Walmart’s onn streaming devices have become increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers, but they are also gaining attention from developers and tech enthusiasts. Thanks to their Android TV foundation, onn streaming sticks and boxes offer far more flexibility than many competing streaming platforms.
So, is onn open source? And can developers easily create and upload their own apps?
The answer is partially yes — and that’s exactly what makes onn devices stand out in the crowded streaming market.
What Operating System Does onn Use?
Most Walmart onn streaming devices run on Google TV, which is built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This gives developers access to a familiar Android-based environment for building and testing applications.
Because onn devices use Android TV technology, developers can create apps using popular Android development tools such as:
- Android Studio
- Kotlin
- Java
- Flutter
- React Native
Can You Install Your Own Apps on onn Devices?
Yes — one of the biggest advantages of onn streaming devices is the ability to sideload apps.
Sideloading allows users and developers to manually install APK files directly onto the device without relying solely on the Google Play Store.
This means developers can:
- Create custom streaming apps
- Test unfinished apps privately
- Install third-party applications
- Build media center experiences
- Create digital signage solutions
- Develop kiosk-style TV apps
Easy Developer Access and Debugging
Another reason developers like onn devices is the accessibility of Android developer tools.
Most onn streaming devices support:
- ADB debugging
- Wireless debugging
- Android Studio deployment
- APK installation
- Developer mode activation
This allows developers to quickly build, test, and update apps directly on the device.
Compared to more restricted ecosystems like Apple TV or Roku, the development experience on onn devices is far more open.
Is onn Fully Open Source?
Not entirely.
While onn devices are built on Android’s open-source framework, Google TV itself includes proprietary software and services. Walmart and Google still control certain parts of the platform, including firmware updates and system-level features.
Some limitations include:
- Locked bootloaders on most models
- Limited rooting support
- Proprietary Google services
- Restricted system modifications
- Official firmware controls
So although the platform is developer-friendly, it is not considered fully open-source in the traditional Linux sense.
How onn Compares to Other Streaming Platforms
When it comes to openness and developer flexibility, onn devices compare favorably against many major streaming competitors.
| Platform | Sideload Apps | Developer Friendly | Open Ecosystem |
|---|---|---|---|
| onn / Google TV | Yes | High | Moderate |
| Roku | Limited | Low | Restricted |
| Apple TV | No | Moderate | Closed |
| Amazon Fire TV | Yes | Moderate | Semi-Open |
| NVIDIA Shield | Yes | High | More Open |
Why Developers Are Choosing onn Devices
Many developers use onn streaming devices because they are affordable and flexible. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on premium streaming hardware, developers can use onn devices as low-cost Android TV testing machines.
Popular use cases include:
- IPTV app development
- Streaming media projects
- Retro gaming emulators
- Custom launchers
- Home automation dashboards
- Digital signage systems
- Experimental Android TV applications
Final Thoughts
Walmart’s onn streaming devices are not fully open source, but they offer far more flexibility than many competing streaming platforms. Thanks to Android TV and Google TV integration, developers can easily create, test, and upload their own applications using familiar Android tools.
With sideloading support, developer mode access, and affordable hardware, onn devices have quietly become one of the best budget-friendly options for Android TV app development and experimentation.
For developers looking to build custom streaming experiences without spending a fortune, onn streaming devices continue to stand out as a surprisingly powerful platform.