Xiaomi’s current Android TV-based Smart TVs offer users a variety of entertainment options, but the standard shell, often called PatchWall, doesn’t always suit owners because of the abundance of advertising, complex navigation, or content imposition, and many users are eager to replace it with a cleaner, faster interface to gain full control of their device.
Replacing the standard launcher allows you to significantly speed up the TV, remove unnecessary banners and bring only the really necessary widgets and applications to the home screen. This process does not require root rights and can be performed by any user with minimal technical skills.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to choose the right alternative, where to download installation files safely and how to force a new interface to run instead of the standard one. You will learn about the intricacies of ADB, the features of setting up the remote control and the methods of circumventing the restrictions that the manufacturer imposes on their devices.
Why you should replace the standard launcher on Xiaomi TV
PatchWall is designed to aggressively promote media content and partner services, which causes the interface to be overloaded and the system’s response to remote commands to slow down due to background processes that gather analytics. Installing a third-party launcher solves the performance problem by freeing up RAM from unnecessary services.
Custom shells also offer flexibility in how you customize your look, you can change wallpaper, icon layout, font size, and even add weather or watch widgets that are not available in stock firmware, which is especially true for models where the interface looks outdated or not adapted to regional features.
⚠️ Warning: Before making changes to the system, make sure you have a stable Internet connection and a remote with navigation buttons working. Incorrect settings can cause the TV to go to the black screen, and you will have to return the settings through a reset or flashing.
Another important aspect is privacy: Third-party launchers like Projectivy Launcher or FATTV often focus on privacy and do not collect viewing data, which makes using the TV more secure, especially if the device is connected to a shared home network with computers containing important information.
Choosing the Right Alternative for Android TV
The TV app market offers several worthy candidates, each with its own characteristics: you should focus on speed, support for Russian language and the ability to fine-tune. Not all launchers work equally well on Amlogic or MediaTek processors, which are used in Xiaomi TVs.
One of the most popular solutions is Projectivy Launcher, which has a minimalist design, no advertising and high speed, and is able to hide standard system applications that the user does not use, thereby clearing the menu of visual noise.
Another powerful tool is FATTV Launcher, which provides deep customization capabilities, allowing you to change themes, fonts and even transition animations. For advanced users, this is the best choice, as it allows you to create a unique interface that fully matches your personal preferences.
Below is a comparative table of popular launchers, which will help determine the choice:
| The name of the launcher | Resource consumption | Advertising | Flexibility of setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projectivy Launcher | Low. | No. | Medium |
| FATTV Launcher | Average. | No (in PRO) | Tall. |
| ATV Launcher | Low. | There you are (Free version) | Medium |
| SFLauncher | Low. | No. | Tall. |
When installing, consider that some launchers may not work properly with certain remote models. For example, voice search support may be limited in free versions or require additional customization through ADB. Always check that the chosen solution is compatible with your version of Android TV.
Preparing the TV for the installation of new software
Before installing third-party software, you need to prepare the environment, primarily to gain access to the file system and allow the installation of applications from unknown sources, without which the security system of Xiaomi will block the launch of installation files.
The first thing you need to do is activate the developer mode. To do this, go to the settings menu, select About device and find the build line. You need to quickly click on this line with the remote 7-10 times until you get a message that you have become a developer.
☑️ TV preparation
You must then allow the installation of applications. In the settings menu, find the Security and Restrictions section (or Applications depending on the OS version), and then find Unknown Sources and switch the slider to the active position for your file manager or browser.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling unknown source mode reduces device protection. APK-files from only verified resources, such as 4PDA or the official GitHub developers to avoid getting the TV malware infected.
It is also highly recommended to install a file manager if it is not available in the basic configuration. X-plore, Total Commander or a specialized Send Files to TV are perfect. These ulets will allow you not only to install the launcher, but also to manage files in the system.
Installation methods APK-TV-file
There are several ways to deliver a launcher installation file to a Xiaomi TV, and the method depends on what devices are on hand and how fast you want to get the task done. USB-storage.
For that, download. APK-file of the selected launcher on the computer, write it to the flash drive and paste it into USB-The port of the TV. Once connected, open the file manager on the TV, find the file and start the installation. The system will request confirmation, after which the application will be installed.
An alternative and more modern method is to transfer files over a Wi-Fi network, which installs an application on a TV and smartphone (or PC), such as Send Files to TV or X-plore with the server turned on, and transfers the file directly to the device's memory, eliminating the need to search for a flash drive.
The third option is designed for advanced users and involves the use of debugging by ADB. This method allows you to install applications remotely from a computer using the command line.
adb install name file.apkThis is especially useful if the TV interface is unstable and menu management is difficult, and it also allows you to install system applications that are usually hidden from the user.
Set up the launcher as the main interface
Once a new launcher is installed, it won’t necessarily start automatically. Android TV continues to use the standard shell by default. To change this behavior, you need to perform a series of forced launch and priority actions.
First, simply run the installed application from a list of all programs. When you first start, the new launcher can request permissions to access media files or determine the location - agree with this for the correct operation of the widgets. Next, the system will prompt you to choose the default application for the home screen.
In the window that appears, select your new launcher and press Always, which will redirect the Home button on the remote to launch the new shell, and if the system doesn't offer a choice, you may need to reset the settings of the standard launcher.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find PatchWall or Leanback Launcher (standard launcher), click on it and select Run by default, then Reset. Then, when you press the home button, the system will again ask what to open the main screen.
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If the Home button on the remote still returns you to the old interface, try removing the standard launcher updates through the app menu or disabling it if such an option is available in your Android version.
Importantly, some Xiaomi models with PatchWall 4.0 and higher may be complicated, and in such cases, it may be necessary to use special assistant utilities such as Button Mapper to reassign keys.
Solution and recovery of the system
During the setup process, there may be situations when the TV begins to behave unpredictable: black screens appear, the interface is laid down or the remote stops working, most often due to version conflict or a lack of RAM.
If the TV is stuck on the logo or shows a black screen after installing the launcher, try rebooting. On Xiaomi models, this can be done by holding the switch off button on the remote (if there is such an option on the menu) or simply turning off power from the network for 10-15 seconds.
What to do if you lose access to the settings?
If nothing helps and the TV has turned into a brick, the only way out is to reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which usually requires you to press the Back and OK buttons (or Menu and Volume down) at the same time when you turn on the TV, holding them until the Mi logo appears.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting to factory settings will delete all your data, Google accounts and installed apps. Use this measure only as a last resort when other recovery methods do not help.
To prevent future problems, do not install too heavy launchers on TVs with less than 1 GB of RAM. In such cases, it is better to use the most lightweight versions of interfaces or optimized builds.
Additional optimization and advice
After the launcher has been successfully installed and configured, additional system optimization is recommended to ensure that the TV will work consistently for a long time, and the first thing to do is to disable unnecessary system services.
Use TVMediaHelper or analogs to disable ads in system applications, which will reduce the load on the processor and remove pop-ups, and it is also useful to clear the cache of system applications that are not used.
Don't forget to update the installed launcher regularly.Developers are constantly improving their products by adding support for new Android TV features and fixing compatibility bugs. Automatic updates can be set up on Google Play or through the built-in mechanisms of the launcher itself.
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The stability of the TV depends on the number of background apps installed, and remove what you don't use to free up resources for the main interface.
For minimalist fans, setting up a screensaver is a great solution. Many launchers allow you to use your own images or slideshows from Google Photos, which makes the TV an element of the interior even when it is turned off.