Zoho’s homegrown messaging platform, Arattai, has launched a new version for Android TV, marking an effort by the company to reignite user interest in its privacy-focused communication app. The update allows users to make video calls and join meetings directly from their smart TVs, leveraging larger screens for a richer communication experience. Founder Sridhar Vembu posted “Arattai app available for Android TV, for a much richer video call experience. Expect more updates soon,” on January 1, 2026 via X platform(formerly Twitter), hinting at continued updates and feature rollouts.
The Android TV integration focuses on video communication, offering one-on-one calls, scheduled meetings, and recorded session playback. Setup uses QR code authentication instead of manual logins, and external webcams are supported via USB since most TVs lack cameras. With this move, Arattai aims to differentiate itself from established rivals like WhatsApp, which lacks a TV-specific version.
The platform witnessed a sharp surge in popularity in September 2025 after endorsements from ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw, propelling daily downloads from around 300 to nearly 100,000. However, the growth quickly receded, with downloads dropping from 13.8 million in October to about 195,000 in November, according to Moneycontrol.
Launched in 2021, Arattai has since introduced end-to-end encryption for direct chats and is developing payment integration features. With the Android TV rollout, Zoho appears to be betting on video-led experiences to find new momentum in India’s crowded messaging market.
