How to install Bilibili on smart TV?

Installing Bilibili on a smart TV is a process that depends almost entirely on the specific operating system and app ecosystem of your television, as there is no single universal method. The primary determinant is whether your TV runs a proprietary manufacturer system, such as those found on many Samsung or LG models, or a more open Android TV/Google TV platform, which is common on sets from Sony, TCL, and others. For Android TV devices, the process is typically straightforward: you can access the Google Play Store directly from the TV's home screen, search for "Bilibili TV" or "BilibiliTV," and install the official app, often denoted as "雲視聽小電視," which is the certified TV-optimized version. For non-Android TVs, the availability is far less certain; you must check your TV's own app store (like LG's Content Store or Samsung's Smart Hub) using the search function to see if Bilibili is listed as a downloadable application. If it is not available there, the official installation path effectively ends.

When the app is not present in your TV's native store, the most common workaround involves using screen mirroring or casting from a mobile device or computer where the Bilibili app or website is already running. This is a functional solution for viewing content but does not constitute installing the app on the TV itself and often results in a suboptimal experience, with potential lag, lower resolution, and the inability to use the TV remote for navigation. For technically inclined users with Android TV devices, a more direct but advanced alternative is sideloading the mobile version of the Bilibili APK file. This requires enabling "Unknown Sources" in the TV's security settings and transferring the APK via a USB drive or a sideloading app like "Send Files to TV." However, this method carries significant drawbacks, as the mobile interface is not designed for a 10-foot living room experience, often making navigation with a remote control cumbersome or impossible.

The core challenge lies in platform fragmentation and licensing. Bilibili, as a Chinese platform, does not maintain official TV applications for all global TV operating systems. Its development focus is understandably on the dominant Android TV platform and certain Chinese smart TV systems. Therefore, the very first step for any user must be a deliberate check of their TV's official app marketplace. If the search yields no results, the realistic options are limited to the casting methods described or considering an external streaming device. Purchasing an affordable Android TV dongle, such as a Chromecast with Google TV or an Amazon Fire TV Stick, effectively transplants your TV into a compatible environment. On such a device, installing Bilibili from its built-in app store is usually a simple, supported process that guarantees a proper TV-optimized interface and full functionality.

Ultimately, the installation feasibility is a binary outcome based on your hardware. For Android TV/Google TV users, it is generally a simple, official process. For users of other platforms, it is either a matter of finding a rarely available native port or resorting to workarounds that do not involve a true installation. The most reliable and high-quality experience for dedicated viewing will almost always come from using a compatible streaming device, which standardizes the environment and provides direct access to the TV-optimized application. This hardware solution, while involving an additional cost, resolves the software compatibility issue at its root and is the recommended path for users whose primary TVs are from brands with closed, incompatible ecosystems.