With ScreenCloud, you can show your digital signage content using a wide range of supported Android devices, including Android-powered TVs, tablets, and media players. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up ScreenCloud’s digital signage software using an Android device, plus a step-by-step guide to adding your content to your screen quickly and easily.

Android is one of the most popular operating systems in the world and it is open-source at it's core. When Google created Android they wanted to create an open platform available for all developers and OEMs to make their innovative ideas a reality.

Because of this, there is a wide range of media players, telephones, tablets, and TV's all running a different type of Android. To help you make a more informed decision on which type of Android suits your needs best, continue reading about the differences below;

Android TV is a version of Android Google created specifically for TVs and Android TV media players. The interface is designed with the consumer in mind as it's more user-friendly and mainly used for home entertainment, kind of like Netflix but with apps. You'll typically see this version on Amazon Fire TV sticks or Xiaomi Mi Sticks.

If you are a beginner, getting an Android TV-powered device set up with ScreenCloud is fairly easy as you have access to the Google Play Store. Although there are a few downsides like not being able to customize your launch screens. They also don't support business features such as remote device management. So if you are using this type of Android for your digital signage, make sure your devices are within reach in case you need to update your devices or switch out faulty parts.

Android AOSP refers to the Android "Open Source Project". When Google first created the Android operating system, they decided to make the base of the source code public so that anyone could take it and modify it to create their own custom version of Android. Google oversees the general direction and maintains the core functionality of the OS and will regularly release bug fixes like security patches. Many hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, and Sony use this base code and introduce their own unique features and ideas. That's why there are so many devices such as telephones, displays, and media players all with slightly different interfaces, but, all running Android.

The main advantage of getting a media player powered by Android AOSP instead of your standard Android or Android TV is that it is very customizable and the user can keep total control over their own experience. Secondly, you can use remote device management to control your device or devices from afar. This is a great direction to go if you are planning to expand your business and/or branch out to multiple locations. We highly recommend this type of Android if you are looking for a more advanced type of Android system for your digital signage.

When we talk about "standard" Android devices, we mean Android-powered consumer devices that you may already use on a day-to-day basis. In a sense, these devices are not that different from Android AOSP devices, in that their manufacturers use Google's source code as a starting point for their custom versions of Android, but the difference is that they are available from manufacturers (like Samsung) and run Android skins (like Samsung's "One" UI) which you may be more familiar with. Android skins are laid on top of the operating system to give the phone an aesthetic look. This controls the menu layout or the way app shortcuts are placed on the screen.

The most common "standard" Android devices used for digital signage are consumer tablets, which can easily be turned into digital signage displays. Like devices powered by Android AOSP, Android tablets that run a more standard version of Android are very full-featured and aren't as simplified as devices powered by Android TV meaning they do support business features like remote device management apps. You'll probably find a more "standard" version of Android when using devices like consumer tablets for digital signage, which shouldn't be a problem as it won't have as simplified an interface as Android TV and will support a wide range of use cases like remote device management.

The process of setting up either an Android-powered TV or an Android TV media player is basically the same as both essentially run on the same operating system. The reason for this is that they are the same operating system but simply put in different form factors. If you have an Android TV, the need to buy a separate Android TV box is not needed as it is highly unlikely that it will add more functionality than you already have with your TV.

Android TV boxes sold by OEMS will have the same setup process as Android TVs because, in order to run official Android TV, you must be certified by Google. You can see the full list of the certified OEMs that provide hardware running Android TV here, or to see which TVs running Android TVs we recommend for our customers, take a look at our current hardware selection. There are some differences though, namely that not all hardware available will be running the latest version of Android TV, but this guide should get you started.

Watch the video to see how to set up your Android TV for digital signage, or follow the steps below.

Android TVs offer great performance and are very easy to set up. They come in a wide range of models and configurations available from various manufacturers, so you should be able to easily find one that suits your business needs. Please note, that while they should be powerful enough to run demanding content, Consumer-grade Android TVs are not designed for 24/7 operations so if this is something you need, have a look at our professional displays option instead.

If you have already set up your Android TV and are ready to get started using the ScreenCloud app, please skip ahead to section 2.2. but if not, continue following the steps below, this is going to be easy.

In this step-by-step guide, we are going to complete the setup using a Sony TV but don't worry if you have any other models the setup process should be very similar.

2.1.1. Once you power on your Android TV for the first time, you will be taken through a few steps to get your TV ready. First, select your preferred language.

