Owners of modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi often face a restriction of embedded content that is either paid or unavailable in the region. The desire to access a vast library of movies and TV shows without monthly subscriptions is quite natural for any user. Fortunately, the Android TV operating system on which these devices run allows you to install third-party software.
There are many legal and free methods to turn your TV into a multimedia center, and we'll look at proven methods that don't require complex programming or expensive consoles, and we'll focus on setting up a library and working with network resources.
It's important to understand that you need a stable Internet connection to browse comfortably, and in some cases, standard methods may be limited to the provider, so we'll touch on the topic of bypassing locks. DNS-Servers often solve the problem of unavailability of content without the need to install VPN direct-to-television.
Use of built-in browser and web services
The easiest way to start browsing is to use the built-in Chrome browser or TV Bro, if it's already installed on the system. Many online cinemas have responsive web versions that are correctly displayed on large screens. You don't have to search and download. APK-Files that risk the security of the device.
But remote control in the browser can be inconvenient, such as connecting a wireless mouse or using a remote app on your smartphone to solve this problem. Some sites offer a Smart TV mode optimized for button navigation.
Why are web versions better than apps?
It's worth noting that the quality of your browser streaming depends on the power of your TV's processor, and older models can slow down when you play high-resolution codecs.
- 🌐 Open your browser and enter the address of a popular online cinema.
- 🖱️ Connect. USB-Mouse for easy navigation on the site.
- 📺 Use Full Screen Mode to Hide the Browser Interface.
Installation of third-party applications through APK-file
The most popular way to expand functionality is to manually install apps. Because the Google Play store contains a lot of paid software, users often turn to trusted repositories. You will need a file with the.apk extension that can be downloaded to a flash drive or directly to the TV.
Before installation, you need to allow the system to install programs from unknown sources, which is standard Android procedure, and you need to confirm it, and without this step, the security system will block the installer from starting.
☑️ Pre-installing check APK
Once installed, applications often require additional configuration, such as some players need to be activated through code received from the developer's website, and be careful when entering data so that you do not accidentally activate a paid subscription.
It is important to update installed applications regularly, as older versions may stop working due to server-side changes. Automatic updates often don’t work in such cases, and you have to download the new version manually.
Configure DNS to access content
Often, the problem of accessing free resources is the blocking of the ISP, changing the DNS settings allows you to redirect requests through servers that do not use traffic filtering, which is a legal and effective way to circumvent restrictions.
To change your settings, go to the menu of your TV network. You will need to select the current connection (Wi-Fi or cable) and change the settings. IP Automatic to manual. DNS You will need to write the addresses of special servers.
| Service | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdGuard | 94.140.14.14 | 94.140.15.15 | No advertising. |
| Google Public | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | Standard |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Speed. |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 | Security |
Once you enter the data, you need to save the settings and restart the router or the TV itself. The effect is almost instantaneous. If one server is not working, try the alternative from the list above.
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If YouTube stopped working after the change of DNS, return the settings to Automatic - some services block work through public DNS.
Broadcasting images from the phone (Cast)
If you don't want to mess with your TV settings, you can use your smartphone as a signal source, and Chromecast technology is built into most Android devices and allows you to stream a screen or a specific video to the big screen.
To do this, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. In the application on the phone (for example, YouTube or browser), you need to click on the broadcast icon and select your Xiaomi TV. The image will appear on the TV, and the phone can be controlled by volume or pause.
The advantage of this method is that the phone takes over decoding video, unloading the TV's processor, which is especially true for older models that don't pull heavy video formats.
But remember, when you broadcast, your phone's screen needs to be on, which consumes your battery, and the quality of the connection depends on the power of your Wi-Fi router.
Home Media Library Organization (DLNA/NAS)
For those who prefer to store film collections locally, the ideal solution is to organize a media server, so you can download movies to a computer or an external hard drive connected to a router and stream them to a TV.
On Windows, you just need to turn on Media Streaming, and on your TV, your PC will appear in the list of devices in a standard player or through the VLC app, which ensures maximum image quality without compression.
⚠️ Note: When playing heavy files (4K, HDR) There may be delays over Wi-Fi. For stable operation, it is recommended to use a cable connection. LAN or USB-gigabit hub.
This completely eliminates the dependence on Internet speed and the availability of content in online services, you form your own library.
Elimination and optimization
Users may encounter a variety of errors during the setup process, often with a lack of RAM or an outdated version of an application, and regular cache cleaning helps speed up the system.
If the video is slowing down, try to lower the quality of playback in the player settings or close the background applications, and make sure that the date and time on the TV are set correctly - this affects the performance of security certificates.
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The stability of free services depends on the speed of your Internet channel and the relevance of application versions.
In difficult cases, you may need to completely reset your TV settings, before you do so, be sure to save lists of installed apps so you don’t have to look for them again.