How I Became Owner of Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and What Surprised Me
It all started with a banal problem: the old Samsung 2015 TV of the year of release refused to support modern streaming services. YouTube lagale, Netflix did not launch because of outdated firmware, and there was no talk of 4K- content. Overpay for the new Smart TV did not want - that's when I noticed Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, which promised to turn any TV into "smart" for ridiculous money.
The first thing that caught my eye when unpacking was the compactness of the device. It's really about the size of a flash drive, but with a full-fledged HDMI- Bluetooth connector and remote control. I was skeptical of the stated characteristics: how can a Quad-core processor and a 2 GB of RAM pull modern applications? Spoiler: pull, but not without nuance. Going ahead, I'll say that during the 4 of a month of use, the console never overheated, despite the lack of active cooling — this was the first surprise.
But it's not that smooth. And within a week, I had one of the first problems: Google Play was out of the box, and I had to install apps through workarounds, and I'll talk about that later, and I found that not all services were optimized for Android TV, but everything in order.
Technical characteristics: what hides a compact body
On paper, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick looks more than worthy for its price segment (about 3,000-4,000 rubles in 2026).
- 🔹 Processor: Cortex-A53 (4 cores, up to 1.5 GHz)
- 🔹 RAM/ROM: 2/8 GB (there is a version with 16 GB of memory)
- 🔹 OS: Android TV 9.0 (with a shell MIUI TV)
- 🔹 Video support: 4K HDR at 60 Hz, VP9, H.265
- 🔹 Wireless modules: Wi-Fi 5 (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2
- 🔹 Ports: HDMI 2.0, Micro-USB (for power)
In practice, performance is enough for most tasks: YouTube in 1080p goes without brakes, Kodi copes with Full HD- movies, and Netflix and Disney+ work steadily.
| The challenge | Productivity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming 1080p | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No complaints, even with weak Wi-Fi |
| Asphalt 9, Call of Duty Mobile | ⭐⭐⭐ | Lags at high graphics settings |
| 4K HDR | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Requires stable Wi-Fi 5 GHz |
| Multitasking (2+ applications) | ⭐⭐ | Applications are often rebooted |
The biggest drawback is 8 GB of internal memory. After installing basic applications, only 3-4 GB remains, which is only enough for 5-6 movies in 1080p. This is solved by USB-OTG or network storage, but not all users are comfortable with this.
Installation and first launch: pitfalls
The Mi TV Stick took less than 5 minutes to connect: inserted the HDMI-port, connected power via USB (used smartphone charging), and the device immediately turned on.
⚠️ Warning: If your TV does not support HDMI-CEC, the Xiaomi remote will not be able to control the volume and turn on/off of the TV. Check this in the TV menu (Settings HDMI or Device Management).
The first launch is accompanied by a standard Android TV setup:
1. Choice of language (there is Russian).
2. Wi-Fi connection (better immediately to 5 GHz if the TV supports).
3. login to a Google account (required, otherwise there will be no access to the Play Market).
4. Update the firmware (if available).
And the first bummer was there: Google Play was on the device, but many apps (like Viaplay or Amediateka) were not in the directory, and I had to manually install them through the APK- files, and that's what I'm going to talk about in the next section.
HDMI-CEC support in TV |Having a free HDMI port |Power supply (minimum 5V/1A) |Wi-Fi speed (preferably 5GHz) |Firmware updates-->
Install applications: how to get around the limitations of Android TV
The main problem with Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is the stripped-down Google Play. Many apps (like Tinkoff TV or MTS TV) just don't show up in search.
- Sidloading via APK. This requires: 📱 Download APK- file to a smartphone (e.g., with APKCombo). 📁 Upload it to Google Drive or Flash Drive. 🖱️ On the console, open the File Manager (install FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer) and start the installation.
- Use alternative stores: 🛒 Aptoide TV is the most popular option, but there is a risk of running into viruses. 🛒 APKMirror is more reliable, but requires manual installation.
Important point: before installation, APK must be allowed to be installed from unknown sources.
Settings → Applications → Security → Unknown Sources → [select file manager]⚠️ Warning: Some apps (such as Netflix or Prime Video) may block playback on "uncertified" devices, with Magisk and SafetyNet Fix, but this is for advanced users.
Personally, I stopped at the combination of Google Play (for official applications) + Aptoide TV (for the rest). In 4 months, I have never encountered a virus, but I recommend installing an antivirus on the console (for example, Malwarebytes).
