How to set up Android-based devices with Look DS

With Look digital signage, you can show your digital signage content using Android-powered devices with Android 5.1 and up. The installation process has a slight difference for various Android devices, so we've split our guide for TVs, Media Devices, Touch Screens, and AOSP-based devices.

Android-based TVs

Manufacturers offer a wide range of models, making it easy to find one that meets your business needs. However, it's important to note that while these devices can handle demanding content quite well, consumer-grade Android TVs are not designed for 24/7 continuous use. If your needs include 24/7 use, you should consider the range of professional displays. Android-based TVs typically run the Android TV operating system or its replacement, Google TV.

Android-based Media Devices

By Android-based media devices, we mean all consumer TV streaming boxes and sticks, like Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, Xiaomi TV Box, SHIELD TV, and Ugoos UT8 PRO, Google Chromecast with Android or Google TV, which can be used as cost-effective options suitable for digital signage applications, and professional digital signage players.

Find our recommended options for digital signage players here

Android-based Touch Screens

Tablets and interactive touch displays based on Android are a great choice for creating personalized digital signage, wayfinding systems, or kiosks. You can choose from consumer tablets like Xiaomi Pad 6 Max, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 or A9, or professional touch panels like Elo I-Series 3 or 4 or iiyama PROLITE TF series, depending on the complexity of your projects.

AOSP-based Devices

If your device based on AOSP (Android "Open Source Project") and does not have access to Google Play Store, like Huawei tablets, you can install Look Digital Signage Player using APK.

How to Set up Android-based TV with Look 

If you've already configured your Android/Google TV and are eager to start using the Look app, go to the next section. However, if you haven't set it up yet, just follow the straightforward steps outlined below.

Initial setup

Upon powering on your Android/Google TV for the first time, you’ll go through several setup steps: 

1. Select desired language.

2. You’ll see the choice to set up your Android/Google TV using an existing Android smartphone or tablet. Follow the instructions on the screen, or choose Skip if you don’t have a compatible device or prefer to set it up manually.

 3. Connect to your Wi-Fi network. On the subsequent screen, click Sign In to enter your Google account credentials and follow the displayed steps.

Now, you’ll have an option to activate Google Assistant, but if you plan to use the TV primarily for digital signage, we recommend disabling this feature to avoid accidental activation.

 4. Choose a name for your TV or create a custom one so you can recognize it when casting or connecting from other devices.

 5. Depending on your TV model, you may encounter additional settings; just follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup process.

Look Digital Signage Player App installation

If you prefer a video guide, check out Look Academy:  How to set up Android TV or Google TV for Digital Signage?

After setting up your Android/Google TV, choose App option and access Google Play. 

1. Search for Look Digital Signage Player in Google Play and click Install.

2.  Set initial permissions for your Look Player app: access device location While using the app, and click Allow buttons on every step.

3. Go to General Settings -> Apps section -> Select Special app access.

Enable settings: Display over other apps and Modify system settings.

Disable setting: Energy optimization mode.

To learn more about setting up Android permissions, check this guide

Pairing TV with Look CMS Account

You will see on the TV the 6-digit-pairing code specific to your setup. Use this code to connect your Android-based TV with your Look CMS account.

If you don’t have a Look CMS account, sign up here for free

In Look CMS, click on the New Screen, located in the top right corner. In the modal window that opens, enter the 6-digit code of your device, specify its name and time zone, and click the Add button.

That's it! Now, you can create any content you want and send it to your displays.

How to Set Android-based Media Device with Look 

Connect the device to the HDMI port on your TV using the supplied HDMI cable. Select the channel corresponding to your device's HDMI input.

Initial setup

Upon powering on your Android/Google TV media device for the first time, you’ll go through several setup steps: 

1. Select desired language.

2. You’ll see the choice to set up your Android/Google TV using an existing Android smartphone or tablet. Follow the instructions on the screen, or choose Skip if you don’t have a compatible device or prefer to set it up manually.

 3. Connect to your Wi-Fi network. On the subsequent screen, click Sign In to enter your Google account credentials and follow the displayed steps.

Now, you’ll have an option to activate Google Assistant, but if you plan to use the TV primarily for digital signage, we recommend disabling this feature to avoid accidental activation.

 4. Choose a name for your TV or create a custom one so you can recognize it when casting or connecting from other devices.

Look Digital Signage Player App installation

After setting up your Android/Google TV, choose App option and access Google Play. 

1. Search for Look Digital Signage Player in Google Play and click Install

2.  Set initial permissions for your Look Player app: access device location While using the app, and click Allow buttons on every step.

3. Go to General Settings -> Apps section -> Select Special app access.

Enable settings: Display over other apps and Modify system settings.

Disable setting: Energy optimization mode.

To learn more about setting up Android permissions, check this guide

Pairing Media Device with Look CMS Account

You will see on the TV the 6-digit pairing code specific to your setup. Use this code to connect your device with your Look CMS account.

If you don’t have a Look CMS account, sign up here for free

In Look CMS, click on the New Screen option located in the top right corner. In the modal window that appears, enter the 6-digit code of your device, specify its name and time zone, and click the Add button.

How to Set Up Android-based Touch Screens with Look 

Look Digital Signage Player App Installation

1. Go to the Google Play Store and search for Look Digital Signage Player app and click Install. 

2. Set initial permissions for your Look Player app: access device location While using the app, and click Allow buttons on every step.

Enable settings: Display over other apps and Modify system settings.

Pairing Touch Screen with Look CMS Account

You will see on the tablet the 6-digit pairing code specific to your setup. Use this code to connect your tablet with your Look CMS account.

If you don’t have a Look CMS account, sign up here for free

In Look CMS, click on the New Screen option located in the top right corner. In the modal window that appears, enter the 6-digit code of your device, specify its name and time zone, and click the Add button.

How to set up APK and Look Updater on AOSP devices

Sometimes, the device doesn’t have Google Play Store. In this case, you can launch Look Android APK. 

Download the Look Updater and Look Launcher from the Downloads page to your USB flash drive and connect it into your device. You will see File manager notification: press OK. Run an installation of Look Updater and Look Launcher from the USB (you need to have any file manager on your device for that)

To install Look Updater:

1. Go to Local in the left sidebar and choose USB Storage.

2. Run LookUpdater.apk and press Install and Install.

After the Look Updater is installed, set permissions for your Look Updater app: open app, click on Permissions, open Files and media, enable Allow management of all files.  

After  installed Look Updater you need to run an installation of Look Launcher:

1. Go to Local in the Left sidebar and choose USB Storage.

2. Run Look_launcher.apk and press Install and Install. 

If your device doesn’t have access to run any unknown apps from the source, set the access Allow from this source.

3. Set initial permissions for your Look player app and click Allow buttons on every step and Access device location While using the app.

In Apps permissions enable special access for modifying system settings (brightness, volume, orientation), files and media, and display over other apps. App restart automatically. 

5. Check that the Look app is marked as the Home app: go to Apps, open Look Player and click Home app.

Pairing Media Device with Look CMS Account

You will see on the TV the 6-digit pairing code specific to your setup. Use this code to connect your device with your Look CMS account.

If you don’t have a Look CMS account, sign up here for free.

In Look CMS, click on the New Screen option located in the top right corner. In the modal window that appears, enter the 6-digit code of your device, specify its name and time zone, and click the Add button.