title: 'Linking your TV to Trikome' description: 'How to connect your TV device to display menus, including device setup, the linking process, and what to do if something goes wrong.' date: '2026-01-17' slug: tv-linking tags:
- devices
- getting started draft: false
This guide walks through connecting your TV to display Trikome menus, from app installation to confirming your menu is live.
Overview
Trikome displays run on Android TV devices, Fire TV sticks, or similar streaming devices connected to a TV. The linking process:
- Install the Trikome app on your TV device
- Get a 4-digit code from the app
- Enter the code at trikome.co/link
- Your menu starts displaying
The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Supported Devices
Trikome works on devices running Android TV or Fire OS:
| Device Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Smart TV | Sony, TCL, Hisense with Android TV |
| Streaming Stick | Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K |
| Streaming Box | NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV |
For the best experience, we recommend devices with at least 2GB RAM. Entry-level Fire TV Sticks work but may load more slowly.
Step 1: Install the Trikome App
On Fire TV Devices
- From the Fire TV home screen, navigate to Search
- Search for "Trikome"
- Select the Trikome app
- Click Download or Get
- Wait for installation to complete
On Android TV / Google TV
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Search for "Trikome"
- Select the Trikome app
- Click Install
- Wait for installation to complete
Manual Installation (Sideloading)
If the app isn't available in your region's store, you can sideload it. Contact support for the APK file and instructions.
Step 2: Launch the App
- Open the Trikome app from your apps list
- The app will display a screen with a 4-digit code
- Note this code — you'll need it in the next step
Step 3: Link via the Web
- On a computer or phone, go to trikome.co/link
- Enter the 4-digit code shown on your TV
- Select the store (if you have multiple stores)
- Select the menu you want to display
- Optionally, give the device a name (e.g., "Front Counter TV")
- Click Link Device
Within seconds, your menu will appear on the TV.
Step 4: Verify It's Working
Your device is properly linked when:
- The menu is displaying and rotating through pages
- The device appears as "Online" in your dashboard under Devices
- Updates you make to the menu appear on the TV (give it 1-2 minutes)
Understanding Device Status
In your dashboard, devices show one of these statuses:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Online | Device is connected and receiving updates |
| Offline | Device hasn't checked in recently (see troubleshooting) |
What "Last Seen" Means
The "Last seen" timestamp shows when the device last communicated with our servers.
- A few seconds ago: Everything is working normally
- Several minutes ago: Might be a temporary network glitch
- Hours/days ago: The device is likely offline or powered off
Using "Update Device"
The Update Device button in your dashboard tells a specific device to fetch the latest menu immediately, rather than waiting for the normal sync interval.
When to use it:
- You made an urgent change and can't wait for auto-sync
- You want to confirm the device is responding
- Testing after making menu changes
When you don't need it:
- Normal updates — menus sync automatically every few minutes
- Initial linking — the device fetches everything on first connect
Offline Behavior
Trikome devices cache menu content locally. If internet connectivity drops:
- The menu keeps displaying — cached content continues rotating
- Updates won't apply — until connectivity is restored
- Status shows "Offline" — in your dashboard
This means brief network outages won't interrupt your display.
Devices are designed to be resilient. A power outage or network drop won't leave you with a blank screen — the cached menu keeps running.
Troubleshooting Linking Issues
"Invalid Code" Error
The code may have expired or been mistyped:
- Check that you're entering the code exactly as shown
- Restart the Trikome app on the TV to get a fresh code
- Try again within 15 minutes
Code Entry Works, But No Menu Appears
- Wait 30 seconds — initial sync can take a moment
- Check that you selected the correct menu
- Verify the menu has content (pages with collections or media)
- Restart the app on the TV
Device Shows Offline Immediately After Linking
- Check the TV's internet connection
- Try a different network (mobile hotspot) to rule out firewall issues
- Some corporate networks block unknown connections — ask your IT team
Device Was Linked Before But Shows Unlinked
This can happen if the device was factory reset or the app was reinstalled:
- Remove the old device entry from your dashboard (under Devices)
- Link again using the new code
Rate Limits
To prevent abuse, the linking system has rate limits:
- 5 link attempts per 15 minutes per account
- Codes expire after 15 minutes
If you hit a rate limit, wait a few minutes before trying again.
Multiple Devices
Each device links independently:
- Repeat the linking process for each TV
- Each device can show a different menu (or the same one)
- Manage all devices from the Devices page in your dashboard
Removing a Device
If you no longer want a device connected:
- Go to Devices in your dashboard
- Click on the device
- Click Remove Device or Unlink
- Confirm the removal
The device will show the linking screen again until re-linked.
Related Articles
- Troubleshooting Device Issues — Solve common problems
- Building Menus — Create content for your displays