The standard Android TV interface, which is pre-installed on Xiaomi Mi Box devices and Google TVs, has been criticized for its intrusive advertising and complicated navigation, and many users find that recommended content obscures access to familiar apps and turns finding the right feature into a tedious walk on the menu, which is why the question of how to change the launcher on a Xiaomi TV becomes one of the most pressing questions for owners of smart equipment.
Replacing the standard shell allows not only to remove visual noise, but also to significantly speed up the system, freeing up RAM resources. You get the option to customize your home screen to your personal preferences by adding weather, calendar or shortcuts widgets to run quickly. IPTV-But the process of installing third-party software on a television platform has its own nuances that must be considered to avoid turning a gadget into a brick».
In this article, we will discuss the algorithm of actions for installing alternative interfaces, consider the best options for launchers for remote control and touch on methods of circumventing system constraints. Data security and system stability will remain our priority, so we will pay special attention to proven file sources and the correct access settings.
Why Change the Standard Android TV Interface
The main reason users are looking for ways to replace the shell is because of the over-commercialization of Google’s standard solution. Home screen banner ads can be annoying, especially if you use the TV exclusively to view content through third-party apps like Kodi or NumLock. Third-party launcher allows you to create a clean, minimalist space where your apps are at the forefront, not the recommendations of streaming services.
In addition, many alternative shells have a much more flexible customization toolkit: You can change the size of icons, background image, line location and even the logic of the remote. System resources on Xiaomi TVs, especially in budget models, are often limited, and the heavy standard interface can cause slowdowns. Lightweight launchers solve this problem by making navigation smooth and responsive.
⚠️ Warning: Installing unverified applications from unknown sources can lead to unstable system operation or the appearance of an advertising virus.Always check files with antivirus before installing.
Another important aspect is functionality. A standard launcher may not support some of the widgets or specific settings needed for certain use cases, such as a digital signage system or a smart home control panel, and replacing the interface opens up access to these advanced features, turning the TV into a full-fledged computerized terminal.
Preparation of the TV for installation of third-party software
Before you start installing a new launcher, you need to prepare the environment. By default, Android TV blocks the installation of apps from sources other than the official Google Play Store. This is a basic security mechanism that we will have to temporarily bypass. The first step is to turn on the developer mode and allow the installation of unknown applications.
To start, go to your device's settings menu. Navigation may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general path is usually: Settings → Device → About TV. Find Build and tap it 7 times in a row with the remote control. The system will alert you that you have become a developer.
☑️ Preparation for launcher installation
Now you need to allow application installation. In the Security and Restrictions or Privacy menu, find Unknown Sources. Select the file manager you plan to run the installer through (such as File Commander or X-plore), and move the switch to the active position. Without this step, the system will display an error when you try to start the installation file.
It's also crucial to have a file manager on hand.Standard Android tools TV often fail to open APK-file-to-file USB-Install a dedicated file manager such as Send Files to TV or File Link, which is a mandatory preparatory step, and this will give you access to the downloaded launcher.
Choosing the optimal launcher for the remote control
Not all launchers designed for smartphones and tablets are adapted for remote control. Trying to install a normal mobile interface will result in you not being able to switch focus between elements, since there will be no mouse cursor on the screen, so the choice should fall on specialized solutions with D-pad navigation support.
One of the most popular and stable options is FLauncher.It's a completely free, open-source project that doesn't contain ads and trackers.It perfectly mimics the standard Android TV interface but without the extra trash, providing clean access to the app list. Another strong contender is ATV Launcher, which offers advanced customization options and widgets, although its free version has some limitations.
| The name of the launcher | Type of distribution | Widget support | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLauncher | Free (Open Source) | Basic | Low. |
| ATV Launcher | Freemium | Expanded | Medium |
| Sideload Launcher | Free. | No. | Low. |
| Wolf Launcher | Free. | Tall. | Tall. |
If you want maximum performance on older Xiaomi Mi Box models, look for Sideload Launcher.This is a minimalist solution that simply displays a grid of icons of all installed applications, including those that do not have a TV interface. It consumes minimal resources and is guaranteed to work with the remote.
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When choosing a launcher, pay attention to the date of the last update on Google Play or on the developer's website. Abandoned projects may not work correctly on new versions of Android.
Step-by-step instructions for installation and configuration
The installation process can be divided into two main steps: downloading the installation file and activating it. Since the app store on the TV may not contain the alternative launchers you need (or they may be hidden), the most common method is sideloading, which is manual installation. APK-file.
Download first. APK-file of the selected launcher on your computer or smartphone. Make sure that the version of the application is compatible with the architecture of the processor of your TV (usually this is the same as the computer). ARM). Then you can transfer the file to the TV. USB-flash drive, connecting it to the port USB, or through a local network using transfer applications.
adb install FLauncher-release.apkIf you use the method of USB-You can use a drive, you can put a flash drive in your TV, you can open the file manager, you can find the downloaded file. You can click on it and you can select "Install." After you've finished, you can take your time to launch the application. You need to make sure that the system allows it to become the main screen.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the launcher you just installed and click “Run.” When you first start, Android will ask, “Do I use this app as the default home screen?” Make sure to tick “Always” and confirm the selection. Now, when you press the Home button, a new interface will open on the remote.
What to do if the home button doesn’t work?
Addressing common problems and conflicts
Xiaomi device owners often face an aggressive MIUI TV memory optimization policy.The system can automatically “kill” third-party launcher processes, returning you to the standard interface after a few minutes of downtime.To avoid this, find the installed launcher in the application list, go to its settings and turn off the “Energy Saving” or “Autoclean” function.
Another common problem is that the remote buttons are not responsive to the new interface, which can be due to permission conflicts, make sure the launcher is given all the necessary permissions in the application settings menu, and in some cases, restarting the device immediately after installing and assigning the launcher to the main default helps.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the launcher, the TV starts to work unstable or freezes on the screensaver, do not panic. press the switch off button on the remote (or turn off the power) to restart. If the problem persists, go into Safe Mode (usually by pressing the volume button down when turned on) and uninstall the problem app.
Users may also find that some apps don’t appear on the new launcher grid, which is common for apps that aren’t optimized for TV. In launchers like ATV Launcher, you can manually add a shortcut by selecting it from the full list of packages installed, even if the app doesn’t have a TV interface.
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The stability of the third-party launcher depends on the settings of the energy saving system. Be sure to exclude the launcher from the optimization lists.
Return to factory interface settings
If you didn't like the experiment with the new interface or you decided to sell the device, you need to return everything to its original state. Just removing the launcher application will not be enough, because the system can remember it as preferred. You need to reset the default settings for the main screen.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find your third-party launcher (like FLauncher) in the list. Click on it and select Delete by default or Clear Defaults. After that, the next time you click Home, the system will again ask which application to use, or automatically return the standard interface.
As a last resort, if a standard launcher has been removed or damaged, it may require a full reset of the device to factory settings (Factory Reset), which will delete all data and installed applications, returning the TV to the “out of the box” state.