Xiaomi Smart TVs TV Android operating system TV Google TV They offer a lot of opportunities to surf the Internet directly from the big screen, but a standard browser (if preinstalled) often runs slowly, does not support modern web standards or is not in firmware at all. In this article, we will understand how to properly configure the browser on Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV or other brand models, from the installation of alternative solutions to the optimization of speed and safety.
It's important to understand that the functionality of a browser on a TV is limited compared to a PC or a smartphone. There's no extension support, and it's managed with a remote control or voice. However, with the right settings, you can comfortably browse the web, watch online cinemas without apps, or even work with cloud services. We'll look at all the steps from choosing a browser to solving typical problems with loading pages or playing videos.
Which browser is better to install Xiaomi Smart TV
The standard browser in Xiaomi firmware (if any) is usually a simplified version of Android WebView or Google Chrome with a stripped down functionality. For full operation, it is recommended to install one of the alternative browsers adapted for Android. TV:
- ๐น TV Bro is optimized for remote control, supports gestures and voice search, has a built-in ad blocker and mode "Theater" for comfortable video viewing.
- ๐น Puffin TV โ Using cloud servers to render pages, which speeds up work on weak Xiaomi models (for example, Mi). TV 4A). Supports Flash Player for Old Websites.
- ๐น Firefox for Android TV โ Full version with bookmark sync through Mozilla account. Works well with modern web applications.
- ๐น Kiwi Browser โ a lightweight browser based on Chromium with support for extensions (installed manually via the browser). ADB). Suitable for advanced users.
For most users, the best choice is TV Bro or Puffin. TV. The first offers better integration with Android TV, The second is high speed, even on budget models, except for Xiaomi PatchWall TVs (like models for India) that may require manual installation. APK through USB.
Before installing the browser, check the Android version. TV On your device. To do this, go to Settings. โ On TV. โ Software version: If the version is lower than Android 9, some browsers (such as Firefox) may not be supported.
Installation of the browser through Google Play or APK
The easiest way to install a browser is through the Google Play Store, but not all browsers are available in the Android store. TV. Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Open the Google Play Store on your TV (the icon in the app menu).
- In the search bar, enter the browser name (for example, TV Bro Browser).
- Select the application from the results and click Install.
- After installation, launch the browser from the application menu or through voice search (button with microphone on the remote).
If the desired browser is not in the Play Market, it can be installed manually through the APK-- For that, file:
- ๐ฑ Download. APK-browser file (for example, from the APKMirror site) USB-accumulator.
- ๐ Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager (or ES The conductor, if installed).
- ๐ Find it. APK-If you have a warning about unknown sources, go to Settings. โ Security โ Unknown sources and allow installation.
โ๏ธ Preparation for the installation of the browser
On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV Q1 or Redmi Smart TV X) it may be necessary to activate the developer mode for installation APK. For that:
- Go to Settings. โ On TV.
- Find the Assembly Number and click on it 7 times in a row.
- Go back to Settings โ For developers and enable USB debugging.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can cause the TV to be infected with malware. Use only official sites (APKMirror, Aptoide) TV) and check the hash sums of the files.
Setting up the browser for comfortable use
After installation, the browser requires additional settings for convenient work from the remote control. The main parameters that should be configured:
| Parameter | Recommended value | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Default scale | 125โ150% | Increases text for better readability from the sofa |
| Search engine | Google or DuckDuckGo | DuckDuckGo does not collect data about requests |
| Blocking pop-up windows | Turn on | Prevents the opening of full screen advertising |
| Saving passwords | Shut down. | On TV, there is a high probability of data leakage |
| For TV mode. | Turn on | Adapts the interface to control the remote |
To change these settings in TV Bro:
- Open the browser and press the button. โ๏ธ Settings (or holding the button) OK remote).
- Select General Settings โ Page size and set the value to 125%.
- In the Search section, select your preferred search engine.
- In Privacy, turn off Save Passwords and enable Ad Blocking.
For Puffin. TV You can also use the additional settings in Cloud Settings, and you can enable Virtual Trackpad, which is a virtual touchpad for more precise cursor control, and it's useful for web forms or games.
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If the browser is slowing down when scrolling pages, try turning off animations in the accessibility settings (Settings) โ Special facilities โ Delete animations).
Speed optimization and loading problem solving
Browsers on Xiaomi Smart TV They're often suffering from low speeds because of the limited resources of the device:
- ๐ Cache Clearing: Clean your browser cache regularly in Settings โ Annexes โ [Browser name] โ Memory. โ Clear the cache. TV Bro, this can be done directly in the browser menu.
