What certification means
Google calls it Play Protect certification. In Google’s words, certified devices “include proprietary apps under license from Google” and “have passed Android compatibility testing”. Only certified devices are eligible to include Google apps, including the Google Play Store.
An uncertified box can still run Android and may even show a Play Store, but Google is blunt about that: Google apps on devices that aren’t Play Protect certified “aren’t licensed and aren’t real Google apps.”
What Google says about uncertified devices
| Google’s warning | What it means for an IPTV box |
|---|---|
| May not be secure | A box on your home network that holds your IPTV login and other accounts |
| May not get Android system updates or app updates | Security fixes and player updates may never arrive |
| Apps and features may not work correctly | Players and protected apps can misbehave; see DRM and Widevine |
| Data may not have a secure backup | Settings and logins can be lost |
From Google Play Help, checked 5 October 2026.
How to check a box
Google’s method is in the Play Store app:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Open its Settings, then About.
- Look for Play Protect certification: certified or not certified.
Google describes these steps for its phone and tablet Play Store; on a TV the menus can look slightly different. If there’s no Google Play Store at all, the box isn’t certified.
Keep Play Protect switched on
Google Play Protect checks apps on a TV for harmful behaviour, including apps from outside Google Play. Google says it’s on by default and recommends leaving it on. To check:
- Android 11 or later: open the Google Play Store, then MenuPlay ProtectSettings, and make sure Scan apps with Play Protect is on.
- Android 10 or earlier: SettingsAppsSecurity & restrictions, and make sure Verify apps is on.
A box or app that asks you to switch Play Protect off is a warning sign. See Android TV box malware risks.
Buying a certified box
- Buy from a known brand that lists Google TV or Android TV, with Google Play built in. Google lists its Android TV partners on android.com/tv.
- Avoid “fully loaded” boxes that come with channels or film apps preinstalled. They’re usually uncertified and the content is usually unlicensed. See is IPTV legal in the UK?
- Be wary of very cheap boxes promising 8K or huge memory at a low price; check the brand and certification first.
Certified options include the Google TV Streamer, Nvidia Shield and Formuler’s Google-certified GTV. See how to choose an Android TV box and Firestick vs Android TV box.