Yandex Satellite on Xiaomi: a detailed guide on satellite TV from Yandex

If you own a Xiaomi TV or console (e.g. Mi TV 4S, Mi Box S or newer models), you may have noticed a mysterious item in the settings or among the apps, Yandex Satellite. At first glance, it seems like another streaming service like Kinion or Wink, but in fact everything is much more interesting. We are talking about satellite TV from Yandex, integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem — and it is not just a marketing ploy, but a full-fledged alternative to traditional satellite receivers.

In this article, we will look at what the Yandex Satellite is on Xiaomi devices, how it works, what channels are available, and most importantly, how to set it up without spending too much on equipment, especially for users who live in regions with poor Internet or want to access free satellite channels in high quality without a monthly subscription fee.

What is Yandex Satellite and what does Xiaomi have to do with it?

Yandex Satellite is a service from Yandex that allows you to view satellite TV channels directly through a TV or console, without having to buy a separate receiver. But here's the important thing: it does not broadcast a signal from a satellite by itself. Instead, it acts as an intermediary between your device and the satellite operator, simplifying the configuration and management of channels.

The collaboration with Xiaomi began in 2022, when Yandex integrated its service into the firmware of the brand’s smart TVs and consoles, which means that owners of Xiaomi devices (mainly models on Android TV or Google TV) can connect to satellite channels through an embedded application without buying additional equipment – just have a satellite antenna (the “dish”) and set it up correctly.

It's important to understand the difference:

• 📡 Classic satellite TV requires a receiver, antenna and manual transponder setup.
• 🖥️ Yandex Satellite on Xiaomi – uses an antenna, but the setup and management of channels occur through the Android interface TV, with support for voice search and recommendations from Yandex.

It's basically a hybrid of satellite and smart TV, where Yandex takes over as a channel aggregator, and Xiaomi provides a platform to watch it. But is there a catch?

How does Yandex Satellite work on Xiaomi TVs?

Technically, Yandex Satellite works on the following principle:

1. Your TV or Xiaomi console connects to a satellite antenna via a cable (usually an F connector).
2. The signal from the satellite is sent to the built-in tuner of the device (if any) or to the external USB- receiver (for models without a tuner).
3. The Yandex Satellite app processes the signal, decodes the channels and displays them in the Android TV interface.
4. You control channels through the Xiaomi remote, voice commands or the Yandex mobile app.

The key difference from traditional satellite TV is integration with the Yandex ecosystem, for example, you can:

• 🔍 Search channels by name or genre through voice search (“Enable NTV in high quality”).
• 📅 See the transmission program directly in the Android interface TV.
• 🔄 Switch between satellite and streaming channels (e.g., Kinion or YouTube) without changing the source of the signal.

However, there are limitations:

⚠️ Warning: Not all Xiaomi models support the Yandex Satellite. The service is only available on devices with built-in satellite tuner (e.g. Mi TV Q2 75" or Mi Box 4K Ultra 2023) or when connecting an external USB- receiver (sold separately).

What channels are available through Yandex Satellite?

The list of channels depends on the satellite operator you are connected to. Yandex is not a content provider, it only provides an interface for viewing. Today, the service supports the following operators (data for 2026):

Important: free channels are available without a subscription fee, but they still require a satellite antenna configured to the corresponding satellite (e.g. Eutelsat 36A/36B for Tricolor).

What Xiaomi devices support Yandex Satellite?

As mentioned, the service doesn’t work on all Xiaomi devices, and here’s a current list of compatible models (as of June 2026):

• 📺 TVs: Mi TV Q2 (all diagonals starting with 55) Mi TV P1 (2023 models with tuner DVB-S2) Xiaomi TV A Pro (Russian versions only)
• 🎮 Prefixes: Mi Box 4K Ultra (Model 2023, MDZ-26-AB) Xiaomi TV Stick 2 (with external USB- receiver only)

To check if your device supports Yandex Satellite, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Check if the Yandex Satellite app is on the list.
3. If there is no application, but the device specifies a tuner DVB-S2, update the firmware to the latest version.

⚠️ Warning: On devices purchased outside of Russia (e.g., global versions of Mi TV 4A), the Yandex Satellite service may be blocked at the firmware level, in which case you will need to manually flash the Russian version of the software, which voids the warranty.

Step-by-step: how to set up Yandex Satellite on Xiaomi

If your device supports the service, follow this instruction to set up:

1. Connect the satellite antenna to your TV or console via an F connector. If the device does not have a connector, use an external USB- receiver (for example, Yandex Satellite Tuner, sold separately).
2. Turn on the TV and go to Settings → Channels → Satellite TV (or open the Yandex Satellite app from the main menu).
3. Select the channel search and select the satellite (e.g. Eutelsat 36A/36B for Tricolor).
4. Wait until the scan is finished. The channels you find will automatically be added to the list.
5. Set up the order of channels through the List Management menu (can be grouped by genre or operator).

If the channels are not:

• 🔄 Check if the antenna is configured correctly (use the signal level in the settings menu).
• 📡 Make sure the right satellite is selected (e.g., NTV Plus requires Express AMU1).
• 🔄 Update the transponder data manually (the satellite settings have the option to Update the list of transponders).

Yandex Satellite vs Google TV: Which is better on Xiaomi?

Many users are wondering why you need Yandex Satellite when Xiaomi already has a Google TV or Android TV with streaming services?

The main advantage of Yandex Satellite is stability: if you have a slow or unstable Internet, satellite TV will work without hanging and buffering, and some channels (for example, sports in 4K) are only available via satellite and are not available in streaming services.

There are, however, downsides:

• 📶 A satellite antenna is required, which must be properly installed and configured.
• 🔄 There is no way to rewind the airwaves (unlike streaming, where you can pause live).
• 📺 Limited choice of interactive features (e.g., no view-based recommendations like Google TV).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you set up Yandex Satellite, users experience common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

1. No signal or low quality: Check the cable from the antenna to the TV (no overbending or damage). Adjust the position of the antenna (use a compass or DishPointer app for fine tuning). Update the list of transponders in the satellite settings.
2. Not all channels are located: Make sure you choose the right satellite (e.g., for Tricolor - Eutelsat 36A/36B). Check if your operator supports the operation through Yandex Satellite (some channels can be encoded).
3. Yandex Satellite does not open: Update your TV firmware to the latest version. Reset the app settings: Settings → Apps → Yandex Satellite → Clear the data. If the problem persists, reinstall the app via Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: If some channels are displayed as encoded after setting up (black screen or PIN- code request), this means that they are included in a paid packet. To unlock them, you need to purchase an access card from an operator (for example, Tricolor or NTV-Plus).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions