Quick Answer: "Does Tidal work on Nvidia Shield TV?" Yes. You can install the Tidal app on Nvidia Shield TV to play Tidal HiRes FLAC and Dolby Atmos music online directly. For offline playback, you need to convert Tidal music into local files via AudFree Tidal Music Converter and then play offline on your TV via a USB drive.
Nvidia Shield TV, the popular Android-based digital media player and gaming device, is worth buying among all Android TVs for its high performance and advanced features. Nvidia Shield TV Pro, launched on Oct 28, 2019, not only provides more details in 1080p content but also equips it with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos audio, which supports you to enjoy any CD-quality music at home.
Fortunately, there is Tidal Nvidia Shield integration for you to enjoy a more immersive listening experience. And in this article, we will introduce three ways for you to play Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV at Lossless, HiRes FLAC and Dolby Atmos quality.
Part 1. How to Install and Use Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV Officially
Using the official Tidal app is the easiest way to stream music on the Nvidia Shield TV. Since the Nvidia Shield TV runs on Android TV, it supports the Android TV version of the Tidal app. You do not need extra hardware, APK files, or complex setup procedures. With this official app, you can enjoy millions of songs on Tidal and access personal playlists, saved albums, music recommendations, lossless audio, high-resolution (HiRes) FLAC tracks, and Dolby Atmos music (requires compatible equipment).
Here, we have listed the detailed steps to install the Tidal app on Nvidia Shield Android TV and listen to Tidal music on Nvidia Shield TV.
Step 1. Just go to the Google Play Store on your Nvidia Shield TV and search for 'Tidal' to install it on your TV by clicking 'Install'.
Step 2. Enter link.tidal.com on other smart devices such as a computer or a phone. Log into your Tidal premium account.
Step 3. A code will show on your computer or phone. Type in the code on Nvidia Shield. Then the connection is done.
After that, you can browse your Tidal music library and start playing Lossless and HiRes FLAC music on Nvidia Shield TV.
To get the best Tidal HiRes FLAC experience on Nvidia Shield TV, you need to connect to a stable internet connection, a wired Ethernet connection is recommended. Also, connect Nvidia Shield TV to AV receiver, HiFi amplifier, high-quality soundbar or external speakers. Besides, reset Tidal streaming quality to Max.
To enjoy Tidal Dolby Atmos on Nvidia Shield TV, you need a compatible Nvidia Shield TV model, Tidal subscription with Dolby Atmos content, Dolby Atmos soundbar or AV receiver, compatible speakers, and proper HDMI connection.
If you fail to find Tidal on Nvidia Shield, please have a shot at sideloading Tidal on Nvidia Shield after downloading the Tidal APK from a trusted source. Then retry the above-mentioned steps. Afterward, you can use the Nvidia Shield Tidal app as Tidal on desktops and phones.
Part 2. How to Cast Tidal to Nvidia Shield TV from Phone
Besides using the official Tidal app on Nvidia Shield TV directly, you can also stream music from your phone to your TV via Chromecast or Tidal Connect feature. Now, let's learn the detailed tutorial.
Step 1. Connect both your Nvidia Shield TV and your smartphone to the same WiFi or Ethernet network.
Step 2. Open the Tidal app on your Android phone or iPhone, find and play any track you want.
Step 3. Tap the Cast or Device icon in the Now Playing screen to choose your Nvidia Shield TV from the list of available devices.
Step 4. After connecting, Tidal music will play through your TV.
Part 3. How to Play Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV Offline
While the official Tidal app is best for online streaming, you can't use the downloaded Tidal songs outside the Tidal app. For users who want t a permanent offline music library, here is the best tool to help you. It is a simple but powerful third-party software called AudFree Tidal Music Converter. Designed for downloading and converting Tidal to commonly used FLAC, WAV, MP3, AIFF, M4A, M4B, and Lossless formats, this smart program can also keep 100% raw metadata and 100% lossless quality in the converted files.
Taking full advantage of the latest converting technology, this intelligent tool can accommodate 100 tracks at once, unlocking the limitation in songs at up to 37X faster speed. With the help of the AudFree Tidal Music Converter, it is simple to download Tidal HiRes FLAC music to real local files and transform them to Nvidia Shield TV and other devices or players whenever you want.
AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Losslessly download Tidal songs/playlists/albums
- Convert Tidal to lossless FLAC, MP3, WAV, M4A, M4B, AIFF, Lossless
- Keep ID3 tags, support Tidal playback without premium
- Transfer Tidal to Nvidia Shield TV and other Android TVs
Download and Play Lossless Tidal Music on Nvidia Shield
You can install and try the free version of AudFree Tidal Music Converter by hitting the green Try It Free button. It is safe and legal to get it for personal use. If you are satisfied with this software, please register to unlock the full version. Now let's see the detailed tutorials of the registered conversion.
- Step 1. Add Tidal music to AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Launch AudFree Tidal Music Converter on your computer. Log in to your existing Tidal account and search for any song playlist, or album that you would like to convert. Next, find the track and tap the '+🎵' icon to analyze Tidal audio. Later, tap the 'Add to list' button to import files.
