Owners of modern Xiaomi TVs often face limited functionality of the built-in system when trying to fully surf the web. Standard firmware MIUI TV or Google TV installed on the device, initially does not contain a full-fledged web browser, since the Android TV interfaces are sharpened to control the remote, not the mouse. This creates certain difficulties when you urgently need to open a news site, check email or start streaming video from a web resource that does not support the native application.
Fortunately, the Android operating system that underpins Xiaomi Mi TVs TV, It allows you to install third-party software products. You can turn your screen into a full-fledged Internet monitor using proven download methods. APK-In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways, from the simplest to the most advanced, that will help you access the world wide web.
Before you start, it’s worth noting that controlling your browser from a regular remote can be uncomfortable.For a comfortable experience, it’s highly recommended to connect a wireless mouse or keyboard via a wireless keyboard. USB-This will dramatically change the experience of interacting with web interfaces and avoid errors when navigating sites that are not adapted for large screens.
Compatibility check and system preparation
The first step before installing any software is to diagnose the current state of your TV. Xiaomi models can run on different versions of Android TV, and the method of installation depends on it, you need to know exactly the version of the operating system and the necessary permissions to install applications from unknown sources.
For this information, go to your device's settings menu. Navigation may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware, but the general path usually looks standard. You need to find a section that contains technical details about the device.
Do the following:
- 📺 Press the Settings button on the remote or select the gear in the corner of the screen.
- 🔍 Go to About Device (About) or Device Settings.
- ℹ️ Find the line Android version or Assembly MIUI And remember the numbers.
Also at this point, it is important to make sure that the TV is connected to a Wi-Fi network or an Ethernet cable. Without an active connection to the Internet, you can not install new applications, except for the flash drive method, but it also requires pre-preparation of files. If the network is unstable, the process can be interrupted, which will lead to an installation error.
Installation through Google Play Store
The safest and easiest way to access a browser is to use the built-in Google Play app store. Although the choice of specialized browsers for TVs is limited there, there are optimized versions that work correctly with the remote control.
In the store search box, type in the browser name. Most commonly available for TVs are options such as Puffin TV Browser or TV Bro. These apps are designed specifically for large screens and have an interface that is convenient for managing remote buttons. The standard Google Chrome in the official version for TVs is often missing.
The installation process is as follows:
- 🚀 Open the Google Play Store app on the home screen.
- ⌨️ Enter a name for the search, for example, TV Bro.
- ✅ Click the Install button and wait for the download to complete.
⚠️ Note: If the search does not produce results for a particular browser, it means that the developer has not certified the app for working on TVs. APK-file.
Once installed, be sure to launch the app and provide the necessary storage access permissions if you need to download files.Some browsers may request microphone access for voice input, which is a useful feature for Smart TVs.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Method of installation of APK via flash drive (File Manager)
If the official store does not have the desired browser, for example, you want to install the full version of Google Chrome or Yandex.Browser, you will have to use the method of manual installation. APK-And you'll need a computer to do that. USB-This is the most versatile way, running on 99% of Xiaomi TVs.
First, you need to download the installation file (APK) to your computer. It is important to download files only from proven resources, such as the official developer site or authoritative repositories like APKMirror. The file should be designed for the ARM architecture or universal, since the Xiaomi TV processors are based on this architecture.
Next, perform the following actions:
- 💾 Copy the downloaded APK-flash-drive.
- 🔌 Put the flash drive in. USB-Port of a working Xiaomi TV.
- 📂 Open the built-in file manager (often called Explorer or File Manager).
- 📥 Find the browser file and click on it to start the installation.
At this point, Android security can block the installation by telling you that installation from unknown sources is prohibited. The system will suggest you go to settings and allow installation for a specific application (for example, for Explorer).
Where to get secure APK files?
Use of Send Files to TV Application
For those who don't want to mess with flash drives, there's a great wireless method of transferring files between Android-based devices.Send Files to app TV (SFTTV) transmit APK-files directly from your phone or tablet to your TV over a local Wi-Fi network. It is fast, convenient and does not require additional cables.
You will need to install the same app on both your TV (via Google Play) and your smartphone. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once the app is running on both devices, they will automatically detect each other.
Algorithm of action:
- Run Send Files to TV on your TV and select Receive mode.
- On your phone, select Send mode and find your TV in the list.
- Choose pre-loaded APK-browser file in the phone memory.
- Confirm the file reception on the TV screen.
Once the transfer is complete, the file is usually saved in the download folder or immediately notices of installation capability. Click on it to start the installation process. USB-TV ports are occupied by other devices or located in a hard-to-reach location.
| Method | Difficulty | I need a PC. | Speed. | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play | Low. | No. | Tall. | Maximum |
| USB flash drive | Medium | Yes. | Medium | Depends on the file. |
| Send Files to TV | Medium | No. | Tall. | Tall. |
| ADB Teams | Tall. | Yes. | Low. | It requires knowledge. |
Advanced Method: Installation through ADB
For users who are not afraid of technical terms, there is a method of installation over the debugging bridge. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is a way to install apps directly from your computer, bypassing the TV interfaces, and it's especially useful if the system is blocking installation. APK via file manager.
First, activate the developer mode on your TV. Go to Settings → About the device and quickly press 7 times on Build Number until you have a message that you have become a developer. Then a new item for developers will appear in the application menu.
Include the following options in this menu:
- 🔓 Debugging by USB (USB Debugging).
- 🌐 Debugging over the network (if available) or find out IP-TV address.
On your computer, install the Android SDK Platform Tools. Open the command line in the tool folder and enter the command to connect:
adb connect 192.168.1.XX:5555Replace. 192.168.1.XX real IP-The address of your TV, which can be found in the network settings. After successfully connecting, use the command to install:
adb install -r name_of_browser.apk⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Be extremely careful with commands. Incorrect actions can lead to unstable operation of the system. Make sure that you install files that are designed specifically for the architecture of your processor (usually arm64-v8a).
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Use the Mouse Toggle app or similar if your remote doesn't have cursor control, which will emulate how you work by moving your cursor with volume buttons on the remote.
Configuring and managing a browser on TV
Once you have successfully installed your browser, you will be faced with the issue of user-friendliness, web pages are designed for mouse and keyboard, not for navigation with the Up/down/Left/Right buttons. TV-browsers may require additional settings for comfortable use.
It is recommended to connect immediately USB-Xiaomi TVs support standard mouse or keyboard. HID-You don't need any extra drivers, so just put it in the port, and the cursor will appear on the screen, and it will make surfing a normal process, just like on a computer.
If you don't have a peripheral, use your smartphone as a remote. Apps like Google Home or Xiaomi's official Android remotes let you use your phone's screen as a touchpad, which is often more convenient than poking buttons on a plastic remote, especially when you type text into the search bar.
You should also set up the start page and clear the cache if the browser is slow. In the browser settings, turn off autoloading heavy images or turn on Turbo mode if this option is available. This will speed up the display of pages on the TV, which may be weaker than a modern smartphone.
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Connecting a physical mouse through USB-Adapter or Bluetooth is the only solution that makes full-fledged web surfing on the TV really convenient and fast.