How to change the launcher on the Xiaomi TV: safe ways and hidden nuances

Xiaomi TVs (Mi series) TV, Redmi TV, Xiaomi TV A Pro) run on Android TV With PatchWall, which is not convenient for everyone, replacing the standard launcher allows you to personalize the interface, speed up navigation or install alternative menus with support for widgets, game modes and advanced settings. However, the procedure has technical limitations: the manufacturer blocks the direct installation of third-party launchers through Settings, and incorrect actions can lead to loss of warranty or “brick” of the device when updating the firmware.

In this guide, we will analyze all working methods of changing the launcher to Xiaomi TV (including models from 2026, evaluate their safety and compatibility with different versions MIUI TV. You will learn how to get around restrictions without root rights, which launchers support Xiaomi remotes, and what to do if after replacing the sound is lost or buttons do not work. Separately, we will focus on the nuances for TVs with chipsets Amlogic and MediaTek – their architecture affects compatibility with alternative shells.

Why users want to change the launcher to Xiaomi TV

Xiaomi’s PatchWall shell is optimized for the Chinese market and has a number of features that European users do not always like:

• 📺 Banners in the main menu (even in models without first activating your Mi Account).
• 🎮 Lack of game mode with fast access to cloud services (unlike launchers like Nvidia Shield) TV).
• 🔍 Low Customization: You can’t change the order of tabs, hide unnecessary sections, or add shortcuts.
• ⚡ Slow-motion animation when switching between applications (especially noticeable on budget models with 2 GB of RAM).

Alternative launchers are solving these problems, ATV Launcher or HalLauncher offer:

• 🔄 Flexible setting of the main screen (change the number of lines, sizes of icons).
• 🎯 Quick access to frequently used applications through custom tabs.
• 🛡️ No built-in advertising and telemetry fees (unlike PatchWall).
• 🖥️ Mouse and keyboard support for easy control (relevant for gamers).

However, not all launchers work correctly with Xiaomi remotes, such as the Leanback Launcher (standard for Android). TV) The Mi Button button may not recognize, and the Wolf Launcher requires manual gesture adjustment.

TV Preparation: What to Do Before Changing the Launcher

Before installing an alternative launcher, several critical steps must be taken, and skipping any of them can result in the inability to return a standard interface or conflict system processes.

Backup your current settings (see instructions below)

Check the version. MIUI TV In Settings → On TV.

Disable automatic software updates in Settings → System system → Update

Make sure your TV is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet)

Download APK launcher USB-accumulator (FAT32) cloud-shade-->

The most reliable way to backup on Xiaomi TV — Use of the Local Backup function:

1. Go to Settings. → Account and security → Local backup.
2. Select Create a backup and tick the Application and System Settings points.
3. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes) and copy the file to an external drive.

⚠️ Note: Backup does not save application data (such as game progress or browser bookmarks) and requires separate backups through a Google account or third-party utilities such as Titanium Backup (requires root access).

For models 2023–2026 years TV Q2/Q Pro, Redmi Smart Fire TV) Change of launcher complicates the protection system MIUI TV Guard, which automatically restores the standard PatchWall after restarting, bypassing this restriction is possible only through unlocking the bootloader (see the section on risks).

How to install an alternative launcher on Xiaomi TV

There are three main methods of changing the launcher, which are complex and risky. The choice depends on the model of the TV and your experience with Android. TV.

Method 1: Installation with Send Files to TV (without ADB)

The easiest way to do this is for most models until 2022, and does not require a PC connection, but has a limitation: some launchers (like HalLauncher) may not be installed due to a Xiaomi lock.

1. Download. APK launcher (e.g., launcher, ATV Launcher on smartphone.
2. Install Send Files to TV on your phone (available on Google Play).
3. Open the app, select a Xiaomi TV on the local network and send it to the local network. APK-file.
4. On the TV, confirm the installation in the window that appears (permission may be required for "unknown sources" in Settings). → Security).
5. After installation, launch the launcher and select it as default in the application settings.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI TV 4.0+ (2023–2026) This method may not work due to the installation lock APK through third-party sources, in which case it will be necessary ADB.

Method 2: Installation via ADB (for power users)

A universal method that works on all models, but requires connecting the TV to a PC, which bypasses Xiaomi’s restrictions on installing launchers.

