Using your own Android device
Setup steps for using any compatible Android TV, Android stick, or Android tablet you already own as an InfoBox screen.
Introduction
InfoBox runs on most Android devices. If you already own an Android TV, an Android stick (Chromecast with Google TV, Onn 4K Pro, NVIDIA Shield, etc.), or even an Android tablet, you can use it as an InfoBox screen. InfoBox Digital Signage is on the Google Play Store, so installation takes a couple of minutes. Once installed, the app shows a Device ID that you enter on the Platform to pair the device.
What hardware works
Minimum requirements:
- OS: Android 7 (Nougat) or later. Most devices made in the last 5+ years qualify.
- RAM: 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended. Lower-RAM devices can struggle with high-resolution video.
- Storage: 1 GB free for the app and locally cached content. More if you plan to play long videos.
- Network: WiFi (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Ethernet is fine if your device has it.
- Display: Connected via HDMI, or built-in (for tablets).
Tip
If you're not sure your device qualifies, install InfoBox Digital Signage from Google Play and try it. The app refuses to run on incompatible devices and tells you why, so testing is safe.
Step 1: Install InfoBox Digital Signage from Google Play
Find the app and install it:
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Search for InfoBox Digital Signage.
- Tap Install.
- When the install finishes, tap Open.
Step 2: Make sure WiFi is connected
Verify network connectivity:
- Most Android devices already have WiFi configured at this point.
- If not, exit InfoBox Digital Signage, open Settings → Network on your device, connect to WiFi, and reopen InfoBox Digital Signage.
Step 3: Pair the device on the Platform
Enter the Device ID in the Connect Device modal:
- InfoBox Digital Signage displays a Device ID on screen.
- On a separate device, sign in to app.infoboxi.com.
- Open InfoBox screens. Find the screen we provisioned for you and click it.
- Click the Connect Device button.
- Type the Device ID into the Device ID field and click Connect.
- Within a few seconds, the screen status changes to Online.
Note
The InfoBox Digital Signage app on customer-supplied Android devices doesn't include the auto-launch-at-boot feature that the InfoBox Basic stick has. If your screen needs to recover from a power cut without manual intervention, set up your device's own auto-launch (varies by device) or consider an InfoBox Basic stick instead.
Step 4: Keep the device running
Configure for 24/7 use:
- InfoBox is meant to play continuously. Disable auto-sleep (Settings → Display → Sleep, set to Never) and make sure the screen doesn't go to a screensaver.
- On Android TV-based devices, set the InfoBox Digital Signage as the default app at boot if your device supports it.
- Keep the device plugged into mains power. Battery-powered tablets will eventually shut down.
Common issues
If you run into problems:
- Can't find the app on Google Play: search for the exact phrase "InfoBox Digital Signage". Make sure your device's region or country setting isn't blocking the listing.
- InfoBox Digital Signage opens but no Device ID appears: confirm WiFi is working by opening a browser on the device.
- "Incorrect ID or device not found" on the Platform: double-check the Device ID. The ID is case-sensitive.
- Device falls asleep: disable sleep in your Android settings.
What's next
Continue with:
- Connect Device and Device ID
- Adding slides to a screen
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