Can I install two versions of emby side by side on Sony Android TV?

[ivnivnivnivnivn 0]

Hi everyone,

 

I have an older Sony Android TV / Google TV. The TV app I’m currently using is an older version, but it still works fine on this device.

 

I would like to try installing a newer version of the same app. However, I’m worried that if I update the existing app and the new version does not work properly on my older Sony TV, I may not be able to reinstall or roll back to the old working version.

 

So my question is:

Is there any way to install the new APK without overwriting the existing old version, so that both the old version and the new version can remain installed on the TV at the same time?

Alternatively, is there a way to download or back up the specific older version of the APK, so that I can reinstall it later if the new version does not work?

 

Any advice or best practices would be appreciated. Thanks.

[GrimReaper 5030]

13 minutes ago, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

Is there any way to install the new APK without overwriting the existing old version, so that both the old version and the new version can remain installed on the TV at the same time?

Both apps will happily coexist on the same device, both are available as a download from the Store (search for just "Emb" for Universal Android app). 

13 minutes ago, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

Alternatively, is there a way to download or back up the specific older version of the APK, so that I can reinstall it later if the new version does not work?

As said, no need to sideload, but in case you do need it:

 

[ivnivnivnivnivn 0]

sorry, I forgot to mention, I can only install the app from USB, can't download from the app store

 

[Luke 42644]

5 minutes ago, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

sorry, I forgot to mention, I can only install the app from USB, can't download from the app store

 

hi, why not? what exactly happens when you try?

[GrimReaper 5030]

8 minutes ago, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

sorry, I forgot to mention, I can only install the app from USB, can't download from the app store

 

[EZEd 61]

On 6/4/2026 at 11:14 PM, GrimReaper said:

Both apps will happily coexist on the same device, both are available as a download from the Store (search for just "Emb" for Universal Android app). 

Both the DroidTV and standard Emby app can be loaded on the same device simultaneously but it may be that the OP is asking if 2 versions of DroidTV app can be loaded simultaneously and the answer is no. OP can you clarify?

[ivnivnivnivnivn 0]

4 hours ago, EZEd said:

Both the DroidTV and standard Emby app can be loaded on the same device simultaneously but it may be that the OP is asking if 2 versions of DroidTV app can be loaded simultaneously and the answer is no. OP can you clarify?

Let me clarify. The Emby app currently installed on my TV is an older version specifically designed for Android TV. What I would like to know is whether I can download a newer Android TV APK and install it as a separate app, without overwriting the existing version, so that both versions can remain installed on the TV.

thank you guys.

[ivnivnivnivnivn 0]

On 6/5/2026 at 12:35 PM, Luke said:

hi, why not? what exactly happens when you try?

When I try to install the latest version of Emby for Android TV, the TV prompts me to update and overwrite the existing app.

[GrimReaper 5030]

5 hours ago, EZEd said:

Both the DroidTV and standard Emby app can be loaded on the same device simultaneously but it may be that the OP is asking if 2 versions of DroidTV app can be loaded simultaneously

Ah, I get you - I've obviously misread the request. Thanks. 

1 hour ago, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

What I would like to know is whether I can download a newer Android TV APK and install it as a separate app, without overwriting the existing version, so that both versions can remain installed on the TV.

 

5 hours ago, EZEd said:

the answer is no.

 

[ivnivnivnivnivn 0]

1 minute ago, GrimReaper said:

Ah, I get you - I've obviously misread the request. Thanks. 

 

 

Thanks guys.

I have taken the risk and installed the latest Emby for my old SONY TV, and it turns out ok, so the latest emby app works on my SONY TV now. 

After installing the latest app, it suggests to use the standard android version, so I also installed the standard Android one, it works a bit slower than the TV one. Apart from that, it seems all good. 

Just out of curiosity, apart from response time, which one is better for viewing HEVC 4K HDR10+ movies? the Android TV version or Android arm7 version? Thanks

[FrostByte 5498]

I've kept both updated on my Shield and playback for typical 4K remuxes appears to be the same with both for me.  I think it pretty much comes down which one you prefer right now.  To me it's nice to have both to compare things whenever I do have issues.

Emby has said for a while now that their plan is to eventually discontinue the AndroidTV app, though ebr has been keeping it at least updated with new betas whenever there is a server change or major bug found.

[kricker 3]

On 6/20/2026 at 2:15 AM, ivnivnivnivnivn said:

Just out of curiosity, apart from response time, which one is better for viewing HEVC 4K HDR10+ movies? the Android TV version or Android arm7 version? Thanks

I have both the ATV version and the universal Android one both installed. You may run into the same issue I have on an older Sony TV. I have yet to see a response. I'd be interested in your experience. I can never switch to the Universal Android version if this does not get resolved.

I also ran into another issue with the Universal Android version. If you try to access the TV's picture settings while a video is playing, the video shrinks into a small window, and you can't access the TV's picture settings menu; it jumps to a different TV menu. This action works perfectly fine in the AndroidTV version.

Edited 16 hours ago by kricker

[Luke 42644]

Quote

I also ran into another issue with the Universal Android version. If you try to access the TV's picture settings while a video is playing, the video shrinks into a small window, and you can't access the TV's picture settings menu; it jumps to a different TV menu. This action works perfectly fine in the AndroidTV version.

Hi, you can disable picture in picture in the device settings.

[kricker 3]

Ahh, in the TV settings advanced app settings. Got it. That was a simple fix. Any news on the HDR playback grey bars?

[Luke 42644]

HI, we are looking into it. Thanks.

[kricker 3]

4 minutes ago, Luke said:

HI, we are looking into it. Thanks.

If you need more detail or a log report, just let me know.