To add BritBox to your smart TV, the quickest method is to open your TV's app store, search for "BritBox," and install the official app directly, then activate it by visiting BritBox.com/connect on your phone or computer and entering the code shown on your screen. This direct install method works on most modern smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Hisense, and others, and it's the only way to get the full native app experience without needing extra hardware.
How to add BritBox to your smart TV with the app store
Adding BritBox through your TV's built-in app store is the most straightforward route, and it's what most people mean when they search for how to add BritBox to a smart TV. Start by pressing the "Home" or "Smart Hub" button on your remote, then navigate to the app store, this is called Samsung Smart Hub on Samsung TVs, LG Content Store on LG TVs, Google Play Store on Android/Google TVs, Roku Channel Store on Roku TVs, and Amazon Appstore on Fire TVs. If you see "Google Play Store" on your screen, you are actually using the difference between a smart TV and a Google TV. Once the store is open, use the search function and type "BritBox" exactly as written. Look for the official BritBox app in the results, it should have the BritBox logo and be published by BritBox. Select it, then click "Install" or "Get" to download it to your TV. Wait for the download to complete, then open the app from your TV's home screen or app list, where you can also display Google calendar on smart TV to keep your daily schedule visible alongside your streaming apps.
After launching BritBox for the first time, you'll see a "Sign In" or "Connect" button. Select it, and a unique activation code will appear on your TV screen. On a separate device (phone, tablet, or computer), open a web browser and go to BritBox.com/connect. Enter the activation code exactly as displayed on your TV, then sign in to your BritBox account or create a new one if you're a new subscriber. Within a few seconds, your TV will refresh and you'll be logged in, no need to enter your password on the TV itself. This activation flow is the same across all supported smart TV brands, so you only need to do it once per device.
For LG TVs specifically, the process is identical but requires that your TV runs webOS 4.0 or newer (models from 2017 onward). On Samsung TVs, BritBox is available on select models from 2017 and later, though the exact availability varies by region and model year. Hisense TVs with VIDAA U4 or VIDAA U5 operating systems also support the native app. If you're unsure whether your TV is compatible, check the app store first, if BritBox appears in the search results, your TV supports it. If it doesn't appear, your TV is either too old or not on the supported list, and you'll need to use one of the alternative methods below.
Which smart TVs support the BritBox app
BritBox officially supports a specific range of smart TVs, and knowing these models will save you time when you want to add BritBox to your smart TV. The full list of compatible devices includes:
- LG Smart TVs: All models from 2017 or newer running webOS 4.0 or greater. This includes LG OLED, NanoCell, and UHD series from 2017 through the latest releases. Important: LG webOS 3.0 models from 2016 are not supported, BritBox ceased support for these as of April 28, 2022.
- Roku TV: All Roku TV models (including TCL, Hisense, and Sharp Roku TVs) have BritBox in the Roku Channel Store.
- Amazon Fire TV: All Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Edition televisions support BritBox via the Amazon Appstore.
- Apple TV: All Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models (2nd generation and newer) can install BritBox from the tvOS App Store.
- Chromecast: Chromecast with Google TV (both HD and 4K) supports the native BritBox app from the Google Play Store.
If your TV is not on this list, you cannot install the native BritBox app. However, you still have two reliable alternatives: casting from your phone or using an external streaming device.
How to add BritBox by casting from your phone
If your smart TV doesn't have a native BritBox app, casting from your mobile device is the next best option, and it's especially useful if you want to avoid buying extra hardware. This method works on any TV that supports screen mirroring (Miracast, AirPlay, or Chromecast built-in) and is perfect for older LG, Samsung, or Sony models that lack BritBox in their app stores. To get started, make sure both your smart TV and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, this is non-negotiable for casting to work. On your phone, download the BritBox app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), then sign in to your account.
Once your phone's screen is mirrored on the TV, open the BritBox app and play any show or movie. The content will appear on your TV screen, and you can control playback from your phone. For a better experience, look for the casting icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol) inside the BritBox app itself, this uses Google's Cast protocol, which works with Chromecast built-in TVs and is more stable than full screen mirroring. If your TV has Chromecast built-in (many Sony, Vizio, and Philips models do), you can cast directly from the BritBox app without mirroring your entire phone screen. This method also gives you the benefit of using your phone as a remote, which is handy for pausing or selecting new episodes. One caveat: casting drains your phone's battery faster than using a native app, so keep a charger nearby for long viewing sessions.
This fallback method is ideal for TVs that don't have BritBox in their app store but do support Google apps on a smart TV, like Chromecast built-in TVs that run Android TV or Google TV. Even if the BritBox app isn't pre-installed, casting from your phone gives you the full catalog without needing a separate streaming device. Just remember that both devices must stay on the same Wi-Fi network throughout the entire viewing session, and your phone cannot be used for other heavy tasks while casting, as it may cause buffering.
How to add BritBox with a streaming stick or box
When your smart TV lacks both the native app and casting capabilities, an external streaming device is the most reliable solution. This involves connecting a Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast to an available HDMI port on your TV, then installing BritBox from that device's app store. If the device is a stick, it may draw power from the TV's USB port, but for best performance, use the included power adapter and plug it into a wall outlet. Turn on your TV and use the remote to change the input source to the HDMI port where the streaming device is connected.
Once the streaming device is set up, navigate to its app store, this is the Roku Channel Store on Roku, the Amazon Appstore on Fire TV, the App Store on Apple TV, or the Google Play Store on Chromecast with Google TV. Search for "BritBox" and select the official app from the results. Click "Install" or "Get" and wait for the download to complete. After installation, open BritBox from the device's home screen. You'll see the same activation screen as on smart TVs: a code appears on your TV, and you enter it at BritBox.com/connect on your phone or computer. Sign in with your BritBox credentials, and the app will activate instantly. From then on, you can browse and stream all BritBox content using the streaming device's remote, which is often more responsive than TV remote controls.
It also future-proofs your setup: if you upgrade your TV later, you can simply unplug the streaming stick and plug it into the new TV without losing your apps or settings. For the best experience, choose a 4K-capable streaming device like Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Apple TV 4K, or Chromecast with Google TV 4K, as BritBox offers select titles in 4K HDR. If you're on a budget, the standard Fire TV Stick or Roku Express works perfectly fine for HD streaming. Just remember that you'll need a stable internet connection (at least 5 Mbps for HD, 25 Mbps for 4K) and a BritBox subscription to start watching.
Regardless of which method you choose, the key is to ensure your TV and any connected devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that you have your BritBox login credentials ready. With these steps, you can successfully add BritBox to your smart TV and start enjoying British classics like Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, and Line of Duty within minutes.
For the wider topic, see Google apps on a smart TV.
