Xiaomi TV Stick: what it is, how it works and why you need a regular TV

You still watch movies from a flash drive or connect your laptop to your TV through a flash drive. HDMI, So it's time to get to know Xiaomi. TV Stick is a compact device that turns any TV into a computer in a few minutes. HDMI-port to a full-fledged Smart TV. This is not just a “stick for TV”, and a full-fledged Android-set-top box with support 4K, Voice control and access to thousands of applications.

In this article, we’ll look at what Xiaomi TV Stick is in practice, from specs to step-by-step customization, how it differs from competitors like Amazon Fire Stick or Google Chromecast, what models are relevant in 2026, and decide whether you need this console or a built-in Smart TV, and if you already have a device, you’ll find instructions on how to optimize its performance, from connecting to solving typical problems.

What is Xiaomi TV Stick and how does it work?

Xiaomi TV Stick is Android. TV-prefix USB-flash drive that connects to HDMI-It's a port of the TV, and it turns it into a smart device, and it's got a full-fledged processor, RAM, Wi-Fi and Android operating system inside it. TV (It's actually a mini-computer that's designed to be an Android version for TVs:

  • 📺 Transforms the signal to Full HD 1080p or 4K HDR (model-wise)
  • 🌐 Connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi (or Ethernet via adapter)
  • 🎮 Supports games, streaming services and IP-television
  • 🎤 Controlled by voice (via remote or smartphone)

The main difference from the classic Smart TVs is flexibility. You are not tied to the TV firmware built in: you can install any apps from Google Play, update the system manually, and even flash custom firmware (for advanced users), while the device consumes minimal energy — it can be left on around the clock.

📊 What kind of TV are you?
With modern Smart TV
Old TV without Smart Features
Projector
Monitor like a TV
No TV.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi TV Stick is not a replacement for Android TV-boxing NVIDIA Shield or Xiaomi Mi Box S. It has limitations:

⚠️ Attention: The console is not designed for resource-intensive tasks, for example, games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile will slow down even on top models. IP-TV And working with lightweight applications.

Technical characteristics: comparison of models 2022-2026

There are several versions of Xiaomi TV Stick available on the market, differing in price and features, and the following are the current models (2026) with key parameters:

ModelProcessorRAM/ROMMax, permission.Support for HDRVoice assistantPrice (exemplary)
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2023)Cortex-A55 (4 cores, 1.8 GHz)2/8 GB3840×2160 (4K)Dolby Vision, HDR10+Google Assistant~5 000 ₽
Xiaomi TV Stick (2022)Cortex-A35 (4 cores, 1.5 GHz)1/8 GB1920×1080 (Full HD)HDR10Google Assistant~3 500 ₽
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (2021)Cortex-A53 (4 cores, 1.2 GHz)1/4 GB1920×1080No.No.~2 500 ₽ (b)

Critical difference 4K-Models – support for Dolby Vision and video decoding in the format AV1, What's the best thing about streaming from YouTube or Netflix? 4K, Buy a model without Ultra support HD It is meaningless – the picture will automatically drop to Full. HD.

Pay attention to the amount of memory:

  • 📱 8 GB of ROM is enough to install 10-15 applications (Netflix, YouTube, Kodi, IP-TV).
  • 🚫 4GB ROM (Old Models) Will Fill Quickly, Especially When Cacheting Video.

💡

If you plan to use the console for IP-TV, choose a model with 2 GB of RAM - this will reduce the number of brakes when switching channels.

Xiaomi TV Stick is better (or worse) than the competition

The main alternatives on the market are Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Android TV consoles from other brands (such as Realme or TCL).

  • ⚡ Speed of operation: Xiaomi loses Fire TV Stick 4K Max (it has a processor 30% more powerful), but bypasses the Chromecast, which does not have its own interface at all.
  • 🎬 Support for formats: Xiaomi only TV Stick 4K fire TV Stick 4K Supports Dolby Vision and AV1.
  • 💰 Price: Xiaomi is cheaper than Fire TV Stick by 1,000-1,500 ₽ similarly.
  • 🛠️ Flexibility: On Android TV (Like Xiaomi, you can install it. APK-Files are manual, whereas Fire OS (Amazon is severely restricted.

The main disadvantage of Xiaomi TV Stick is the lack of official support for some services.

  • 📺 Apple TV+ Disney+ They only work through the web version (no native applications).
  • 🎮 Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming may slow down due to a weak processor.

💡

If you want a console exclusively for Netflix, YouTube and IP-TV, Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is the best choice for price/quality ratio. For gamers or fans of the Apple ecosystem, it is better to consider alternatives.

Step-by-step: how to connect and configure Xiaomi TV Stick

The connection takes no more than 5 minutes. You will need to:

  • 📺 Free port TV HDMI (preferably HDMI 2.0 4K).
  • 🔌 power supply: USB-port on TV or network adapter (includes).
  • 📶 Wi-Fi router with support for 5 GHz (for stable) 4K-streaming).

Step 1: Connect to the TV

  1. Put the console in. HDMI-port.
  2. Connect the power cable (USB → Micro-USB or USB-C depending on the model).
  3. Turn on the TV and select the signal source (HDMI1/HDMI2).

Step 2: Initial setting

☑️ What to do at the first turn on

Done: 0 / 5

Once connected to the Internet, the system will suggest updating. Don't miss this step - fresh firmware fixes bugs and adds support for new codecs.

