How to open a browser on a Xiaomi TV: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi TVs on Android TV or Google TV offer ample opportunities for surfing the Internet, but not all users know how to properly launch a browser on a large screen. Unlike smartphones, where the browser icon is always at hand, on TV set-top boxes and Smart TV interface is organized differently - here the browser can be hidden in the depths of the menu, absent from the standard build or require additional configuration.

In this article, we will explore all the current ways to open a browser on Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi TV and other models of the brand – from standard solutions to alternative methods for devices without a preinstalled browser. You will learn how to find a built-in browser, install a third-party (for example, Chrome or Firefox), and solve typical problems with the operation of web pages on a large screen.

1.Where to look for a built-in browser on Xiaomi TV

Most modern Xiaomi TVs (starting with the 2019 Android TV 9.0+ models) have a pre-installed browser – usually a modified version of Google Chrome or a proprietary Mi Browser solution.

• 📺 Google TV (Mi TV 2022–2026: Browser Hidden in the Apps → All applications → Browser (can be called Internet or Web Browser").
• 📺 Android TV (Mi TV 2018–2021: Look for the Globe icon in the main menu or in the Tools folder.
• 📺 PatchWall (Models for India): the browser is integrated into the Discovery section (magnifying glass icon).

If the browser icon is not on the home screen, try:

1. Press the Apps (or Apps) button on the remote and scroll down the list.
2. Use search: Press the microphone on the remote and say "Open browser".
3. Check the folder Other applications or Systems.

Important! On some budget models (such as the 2020 Redmi Smart TV X43), the browser may be missing due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case you will need to install third-party software - read about this in the next section.

2. How to install a browser if it is not in the system

If the built-in browser is missing or not satisfied with functionality, you can install an alternative browser. TV accessible:

• 🌐 Google Chrome – optimized for TV, supports voice search.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – Works better with heavy sites (e.g. social media).
• 🔍 TV Bro – a specialized browser for Android TV adaptive.
• 📱 Kiwi Browser – supports Chrome extensions (e.g. AdBlock).

Installation instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your TV (the icon with the multi-colored triangle).
2. In the search bar, enter the browser name (e.g. Chrome).
3. Select the official application from the developer and click Install.
4. After installation, launch the browser from the Application section.

Update the TV firmware to the latest version

Connect the TV to the Internet (Wi-Fi or cable)

Free up at least 200 MB of memory in the "Storage" section

Check the compatibility of your browser with your TV model-->

If the Google Play Store is not on your TV (relevant to older Mi TV 3 or Mi Box models), use an alternative method:

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK-Third-party files may disrupt your TV. Use only verified files from apkmirror.com or apkpure.com.

1. Download. APK browser (e.g. Chrome for Android) TV) on USB-accumulator.
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager.
3. Launch it. APK-file and confirm installation (permission to install from unknown sources may be required in Settings) → Security).

3. Configure the browser for convenient use on TV

The browser interface on the TV is different from the mobile or desktop version — there is no touchscreen, and the control is done from the remote. To surf comfortably, follow the basic settings:

Tips for remote control:

• 🎮 Use arrows to navigate, OK — link-select.
• 🔍 For a quick search, click the Microphone button and make a request.
• 🔙 The Back button works as a “back” button in the browser.
• 📋 To open a virtual keyboard, click on the search bar.

💡

If the sites are not displayed correctly, try to enable the "Desktop" mode in the browser settings. To do this, open the menu (button). ⋮ on the remote) and select View Mode → Desktop.

To speed up the loading of pages:

1. Clear the browser cache in Settings → Privacy → Clear the data.
2. Turn off autoplay video in Settings → Sites → Media.
3. Use Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for a stable connection.

4. Solving browser problems on Xiaomi TV

Even after successful browser installation, users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If after updating the firmware browser disappeared from the menu, reset the application settings: go to Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Resetting the application settings, which will bring back all standard programs, including the browser.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic processor S905 (models until 2020, some browsers (e.g. Firefox) may not work as well due to a lack of RAM. TV Bro.

If the browser constantly gives an error "Page is not responding", check:

• 🔌 Internet connection stability (ping should be) < 100 ms).
• 🛡️ Firewall settings on the router (possibly blocked ports) 80/443).
• 📅 Date and time on the TV (incorrect settings may violate the SSL-linkage).

5. Alternative ways to surf the Internet on Xiaomi TV

If your browser on your TV is not working well, consider alternative internet access options:

• 📱 Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct: Duplicate the screen of the smartphone on TV through Settings → Connections → Wireless display.
• 🖥️ HDMI-cable: connect your laptop or PC to your TV and use your browser on a large screen.
• 🎮 Game consoles: PS5 Xbox Series X has built-in browsers (launched via the console menu).
• 📺 Android consoles TV: NVIDIA Shield or Mi Box S offer full-fledged Chrome with mouse support.

How to set up screen duplication from a smartphone:

1. On TV: Settings → Connections → Wireless display → Enable.
2. On a Xiaomi smartphone: open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Screen Transfer.
3. Select your TV from the list of available devices.

For advanced users, there is another way – using ADB-commands to force the browser to run. For example, to open Chrome, connect to the TV on the TV. ADB and do it:

adb shell am start -n com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

6. Browser optimization for watching videos and streams

One of the main reasons for using a browser on TV is to watch videos, from YouTube to online cinemas, but not all sites work properly on the big screen.

• 🎬 For YouTube: install the SmartTubeNext app (blocks ads and adds features).
• 📺 For IPTV: use players VLC or MX Player with support for playlists M3U.
• 🔊 For music: sites like SoundCloud are better open in Desktop mode".

Setting up SmartTubeNext:

1. Download APK from the official website smarttubenext.github.io.
2. Install the application through the File Manager.
3. Open YouTube and it will automatically redirect you to SmartTubeNext.
4. In the application settings, turn off the advertisement and turn on the background playback.

💡

To view high-resolution (4K HDR) video, use official cinema apps (like Kinopoisk or Okko) instead of a browser – they are optimized for TV and support hardware decoding.

If the video in the browser slows down:

• 📉 Reduce the quality to 720p player-setting.
• 🔌 Connect the TV to the router via Ethernet cable.
• 🛑 Close the background applications in Settings → Annexes → Launched.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the browser on Xiaomi TV