Updating apps on Xiaomi TV: all ways and solutions to errors

Xiaomi TVs on Android TV or Google TV require regular updates to improve performance, add new features and close security vulnerabilities. However, many users face problems: apps do not update automatically, download errors occur or the TV simply forgets to check updates. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of updating, including hidden settings and solutions to typical errors.

It's important to understand the difference between updating your TV firmware and your applications. The firmware is responsible for operating the operating system itself, and the apps are separate programs like YouTube, Netflix, or Prime Video. We'll focus on the latter, but we'll show you how to check if the outdated firmware is blocking the installation of new versions of the software.

If you have a Xiaomi Mi TV TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 Or a model of the Redmi Smart series TV You suddenly stopped updating your apps, don't rush to reset your settings. 80 percent of the time, you're going to fix the problem by setting up Google Play or cleaning up your cache. Below you'll find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, including manual installation. APK-file.

1. Automatically update apps through Google Play

The easiest way is to enable automatic updates in the Google Play Store, but on Xiaomi TVs, this feature is often disabled by default or not working properly due to manufacturer restrictions.

Open Google Play Store on TV → go to Settings (cog icon in the upper right corner) → select App Auto Update. There are three options available here:

• 🔄 Over any network, applications will update automatically when connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• 📶 Wi-Fi only -- updates only load when connected to a wireless network -- useful if you have limited traffic.
• ❌ Do not update automatically – all updates will have to be manually run.

If the Auto Update option is missing or not working, check:

1. Internet connection (TV must be online).
2. Free space in memory (minimum 500 MB).
3. Update the Google Play Services version (you can manually update it if required).

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If the apps don’t update after you turn on auto-update, try logging out of your Google account and re-entering through Settings → Accounts. This resets the authorization cache and often solves the problem.

2 Manually Update Apps via Google Play

If the automatic mode doesn't work, you can update applications manually, and this method is also useful when you need to update only one particular app (like Disney+ or OKKO).

1. Open the Google Play Store on your TV.
2. In the search bar, enter the name of the application (for example, YouTube).
3. If an update is available, next to the Open button, an Update button will appear - press it.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.

If the Update button is not active or missing, this may mean:

• 🔴 The app has been updated to the latest version.
• 🔴 The TV does not support the new version due to outdated firmware (relevant for models older than 2019).
• 🔴 Google Play Settings Disabled Updates for This Account.

Check the Internet connection|Make sure you have the right Google Play account|Clear the Google Play cache (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play → Clear the cache)|Restart the TV before updating-->

3. Update through APK-files (manual installation)

When an app is not updated via Google Play (for example, due to regional restrictions or a manufacturer’s blocking), you can install it manually through Google Play. APK-This method requires caution, because installation from unreliable sources can harm the system.

Here's how to do it safely:

1. Download. APK-The file of the desired application is only from verified sources (e.g. apkmirror.com). Make sure the version is compatible with Android TV (The description should include Android-tv or leanback).
2. Copy the file to USB-storage device (formatted in FAT32) or upload it directly to the TV via the browser (if supported).
3. On your TV, go to Settings → Applications → Security → Unknown sources and allow installation from a selected source (e.g. File Manager or Browser).
4. Open the APK file through the File Manager and follow the installer’s instructions.

Warning: Installing APKs from unverified sources may result in:

• 🛡️ Personal data leakage (if the file contains malicious code).
• 🔄 Unstable TV performance (if the version is APK not optimized for TV-interface).
• 🚫 Blocking your Google account (if the app is modified).

Update of system applications (YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video)

Some apps (such as YouTube or Netflix) on Xiaomi TVs may be pre-installed in the system partition, meaning they cannot be updated or removed in standard ways.

• 🔧 Update TV firmware – often new versions of system applications come along with software updates.
• 📦 Installation of an alternative version through APK (Like YouTube. TV Instead of the standard YouTube).
• 🔄 Resetting the TV to factory settings (an extreme case if the application is not working correctly).

To check if the application is system-based:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Choose the app you want (like Netflix).
3. If the Remove or Update buttons are missing or inactive, the application is system-based.

On Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV firmware older than version 3.0, system applications can only be updated through a full reset or flash. New models (2022 and later) allow you to update them through Google Play, but with a delay of 1-2 weeks after release.

5. Solving Application Update Problems

If applications are not updated despite all attempts, the reasons may be:

One of the most common bugs is the 920 error in Google Play, which appears when you try to update the app, and it is associated with a cache conflict and solved as follows:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Store.
2. Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
3. Reboot the TV.
4. Try updating the app again.

Automated through Google Play|Manual via Google Play|Installation APK-file|Updating the TV firmware|I'm not updating at all.-->

6. Update TV firmware for compatibility with new applications

If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2020, some modern apps (like newer versions of Disney+ or TikTok TV) may not be supported due to an outdated version of Android TV.

How to check and update the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Do not turn off the TV during the process.

If the automatic update does not find new versions, you can install the firmware manually:

• 🔗 Download the official firmware for your model from the site mi.com/global/support.
• 💾 Copy the file. update.zip formatted FAT32 flash-drive.
• 📺 Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Update via USB refresher.

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Update firmware resets some settings (for example, a list of channels or sound parameters).

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware on Xiaomi TVs can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation. Use only official files from the manufacturer's website.

7. Alternative methods: third-party shops and TV-launchers

If Google Play isn't working properly on your TV, you can use alternative sources of apps.

• 📦 Aptoide TV — Alternative App Store for Android TV. Supports manual installation APK It has its own system of updates.
• 🔄 APKMirror – a site with verified versions APK-Allows you to download old versions of apps if the new one is not compatible with your TV.
• 🎯 TV App Store – a specialized store for Smart TV with optimized versions of applications.

To install Aptoide TV:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website tv.aptoide.com.
2. Move it to a flash drive and connect it to the TV.
3. Allow installation from unknown sources (as described in Section 3).
4. Install and open Aptoide TV, then update the apps you want through it.

Advantages of alternative stores:

• ✅ Access to applications blocked in your region.
• ✅ The ability to roll back to the old version of the application.
• ✅ Faster updates (sometimes new versions appear earlier than Google Play).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video) may block work on uncertified devices. If the app doesn't start after installing via Aptoide, check the TV's certification in Google Play Protect settings.

8. Frequent questions and answers