Android Player Setup | easyCMS Digital Signage

Android media players are the most popular way to run easyCMS: small, silent, inexpensive boxes (or Android-based signage screens) that plug into any display via HDMI. This guide takes you from a fresh device to an authorised, always-on signage player.

Choosing and preparing the device

Almost any reasonably recent Android device works, but for reliable long-term signage use pick dedicated player hardware rather than a bargain TV stick, signage runs 24/7 and cheap boxes overheat and stutter. A device on a recent Android version (Android 9 or newer is recommended) with a quad-core CPU and 2GB+ RAM handles Full HD layouts comfortably; 4K playback needs correspondingly stronger hardware. easyCMS can also supply pre-configured player hardware if you prefer not to source your own.

Before installing:

Connect the device to your network (Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi for permanent installs).
Check the date, time and timezone are correct, scheduling depends on the player’s clock.
Allow installation of apps from outside the store (the “unknown sources” or “install unknown apps” permission), since the player is installed from an APK file.

Installing the player

Download the easyCMS Android player APK to the device (via its browser, or copy it across from a USB stick).
Open the APK and step through the installation, accepting the requested permissions, the player needs them for storage and for staying in the foreground.
Launch the app. On first run it opens its connection screen.

Connecting to your CMS

There are two ways to link the player to your account:

Activation code: the player shows a short code on screen. In the CMS, use the “add display with code” option on the Displays page and enter it, connection settings are pushed to the device automatically. This is the easiest method when the box has no keyboard attached.
Manual: enter your CMS address, normally https://app.myeasycms.com, typed in full including https://, and your CMS key into the player’s settings, then save.

Then log in to the CMS, open Displays, and authorise the new display. Authorisation assigns one of your display licences, the licence included with your account, or an additional lifetime licence (99€ per display). The player licence itself is delivered automatically once the display is authorised; with easyCMS there are no separate monthly player fees.

Recommended settings for reliable operation

Start on boot: enable the player’s autostart option so it launches by itself after a power cut. For fully unattended operation, set it as the device launcher/home app.
Screen always on: disable the device’s sleep and screensaver settings.
Display settings profile: in the CMS you can manage Android player settings centrally through a display settings profile, collect interval, orientation, operating hours and more, instead of configuring each box by hand. Changes to the profile reach every assigned display automatically.
Orientation: for portrait screens, set the rotation in the player/profile settings and design portrait layouts to match.

Verifying playback

Authorised and scheduled, the player downloads its content and begins playing within a few minutes. To inspect a running player on site, connect a mouse, click the screen and open its Status window, it shows the CMS connection state, downloaded files and any errors. Remotely, the display monitoring tools in the CMS show check-in status and can request a screenshot.

If the display stays on the splash screen or never appears in the CMS, run through the offline display checklist.