Xiaomi’s modern TVs, powered by Android TV or Google TV, have gone from simple video viewing devices to powerful multimedia centers. Many owners don’t even realize that their Xiaomi Mi TV is capable of running modern games, emulators of old consoles, and even streaming images from a powerful gaming PC. The potential of iron is often underestimated, and the standard remote control is just the tip of the iceberg of possibilities.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to launch games: from cloud services and streaming over a local network to direct installation. APK-You'll learn how to turn your TV into a full-fledged gaming station, which gamepads are best for this task, and how to optimize the system for minimal input delay.
Before we get to the tricky settings, it's worth noting that success depends on your TV model. Newer models with Amlogic or MediaTek processors of the latest generations are much more confident in gaming, but even budget options can be a great screen for streaming, if you set up the network correctly.
Connecting gaming controllers and peripherals
The first and most important step to play comfortably is to abandon the standard remote.No game is effectively controlled through volume and navigation buttons.You will need a full-fledged gaming controller, which the Xiaomi TV recognizes as a HID (Human Interface Device) input device.
The most popular and reliable option is the original controllers from Xbox Wireless Controller and DualShock 4 (or DualSense from PS5). These devices have native support in Android TV, which means there is no need to install additional drivers. The connection process is as simple as possible: on the TV remote, press the Home button or go to the Bluetooth settings menu, find Add Accessory and simultaneously press the pairing button on the gamepad.
⚠️ Some cheap Chinese gamepads may not work properly with Android TV, requiring third-party keyboard mapping applications to be installed, which can cause additional delay (input lag), which is critical in shooters and fighting games.
If you plan to play retro games or emulators, specialized Bluetooth gamepads such as the ones you want to play are a great choice. 8BitDo. They often have a physical mode switch where you need to select Android or XInput mode for full compatibility. USB-port, if your remote supports transmission or if you use USB-hub.
For advanced users who want to use a keyboard and mouse (such as for strategies or MMOs), the TV also allows you to connect these devices via Bluetooth or USB. The system automatically detects them, and the mouse cursor will appear on the screen.
Streaming PC games via Steam Link and Moonlight
One of the most effective ways to play heavy modern games on a Xiaomi TV is to stream images from a powerful computer located on the same local network. The TV in this case acts only as a receiver of a video stream, and all the computing load is placed on the PC, which allows you to run projects in ultra-tuning without having to have a console next to the TV.
The most popular method is to use the Steam Link app, which is available from the official Google Play Store on your TV, which requires that the Steam client is running on your computer and both devices are on the same network, and it is advisable to use a wired Ethernet connection for your TV, since Wi-Fi can give an unstable picture.
After installing the application, run it and follow the instructions on the screen. The program will find your computer, after which you will need to enter it. PIN-In the Steam Link settings on the TV, you can select the stream resolution (up to and including the 4K) For best quality, it is recommended to choose Balanced or Fast mode if you notice compression artifacts.
Alternative for Video Card Owners NVIDIA It's a Moonlight Game Streaming application. It uses technology. NVIDIA GameStream (or Sunshine on PC) and often provides less latency and better picture than Steam Link, especially on 5GHz networks. APK Or search in the store, connect your PC and enjoy the game.
It is important to note that to stream 4K HDR, your router must support Wi-Fi 5 (AC) or Wi-Fi 6 (AX) standards, and the TV must have a gigabit LAN port. Otherwise, there may be slowdowns and connection breaks.
Installation of emulators and retro games
Xiaomi’s Android TVs are the perfect platform for retro gaming. The performance of even budget models is enough to emulate consoles all the way up to the PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64 and, in some cases, PSP. For heavier systems like Dreamcast or GameCube, you’ll need a TV with a powerful processor.
You will need a file manager to start with, as standard conductor in Android TV Install the File Commander or X-plore File Manager app from Google Play, and you can manage downloaded game files (ROM-and biomes of emulators. APK, If you download emulators not from the store, but, for example, from the RetroArch website.
The best solution is to install the universal frontend RetroArch. This is a Swiss knife in the world of emulation, which combines dozens of cores for different consoles. Once you install RetroArch through the menu "Online Updater" you can download the necessary emulation cores. The interface is adapted to control from the gamepad, which makes navigation on the menu convenient from the sofa.
