Xiaomi TV-: what you need it for and how to transform your TV

Xiaomi's TV- set-top boxes are no longer just an accessory, they're a complete solution to upgrade any TV, even 10 years ago. These palm-sized compact devices can turn a regular screen into a smart entertainment center with support for 4K HDR, voice control and thousands of apps. But why buy a set-top box when you already have a Smart TV? And how does it differ from similar solutions from Apple or NVIDIA?

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 5 key challenges that Xiaomi’s TV- is solving, from watching online cinemas to playing games in the cloud. You will learn which models are relevant in the 2026 year, how they integrate into the Mi Home ecosystem, and why even owners of modern TVs may need such a device. And we will also reveal the hidden feature of Xiaomi consoles, which is not mentioned in official instructions, it is associated with the operation of the device in the media server mode for the entire home network.

1. Turning a regular TV into a smart TV: How it works

The main goal of any TV- console is to add smart features to a TV that doesn’t support them initially. Xiaomi consoles do this on the basis of Android TV (in new models) or MIUI TV (in old ones), offering an interface optimized for the large screen. Connection is via HDMI-port, and control is via a remote with voice assistant or a mobile application Mi Remote.

What exactly does this transformation bring about:

• 🎬 Access to online cinemas: Kion, Okko, Ivi, Netflix, YouTube in resolution up to 4K (supported by TV).
• 🎮 The ability to install games from Google Play or run cloud services like GeForce NOW.
• 📱 Sync with other Xiaomi devices: for example, streaming the screen of a Redmi smartphone or viewing photos from the Mi Home Security camera.
• 🔊 Support for voice commands in Russian (in models with Xiaomi Voice Remote).

It is important to understand that the console does not replace the hardware capabilities of the TV. If your screen supports only Full HD, then the 4K- content will automatically scale to an affordable resolution. However, even on older TVs with HD Ready (720p), the console will provide a smooth interface and access to modern services.

2.Model comparison: Xiaomi Mi Box S vs. Mi TV Stick vs. Mi Box 4K Ultra

In the 2026 year in the line Xiaomi presented three main models of TV- consoles, each of which solves its own problems. Below is a comparative table of their key characteristics:

The choice of model depends on your tasks:

• 💰 Budget Solution: Mi TV Stick is suitable for watching Full HD video and basic Smart TV features.
• 🎥 High-quality video: The Mi Box S is optimal for 4K HDR and audio systems.
• 🎮 Games and Multimedia: Mi Box 4K Ultra will handle cloud gaming and streaming content in the highest quality possible.

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi consoles do not support official installation of Kodi via Google Play. It will require manual download of the APK- file to use, which may violate the warranty.

3. Hidden features: what does the console besides Smart TV

Few people know, but Xiaomi's TV- set-top boxes can serve as a full-fledged media server for the home network.

• 🖥️ Connect an external hard drive (via USB OTG or adapter) and access movies, music and photos from all devices on the network.
• 📡 Use the console as a DLNA- server to stream content to other TVs or smartphones.
• 🎧 Turn it into a Bluetooth transmitter for wireless headphones or speakers (if the model supports Bluetooth 5.0+).

Another useful feature is the Miracast mode, which allows you to duplicate the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone, Redmi or even an iPhone (via AirScreen) on your TV without delay.

• 📱 Showing photos from your phone on a big screen.
• 🎮 Streaming mobile games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 💼 Presentations and video calls (via Zoom or Google Meet)

Xiaomi can also work as an IPTV client, such as installing an app like Lazy IPTV or TiviMate and downloading a playlist from the provider, which is relevant for those who use alternative ways of watching TV.

4.Integration with Xiaomi ecosystem: smart home and voice control

One of the key advantages of Xiaomi consoles is their deep integration with other devices of the brand.

• 🏠 You can control smart lamps, robot vacuum cleaners or air conditioners directly from your TV screen through the Mi Home app.
• 🔊 Voice assistant Alice (in Russian firmware) or Google Assistant allows you to turn on movies, search for information or control a smart home without a remote.
• 📹 When you connect your Mi Home Security cameras, you can display the image from them to your TV in real time (useful for baby monitors or front door control).

To set up the integration:

1. Install the Mi Home app on the console (available on Google Play).
2. Sign in with the same account as other Xiaomi devices.
3. In the app menu, select the devices you want to control from the TV.

Update the firmware to the latest version

Turn on the microphone in the remote settings (Settings → Remote and accessories)

Say "OK, Google" or press the microphone button to activate-->

⚠️ Warning: In some regions (e.g. Russia), the default voice assistant may be disabled due to Google restrictions, requiring a region change in settings to "USA" or "UK" to activate it.

5 Games on TV- console: what to really run

With its ARM Cortex-A53/A73 processors and Mali-G31 graphics accelerators, Xiaomi is capable of running many mobile games.

• ✅ Supported: casual games (Angry Birds, Candy Crush), strategy (Clash of Clans), some shooters (PUBG Mobile at minimum settings).
• ❌ Won't Start: Heavy 3D- games (GTA San Andreas, Asphalt 9) due to RAM and graphics limitations.

For comfortable gaming:

• 🎮 Connect the gamepad over Bluetooth (e.g., Xiaomi Game Controller or DualShock 4).
• 🖱️ Use the mouse and keyboard via the USB OTG- adapter for strategies or simulators.
• ☁️ Run cloud services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming (requires stable internet from 50 Mbps).

The Mi Box 4K Ultra features a game mode that reduces input delays to 20-30ms, which is critical for shooters or racing.

1. Go to Settings → Display and Sound → Image Mode.
2. Choose Game.
3. Turn off post-processing of video to reduce lag.

💡

To improve performance in games, turn off background processes: go to Settings → Applications → Autostart and prohibit autostart of unnecessary services.

6.Setting up and optimizing: how to make the most of the console

To make the console work quickly and without brakes, follow these recommendations:

1. Firmware update

Regular updates fix bugs and add new features. Check the relevance of the version at Settings → About console → System update. If the automatic update does not work:

• Download the latest firmware from the official Xiaomi website.
• Place the update.zip file in the root of the flash drive.
• Connect the flash drive to the console and run the update manually.

2. Clearing the cache

Over time, apps accumulate temporary files that slow down the system, to clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (like YouTube) and click Clear Cache.
3. For complete cleaning, use the CCleaner TV app.

3. Network setup

For a stable 4K- stream, it is recommended to:

• 📶 Connect via Ethernet cable (via USB-to-Ethernet adapter if there is no built-in port).
• 🔄 Use Wi-Fi 5 GHz (less loaded than 2.4 GHz).
• 📡 Place the router at a distance of no more than 5 meters from the console.

💡

For maximum performance, turn off the interface animation: go to Settings → For developers → Animation scale (off).

7 Problems and Solutions: What to Do If the Prefix is Glitzy

Even the most reliable devices sometimes fail, and here are the typical problems and ways to solve them:

If the console stopped loading after the update, try:

1. Turn it off for 10 minutes.
2. Press the Reset button for 15 seconds.
3. If it doesn’t help, manually reflash through USB OTG (instructions on the 4PDA forum).

⚠️ Warning: When manually flashing, use only official files from Xiaomi. Firmware from third-party developers may contain malicious code or disrupt DRM (e.g., Widevine for Netflix).

FAQ: Frequent questions about TV- consoles Xiaomi