How to change the launcher on Android TV from Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Why users change launcher to Xiaomi TV and when it really is necessary

The standard MIUI TV interface on Xiaomi TVs with Android TVs is often a source of frustration, ranging from slow work and intrusive advertising to awkward controls. For example, in firmware for Mi TV 4S or Mi TV Q1 models, the main screen is overloaded with content recommendations that cannot be turned off through standard settings, while alternative launchers like ATV Launcher, HalLauncher or Leanback Launcher offer minimalist design, gesture support and fine-tuning.

However, replacing the launcher with Android TV Xiaomi requires the activation of the developer mode and use ADB-Without this, the system will not allow you to install a third-party application as the main one, which is due to the security restrictions that Xiaomi has implemented in its firmware since Android. TV It is important to understand that the procedure does not deprive you of warranty (unless you use unlocking the bootloader), but if you do not use the correct actions can lead to malfunctions in the TV. For example, an incorrectly selected launcher can conflict with system services, causing constant restarts.

When should I consider replacing the launcher?

• 🔄 Your Xiaomi TV brakes when switching between apps due to heavy standard interface.
• 🚫 Intrusive advertising in MIUI TV It interferes with comfortable viewing, and it is impossible to turn it off.
• 🎮 You use the TV as a monitor for games (for example, through the use of a computer). NVIDIA Shield or Steam Link and need fast access to apps.
• 📱 You need to sync with other devices (e.g., send files to your TV via LocalCast or Send Files to your TV). TV).

Xiaomi TV Preparation: Enable the Developer Mode and USB Debugging

Before installing an alternative launcher, you need to activate hidden settings for developers, a process that is identical to most Xiaomi Android TV models, including the Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4X, Mi TV Q2 and newer series.

1. Open the settings on the TV (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Go to the section About TV → The version of the software.
3. Find the line build number and quickly click on it 7 times in a row (should appear notification "You became a developer").
4. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new section for developers will appear.
5. Enable options: USB Debugging (required!) Factory OEM Unlock (if available) Stay active while charging (prevents screen shutdown)

After activating the developer mode, connect the TV to the computer through USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 on TV for stability. Make sure that the PC has drivers installed ADB (You can download them from the official Google website as part of Platform Tools:

adb devices

If the TV is displayed in the list of devices, you can move to the next step, if not, check the cable, port or reinstall the drivers.

Choosing an alternative launcher: comparing popular options

Not all launchers are compatible with Android TV on Xiaomi TVs, and the main selection criteria are: support for Leanback (optimized for TV), the ability to assign default and no conflicts with system services.

For most Xiaomi TV users, the best choice is the ATV Launcher, which offers a balance between customization and stability. If you want maximum performance, pay attention to HalLauncher, but be prepared for the lack of Russification. Important: before installing, check if the launcher you choose supports the resolution of your TV (for example, 4K on the Mi TV Q1 75).

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Before installing the launcher, back up your current TV settings through Settings → System → Backup. This will allow you to quickly restore the original state when crashes.

Installation of a launcher through ADB: a step-by-step process

Once you have a launcher, you need to install it on your TV and assign it to your main one, and you need an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to do that.

1. Download. APK-file of the selected launcher (for example, atv-launcher.apk) computer.
2. Connect the TV to your PC via USB and check the connection with the command: adb devices If the device does not appear, execute adb kill-server, and then adb start-server.
3. Install. APK-File command: adb install path to file/atv-launcher.apk For example: adb install C:\Downloads\atv-launcher.apk
4. Assign the launcher to the main one with the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.tv.launcher This command disables the standard MIUI TV launcher.
5. Activate the new launcher: adb shell am start -n com.chi.atvlauncher/.MainActivity (replace com.chi.atvlauncher with your launcher package).
6. Reboot TV: Adb shell reboot

After the reboot, the TV should boot with a new launcher, and if that doesn't happen, check the correct commands entered or try step 4-5 again.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV P1) When you turn off the standard launcher, you may lose access to the system settings. To return them, use the command: adb shell am start. -n com.android.tv.settings/.MainSettings

Solving common problems after the launcher change

Even when installed correctly, users often encounter bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The TV is constantly rebooting: This is due to the launcher conflict with system services.The solution is to return the standard launcher by command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.tv.launcher Then try another launcher (e.g. Sideload Launcher).
• 🎮 Remote buttons do not work: Some launchers (such as HalLauncher) require manual control settings. Go to the launcher settings and assign actions to the buttons manually.
• 📱 No access to Google Play: If the Play Market icon disappears after a launcher change, install it again through the new platform. ADB: adb install com.android.vending.apk
• 🔊 Sound gone: Problem with system services shutdown. Go to Settings → Sound and reset the sound settings to the factory.

If the launcher is unstable, try clearing its cache:

adb shell pm clear launcher package

For example, for ATV Launcher:

adb shell pm clear com.chi.atvlauncher

How to Get Back a Standard MIUI TV Launcher

If the alternative launcher failed to meet expectations or caused a malfunction in the TV, it can always be removed and the original interface returned.

1. Connect the TV to your PC and activate ADB (as described above).
2. Enable the standard launcher with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.tv.launcher
3. Remove the alternative launcher: adb uninstall package launcher For example: adb uninstall com.chi.atvlauncher
4. Reboot TV: Adb shell reboot

If the TV still behaves incorrectly after these actions (for example, it slows down or does not open applications), reset the cache:

adb shell recovery --wipe_cache

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV ES 2022) after returning the standard launcher, you may need to re-activate Google Play Services. → Annexes → Google Play Store → Turn it on.

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Before returning a standard launcher, make sure that the alternative is completely deleted – residual files can conflict with the system and cause lags.

Additional settings to optimize the launcher

To make the new launcher work as efficiently as possible, it is recommended to perform several additional settings:

• ⚡ Disable unnecessary system applications: Some Xiaomi services (e.g., com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore) may slow down the system. --user 0 Package list can be obtained by adb shell pm list packages | grep xiaomi.
• 🔧 Set up Auto Start: Some Launchers (for example, ATV Launcher) supports automatic booting when the TV is turned on. Activate this option in the launcher settings.
• 🖥️ Optimize resolution: If icons look blurry, check for support 4K In the launcher settings. For Xiaomi models with resolution 3840×2160 (Like Mi. TV Q2 75") select scaling 150%.
• 🔒 Block Ads: Install Blokada or DNS66 through ADB, Blocking Xiaomi Advertising Servers at System Level.

To speed up the TV, you can also turn off the animation interface.

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5




adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5

These settings will reduce delays when opening apps and switching between them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the launcher to Xiaomi TV