If you want to create a beautiful shell with game covers, look for launcher apps like Daijishō or LaunchBox (Android version) that automatically scan game folders, download metadata, covers and video previews, turning your TV into a full-fledged retro console.
Where do I get BIOS and ROMs?
Cloud Gaming: Games without a powerful PC
If you don't have a gaming computer, but you have fast Internet, cloud gaming services come to the rescue, in which case the game is run on a remote server, and only video streams are broadcast to the Xiaomi TV, which allows you to play new products like Cyberpunk 2077 or Call of Duty on a mid-range TV.
The most popular services available on Android TV:
- NVIDIA GeForce NOW is a market leader offering excellent picture quality and support for games from the Steam and Epic Games Store libraries.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) is available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, and allows you to play hundreds of projects, including Microsoft exclusives.
- VK Play Cloud or MTS Cloud Gaming are local solutions that can offer less ping to users from certain regions, which is critical for a comfortable game.
To install cloud services that are not in the official store, you may need to download APK-You can download a file from the service's official website and install it through the file manager. Once you've authorized it and checked the connection speed, you can play games almost instantly.
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For cloud gaming, not only is internet speed (recommended from 25 Mbps) critical, but also ping stability. It is ideal to use a wired Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection in close proximity to the router.
Set up performance and game mode
To make it enjoyable, you need to minimize the delay between pressing a button and acting on the screen. In Xiaomi TVs, this feature is often called Game Mode, which disables the extra post-processing of the image that adds lags.
There are two ways to activate this mode: One is automatic: when you plug in a console or start some games, the TV will prompt you to switch to game mode; the other is manual, through image settings. Go to Settings → Image → Image Mode and select Game or Game.
It’s also worth checking the refresh rate settings. If your TV supports 120Hz and you have a corresponding signal source (like an Xbox Series X or a powerful PC), make sure the maximum value is chosen in the screen settings.
Another important aspect is sound control. In game mode, the sound can become less volumetric due to the effects being turned off. If you play shooters where step sound is important, you can try adjusting the equalizer manually or connecting an external acoustic system via optical output or Bluetooth.
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If you use wireless headphones with a TV, turn on the “Adaptive Sound” mode or similar in Bluetooth settings to minimize audio and video dissynchronization.
Problem Solving and Optimization
When setting up a game on Xiaomi TV, users often face a number of typical problems, one of the most common is that the TV can't see the gamepad. In this case, try restarting the TV completely (turning off the socket), rather than just putting it into sleep mode, and removing the device from the Bluetooth list and re-pairing also helps.
Another problem is poor performance in emulators. If the game is slowing down, try lowering the rendering resolution in the emulator settings or turning off anti-aliasing. Also close the background apps. You can use the Sideload Launcher app to access Android's hidden system settings and clear RAM.
A third common complaint is that audio and video are desynchronized when streaming, usually by changing the decoding buffer in the settings of a streaming app (e.g., Moonlight or Steam Link), increasing the buffer can add a couple of milliseconds of delay, but it will remove the stuttering of the image.
☑️ Preparation checklist for the game
Don’t forget to update your TV firmware regularly. Xiaomi often releases updates that improve Bluetooth stability and optimize the operating system, which directly affects gaming.
Comparison of methods of launching games on Xiaomi TV
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a summary table comparing the main methods of gaming on Xiaomi TVs by key parameters.
| Method | Equipment required | Network requirements | Graphics quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Android Games | Just TV and gamepad. | Not required | Low/Medium (mobile level) |
| Streaming from PC (Steam Link) | Powerful PC, 5GHz router | High (local network) | Maximum (depending on PC) |
| Cloud gaming | TV, gamepad, subscription | Very high (Internet 25+ Mbps) | High (depending on the server) |
| Emulators (RetroArch) | TV, gamepad, ROM files | Not required | Depends on the emulated console |
As you can see from the table, the choice of method depends on your goals and the equipment available. For casual games, native applications will suffice, but for serious gaming, PC streaming remains the king in picture quality.
In conclusion, Xiaomi TVs offer tremendous gaming opportunities that go far beyond the pre-installed store. By combining streaming, emulation and cloud services, you can create a universal gaming platform. Experiment with settings, plug in peripherals, and enjoy games on the big screen.