Sideload the Lumicast Player APK on Android

INFO

APK sideloading is the process of installing Android applications directly from a file (APK) instead of through the official Google Play Store.

If your Android device doesn't support Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore, you can still install the Lumicast player by sideloading the .apk file.

1. Go to the Lumicast downloads page and find the latest Android player version, e.g. 1.1.1-direct.apk.
2. On your Android device, open a web browser and navigate to https://cdn.lumicast.media/android/apk/<version>.apk. This starts the APK download.
3. Once downloaded, open the APK. Confirm the install prompt, then open the app.
4. Press M or the OK button on your remote to open the menu, navigate to Launch on boot and enable it. Lumicast will now start when the device turns on.
   • It may ask for permission to Display over other apps — this is required for launching Lumicast on boot and for reopening it after an update, so grant it. Update app in the menu asks for the same permission if it hasn't been granted yet.
5. Reboot the device. The Lumicast player should start automatically.

On Android 12 and later, Lumicast also updates itself without prompts: at start-up, every night between 02:00 and 05:00 while it's on screen, from Update app in the menu, and from Upgrade in the dashboard. This needs Install unknown apps allowed for Lumicast, along with Display over other apps. Update app in the menu asks for both the first time you use it; Upgrade shows in the dashboard once both are allowed.

If the player doesn't start after a few seconds, follow the extended ADB-based steps in the Fire TV Stick install guide.

For a display that runs unattended, go one step further and set it up as a dedicated signage device.