I'll never forget getting my first Google Chromecast in 2015 and being amazed that something so small could completely transform my TV into a streaming powerhouse. So when Google announced in 2024 that it was retiring the Chromecast brand, I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. It was disappointing to see that era come to an end, but that feeling didn't last long once I saw what Google had planned next: the Google TV Streamer.
When it launched in 2024, the Google TV Streamer quickly established itself as one of the best streaming devices you could buy, giving other set-top boxes like the Roku Ultra and Apple TV 4K some serious competition. For starters, it runs Google TV, giving you all the flexibility that comes with Android, including support for custom launchers and sideloading apps. On top of that, the hardware leaves very little to be desired, with 32GB of storage, 4GB of RAM, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.
So when I picked up a Google TV Streamer to see how it stacked up against my Roku Ultra, I came away extremely impressed. The hardware is excellent, Google TV is a joy to use, and the overall experience exceeded my expectations.
But like any new gadget I get my hands on, I couldn't resist tweaking a few settings to get the best experience possible. While the Google TV Streamer works great right out of the box, a quick dive into the settings menu reveals plenty of ways to make it even better, from cleaning up the interface to improving the audio experience and boosting performance. With that in mind, here are four ways I upgraded my Google TV Streamer for free.
Connect Bluetooth headphones
Enjoy a more private, immersive listening experience
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