How to Install ElephTV on a Hisense Android TV
ElephTV South Africa Support Team — our local support team helps South African customers install the app, redeem activation codes and choose supported devices. More about us
Hisense is the best-selling Smart TV brand in South Africa and virtually every current model runs Google TV. That means installing ElephTV is a Play Store search — no APK, no fiddling.
If you've bought a Hisense TV at Game, Makro, Takealot or an OK Furniture in the last three years, it almost certainly runs Google TV (formerly Android TV). That's the easiest possible Streaming TV setup — the Google Play Store is right there on the home screen.
How to check your Hisense model runs Android TV
Look at your home screen. If you see a row called 'For you', 'Apps' with a Play Store icon, or Google Assistant, you're on Google TV. If your remote has a dedicated Google Assistant or Netflix + Prime Video button, same story. Older VIDAA-only Hisense sets (pre-2020) are not Android — see the section at the bottom for those.
Step 1 — Sign in with a Google account
If you haven't already, Settings → Accounts → Add account. A free Gmail address is fine. This unlocks the Play Store.
Step 2 — Install ElephTV from Google Play
Open the Play Store, search for the exact app name listed in your delivery email, and install. On a fibre connection this takes 30–60 seconds.
Step 3 — Enter your activation code
Ready to watch? Try the app free for 4 days, then buy your activation code on elephtv.store from R120/month — it is auto-dispatched to WhatsApp or email after payment.
Open the app, paste your 16-digit code (Google Assistant voice input works — hold the mic button and read the code out). The channel list loads in about 30 seconds.
Picture quality tips for Hisense TVs
- Turn OFF 'Motion Smoothing' (Picture → Advanced) — makes sport look like a soap opera
- Set Picture Mode to Movie or Cinema for the most accurate colour
- Enable 'HDMI 2.1 Enhanced' only if you're using a games console — otherwise leave standard
- For 4K Hisense sets, force 4K output in Display settings so ElephTV knows the panel supports it
If your Hisense is VIDAA (not Android)
Older Hisense TVs run VIDAA — Hisense's own operating system. VIDAA does not run Android apps and cannot install ElephTV directly. Two clean solutions:
- Add an Android TV box (from R700 at Takealot) or Firestick — plug into any HDMI port and install as normal
- Cast from your Android phone using a Chromecast (built into some Hisense sets)
See our /devices page for a live compatibility check.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Hisense models support ElephTV?
- Any Hisense TV running Android TV or Google TV — that's roughly every model from 2020 onwards sold at major SA retailers. Older VIDAA-only sets need an Android TV box or Firestick.
- Do I need to sideload on Hisense?
- No. If your Hisense runs Android TV, ElephTV installs directly from the Google Play Store.
- Will ElephTV work in 4K on Hisense?
- Yes — on 4K Hisense sets with a stable 25 Mbps+ connection, selected channels stream in 4K.