2.1.2. Here, you will also have the option to set up your Android TV using your existing Android phones or tablets. Please follow the steps shown on your TV or select "Skip" if you don't have a compatible device or would prefer a manual setup.

2.1.3. Next, connect to your wifi network. On the next screen select "Sign In" to sign in to your Google account and follow the steps shown on your TV.

You will now have the option to enable Google Assistant, Google's own voice assistant. We recommend that if you are going to use this TV solely for digital signage purposes, Google Assistant is turned off. With newer Android TV models, Google Assistant can be triggered just by voice alone, therefore to minimize the chance of someone activating Google Assistant accidentally, we suggest disabling this feature.

2.1.4. On the next screen, choose the name for your TV or create one manually by selecting Enter custom name. This will help you identify your TV when casting or connecting it from other devices.

2.1.5. Now depending on the model you have, you may be presented with some additional settings, please follow the steps shown on the screen to complete the setup process.

Once you get your Android TV set up, navigate to the Google Play Store by selecting the App. You can also simply select "Get more apps" to explore the apps available in the Google Play Store.
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​Please note: If the Google Play Store is not available on your Android device, you can use the Amazon appstore as an alternative to help with downloading the ScreenCloud player app.

2.2.1. Select the magnifying glass icon located in the top left of the screen and search for "ScreenCloud" by using your voice or the onscreen keyboard.

2.2.2. Next, select the ScreenCloud app and select "Install" to begin the installation process.

2.2.3. When you open the app for the first time you will have the option to launch the ScreenCloud Player app every time the system starts up. If you prefer this, select the option to "Start at boot".

If you're not sure what to do yet, don't worry, you can change this from the settings menu later by pressing the menu button on the remote when you are in the ScreenCloud Player App.

Now you'll see the custom pairing code, you can then use this to pair your Amazon Fire Stick TV by logging into your ScreenCloud account here from the web browser on your computer.

Once you log into your account, select the "New Screen" button on the top right corner, input the unique pairing displayed on your TV, and enter the name of your device.

And that's it, you are now ready to set any content you'd like to show on your screen. Learn how to use ScreenCloud with our full walkthrough article, follow step-by-step to get started on how to use ScreenCloud for digital signage. This will help you become comfortable with the setup process and the main features of using ScreenCloud.

Watch the video below to see how to set up your Xiaomi device running Android TV. The following video uses a Mi Box S Android TV Box, however, this video can be used to set up the Xiaomi TV 4K Stick as well.

The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is powered by Android 11 and makes for a powerful and affordable device that can be used for digital signage. They offer great value for money and can single-zoned content with ease. Our only complaint is that it’s not specifically designed for digital signage, so it lacks features like good remote device management if this is something crucial to your business, you may look at other options like the Ugoos devices that we also highly recommend.

2.5.1. Setting up your Android TV box is very easy. First, unpack your device and put the included batteries into the remote.

2.5.2. Connect your device to a power socket with the included adaptor, then connect it to an available HDMI input on your TV with an HDMI cable.

2.5.3. Next, turn on your TV and select the channel that matches the HDMI input you plugged your device into.

2.5.4. Once you power up your device for the first time, you will be taken through a few steps to get your device ready, this includes setting up your preferred language, your WIFI settings, and signing in to your Google account. If you don't already have a Google account, don't worry you can create one now.

After you've completed setting up your Xiaomi device, this is what your screen is going to look like:

2.6.1. To install the ScreenCloud app on your device. Simply, navigate to the Google Play Store and search for the ScreenCloud Player app by entering "ScreenCloud" in the Search box.

2.6.2. Next select the ScreenCloud app and select "Download" to begin the installation process.

2.6.3. When you open the app for the first time you will have the option to launch the ScreenCloud Player app every time the system starts up. If you prefer this, select the option to "Start at boot".

If you're not sure what to do yet, don't worry, you can change this from the settings menu later by pressing the menu button on the remote when you are in the ScreenCloud Player App.

Now you'll see the custom pairing code, you can then use this to pair your device by logging into your ScreenCloud account here from the web browser on your computer

Once you log into your account, select the "New Screen" button on the top right corner, input the unique pairing displayed on your TV, and enter the name of your device.

And that's it, you are now ready to set any content you'd like to show on your screen. Learn how to use ScreenCloud with our full walkthrough article, follow step-by-step to get started on how to use ScreenCloud for digital signage. This will help you become comfortable with the setup process and the main features of using ScreenCloud.