- Step 2. Alter output settings of Tidal music for Nvidia Shield TV
- Then reset the output settings to Nvidia Shield-supported formats such as FLAC, WAV, MP3, etc. On a Windows computer, please click on the menu icon on the top menu bar in AudFree Tidal Music Converter. On the Mac computer, please find the 'AudFree Tidal Music Converter' tab under the system menu of Mac. Next, please hit the 'Preferences' > 'Conversion' tab to prompt to the new page.
- You can customize the output parameters embracing the bit rate or depth, sample rate, audio channels, and more for lossless quality and an awesome all-around listening experience. To enjoy Tidal music on Nvidia Shield TV, please select WAV or FLAC and reset the parameter to 24-bit/96 kHz. For WAV, you can even choose the maximum 32-bit/192 kHz.
- Step 3. Convert and download Tidal for Nvidia Shield TV
- Directly press the big 'Convert' button from the 'Converting' window to start the conversion. When the converting process is finished, please follow the pop-out instructions to browse the target folder where all converted Tidal songs are kept.
- Step 4. Stream Tidal into Nvidia Shield TV via USB Drive
- Now, you can drag and drop the converted Tidal files to a USB stick. Just insert the USB flash drive to your Nvidia Shield TV. Don't forget to install an extra music player on the Nvidia Shield TV. For example, you can search and download Plex player from the Google Play Store. Then simply add Tidal to Plex for music playback on Nvidia Shield TV. You can also use VLC, Kodi or other media players to play Tidal music.
Besides, you can use AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder to download music from Tidal for playback on Nvidia Shield TV or other devices. In addition, you can use this tool to download music from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Qobuz, and so on.
Part 4. How to Fix Tidal Not Working on Nvidia Shield
Although Tidal generally runs smoothly on Nvidia Shield TV, some users may encounter issues such as the app failing to launch, login failures, buffering or stuttering, poor audio quality, or the inability to play high-resolution (Hi-Res) FLAC and Dolby Atmos content. Listed below are the most common issues with Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV and their solutions.
Problem 1: Tidal App Is Not Available on Nvidia Shield TV
Fix: Ensure your Nvidia Shield TV is running the latest software version and has sufficient storage space for new apps. Also, try to restart your device. Also, clear the cache of Google Play Store. Just go to your TV's settings and find the Google Play Store app. Then choose the option to clear the cache and then reopen the store to force a refresh.
Problem 2: Tidal App Keeps Crashing on Nvidia Shield TV
Fix: Go to TV's Settings > Apps > Tidal > Storage & Cache > Clear Cache. Or, check and update Tidal app to the latest version. Or, uninstall Tidal app, restart Nvidia Shield TV and install Tidal app again from Google Play Store.
Problem 3: Tidal Keeps Buffering on Nvidia Shield TV
Fix: First, try to use Ethernet instead of WiFi. Or, restart your router. Also, disconnect other devices that may be consuming significant bandwidth, such as those downloading large files or streaming 4K video. Besides, try to lower the streaming quality in the Tidal app settings.
Part 5. FAQs about Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV
Can I Use a Bluetooth Speaker or Headphones with Tidal on Nvidia Shield TV?
Yes, the Nvidia Shield TV supports Bluetooth audio devices, including speakers and headphones. Simply pair your Bluetooth device in the Shield TV settings to play music via the Tidal app. Please note that Bluetooth connections may not fully reproduce the audio quality of lossless or high-resolution (Hi-Res) FLAC audio compared to a wired connection.
Can Multiple Tidal Accounts Be Used on the Same Nvidia Shield TV?
Yes, but the Tidal app only allows one account to be logged in at a time. To use a different account, you need to log out of the current one first and then log in using different credentials.
How Can I Check If Tidal Is Playing in HiRes FLAC on Nvidia Shield TV?
Open the 'Now Playing' screen in the Tidal app and check if an audio quality indicator (such as HiRes or FLAC) is displayed for the track. If the indicator is not visible, please verify that your subscription includes HiRes FLAC support and that the selected track is available in that format.
Can I Use an External USB DAC with Nvidia Shield TV for Tidal?
Yes. Nvidia Shield TV supports many compatible USB DACs; these devices can enhance audio quality when connected to supported headphones, amplifiers, or speakers. Specific compatibility may vary depending on the DAC model and your audio setup.
Part 6. Verdict: Which Method Is the Best?
So, which method should you choose? Before making a decision, check the differences between each option below.
| Method | Internet Required | Audio Quality | HiRes FLAC Support | Offline Playback | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Tidal App | ✅ | Lossless, HiRes FLAC, Dolby Atmos | ✅ | Within the app | Streaming Tidal normally |
| Casting from Phone | ✅ | Depends on device and connection | Depends on setup | ❌ | Convenient remote control |
| Local Tidal Music Files | ❌ | Lossless, HiRes FLAC | ✅ | ✅ | Offline playback and music library |
For most users, using an official way supports you to play high-quality music on the Tidal Nvidia Shield app directly. However, if you want to store Tidal music forever or play them through Nvidia Shield TV or other media players, there is a better way. That is to use AudFree Tidal Music Converter, a one-stop tool that allows you to download and convert all types of Tidal music as local files in universal formats. Thus, you can play Tidal music on multiple devices or players besides Nvidia Shield.
Staff Editor