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Before installing the APK, check its hash amount on the VirusTotal website – this will save you from malware.
Performance in real-world conditions: tests and benchmarks
To objectively assess the capabilities of the Mi TV Stick, I conducted several tests:
- 📊 AnTuTu Benchmark: ~50,000 points (for comparison, Nvidia Shield TV scores ~200,000).
- 🎮 3DMark Sling Shot: ~1,200 points (confirms that the console is not for gamers).
- 📺 Playback Test 4K: No problem pulling 4K HDR from YouTube and local files.
The most interesting test is heating. I ran the Throttling Test CPU and left it running for 30 minutes.
- 🌡️ CPU temperature: up to 78°C (critically but not switched off).
- ⚡ Power consumption: ~3.5 W (for comparison, Apple TV 4K consumes ~6 W).
- 🔄 Trottling: started after 20 minutes of load (processor frequency dropped from 1.5 GHz to 1.0 GHz).
The bottom line is that it's not designed for long-term loads (for example, mining or round-the-clock streaming), but for normal use (movies, TV shows, games), it's just enough.
How I tested the heat
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Games: Is It Possible?
I'll tell you right away, if you're expecting the console level of graphics, you're going to be disappointed, but for casual games, the console is great.
| Game. | Productivity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt 9: Legends | ⭐⭐⭐ | At average settings ~30 FPS, at high - lags |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | ⭐⭐ | Only at minimum settings, FPS sags to 20 |
| Minecraft | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | It works well, but textures are slow to load. |
| Among Us | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No complaints, perfect for gamepads |
The main problem is control. The console comes with no gamepad, so you have to buy a Bluetooth controller for games (I used the Xiaomi Game Controller for ~2,000 rubles). Another nuance: many of the games from Google Play are not optimized for Android TV, so you have to use Mouse Toggle (the mouse emulation app).
If you're not a gamer, you can skip this section, but if you like to play, here's my top -3 games that are going more or less consistently:
- Dead Cells (with FPS but playable)
- Stardew Valley (perfect for relaxation)
- Brawl Stars (if you connect the gamepad)
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Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is not a gaming console, but for casual games and retro emulators (for example, PPSSPP for PSP) it is enough.
Comparison with competitors: should you pay more?
In 4 months, I tried several Mi TV Stick alternatives to see if I should overpay.
| The device | Price (2026) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi TV Stick | ~3 500 ₽ | Compact, price, 4K HDR | Little memory, weak processor |
| Xiaomi Mi Box S | ~5 000 ₽ | More powerful processor, 3/32GB | Large size, no remote with microphone |
| Nvidia Shield TV | ~15 000 ₽ | Top productivity, AI-upscale | Price, overheating in games |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | ~4 500 ₽ | Optimization for Prime Video | Closed ecosystem, few applications |
My verdict:
If you need a budget option for watching movies and TV series - Mi TV Stick is optimal.
If performance and games are important, it’s better to go with the Mi Box S or Shield TV.
If you are an Amazon Prime user, the Fire TV Stick is more convenient.
Personally, I stayed on the Mi TV Stick because for my tasks (streaming, IPTV, games) it was enough, and the money I saved was spent on a NAS- movie storage drive.
Hidden functions and life hacks: what will not be told in the instructions
In 4 months I found a few chips that make using the console more convenient:
- 🔧 Developer Mode. Activated in Settings → About console → Build number (press 7 times) Allows you to install applications via ADB, change DPI and enable debugging by USB.
- 🎵 Output to Bluetooth speaker. In Settings → Sound → Output device, you can choose Bluetooth headphones or speakers. You can view them at night.
- 🖥️ Used as a second monitor. ApowerMirror or TeamViewer app can duplicate the PC screen onto the TV (~1 sec latency).
- 🔄 Auto Shutdown. In Settings → Screen and Sound → Sleep mode can be set to turn off the console after 1-4 hours of inactivity.
Another life hack is the speeding up of the interface, and by default, the animations in MIUI TV are slowed down to turn them off.
Settings → About the console → Special features → Delete animationsAnd the last tip: if the console began to glittle (for example, slow down or spontaneously reboot), try to reset the cache:
Settings → Applications → [select application] → Clear cache💡
If the remote stops working, try reconnecting it: press Home + Back for 5 seconds. This will reset the Bluetooth connection.