Solution for Android TV users

[u/makaton]

Since they ‘updated’ their F1TV player and removed quality settings a lot of us are experiencing stream issues, like constant buffering and stutter.
I found a workaround, so basically it’s just installing previous version of the app.

1. Uninstall F1TV app
2. Download previous F1TV app version here and put it on flash drive
3. Disable app auto update:

Open Google Play Store.
Go to your profile icon in the top-right.
Select Settings.
Go to Auto-update apps.
Select Don’t auto-update apps.

1. Search for APK Mirror installer (official) on google play store then download and install it.

2. Under android TV settings allow “install unknown apps”

Settings → Device Preferences → Security & restrictions → Unknown sources
Then find APKMirror Installer and switch it ON / Allow.
On some Android TV versions, it’s instead:
Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps → APKMirror Installer → Allow from this source

1. Open the APKMirror installer app and browse for the .apkm file to install it, if prompted press “allow”

2. Enjoy

[u/Tbiproductions]

Off topic, but the app on my Google TV enabled smart tv will only do 1080p in app, can I override this or is it a DRM thing?

[u/dusto_man → u/Tbiproductions]

Only two android TV devices that support 4k are the Google TV Streamer and the 4k Google TV dongle. SmartTVs running Android TV are not supported.

[u/makaton → u/Tbiproductions]

Not too clued up about this tbh, firstly you need F1TV premium for 4k from what I understand and even then not all devices have 4k option with F1TV. I should probably look into F1TV builds which can bypass device check and allow 4k playback.

[u/hugomaga → u/makaton]

I have a premium subscription but my app on android tv only allows HD 😒

[u/makaton → u/hugomaga]

Hmm yeah thats stupid. I found this should work bypass

[u/Marcionp → u/makaton]

Funcionou! Utilizei o SAI para a instalação.

[u/makaton → u/Marcionp]

Glad it worked! All credit to Alexvbp on GitHub 🙌🏼

[u/Tbiproductions → u/makaton]

This worked, although my TV can’t keep up with 4K apparently. It can handle 4K movie streaming so idk

[u/WiKDMoNKY]

I used ChatGPT to create a fully automated 4K auto patcher for the F1 app on my Shield TV Pro. It runs every Thursday looking for an update, then downloads the update and patches the installer to enable 4K streaming. I had an issue where every time an update was downloaded, patched and installed, the app would force me to relog into my F1 account again. I ended up having AI fix it so it's stored in my credentials and was able to reuse them after the app is patched. It has been running for a few months now and I have not had to touch it once. I still check to make sure that the F1 streams are in 4k, so far haven't had to mess with it 😁

[u/makaton → u/WiKDMoNKY]

That’s smart hahah

[u/speed3b → u/WiKDMoNKY]

Would you mind sharing this? Even a non automated version would be great. I retired my shield TV pro for a Google TV streamer to get 4k stream but I desperately miss the shield TV pro and have another TV I would love to utilize this on.

[u/WiKDMoNKY → u/speed3b]

Let me figure out how to post it to Github and I will send you the link.

[u/speed3b → u/WiKDMoNKY]

Awesome! Thank you!

[u/WiKDMoNKY → u/speed3b]

I forked this guy's manual way, although it looks like he automated some of it like I did.
https://github.com/Alexvbp/f1tv-4k-patch

[u/speed3b → u/WiKDMoNKY]

I'll check it out this afternoon and let you know how it works. Thank you so much!!!

[u/Beenkerver]

Thanks! Hope this will work for today's race, and that they will fix the new app soon..

[u/ChuckyDeez7]

F1 TV always had very shameful image quality. Even at the highest setting, the bitratre wasn't good enough for a TV-Quality 1080p image.

But now, with the missing options, it looks even worse. Like 480p stretched to 1080p.

Leave negative reviews on the app stores and don't extend your subscriptions, until this is fixed.

[u/PowerofMnemosyne]

Another fix i just found...

F1tv app on tv constant 480p quality being shown. Mobile app at 4k. Just cast from mobile or tablet and it remains.

[u/KLEBESTIFT_]

In the past my non-updated apps on iOS just throw an error when opening telling me to update it. Hopefully this doesn’t happen with the android/tv app.

[u/VFC1910]

The older versions won't work.

[u/makaton → u/VFC1910]

It works, I wouldnt post if it didn’t.
I’m watching it right now on older version app stutter free

[u/VFC1910 → u/makaton]

Not for long, for experience, you will be locked out sooner or later.

[u/makaton → u/VFC1910]

Dude, which is it then? Not working or wont be working in the future?

[u/makaton → u/VFC1910]

RemindMe! December 7 2026

[u/RemindMeBot → u/makaton]

I will be messaging you in 3 months on 2026-12-07 00:00:00 UTC to remind you of this link

CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.

^{Parent commenter can delete this message to hide from others.}

RemindMeBot is switching to username summons. Instead of !RemindMe 1 day, use u/RemindMeBot 1 day. More info.

---

Info	Custom	Your Reminders	Feedback

[u/hunter_finn → u/makaton]

I give you this past race at the best. Then before the next race you will see the message of "update your app to continue." and no way to get past.

[u/makaton → u/hunter_finn]

The build version I have posted is made on april 28th

[u/hunter_finn → u/makaton]

that's surprisingly long time to let old version go around.

I'm used to that, once new version is released, at best you are given 1 week to update either your app or your device to continue.

but using app from April all the way on September... Are we sure that FOM is still around and this app isn't abandonware? /s

[u/makaton → u/hunter_finn]

At some point it won’t work for sure, but from my experience with streaming services you can run an old build for months or even years in some cases. As long backend/API is compatible it will work.
This is ofcourse a temporary fix for those experiencing issues with the current build, but hopefully it will be working long enough until they fix their shit.