Emby Android TV app not available in Google Play Store

[Luke 42077]

We are working on getting it back into the store and will let you know when the issue is resolved. Thanks.

[Edrock200 53]

Any details as to why it was pulled? 

[DJX 18]

How do you install it onto the chromecast with google tv because its not available on the store. Help appreciated

[ebr 16169]

3 hours ago, DJX said:

How do you install it onto the chromecast with google tv because its not available on the store. Help appreciated

 

[Guest]

[RegisAF 1]

Qual o motivo da retirada? A taxa anual de hospedagem não foi paga? Se é que se paga essa taxa.

[Guest]

No site do emby tem os aplicativos em apk, em breve eles resolverão isso de loja de apps.

[Flintfamily 6]

Do we have any update in this? Have a friend who's a bit of a technophobe and can't side load the app. Seems like it shouldn't be hard for Google to sort the page out. Or is there a more specific reason its been removed?

[ebr 16169]

We will let you know as soon as we do.

Thanks.

[Flintfamily 6]

Thanks for the prompt reply @ebr appreciated.

[FrostByte 5392]

It might be quicker for you to teach your friend how to sideload an app.

[Edrock200 53]

For those struggling to sideload. here's the basic steps if you want to do it all direct from your Shield/android device:

(I have no affiliation with these sites, just referencing them for the screenshots, if this violates any rules, feel free to edit/delete)

Grab the "Downloader App" from the play store, launch it, then start at step 1.4 here:

https://cordcuttersanonymous.com/iptv-smarters/#install-iptv-smarters (just referencing for the downloader app screenshots. Everything else on here is for the firestick platform, which is different from android TV, and, as far as I know, emby is not blocked on the FireOS platform, so ignore the stuff before and after the downloader app.)

When you get to the step to enter the URL, enter the apk URL. Most people will want arm7, but if you have x86, you can use that link instead:

https://github.com/MediaBrowser/Emby.Releases/raw/master/android/emby-android-google-armeabi-v7a-release.apk

That's a lot to type with a remote, so here's a tinyurl if you prefer. In general, don't trust tinyurls, but for any tiny url, you can plug in everything after the / at the end of this preview URL to ensure that it's redirecting to the above link and not something malicious https://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num= or, alternatively, create your own at tinyurl.com to be extra safe.

https://tinyurl.com/3wd67kyn

(non-malicious redirect proof: https://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=3wd67kyn)

In the off chance you have a x86 client, you can use either of these URLs, if you aren't sure, try the above URL's first:

https://github.com/MediaBrowser/Emby.Releases/raw/master/android/emby-android-google-x86-release.apk

or

https://tinyurl.com/y8xkktrx 

(non-malicious redirect proof: https://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=y8xkktrx)

Click "Go." When the apk finishes downloading, click Open/Install (can't recall off the top if it's one or both.) You will then get a security warning about authorizing the app to allow apk installations with a link to your settings, open settings and allow "Downloader App" to intall apk's (will say something scary like allow this app to install from untrusted sources.) Once you enable, go back to the downloader app, and either down to files on the left hand side and reopen the apk you downloaded and install, or, just enter the URL again and install.

Once complete, I recommend you uninstall the downloader app. If you already have a version of emby from the playstore, you *might* need to uninstall it, however, I would recommend just keeping it until this issue is resolved. Reason being, if you run into an issue with this process and you've uninstalled, you have no recourse to reinstall it.

Again, no affiliation with the site above nor the downloader app. Just posting to help others. I like this method because it can all be done direct from the client vs needing a thumbdrive or some other "sneakernet" or manual transfer from device to client.

Hope this helps others out there. The only thing I'm not sure about is if you have an emby premiere or unlock license via the play store, if it will be respected via a sideloaded app. Maybe official Emby team can chime in on this.

Edited March 29, 2022 by Edrock200

[rbjtech 5284]

USB Stick is probably the easiest/quickest way - I had to do this on my Son's Panasonic 'Android' TV that doesn't even give you access to Google Play Store ! Argghh... 

[Edrock200 53]

Yeah not discouraging USB sticks or other methods at all. Just know, in general, you have to have an app to browse the files, go into settings or dev mode to allow from unknown sources, etc. The above is easier to share with fam/friends since it essentially allows you to get to everything from within one app, in my opion anyway lol. But yeah for those in the know, sneakernet is prob cleaner.

Edited March 29, 2022 by Edrock200

[Bullite 2]

How do I pay the once-off free to unlock the app without it being in the store? My trial ran out and I'm stuck with Emby refusing to play anything.

[nospotify 184]

I sent a feedback note to Google Play saying I am a happy Emby user, the software is completely legit, and they should reinstate it right now. No idea if that'll make any difference, but maybe others want to take a minute to do the same.

[ravicho 1]

2 hours ago, Bullite said:

How do I pay the once-off free to unlock the app without it being in the store? My trial ran out and I'm stuck with Emby refusing to play anything.

I am also wondering how to get past the one-off fee.

[RandallC 3]

Ugh.  I got my TV swapped out today due to a busted backlight.  Bad timing....

[Hispanico957 23]

My friend has Sony Bravia  Oled and on play store not exist Emby

There is the way to install on TV ?

 

Thank

Hispa

 

 

[FrostByte 5392]

28 minutes ago, Hispanico957 said:

My friend has Sony Bravia  Oled and on play store not exist Emby

There is the way to install on TV ?

 

Thank

Hispa

 

You will need to sideload it or wait until Emby can get the issue solved.

[Edrock200 53]

On 3/29/2022 at 1:21 PM, rbjtech said:

USB Stick is probably the easiest/quickest way - I had to do this on my Son's Panasonic 'Android' TV that doesn't even give you access to Google Play Store ! Argghh... 

At the risk of stirring controversy, maybe the emby folks could make the apk unlocked and not check-in for unlock for 30 days or so until this gets resolved? The apk sideload doesn't seem to respect the appstore unlock license.

Edited March 30, 2022 by Edrock200

[Edrock200 53]

1 hour ago, Hispanico957 said:

My friend has Sony Bravia  Oled and on play store not exist Emby

There is the way to install on TV ?

 

Thank

Hispa

 

 

potential workaround for androidtv users, although I'm not sure if there are licensing/unlock requirements. Install kodi, then  - https://emby.media/emby-for-kodi.html

[serverebps01 12]

I await the return of emby for android and android tv, in the google play app store

Edited March 30, 2022 by embyplus

[RandallC 3]

Does anyone know how to load the apk onto a current gen Sony via USB?  I dropped the apk onto a stick, plugged it in....and now I'm not sure what to do.

 

Edit: Nevermind - I followed @Edrock200's excellent instructions above and was able to sideload via Downloader.  

Edited March 30, 2022 by RandallC

[Edrock200 53]

20 minutes ago, RandallC said:

Does anyone know how to load the apk onto a current gen Sony via USB?  I dropped the apk onto a stick, plugged it in....and now I'm not sure what to do.

https://pro-bravia.sony.net/guides/references/prosettings/android_latest/1_actions/1-7_install_apk/