- ๐ Update firmware: An outdated version of Android TV It can cause lags. Check for updates to Settings. โ On TV. โ Updating the system.
- ๐ถ Cable connection: 5GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable will provide a more stable connection than 2.4GHz.
- ๐๏ธ Closing Background Apps: Close Unnecessary Apps through Settings โ Annexes โ Launched.
If pages donโt load or the video slows down, check the following points:
โ ๏ธ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic processor S905 (Mi model TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV X50) The video may not be played in the resolution above 1080p Try to reduce the quality of the stream manually (for example, on YouTube select the following: 720p).
To diagnose loading problems with pages:
- Open the website fast.com in your browser and check the Internet speed.
- If the speed is below 10 Mbps, restart the router or check the settings. DNS (1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 is recommended).
- In the browser settings, disable Traffic Savings (if any) โ it can block the download of scripts.
How to change DNS Xiaomi Smart TV
Configure browser management from the remote DU
Managing a browser from a standard Xiaomi remote is not always convenient. Here is how to adapt the interface for a comfortable experience:
- ๐ฎ Virtual mouse: B TV Bro or Puffin. TV Turn on Mouse Mode (in control settings) The cursor will move with the arrows of the remote, and the button will move. OK โ click.
- ๐ Voice search: Press the microphone button on the remote and make a request (e.g., "Open YouTube"). Works only with browsers that support Google Assistant.
- โจ๏ธ Screen keyboard: Use the built-in Android keyboard to enter text TV (is automatically called upon by clicking on the input field).
- ๐ฑ๏ธ Mouse connection: To the port USB TV can be connected wireless mouse for precise control.
If the remote does not respond to clicks in the browser, try the following steps:
- Restart the TV (hold the power button on the remote for 5 seconds).
- Update the remote firmware through Settings โ DU remote โ Update.
- In the browser settings, turn on the mode TV Optimization (optimization for TV).
For Xiaomi models with support HDMI-CEC (Like Mi. TV Q2) You can control your browser from a console or a sound bar. HDMI-CEC In Settings โ Devices and accessories โ HDMI-CEC.
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For easy browser management, use a combination of a virtual mouse (remote arrow) and voice search, which will speed up navigation on pages 2-3 times.
Security and privacy when surfing
The browser on the TV is often targeted by advertising viruses or phishing attacks, to protect your data:
- ๐ Use it. VPN: Install ProtonVPN or Windscribe from Google Play to encrypt traffic, especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
- ๐ก๏ธ Adblocker: B TV Bro Enable the built-in blocker in Settings โ Confidentiality โ Blocking ads.
- ๐ซ Turn off autocomplete: In the browser settings, turn off saving passwords and these forms.
- ๐งน Regular Cleaning: Delete history and cookies after each session (Settings) โ Confidentiality โ Clear the data).
Xiaomi's PatchWall TVs can, by default, enable viewing data collection to turn it off:
- Go to Settings โ Accounts and Security โ Privacy.
- Disable Personalized Advertising and Send Diagnostic Data.
- In the browser, turn off geolocation in Settings โ Permits โ Location.
โ ๏ธ Note: Do not enter bank card details or passwords from important services through a browser on your TV. HTTPS There is a risk of data interception through vulnerabilities in Android firmware TV.
To check the security of the connection, open browserleaks.com in your browser. Here you can see what data your browser is โleaking (IP-Address, User-Agent, WebRTC leaks, etc.).
Alternative ways to get online on Xiaomi Smart TV
If your browser is unstable, consider alternative options for accessing Internet content:
- ๐บ Wrap-Apps: Many services (YouTube, Twitch, IVI) have official applications for Android TV, Which are faster than the browser.
- ๐ฎ Gaming consoles: Connect Xiaomi Mi Box or NVIDIA Shield to HDMI-Port โ they offer a more powerful browser and support for extensions.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Transmit from PC: Use programs like ApowerMirror or TeamViewer to stream your computer screen to your TV.
- ๐ฑ Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct: Connect your smartphone to your TV through Settings โ Connections โ Wireless display and use mobile browser.
For a viewing. IPTV Local video files are more convenient to use specialized players:
| The challenge | Recommended annex | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing IPTV | TiviMate or Smart IPTV | Support for playlists, EPG, broadcast |
| Local video | VLC or MX Player | Reproduction of any formats without conversion |
| Torrents | Flud or LibreTorrent | Download files directly to the TV |
If you want access to corporate resources or a remote desktop, install Microsoft Remote Desktop or Chrome Remote Desktop from Google Play, which allows you to control your PC directly from your TV.