The Freebox Mini 4K is an Android TV box. Because of this, it is able to access the Google Play Store application market in order to extend its functionality. As we saw in our test, Free's case is pretty much restricted and not all apps are visible from the Store. There are however two methods to manually install the missing ones.
Method 1: go through the Google Play Store site
Some apps are not visible from Free's box but are visible from the Google Play Store website. Once there, all you have to do is enter the name of the application you want to install. For this example, we'll take DWorks File Explorer by entering "AnExplorer File Manager" into the search box.
Once the application is displayed, click on Install then select the device on which you want to install it, "No carrier Freebox Freebox Player mini" in our case. A few minutes later, the application will be on the home page of the Freebox.
Method 2: install an APK
Certain applications, such as Netflix, will nevertheless appear to be incompatible with the Free box. Other applications, such as Kodi (XBMC), are also absent from the Google application market.
In either case, there is a fairly simple solution that requires the installation of an alternative file explorer as a prerequisite. Luckily, we have just detailed the installation of such an application - luck does things well! Once the explorer is installed, it is necessary to recover the APK installation file. In the case of applications like Netflix, some sites have specialized in the field, such as APKMirror.
The installation file must be copied onto a USB key or a memory card which must be formatted in FAT32, the other file systems not being recognized by the unit.
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Now go past the Freebox Mini 4K. But before proceeding to the actual installation, it is necessary to deactivate certain protections of the case. To do this, go to Settings and then to the Personal line in Security and restrictions. There, activate the Unknown sources field.
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Then go back to the home page and launch the file explorer. After browsing the USB drive, select the installation file and select Install. The installation can also be quite long, the processor chosen by Free being anything but swift.
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Once the installation is complete, two scenarios may arise. Android TV compatible applications are entitled to a nice tile on the home page. For others, it's a bit more complicated.
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The trick to find its applications
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For those that do not appear on the home page, two solutions exist. The first is to go to Settings and then to the Device line to select Applications. Continue on Downloaded applications then select the application to launch and select Open.
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The Sideload Launcher application makes handling less tedious. Its installation requires method 1 stated above. Once the application has been launched, the list of applications present is displayed. Simply select the one you want and it launches as if by magic.
