Are you wondering how to disable Google Play Protect on your Google TV or Android TV Box? In this guide, we provide step-by-step instructions for removing this so you can install your favorite apps without error.
This is a common issue that many users experience when attempting to side-load applications or APKs that are not available within the Google Play Store.
It appears there have been some recent updates to Google Play Protect, as more 3rd party applications are being flagged and even deleted by Google’s security feature.
Disabling Play Protect on Android devices will allow you to install certain 3rd party APKs that are being flagged by tool.
However, it’s unclear which specific 3rd party applications are being flagged by Play Protect and which apps are not.
If you have received this error, then you have likely encountered the following screen:
The warning message states “This app is fake: it tries to take over your device or steal your data.”
If you click the Details box, the message then expands saying “Even if you have heard of this app or the developer, it’s still dangerous to install an app from an untrusted source.”
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Although you can disable Play Protect on any Android device, in the tutorial below we are showing how to disable this security feature on Android TV and Google TV Boxes.
How to Disable Play Protect on Android TV/Google TV
In this example, we are using both an NVIDIA Shield Pro and an Onn 4K Pro.
This guide will also work for any Android TV device including MECOOL Boxes, Tivo Stream 4K, Dynalink, and many other well-known streaming devices.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Disabling play protect can leave your device susceptible to 3rd party apps that carry viruses/malware.
It’s always recommended to scan unverified applications with VirusTotal and use a VPN to fully protect yourself from any app issues.
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Android TV
1. From the home screen of your device, open the Google Play Store.
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2. Click your Avatar located in the upper right hand corner.
3. Scroll down and select Play Protect.
4. Click the toggle to disable Play Protect on your device.
5. Select Turn Off.
You have succesfully disabled Play Protect on Android TV!
Continue below if you are using a Google TV device.
Google TV
In this guide, we are using an Onn 4K Pro. However, this will also work for other devices that run the Google TV Operating System including the Google TV Streamer, Onn 4K Plus, and Smart TVs with Google TV built in.
1. From the home screen, scroll over to open Settings.
2. Click Privacy.
3. Choose Security.
4. Click the toggle that says “Scan apps with Play Protect”.
5. Make sure the toggle is turned OFF and Play Protect is now disabled on your Google TV device.
Enjoy!
What is Google Play Protect?
Google Play Protect is a security feature set in place by Google that protects users from potential malware/viruses from unverified applications.
This security feature actually scans all of the apps on your Android device every day to prevent the installation of harmful software.
Overall, if you do choose to disable Play Protect on your Android device, just keep in mind you may be putting your device at risk when it comes to viruses/malware from unverified software.
If you don’t want to alter your device settings, then you can just install verified Streaming Apps on your device from the Google Play Store.
You can refer to the official Google developers’ site for more information on Play Protect.
Google Play Protect – Official Page
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you disable Play Protect?
To disable Play Protect on any Android TV device you must disable the Verify apps option within device settings.
Is disabling Play Protect legal?
Yes. Disabling this security feature is 100% legal.
Is Disabling Play Protect safe?
Disabling Play Protect on your Android device comes with risks and can leave your device susceptible to viruses/malware. It’s recommended to scan unverified apps with VirusTotal and use a VPN to fully protect yourself from app developers.
What devices can you disable Play Protect?
You can disable Play Protect on any Android device such as the NVIDIA Shield, MECOOL Box, Tivo Stream 4K, phones, tablets, and more.
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