Already have an Android TV or Google TV? You can install BetterSTR TV straight from the Google Play Store, turn on a couple of permissions with the remote, and pair it to a property from your phone. No computer needed, and it takes about five minutes.
Video: the full install and pairing, start to finish (under 4 minutes). Open it in a new tab.
🧩 What you need
An Android TV or Google TV (a smart TV, or a stick such as the Google TV Streamer), connected to the internet and signed in to Google Play.
The TV remote.
Your phone, signed in to your BetterSTR account, to scan the pairing QR code.
📲 Step 1: Install BetterSTR TV
From the TV’s Home screen, go to Apps and open the Play Store (or choose Search for apps and games).
Search for BetterSTR.
Select BetterSTR TV (the blue tile, “The in–room guest home screen”). Other hotel TV launchers show up in the same results, so check the name before you install.
Click Install and wait for it to finish, then click Open.
You can also open the Play Store listing on your phone or computer and send the install to your TV from there.
🔐 Step 2: Turn on the permissions
The first time it opens, BetterSTR TV walks you through each permission it needs. Work down the list:
Home screen. Select Enable, follow the on–screen steps to switch on BetterSTR TV, then confirm with OK. This is what brings guests back to your welcome screen whenever they press Home.
Modify system settings. Press Back to return to the app, select Enable next to Modify system settings, then Open Settings. Under Special app access → Modify system settings, find BetterSTR TV and turn it On.
Turn screen on (newer TVs only). If it’s listed, press Back, open Turn screen on, scroll to BetterSTR TV and turn it On. This lets the TV switch itself on for a guest’s check–in.
Press Back until the app shows All set, then select OK.
Don’t skip a permission
The app runs without them, but it won’t reliably come back when a guest presses Home, and some settings can’t be applied. If you missed one, open BetterSTR TV and it will ask again. The exact menu names vary a little between TV brands.
🔗 Step 3: Pair the TV to a property
The TV now shows a QR code and a device code. Scan the QR code with your phone. It opens the Add Android TV form in BetterSTR with the device already filled in.
No phone handy? Go to Members → Android TV, click Add, and type the device code shown on the TV into Device ID.
Give the TV a clear name (for example “Lounge TV”).
Choose the property it’s in. If the property isn’t set up yet, pick No property yet and assign it later.
Click Save device.
On a phone the form only asks for the name and property. Everything else (theme, screensaver, apps, power) starts on sensible defaults, and you can change it any time from the device’s Edit screen.
✅ Step 4: Check it’s working
Within about 30 seconds the TV picks up the property. It shows the name of the guest currently checked in, or a Welcome screen if the property is empty. Before you hand it over to guests, check:
Pressing Home on the remote brings BetterSTR TV back.
The guidebook opens, with the property information, stay details and videos.
Guests can change the language. It resets to your default after the stay.
The Wi–Fi QR code and Live TV (if you use it) are there.
Not showing your property after 30 seconds?
Check the TV is still online, that you saved the device against the right property, and that the permissions in Step 2 are on. Pressing Home on the remote makes the TV check in straight away.