How to pump Xiaomi Mi Box S: from basic setup to advanced modifications

The modern Xiaomi Mi Box S (especially the second version with 4K support) is a powerful tool for turning any TV into a smart entertainment center. However, out of the box, the device operates in a limited mode, focused on the base user and regional services. To unlock the full potential of the hardware, you need to perform a series of manipulations that are often called “pumping.” This is not just installing a pair of applications, but deep tuning of the Android TV system.

The modification process involves activating hidden features, installing third-party launchers, removing system debris and, if necessary, completely flashing to a global or custom version. It is important to understand that any actions with system software carry risks. Warranties can be waived when you interfere with program code, so approach the matter consciously. In this article, we will discuss safe methods for improving performance and functionality.

Before you start taking action, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.You will also need a remote control and possibly a computer for some of the setup steps through ADB. A critical step is to create a full data backup before making any system changes. Without a backup, recovery can take hours or require flashing over USB.

Activation of the developer mode and debugging via USB

The first step to complete freedom of action on board the Mi Box S is to gain enhanced access rights to system settings. The standard menu is hidden from the average user to prevent accidental breakdowns. We need to activate the hidden section for developers. To do this, go to the Settings menu. → About the TV (or About the device).

Find the Build item and hit it with a pulse 7 times in a row, the system will tell you that you have become a developer, and then a new section will appear in the settings menu, and this is where the keys to managing the device at a low level lie. USB (USB Debugging: Installation of many useful utilities will be impossible.

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Use the Remote ADB Shell or Send Files to TV app to connect wirelessly from your phone if you don’t have a keyboard or mouse on hand.

The developer section also recommends that you disable memory optimization if you plan to run heavy emulators or games. However, for standard media player use, it is better to leave default settings to avoid instability. Remember that changing the settings in this section requires caution.

⚠️ Warning: Never turn on the “Signature Check” option APK» It can block the installation of modified applications that we'll use to pump the system.

Installation of file manager and preparation of environment

The regular Explorer in the shell of Android TV is often stripped down and does not show system folders. For full operation, you will need a third-party file manager that can display hidden directories and work with root rights (if any) or through ADB. The best choice will be applications like X-plore File Manager or File Commander.

You can install them through the built-in Google Play store, but often only available there. TV-There are versions that can be limited. A more advanced way is to download. APK-The full file is on a flash drive and manually installed, and in the security settings, allow applications to be installed from unknown sources, which is the foundation for further manipulation of the file system.

Once you install the manager, check access to the root directory, and if you see /system, /data, and /cache folders, you're successfully accessed, and that's where the logs, the app cache, and the system configs are stored, and cleaning up those partitions can make it much faster if it starts to slow down.

Removing System Garbage and Bloatware

One of the main problems with stock firmware is that it has pre-installed software that cannot be removed by standard means, which consumes RAM and takes up storage space, and requires an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) connection from a computer or other Android device to remove it.

Find out first. IP-The address of your console in the network settings. Then on your computer, execute the connection command: adb connect. 192.168.1.XX:5555 (substitute XX your numbers IP). Once the connection is successful, you can start cleaning. The list of deleted packets depends on the firmware region, but analytics services and unnecessary stores are usually safe to remove.

Be extremely careful when removing system components. Removing critical services like com.android.tv or Wi-Fi drivers will cause the console to stop loading. Always check the destination of the package on the Internet before the uninstall command. If in doubt, use the pm disable-user command, which simply disables the application but does not physically delete it.

Installation of an alternative launcher

The standard PatchWall shell installed on global versions of the Mi Box S is often overloaded with advertising and recommendatory content that is not always relevant to CIS users.In addition, it can run slower than a pure Android TV.

Popular options are Projectivy Launcher, F Launcher or ATV Launcher. They are lightweight, non-advertising and allow you to flexibly customize the look and feel. Once you install a new launcher, the default system can continue to run the old one. To fix this, you need to turn off the standard launcher through your application settings or ADB.

The command to disable the stock launcher is as follows: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tv.launcher (the name of the package may vary depending on the firmware version). After the restart, the system will prompt you to select the default home screen app.

Using a third-party launcher also allows you to organize applications into folders, which is especially convenient with a large number of installed programs. This returns the device to the feeling of clean and fast Android, as it was conceived by Google engineers.

Customization of sound and video stream

For home theater and quality TV owners, it is important to set the audio and video output correctly. Xiaomi Mi Box S supports modern standards, but sometimes requires manual adjustment. In Settings → Device → Sound, check the output modes.

If you have a receiver or soundbar connected via HDMI, be sure to enable Passthrough for Dolby Digital and DTS formats. This will allow the external decoder to process sound, providing surround sound. Enabling the Dolby Atmos option may not be available on some TV models without a proper license, but support is often present on the console itself.

⚠️ Note: When switching screen resolution settings (for example, to 4K 60Hz) Make sure yours is yours. HDMI-High Speed cables can cause artifacts or no signal.

You should also pay attention to color rendering settings. In the engineering menu (available through some launchers or special applications), you can adjust dynamic range (HDR) and refresh rate. For older TVs, it is sometimes useful to force 1080p to make the interface work smoother, although 4K content will scale.

Expanding memory and working with USB

The 8GB internal memory (in Gen 2) may not be enough to install a large number of heavy apps and games. Fortunately, the system allows for external drives. USB-flash-drive SSD-lock-in.

When you first connect, the system will ask how to use the drive. Select the "Internal Storage" option. This will format the drive, bind it to the device and allow you to install applications directly on it. The speed of working with an external SSD via USB 2.0/3.0 is often higher than with the internal eMMC memory of the console.

adb shell sm partition disk:XXX private

If the system does not offer to format the disk as internal (this happens on some firmware), you can use the ADB command specified above (where XXX is the disk ID), this will bypass the software limitation.

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Use of the expeditious SSD-storage as internal memory – the most effective way to increase storage and speed up application launches.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions