Smart YouTube TV for Android

Overview

Smart YouTube TV is a free, open-source client developed by Yuriy Lyskov that brings a tailored YouTube experience to Android TV devices and other smart TVs that accept APK side-loading. It behaves like the regular YouTube app found on phones and tablets but is optimized for large-screen playback and set-top boxes. The app aims to make watching and following channels/topics on a TV easier and smoother, with support for high-resolution video and common TV input devices.

What it can do for your TV

• Runs without requiring root access, so you don’t need special system permissions.
• Includes translations and localization for multiple languages so menus and labels appear native.
• Works with standard TV remote controls and many IR/CEC remotes.
• Lets you sign into your YouTube account even when Google Play services aren’t present.

Resolution options you can pick

• 4K Alt
• 1080 Alt
• 4K Main
• 1080 Main

When you first launch the app you can select one of these profiles; there’s an option to remember your choice for future launches.

Installing Smart YouTube TV

1. Open your TV’s system settings and enable installation from unknown sources (often found under Security or Apps).
2. Download the Smart YouTube TV APK on a computer or phone and copy the file onto a USB flash drive.
3. Insert the USB drive into your TV, open a file manager or the TV’s installer, and run the APK to install the app much like you would install an Android mobile app.
4. Launch the app, choose the resolution/device profile that suits your hardware, and enable the “remember” option if you want that selection applied automatically.
5. If you want to sign in, follow the on-screen instructions — the app supports account login without relying on Google Play Services.

Things to be aware of

Smart YouTube TV is not an official Google or YouTube product and therefore receives no formal support from them. Development has slowed and the project is not actively maintained, so compatibility with very new TV models or firmware updates may vary. Despite that, many users report good results on compatible devices.

Summary

If your smart TV can side-load APKs and runs Android TV (or you have a compatible set-top box), Smart YouTube TV is a strong alternative to the standard client for larger screens. It supports up to 4K playback, remote control use, multilingual interfaces, and account access without Google Services — making it worth trying on a compatible device.