How to install Zona on Xiaomi Mi TV: Full guide to photo and video

Installation of alternative firmware Zona on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV — It's a popular way to extend the functionality of a device, remove embedded ads and gain root access, but it requires care: wrong actions can lead to a "bricking" of the TV or loss of warranty. In this guide, we will analyze all the stages in detail - from preparation to final configuration, taking into account the features of different Mi models. TV 4/4A/4S/5/5X firmware.

It is important to understand that Zona is an unofficial software based on a modified version of Android. TV. It offers advanced image settings, support for additional codecs (including Dolby Vision on unofficially supported models), and the ability to install apps from Google Play without restrictions. But before you start, check your model’s compatibility – some new Xiaomi TVs (like the series) Q2 or OLED) You may need other methods of unlocking.

This guide is suitable for users with basic skills in working with technology. If you have never installed custom firmware, we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the basics of working with the technology. ADB And Fastboot, these tools are going to be needed at key stages, and also back up your important data, and once you've installed Zona, all your settings will be reset to the factory.

1. Preparation of the TV for the installation of Zona

Several critical steps must be taken before installing Zona, and skipping any of them can cause your TV to malfunction or not be able to complete the firmware.

First, check the current firmware version. To do this, go to Settings. → On TV. → Write down the full number (for example, MIUI TV 2.0.128) If the version is newer than the one on which the selected Zona build is assembled, a rollback to an older official firmware may be required. MIUI TV (above 3.0) often block the possibility of installing custom software.

The second is to unlock the bootloader, which is a must-have for all Xiaomi Mi models. TV. The unlocking process takes 3 to 7 days (depending on Xiaomi policy) and requires you to link your Mi Account to your device. Detailed instructions for unlocking are provided in the next section.

• 📋 Download the necessary tools: Official firmware for your model (if you need rollback) The latest version of Zona from the forum XDA Developers or 4PDA ADB Fastboot (platform-tools) Mi Unlock Tool for unlocking the bootloader
• 🔌 Prepare the equipment: USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi) Windows computer 10/11 Linux (MacOS may require additional drivers) USB-format-storage FAT32 (not less 4 GB)

⚠️ If your TV is Xiaomi Mi TV was purchased in China (the domestic version), to unlock the bootloader will need a Chinese phone number to link the account, in this case, we recommend using the services of intermediaries or looking for alternative methods of unlocking on profile forums.

2 Unlock bootloader on Xiaomi Mi TV

Unlocking the bootloader is the longest install phase of Zona. Xiaomi has introduced this restriction to protect users from unofficial firmware, but it can be circumvented by following the official procedure.

First, you need to link your Mi Account to your TV.

1. Go to Settings → Account and Security → Add an account.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (if not, sign up).
3. Confirm the link via SMS or email.

Next, download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official website and perform the following actions:

Turn off the TV and connect it to the PC via USB-ports (usually located on the back panel).

Press the Menu button. + Volume Down on the remote and hold 5-7 Seconds until the Fastboot mode appears.

Run the Mi Unlock Tool on PC and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your TV.

Connect the TV to your PC, and the utility should detect it. Press Unlock and confirm unlock.

Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes) and the TV will automatically restart.

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Once you successfully unlock it, the Unlocked will appear on your TV screen in Fastboot mode. Now you can start installing Zona. If the utility gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:

• Account linking (must match the one you signed in to the Mi Unlock Tool).
• Internet connection on a PC (the utility checks the unlock status on Xiaomi servers).
• Mi Unlock Tool (use the latest stable version)

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the TV, including the installed apps and image settings. If you use external devices (such as Soundbar or a game console), write down the current settings. HDMI-CEC and ARC, to quickly restore them later.

3. Selection and downloading of Zona firmware

Zona firmware is divided into several types depending on the model of the TV and functionality.

Before downloading, check:

• 🔍 Compatible with your model.Clarify the exact model name in Settings → On TV. → A model. Like Mi. TV 4S 50" may have an index L50M5-5XRU or L50M5-5AIN — They're different firmware!
• 📅 Older versions (until 2023) may not support new applications or have security vulnerabilities.
• 📥 File integrity. After downloading, check the checksum (MD5 or SHA-1) The one on the site, it protects against corrupted files.

Zona firmware for models on the processor MT9602 (Like Mi. TV 4A 32) do not support hardware decoding VP9 Profile 2 (used on YouTube) 4K). If you care about the quality of the video, choose firmware marked "VP9 Fix".

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If you are not sure about your firmware choice, download two versions (e.g. Standard and Pro) and test them one by one. You can switch between them via the Recovery menu.

4. Installation of Zona through USB or ADB Sideload

There are two main ways to install Zona: USB-The storage device (easier but less reliable) and ADB Sideload (recommended for power users) We'll discuss both methods.

Method 1: Installation with USB-storage

This method is suitable for most Mi models. TV 4/4S/5 It does not require a PC connection.

1. Format. USB-storage FAT32 (Use Rufus utility or standard Windows tools).
2. Copy the Zona firmware file (usually with the.zip extension) into the root drive directory. Don't unpack the archive!
3. Turn off the TV and insert it. USB port (preferably) USB 2.0, if there is one).
4. Press the Menu button on the remote. + Volume Up and, holding them, turn on the TV. hold the buttons until the Xiaomi logo appears.
5. In the Recovery menu, select Apply update from USB → specify the firmware file.
6. Confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (it will take). 5-15 The TV will restart automatically.