Step 3: Installation of applications

Open Google Play and install the necessary programs:

  • 🎥 Netflix, YouTube, Kinopoisk – for movies.
  • 📡 Peers TV, Livestream TV — for IP-television.
  • 🎵 Spotify, Yandex Music - for music.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, 1XBet TV pirated IP-TV Players may not be checked by Google Play. They can be installed via Google Play APK-files, but this violates the warranty and increases the risk of viruses.

Typical Problems and How to Solve Them

Even a device that's so simple has a problem, and here's the most common way to fix it.

  • 🔄 The console does not turn on: Check the power connection (USB-The TV port may not be producing enough current - use a network adapter. Reboot the TV and the console (pull out) HDMI-cable).
  • 📶 Wi-Fi is constantly lost: Switch to 5GHz (less congested). Turn off power saving in Wi-Fi settings (Settings) → Network → Sleep regimen → Never).
  • 🐢 The video's slowing down 4K: In the app settings (e.g. Netflix), select Auto over Maximum Quality. Close background apps (Settings) → Annexes → Clear the memory).

If the console began to "glutch" after the update, try resetting to the factory:

  1. Go to Settings → Device → Reset.
  2. Choose to erase all data.
  3. After restarting, perform the setup again.

What to do if the console is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo?
This can mean damage to the firmware. Try: 1. Turn off power for 1 minute, then turn on again. 2. If it does not help, flash the device manually through the USB Burning Tool (instructions are available on the 4PDA forums). 3. In extreme cases, contact the service center (the warranty is valid for 12 months).

Hidden Features: How to Make the Most of Xiaomi TV Stick

Many users use the console only for YouTube and Netflix, but it has hidden features:

  • 🎮 Game mode: Connect the gamepad via Bluetooth (for example, Xiaomi Game Controller). Install emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP) play-off PS1/PSP. Run cloud games via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Xbox Game Pass subscription required).
  • 🖥️ Desktop: Install Mouse Toggle for TV From Google Play, this will give you a virtual mouse to surf easily. Connect your Bluetooth keyboard to work with documents (via Google Docs).
  • 🔍 Advanced Settings: Activate Developer Mode (Settings) → About the device → Build number - press 7 times. This will open access to debugging by ADB. Change. DNS 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) to speed up content loading.

For customization enthusiasts, alternative launchers (such as ATV Launcher or Wolf Launcher) can be installed on Xiaomi TV Stick to change the look of the home screen, modified firmware (such as LineageOS for TV) is also available, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader and voids the warranty.

💡

If you are missing memory, plug the flash drive through OTG-adapter (Micro-USB/USB-C → USB-A) Configure it as an internal storage in Settings → Memory.

Should you buy a Xiaomi TV Stick in 2026?

The answer depends on your tasks:

It's good for you if...It is better to choose something else if...
You have an old TV without a Smart TV. You need a low-cost 4K streaming solution. You use the Google ecosystem.You already have a Smart TV with modern firmware, you need a console for games or resource-intensive tasks, you prefer an Apple TV or a Fire TV (because of exclusive services).

Alternatives in 2026:

  • 🔥 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is faster, but more expensive with a closed ecosystem.
  • 📱 Google Chromecast with Google TV — similar characteristics, but without the console in the basic configuration.
  • 💻 Mini-PC (e.g. Beelink) SER5) — if you need a full-fledged Windows/Linux TV-wise.

If you are choosing between Xiaomi models:

  • 💰 Budget up to 3,000 ₽: Take Xiaomi. TV Stick (2022) – Enough for Full HD.
  • 🎬 Needed. 4K HDR: Only Xiaomi. TV Stick 4K (2023).
  • 🚫 Don't Take: Outdated 2021 models (little memory, no) HDR).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I connect Xiaomi TV Stick to a monitor?
Yeah, if the monitor has one. HDMI-port and speakers (or headphone access). Control requires a remote or Bluetooth-connected mouse/keyboard. Note: some monitors do not support sound through the audio HDMI — In this case, a separate acoustic system will be required.
How to update your firmware manually if the automatic update doesn’t work?
Download the latest firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (section) TV Stick. Move the file. update.zip on the flash drive, connect it to the console through OTG-Adapter and run the update via Settings → About the device → Updating the system → Local update. Where to get firmware for the old model?On informal resources (for example, 4PDA) there are builds for outdated devices, but their installation can lead to the locking of the console.
Does Xiaomi TV Stick work without the internet?
Yes, but with limitations: You can view videos/photos from a connected flash drive or an external hard drive, local media players (like VLC or Kodi) are running, streaming services (Netflix, YouTube) and updates are not available.
Can you use the console as a media server (for example, to transfer video from your phone)?summary> Yes, in several ways: through Google Cast (built into Android smartphones); through applications like LocalCast or BubbleUPnP. Through Kodi with a UPnP plugin (for advanced users). To transfer files without the Internet, connect your phone and console to one Wi-Fi network (create an access point on your smartphone).
How to reset your Wi-Fi password if you forget?
Network passwords are stored in settings, but if you don't remember them: Connect the set-top box to the TV and go to Settings → Network. Select your network and press Forget. Connect again by entering a new password. If the password from the router is lost, reset it to factory settings (Reset button on the back of the router).