The popularity of VKontakte on huge screens is growing, and owners of Xiaomi Mi TVs often look for ways to run their favorite service right on the big panel. However, the standard Google Play Market app store on Android TVs does not always contain the official version of the client for the social network, which creates certain difficulties for users who are accustomed to the comfort of watching content from the couch.
However, there are several proven methods to get around this limitation and enjoy video content or music through a Xiaomi TV. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current options, from using built-in broadcast functions to manual installation. APK-You will learn how to adapt a mobile application to control the remote and what nuances should be considered when choosing a method.
Modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi are based on the Android platform, which gives ample opportunities for customization, but requires a careful approach to security and compatibility of the software. We will consider how to properly prepare the device, where to take verified installation files and how to organize the output of images from the smartphone if the installation of the application is impossible or inconvenient.
Features of the Android TV operating system on Xiaomi TVs
Before you start installing third-party software, it’s important to understand the software architecture of your device. Xiaomi Mi TVs run Android TV (or PatchWall in some regions), which is significantly different from the Android version installed on smartphones. The main difference lies in the interface and control methods, which are sharpened for navigation using a remote control, rather than a touch screen.
Android TV is designed to be large and easy to read from a few meters away. Mobile applications, such as the standard VK client, were designed for vertical or horizontal touch control and may not display correctly or run on the TV without special adaptation, which is why the official Google Play store on TV often lacks versions of the apps that are on the phone.
In addition, Android's security system by default prohibits the installation of programs from unknown sources, an important security mechanism that prevents malicious code from reaching the device. APK-We will have to change these settings temporarily, and understanding these limitations will help you avoid mistakes and understand why a simple search for VKontakte in a TV search may not give the expected result.
It is also important to consider the hardware capabilities of your TV. Xiaomi Mi TV models from different years of release can have different amounts of RAM and processor power. Heavy versions of applications can work slowly or cause slowdown of the interface, so the choice of the optimal method of playing content directly depends on the technical characteristics of your gadget.
⚠️ Warning: Install applications from unknown sources carries potential risks. Use only proven resources to download APK-Avoid suspicious builds that may contain viruses or miners.
Screen Translation Method: The Easiest Way
The safest and fastest way to view content from VKontakte on a large screen is to use the broadcast function (Cast), which does not require installing additional applications directly on the TV, since the main computing center remains your smartphone. All you need is a smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network and a Xiaomi TV.
To implement this method, make sure that both devices are on the same local network. Open the VKontakte app on your phone, select a video or start broadcasting the screen completely. In the player interface or in the Android/iOS Quick Settings menu, find the broadcast icon (usually looks like a rectangle with waves in the corner).
Select your Xiaomi Mi TV from the list. Once connected, the image from the phone screen will start to be broadcast to the TV. The quality of the picture will depend on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection and the power of the router. This method is ideal for viewing individual videos, since it does not load the TV memory and does not require complex manipulation of files.
But the broadcast has its drawbacks: the smartphone screen has to stay on, which consumes its battery, and the playback is controlled via the phone, not the TV remote, which may not always be convenient, and there may be a slight delay between the action on the phone and the display on the TV screen.
💡
For stable broadcasting without jerking, make sure the router supports the 5GHz standard and is in the same room as the TV and phone.
Search and installation of official and adapted versions of the VC
If you prefer a native app that is controlled by the remote and does not discharge the phone, you will have to resort to finding adapted versions. there is no official VKontakte application for Android TV on Google Play, but there are third-party clients developed by enthusiasts specifically for TVs. The most popular solution is the VK TV application or its counterparts, which have an interface sharpened for horizontal control.
To install this application, you'll need a browser on the TV itself or a file manager. First, you'll need to download the installation file (APK) You can do this by downloading the file directly from bootloader or Puffin. TV, if installed, or by transferring a file from a computer/phone through USB-flash-drive.
Once you download the file, run it. The system will issue a lock warning from unknown sources. You will need to go to the security settings and allow installation for the specific application (for example, for a file manager or browser) through which you run the APK. Once confirmed, the installation process will begin, which will take a few seconds.
Alternatively, aggregator applications such as HD VideoBox or dedicated Smart TV clients that have built-in social networking integration, allow you to enter a username and password from VKontakte and view videos from tape or groups in a convenient format, but the functionality of such programs is often limited compared to the full version.
☑️ Installation APK Xiaomi TV
Manual installation through USB-accumulator
Installation method through USB-The flash drive is one of the most reliable, especially if the built-in browser of the TV is slow or incorrectly displays sites with files. USB-storage device formatted in the file system FAT32 or NTFS, Which is exactly what your TV supports.
Download the current version APK-File of the adapted VK client (for example, VK TV or VK HD) You can copy the file to the flash drive to the root director or to a folder that you can easily find. USB-TV port Xiaomi Mi TV.
On the TV, open the File Manager or Media app. USB-Build a storage device and find a downloaded APK-Click on it to start the installation. If the system blocks the action, follow the prompts on the screen to enable permission "Unknown sources".
Once installed successfully, the app will appear on your software list, run it, enter your account details, and enjoy browsing, a technique that is good for using already verified and secure files downloaded from trusted resources to a PC where antivirus protection works better.
⚠️ Note: After installing the application through USB it is recommended to remove the drive to avoid background calls of the system to the external media, which can slow down the TV.
Use of cloud storage and file sharing
Xiaomi TV owners often use cloud services to transfer files. If you don’t have a flash drive or want to avoid unnecessary body movements, you can use a built-in browser or a special application for downloading files, such as Send Files to TV. This method requires installing the same application on your smartphone / PC and on your TV.
The principle of operation is simple: you download APK-You open the transmitter app and you select the file to send, you take the file on the TV, and when you complete the transfer, the file stays in the TV's memory, and you can start the installation immediately. This eliminates the need to search for files on the Internet through an inconvenient TV browser.
You can also use cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex.Disk, if they are available in your TV app store. APK-You can download the file to the cloud from your computer, and then download it directly to your TV through the appropriate application, which is convenient because the file is always available to you in the cloud and does not take up space on the USB drive.
However, it is worth remembering the limits of traffic and Internet speed. downloading a heavy installation file through the cloud can take time, especially if the Internet channel is unstable. In addition, some cloud clients on Android TV may have stripped down functionality and do not allow files to be downloaded directly to the download folder.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Comparison of methods and possible problems
Each of the methods examined has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your specific needs and technical literacy. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best option for your use case.
| Method | Difficulty | Image quality | Management convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast (Cast) | Low. | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Phone from phone. |
| APK from the flash drive | Medium | High (native) | From the remote. |
| Browser on TV. | Low. | Average. | From the remote/mouse |
| Third-party clients | Tall. | High. | From the remote. |
One of the common problems with installation is the lack of codecs to play certain video formats in third-party clients, in which case the system may suggest installing components or simply give a playback error, the solution lies in installing an additional player, such as VLC for Android, which can play almost any format and can be selected as the main player by default.
Another problem is the resolution mismatch: Mobile apps can stretch or shrink to distort the picture. In the settings of the Xiaomi TV, you can try to change the display mode (the aspect ratio), but this often leads to cropping the edges of the interface. Therefore, the use of specialized TV-Application versions remain a priority.
Also, users may face a shortage of internal memory. TVs have limited storage, and installing heavy apps can slow down the entire system. Regularly clean the app cache and remove unnecessary programs to keep Xiaomi Mi TV running fast.
💡
The most stable work and the best image quality is provided by the installation of specialized TV-version of the application through APK-file, although this requires initial setup.