, or downloaded the app from the Samsung App Store, your PC and TV must be connected to the same network. Playing over a LAN cable works best, as dropouts can occur with a Wi-Fi connection.
Using only a keyboard and mouse is enough for control. If you want to upgrade your gaming experience, we recommend an XBOX 360 One Controller or the Steam Controller.
What games can you play on Steam?
Of course, all games that you have downloaded or purchased for free on Steam are playable. But even games that are not directly from the platform can be easily imported. All you have to do is click on “Add game” in your game library and then on “Add foreign game to Steam”.
Result
Browser games can be played on the Smart TV, but the real fun comes only with another medium such as a mouse and keyboard. For users who want a larger screen for their gaming fun, both the ApowerMirror software or Steam on the Smart TV is just the thing.