Turn a regular TV into a smart TV with Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
Xiaomi has long since ceased to be just a smartphone manufacturer, its ecosystem of smart devices covers all areas of life. TV Stick, a compact device that turns any screen into a computer in minutes HDMI-port to a full-fledged Smart TV. But how to connect it correctly to avoid typical mistakes and get the most out of it?
In this article, we'll not only explore basic connectivity, but also the nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions: how to choose the optimal HDMI port, why it's important to use the original power supply, and what to do if the device is not determined by the TV, and also a unique life hack to speed up the Mi TV Stick through the developer settings, which is not found in any other guide.
What is included in the package and what you will need additional
Before connecting, check if everything is in the box. The standard set of Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (MDZ-26-AA, MDZ-28-AA and others) includes:
- 📺 The Mi device TV Stick with pre-installed connector HDMI
- 🔌 Power supply with cable USB Type-C (important: voltage should be required) 5V/1A)
- 📶 Remote control with batteries (usually 2)×AAA)
- 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
In addition, you may need to:
- 🔄 HDMI-Extensioner (if the port on the TV is located in an inconvenient place)
- 🔌 USB-power hub (if you want to connect a flash drive or mouse)
- 📶 Wi-Fi router 5 GHz (for stable streaming in the Internet) 4K)
⚠️ Warning: Never use power supplies from other devices (such as smartphones). TV Stick is sensitive to stress, and an unoriginal adapter can cause overheating or malfunctions.
Step-by-step: Connect Xiaomi Mi TV Stick to TV
The connection process takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm.
- Choose. HDMI-It's better to use a port marked HDMI 2.0 or ARC — If there are more than one port, choose the one that is closer to the edge of the TV (it makes it easier to connect the device without bending the cable).
- Connect Mi. TV Stick the device in. HDMI-The port is horizontal (not upside down!) If the port is too close to the wall, use the port. HDMI-Or buy it separately (if you have one.
- Connect the power. Use only the original power supply. Connect it to the socket, and the Type-C cable to the Mi. TV Stick, don't plug in. USB-The power may not be enough to keep the TV running smoothly.
- Turn on the TV. Switch the signal source to that one. HDMI-port to which Mi is connected TV Stick (usually the Source or Input button on the TV remote).
After that, the screensaver Mi TV Stick with the Xiaomi logo should appear on the screen. If the image does not appear, check:
- 🔌 Correctness of cable connection (HDMI should be inserted before clicking).
- 🔋 Power supply capacity (try another cable or socket).
- 📺 TV settings (sometimes you need to manually enable support) HDMI-CEC menu).
☑️ Pre-introducement check
Initial setting: language, Wi-Fi and account selection
After the first Mi TV Stick is turned on, the customization wizard will start.
- Select the language. In the list, find Russian (usually the default language). If there is no language, check the region of the device in the settings.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. Select your network from the list. 5 GHz is recommended for stable operation (if the router supports). Enter the password from the remote (use arrow keys for navigation).
- You can skip this step, but without a Xiaomi or Google account, you can't install apps from Google Play. If you don't have an account, register it directly on the screen.
- Accept the license agreements (without this, further configuration will be blocked).
Once the setup wizard is complete, the device will prompt you to update your firmware. Always agree to an update, which will fix any bugs and improve performance. The update takes 5-10 minutes, during which time the Mi TV Stick cannot be turned off.
⚠️ Note: If after connecting to Wi-Fi the Internet is unstable, try fixing the router settings IP-address TV Stick on MAC-This will prevent connection breaks when automatically assigned. IP.
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If the Mi TV Stick remote does not respond well to pressing, remove the protective film from the infrared sensor (it is available on new devices) or replace the batteries with high-quality alkaline (for example, Duracell).
Customize the image and sound for optimal quality
By default, the Mi TV Stick can display a picture in 1080p resolution, but if your TV supports 4K, you need to manually change the settings.
- Go to Settings → Display and Sound → Screen Resolution.
- Select the maximum resolution supported (e.g., 3840×2160 (4K) at 60Hz).
- Enable Automatic Frame Rate Switch (useful for watching 24 fps movies).
For sound, it is recommended:
- 🔊 Select Auto (Dolby Digital) in the audio settings (if the TV or sound system supports Dolby).
- 🎧 Connect Bluetooth headphones to view at night (in Settings) → Bluetooth devices).
- 📵 Disable Speech Amplification (if enabled) to avoid distortions when watching movies.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Why do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | 3840×2160 (4K) or 1920×1080 (Full HD) | Optimal picture quality for your TV |
| Frequency of update | 60 Hz (or 50 Hz) for PAL-content) | Smooth video without jerks |
| Sound format | Auto (Dolby Digital) or PCM | Best sound quality for film and music |
| Color mode | HDR10 (if supported) | More vivid and saturated colors |
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If the resolution changes, the screen blinks or the image disappears, wait 15 seconds, the device will automatically return to the previous settings. If not, reboot the Mi TV Stick with a button on the case.
Installation of applications and optimization of productivity
By default, the Mi TV Stick pre-installed Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and several Chinese services. To install additional apps (such as Kodi, Twitch or Megogo), do the following:
- Open the Google Play Store (the icon on the home screen).
- Sign in to your Google account (if you haven’t done so before).
- Find the right application and click Install.
Over time, the Mi TV Stick may start to slow down due to the background activity of the apps.
- 🧹 Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Clear the cache.
- 🔄 Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
- 🛠️ Enable Developer Mode and Limit Background Processes (instruction below).
How to turn on the developer mode?
Solving Common Problems with Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
Even with the right connection, there can be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No image on the screen | Wrong. HDMI-port | Check the connection, switch the source on the TV |
| Mi TV Stick does not connect to Wi-Fi | Incorrect password or router problems | Reset the router, enter the password again |
| Apps fly out or slow down | Lack of memory or outdated firmware | Clean the cache, update the firmware, remove unnecessary applications |
| The remote is down. | Batteries or interference from IR devices are discharged | Replace batteries, check for no obstacles |
If the Mi TV Stick is constantly overheating, check:
- 🔥 Are there any obstacles to ventilation (the device must be in an open space).
- 🔌 Is not used non-original power supply (it can give increased voltage).
- 📱 Are there too many apps running in the background (especially torrent clients or games).
⚠️ Note: If you have updated your Mi firmware TV Stick stopped turning on (only the red indicator burns), try resetting. To do this, press the button on the device’s body for 10-15 seconds before the appearance of the Xiaomi logo.