Have this set up on latest, and -1 gen Shield Pro. After figuring it out on the first Shield, the second one took maybe 15 minutes from stock, to in the (latest Android version) app & riding.
Only noticeable downfalls vs having on a Windows PC are the graphics are a little lower (4/5 on a 75" TV from 3 feet away while riding - the textures are a bit blockier, but overall the gameplay is smooth) and Zwift Android is not supporting the ANT profile needed for Controllable smart trainers. Everything else works as expected on Android TV, while I’m using a USB dongle > Logi K400 keyboard/mouse (to navigate the UI while not riding) and I have a $15 ANT USB dongle for any sensors I don’t want connecting over BT.
Instructions are:
- Install Zwift on a different Android tablet, from App store (phone probably works too)
- Log into your account and ride/view others. Take note of what version of the app you have installed.
- Exit app
- Connect that device to your computer over USB
- Navigate to the Android data obb folder and copy the entire zwift folder & contents (mine was around 700MB) to your computer, then a USB stick.
- Download a copy of the .apk app installer from an apk mirror site - ensure it’s the same version you installed on your other device.
- Copy that to your USB stick too.
- Plug that USB stick into your Shield, as well as your keyboard/mouse (not essential for this step, but makes this easier and you’ll need this in just a second anyway…)
- Use your preferred File Explorer to navigate to the USB stick and run the APK installer you downloaded (you’re now sideloading this app).
- You may need to allow this to install not from a ‘trusted source’, aka App store.
- Finish install.
- Copy that folder with ~700MB obb into the same folder location as where you found it on the original device.
- IF you want to connect sensors via ANT to use in Zwift, now would be the time to physically connect your ANT dongle.
- You’ll also need to install 3 ANT related apps from the regular Google Play App store: ANT USB Service, ANT Radio Service, and ANT+ Plugins Service. Just run them each once and should never need to again.
- Open Zwift app (you’ll need to go to the Settings gear in top right, navigate to apps, scroll all the way to bottom and find Zwift, and open that way).
- First time will take quite a while to open up as it’s initial ‘install’ and unpacking of everything. Be patient.
- Eventually you’re in an intro screen which you’ll need to hold click and ‘swipe’ to the left to get through opening carousel. I think a mouse is the only way to do this.
- Now you can log in (way easier with physical keyboard).
- Once logged in, pair your sensors like normal (note, you may need to allow location permissions for BOTH the app, and for Android in general.)
- Again - this will NOT find your Controllable smart trainer at this time due to ANT protocol needed not supported in Android apk (why here no, but on the limited AppleTV yes is beyond me…)
- Enjoy the ride!