Tools required:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and installed drivers ADB.
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-A (PC-connector).
• 📁 Google Platform Tools (includes AdB).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on ADB debugging on the TV:


- Go to Settings → About TV




- Click 7 times on the MIUI TV version (you will be notified "You became a developer")




- Return to Settings → Additional → Developer settings




Activate USB Debugging and Installation via ADB





2. connect the TV to the PC with a cable and perform at the terminal:




adb devices




(Serial number device should be displayed)





3. Install the launcher (example for ATV Launcher):




adb install atv_launcher.apk





4. Launch the launcher and set it by default:




adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.MainSettings




(Select the new launcher as the main one)

1. In Developer Settings, enable Wi-Fi Debugging.
2. Connect to the TV on the TV. IP: adb connect 192.168.x.x:5555 (substitute IP to your current address TV)

Method 3: Installation through modified firmware (for advanced)

This method is suitable for Xiaomi models TV A Pro (2023–2026), where standard methods are blocked MIUI TV Guard requires unlocking the bootloader and firmware for custom Recovery (TWRP), that voids the guarantee.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware can result in a complete loss of performance of the TV ("brick"). This method is recommended only for users with experience with fastboot and fastboot. ADB.

The short algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi Unlock Tool (requires binding of the Mi Account to the device).
2. Install. TWRP For your model (for example, for Xiaomi) TV A Pro Use the Version from the Developer Konsta).
3. Sweeve a modified firmware with a pre-integrated launcher (e.g. LineageOS for) TV).

The Best Alternative Launchers for Xiaomi TV 2026

Not all launchers work equally well on Xiaomi TVs.We tested 10 popular solutions and selected the top-5 considering the compatibility with remotes, performance and support of the Russian language.

For models with a MediaTek chipset (e.g. Redmi) TV 70) recommend ATV Launcher — it's better than others optimized for low-end processors. On TVs with Amlogic (Xiaomi series) TV A Pro) you can try out the Wolf Launcher, but be prepared to manually adjust the controls.

⚠️ Note: Launchers like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher, despite the popularity on smartphones, are not suitable for Android TV. They are not optimized for remote control and can cause errors when scaling the interface on large screens.

Risks and how to avoid them: what can go wrong

Changing the launcher to Xiaomi TV — It's not as harmless as a smartphone, but here are the main risks and ways to minimize them:

• 🔄 Automatic recovery PatchWall: On models 2023–2026 The system can return the standard launcher after an update or restart. ⚠️ Warning: To avoid this, disable automatic updates to Settings → System system → Update the software and block the system application com.mitv.tvhome ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mitv.tvhome
• 🎮 Defaulting remote buttons: Some launchers don't recognize the Mi Button or Home button.Solution: Use the Button Mapper app to reassign keys (requires) ADB).
• 🔊 Missing sound after launcher change: A conflict of audio drivers (often found on Redmi) TV). Solution: Restart the TV in Safe Mode (hold Menu) + Volume Down when enabled) and return the standard launcher.
• 🚫 Mi Account lock: When using modified firmware, Xiaomi may lock the device for violating the terms of use.Solution: Do not link the TV to your Mi Account before changing the launcher.

The biggest risk is a "brick" (total failure) of a TV when the firmware fails. To reduce the likelihood, follow the rules:

• 📌 Use firmware and launchers specifically designed for your model (check compatibility on forums). 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🔋 Do not interrupt the firmware process (even if the TV is “hang” at 10).+ Minutes are normal for models with eMMC memory).
• 🔧 Before experimenting, check if there is a way to restore your model through USB (for example, for Mi TV 4S It's a combination of Menu. + Volume Up when connecting to a PC).

💡

On Xiaomi TVs 2023-2026 (MIUI TV 4.0+) Changing the launcher without rolling back the firmware causes a cyclical reboot 80 percent of the time. MIUI TV Guard

How to Return the Standard PatchWall Launcher

If the alternative launcher is unstable or you want to return the original interface, do the following:

Method 1: Through Android Settings TV

Suitable for most models, if the launcher has not blocked access to system parameters.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Launcher by default.
2. Select PatchWall Launcher (or com.mitv.tvhome).
3. Confirm the shift and restart the TV.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the settings are not available)

Use this command to reset the launcher:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.mitv.tvhome/.MainActivity

Method 3: Reset to factory settings

Use the last measure if the TV freezes or the launcher causes system errors:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Reset all settings (app data will be deleted!).
3. After the reboot, the TV will return to the standard PatchWall.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI TV 4.0+ Resetting may not return the launcher if the modified firmware was previously installed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)