Modern TVs from Xiaomi are not just panels for displaying a video signal, but full-fledged multimedia centers based on the Android TV operating system. Many users are faced with the question of how to properly start the device after unpacking and access all the features of the Smart platform. The process of initial activation requires care, especially when choosing a region and connecting accounts.
The MIUI TV user interface is very different from the menus of older TVs, where navigation is built on horizontal feeds with content, which requires getting used to, and it's important to understand that without a Wi-Fi connection, the functionality of the device will be very limited, so having a stable Internet is a prerequisite for comfortable operation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of setting up, how to receive terrestrial television and install third-party applications. You will learn how to turn your Mi TV into an entertainment center, learn how to control the screen of your smartphone and understand the features of remotes of different generations.
Primary setup and activation of Smart TV
After connecting the power and installing the TV on a suspension or stand, the system will prompt you to choose the interface language. This is the first critical step, because it depends on the correct display of fonts and menus. English is usually chosen by default, so the user needs to find Russian in the list.
Xiaomi TVs support both wired connection via Ethernet port and wireless connection via Wi-Fi. To view content in high resolution 4K HDR, it is recommended to use a frequency of 5 GHz, if the router supports this standard to avoid delays when streaming.
⚠️ Note: When selecting a region in your system settings, make sure your real country of residence is listed. Incorrectly choosing a region can block access to local news applications and change the list of available streaming services.
The final step in the initial setup is to sign in to Google, which is to sync your movies, install apps from the Play Market, and use voice search, and if you don't have an account, you can create it directly on your TV or via your smartphone.
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Without a Google account, you won’t be able to install new apps from the official store, which significantly limits the functionality of the Smart TV.
Adjustment of reception of air and cable channels
To watch traditional TV, you need to connect an antenna cable to the Antenna In connector on the back of the device, then select the signal source and start automatic channel search. Android TV supports DVB-T2 and DVB-C standards, which allows you to catch digital terrestrial and cable TV without additional consoles.
In the scanning process, the TV will detect the available multiplexes, if the signal is weak, artifacts may appear on the screen or the picture will freeze, in which case it is worth checking the density of the antenna cable connection and, if necessary, purchasing a signal amplifier.
- 📺 Go to the Appendix section → Live Channels to manage the list of broadcast channels.
- 🔍 Use the "Channel Search" function in the settings for re-scanning the airwaves.
- 📡 For cable TV, select the "Cable" network type and specify the scan frequency if the provider does not provide automatic data.
Special attention should be paid to the cable TV setup. Some providers encrypt the signal and it requires a CI+ module to decode it. The access card slot is usually located next to the antenna input or on the sidebar. After installing the map, the menu will prompt you to activate the module.
MIUI TV interface and navigation
The MIUI for TV shell is based on Google’s Material Design principles, but has its own unique features: the main screen is divided into several tabs, each responsible for a specific type of content, the top line contains the user profile, settings, search and list of installed applications.
The center of the screen is occupied by recommendation tapes; algorithms analyze your preferences and suggest movies, music or games; navigation is done using the direction buttons on the remote; and return to the previous menu is done by the Back button.
An important feature is the ability to customize the home screen, so that the user can hide unnecessary applications and highlight the most commonly used services, by pressing the central remote button on the application icon and selecting the appropriate action in the context menu.
⚠️ Warning: Don't install too many heavy apps on the TV's built-in memory. Storage overflows can lead to slowdowns and long menu loads.
Installation of applications and use of cinemas
The main source of software is the Google Play Store**. Here are available official versions of popular services in Russia and the CIS: ivi, Okko, Megogo, YouTube, Twitch. Installation takes place in one click, after which the icon appears in the general list of applications.
To install applications that are not in the official store (for example, specialized players or torrent clients), you can use the Side-loading method. To do this, the installer file.apk is downloaded to a flash drive or through a browser on the TV, and then run through the file manager.
- 📥 Use the application "Send Files to" TV" fast-transmit APK-smartphone files.
- 🛡️ When installed from unknown sources, the system will request permission – it must be confirmed.
- 📂 File Managers like X-plore or File Commander will make it easier to work with internal memory.
A popular solution for viewing content is installing aggregators like Lampa or Num, which allow you to watch thousands of movies and TV shows for free, pulling up links from various online libraries. However, they often require a DNS setup or VPN to work reliably.
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To install applications from the flash drive, first download and install the file manager from the Play Market, otherwise the TV will not see. APK-file.
Broadcasting screen and multimedia from a smartphone
One of the most popular features of Smart TV is the ability to display images from a mobile device to a large screen. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this feature is implemented through Cast technology and the proprietary Mi Remote application. AirPlay 2 is supported for iOS devices.
To start the broadcast, make sure that the smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On Android devices, just press the "Translation" button in the notification curtain and select your TV from the list. On iPhone, the "Screen Replay" function is in the control center.
| Operating system | Connection method | Annex | 4K support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Google Cast / Miracast | Built into the system | Yeah (depends on the model) |
| iOS (iPhone/iPad) | AirPlay 2 | Built into the system | Yes. |
| Windows PC | Projection (Wi-Fi) | Screen parameters | Yes. |
| macOS | AirPlay | Point of control | Yes. |
You can also use Google Home to make media files more flexible, which allows you to stream photos from a gallery, video from your phone's local memory, and even control your TV as a remote control, which is especially useful when a standard remote loses battery power.
What to do if your phone can’t see TV?
Voice control and remote control
Xiaomi's modern remotes have a built-in microphone for voice search. By pressing a special button, you can dictate the title of a movie, request the weather, or ask to open the app. The speech recognition system works fairly accurately and supports Russian.
To activate voice control in the privacy settings, you need to allow voice data collection. This is a mandatory requirement for the function to work. Voice can not only search for content, but also control playback: "Pause", "Louder", "Back".
- 🎤 Press the microphone button and speak clearly, without any noise in the room.
- 🔊 Voice commands work even when the screen is off (standby mode) if the function "Ok Google" is enabled".
- ⌨️ Some remote buttons can be reassigned in the Accessories settings section.
Importantly, voice search inside apps (like YouTube actor search) requires the app itself to support this integration, a feature that is already implemented in most popular services.
☑️ Checking the remote
Solution and technical support
Users can experience problems ranging from interface freezes to sound problems, most often by rebooting the device through the Settings menu → About TV → Reboot. Complete shutdown also resets temporary system errors.
If the TV is not connected to Wi-Fi, try statically asking. IP-address in network settings or change DNS-Public servers (e.g. Google: 8.8.8.8) Image problems are often solved by updating firmware or resetting image settings to factory values.
⚠️ Note: Before performing a full reset, make sure you remember your Google account. After the reset, the system will require you to enter a username and password to confirm ownership of the device (protection) FRP).
You can use the built-in help or contact official communities to get help. Regular system updates through the Settings menu → About TV → System updates allow you to get security fixes and new features.