Method 2: Installation with ADB Sideload

This method is more reliable, as it allows you to control the process from the PC and avoid reading errors. USB.

1. Connect the TV to the PC via USB and put it into Fastboot mode (as when unlocking the bootloader).
2. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and execute the command: fastboot boot recovery.img (file recovery.img It usually comes with Zona's firmware).
3. From the Recovery menu, select Apply update from ADB.
4. On PC, run the command: adb sideload zona_mi_tv_vX.X.zip (substitute zona_mi_tv_vX.X.zip in the name of your firmware file).
5. Wait for the installation to be completed (Total xfer will appear in the command line: 1.00x).

⚠️ Note: If during installation through ADB Sideload: Adb: failed to read command, check integrity USB-cable or try another port on your PC, and make sure your TV is debugging on. USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

5.Initial setting of Zona after installation

Once the Zona is successfully installed, the TV will launch with a new interface, and the first thing you need to do is to perform a basic setup:

• 🌐 Connection: Choose your Wi-Fi network or connect an Ethernet cable. If you use Wi-Fi, we recommend that you fix it. IP-address in the router settings to avoid connection problems DLNA or Google Cast.
• 🔐 Account settings: Sign in to Google to access the Play Market. Link your Xiaomi account (if required to sync settings).
• 🎨 Image calibration: Go to Settings → Screen. → Image mode and select Expert or Movie. Turn off automatic brightness (AI Brightness) for more accurate color reproduction.

Pay special attention to the sound settings. Zona has additional equalizers and format support. DTS:X Dolby Atmos (on supported models:

1. Go to Settings → Sound. → Audio Format and select Auto (HDMI) Passthrough (if you use external acoustics).
2. Shut down. AI Sound – This feature often distorts the sound.
3. Turn on Night Mode to smooth out loud sounds (useful for late viewing).

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Once you install Zona, be sure to update Google Play services manually. Open Play Market, go to Settings → Auto Update Apps and select Only via Wi-Fi. Then manually update the Google Play Services and Android System WebView apps.

6. Solving common problems after installation

Even with the right Zona installation, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If after installing Zona TV began to brake, check:

• 🛠️ Processor boot: go to Settings → Annexes → Start and close unnecessary processes.
• 🗑️ Free space: Zona requires at least 2GB of free space in internal memory.Remove the app cache in Settings → Memory.
• 🔄 Firmware version: Some Zona builds contain bugs patched in newer versions. Check for updates in the Settings menu → System system → Update of the PO.

For models with an Amlogic processor (e.g. Mi) TV 4A) You may need to adjust the kernel further, and if the image breaks when you play high-resolution video, install the app. CPU Tuner from Play Market and limit the maximum CPU frequency to 1.5 GHz.

7.A Return to Xiaomi's Official Firmware

If Zona did not meet expectations or there were critical errors, you can return the official firmware. MIUI TV. For that:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi. the file must have the.zip extension and the name of the view. mi_tv_model_global_stable.zip.
2. Copy the file to the formatted file in FAT32 USB-accumulator.
3. Enter Recovery Mode (as described in Section 4) and select Apply update from USB.
4. Confirm the installation. The process will take 10-20 minute.

After returning to the official firmware:

• The TV will automatically lock the bootloader, and to unlock it again, you will need to repeat the procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• All data will be deleted, including the installed applications and settings.
• Integrated advertising and restrictions will return MIUI TV.

⚠️ Note: If the TV does not turn on after returning to the official firmware (the red indicator flashes), this indicates damage to the boot partition. In this case, you need to flash the TV through Fastboot using the full firmware package (.tgz) and the Mi Flash Tool utility. Instructions are available at xiaomiflash.com.

8. Zona alternatives: other custom firmware for Xiaomi Mi TV

If Zona isn’t suitable for some reason, consider other popular firmware for Xiaomi Mi. TV:

• 🔧 AOSP TV: Pure Android TV It supports Google Assistant and Chromecast out of the box. minus: no optimization for Xiaomi hardware, possible lags.
• 🎮 ATV Custom ROM: Game Mode-enabled, low-latency, customized firmware for gamers, including RetroArch and Dolphin emulators as standard, minus high power consumption and overheating over long sessions.
• 📺 LineageOS for TV: Stable firmware based on Android 11/12 It's a long-term support system. OTA-Download: no support for some proprietary Xiaomi codecs.

Before installing alternative firmware, check:

• Availability of instructions for your model in forums XDA or 4PDA.
• Compatible with your CPU type (Amlogic, MediaTek or Realtek).
• The presence of a Russified interface (some firmware supports only English).

For Mi models TV Q1E and newer (with processor) MT9611) We recommend Hyperion Firmware TV — It is optimized for new chipsets and supports HDMI 2.1 and ALLM (low-latency).

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If your goal is to remove ads and get root access, consider installing Magisk on official firmware, which is less risky than replacing the software completely and keeps the TV running smoothly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing Zona on Xiaomi Mi TV