Please note that we strongly recommend using a ScreenCloud OS over an Android AOSP device. However, if you have an Android AOSP device at hand, please see steps below on how you can set up ScreenCloud for this type of device.
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As mentioned earlier, manufacturers use Google’s open-source code to build their own Android boxes therefore there are countless Android AOSP boxes on the market, all looking slightly different from one another. ScreenCloud has thoroughly tested a handful of devices, which we previously recommended Ugoos AM6B Plus or Ugoos X4 Cube. Click here to see what our minimum requirements are here.
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Some great Android AOSP devices are specifically designed for use cases like digital signage. However, this also means that each use case is different, including having different custom interfaces for their Android operating systems. As such, it's difficult to outline the exact setup steps for each device running Android AOSP. Here at ScreenCloud though, we have tested a wide range of Android AOSP devices and have selected a few that we recommend for new purchases.

To learn more about how to set up ScreenCloud on an Android AOSP device, please see:

- How to Set Up ScreenCloud on an Ugoos Digital Signage Media Player

It's also possible to use other Android AOSP devices for your digital signage. To find out which Android devices we support, please read this article about our minimum requirements and check with the hardware manufacturer for information on how to set up an Android app on the specific device.

Tablets are a great option for creating one-to-one digital signage experiences, such as in a showroom or warehouse setting. They allow viewers to get closer to information and to digest it in real-time. This is a great option for displaying data to operatives, key sales information within showrooms and stores, and even timetables or meeting room signage within an office or corporate setting.

Watch the video below to see how to set up your Android Tablet for digital signage or follow the steps below.

When it comes to choosing an Android tablet as your digital signage media player, the Samsung Galaxy A tablet lineup makes for a cost-effective all-in-one solution, and are our recommended options. They come in ranges of sizes and yes, performance varies with the entry-level options only being able to power basic content, but unlike Amazon's Fire tablets, they run a full version of Android so they do support remote device management apps and services.

In this video, we are going to complete the set up using the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 but don't worry if you have any other model, the setup process should be very similar.

Now if you have already set up your Samsung Galaxy Tab and are ready to get started installing the ScreenCloud app, please skip ahead to section 4.2.

4.1.1. First, unpack your Samsung Galaxy Tablet and connect it to a power source using the included adaptor and USB cable.

4.1.2. Once you power on the device for the first time, you will be greeted with the setup screen, please follow the steps as shown on the device, here you will also have an option to restore a back up if you have an older device, if not you can skip this step and connect the tablet to your preferred wireless network.

4.1.3. Next, sign-in to your Google account, you will now also have the option to restore a backup from your older devices. If you don't want to, just select "Skip"

4.1.4. Now, depending on the model you have, there are a few security unlock options for you to choose from, select the option you prefer and continue with the setup.

4.1.5. In newer version of Android, you will have the option to subscribe to various Google Assistant Services, we recommended that if the tablet is going to be used solely for digital signage, that all of these options are unchecked. You can also uncheck all the apps suggestions from Google Play Store in the next steps as well.

4.1.6. Next, you will have the option to create a Samsung account or sign in if you already have one, this can be beneficial if you have multiple Samsung Galaxy devices as it makes backup and restoring between devices easier. Samsung also provide some extra services to their registered users, from our side, we see no harm in creating a Samsung account.

4.2.1. Once you get your Samsung Galaxy Tab set up, navigate to the Google Play Store and search for the ScreenCloud Player app by entering ScreenCloud in the Search Box

4.2.2. Select the ScreenCloud app and select "Install" to begin the installation process.

4.2.3. When you open the app for the first time you will have the option to launch the ScreenCloud Player app every time the system starts up. If you prefer this, select the option to "Start at boot".

If you're not sure what to do yet, don't worry, you can change this from the settings menu later by pressing the menu button on the remote when you are in the ScreenCloud Player App.

Now you'll see the custom pairing code, you can then use this to pair your Samsung Galaxy tablet by logging into your ScreenCloud account here from the web browser on your computer

Once you log into your account, select the "New Screen" button on the top right corner, input the unique pairing displayed on your TV, and enter the name of your device.

And that's it, you are now ready to set any content you'd like to show on your screen. Learn how to use ScreenCloud with our full walkthrough article, follow step-by-step to get started on how to use ScreenCloud for digital signage. This will help you become comfortable with the setup process and the main features of using ScreenCloud.

Good job! You have successfully set up your Android devices with ScreenCloud.