Modern Xiaomi TVs running on the Android TV operating system or its modification PatchWall, are full-fledged multimedia centers, but their functionality is by default sharpened for the consumption of content from pre-installed applications. However, many users face the need to access the Internet directly from the big screen to watch videos from an unpopular resource, check email or open a news site. Standard firmware Xiaomi Mi TV often does not have a built-in full-fledged browser, which creates certain difficulties for beginners.
This requires an understanding of the Smart Architecture. TV Unlike smartphones, managing web surfing with a remote control may not always be convenient, so it is important to choose the right software. APK-files before choosing the optimal web browser for cursor navigation.
Features of web surfing on Android TV
The main feature of Xiaomi platform TVs is the orientation of the interface to horizontal control. Standard mobile versions of browsers such as Chrome or Samsung Internet, when installed directly, may not display correctly or require the connection of the mouse and keyboard. Android TV requires that the applications support navigation using the D-pad remote, otherwise the focus will simply not move through the elements of the page.
The Google Play Store on TVs contains a strictly filtered list of apps that are compatible with large screens, which means that popular desktop browsers may not be there. TV", or to install files through USB-Hardware stuffing on the TV also plays a role: the processors in TV are often less powerful than in smartphones, so heavy sites with an abundance of scripts can open slowly.
Why isn't Chrome on the TV?
Choosing the Right Browser for Smart TV
Before you start installing, you need to decide on the software. There are several solutions on the market that are ideal for working in conjunction with the Mi Remote remote, the leader in this niche is the TV Bro application, which is designed specifically for navigation without touchscreen, it has a built-in ad blocker and supports voice control if your remote is equipped with a microphone.
Another popular option is Puffin TV Browser, which is unique in that page rendering takes place on the developer's cloud servers, which significantly reduces the workload on the TV's processor. This is especially true for models with a small amount of RAM. However, it is worth considering that the free version may have limitations in terms of time use or functionality.
- 🌐 TV Bro – completely free, open source, there is support for downloads and ad blocker.
- ☁️ Puffin TV — High speed of page loading due to cloud technologies, but paid subscription for full access.
- 📺 Firefox TV — good synchronization with the mobile version, but may require a mouse connection for comfortable operation.
- 🚀 TVWeb – simple interface, support for Flash content (in some versions) and video player with codecs.
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For most users of Xiaomi TVs, TV Bro will be the best choice due to its complete free and excellent adaptation to the remote.
Installation of the browser through the Google Play Store
The easiest and safest way to access the internet is to use the official app store. To do this, make sure your Xiaomi TV is connected to a Wi-Fi network or an Ethernet cable. Go to the main menu and find the Google Play Store icon or Apps depending on the version of the PatchWall shell.
In the search bar, type the name of the browser you select, such as "TV Bro." If the app is compatible with your model, it will appear in the results. Press the Install button and wait for the download to complete. Once you install the button, it will change to "Open" and the shortcut will appear in the list of your applications.
⚠️ Note: If the search does not give results, it means that the app developer has banned installation on your particular TV model or Android version. USB-accumulator (APK-file).
☑️ Pre-installing check
☑️ Pre-installing check
Hand-mounted APK-files (SideLoad)
If you don't have the right browser in the store, you'll need to use SideLoad, which is the process of installing applications from external sources. First, you need to download the installation file (the.apk extension) to your computer or smartphone. It's recommended that you use proven resources like APKPure or 4PDA to avoid malware infecting your system.
Copy the file to USB-flash drive and insert it into USB-You'll need a file manager on your TV, and if you don't have one installed, you can download, for example, File Commander or Send Files to. TV Open the file manager, find yours. APK-file and click on it.
The system will issue a security alert. You will need to allow installation from unknown sources. Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown Sources and activate the switch for your file manager. Once confirmed, the installation will be automatically installed.
The path to security setting:
Settings (cogs) → Device → Security → Unknown sources → Allow⚠️ Attention: Never download APK-Modified versions may contain miners who use your TV’s resources invisibly, causing it to overheat and slow down.
Control and navigation settings
Once you start your browser, you'll encounter navigational features, unlike a smartphone, there's no touch screen, you can navigate the page using the direction buttons on the remote, and some browsers, like Puffin, have a virtual trackpad that emulates mouse movement.
It's very inconvenient to type text into the address bar, and most of the browsers that we have today for TV offer a solution: it appears on the screen. QR-The code or address you want to enter on your smartphone, and then your phone becomes the keyboard for your TV, and that makes surfing much faster.
| Function | Remote button (standard) | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Scrolling the page | Up/down | Colesico (if any) |
| Reference-by-reference | Left/Right/OK | Mouse cursor |
| Update the page | Long press OK. | Browser menu |
| Exit/Back | Back button. | Esc on the keyboard |
If you often use a browser, it makes sense to connect to the TV a regular computer USB-Xiaomi TVs perfectly recognize peripherals, and control becomes as familiar as on a PC. USB-The whistle works without additional settings.
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For comfortable text input, connect a wireless keyboard or use a remote app on your smartphone (such as Mi Remote or Google Home) with keyboard function.
Broadcasting content from the phone (Cast)
Sometimes it is not practical to install a separate browser on your TV, especially if you only need to open a website for a short time, in which case the best solution is the Google Cast (or Miracast) feature, you open the site on your smartphone (where you already have a convenient browser with passwords and history) and broadcast the tab to the big screen.
To do this, make sure that your Xiaomi phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. In Chrome on Android, click three dots in the corner and select Translate... (Cast.) Select your TV from the list. The image of the tab or the entire screen of the phone will appear on TV.
This method has its advantages: all heavy processing of the page takes place on a powerful processor of the phone, and the TV acts only as a monitor. However, it is worth considering that the phone screen will be active, and the battery can discharge faster, and there is a slight delay in the image when scrolling.
⚠️ Attention: When broadcasting the screen, the image quality may depend on the speed of the Wi-Fi router. If the picture slows down, try bringing the router closer to the TV or using a cable connection. LAN.
Why isn't the broadcast working?
Solving Frequent Problems and Errors
Users may encounter various technical difficulties during operation, and one of the common problems is a lack of RAM when opening heavy sites. If the browser crashes or freezes, try closing other working applications in the background through the menu of running tasks.
Another problem is the lack of sound on video sites. Check the audio settings in the TV itself by switching the output to HDMI or system speakers. Also make sure that the browser settings do not turn off media content playback. In some cases, cleaning the app cache through the Settings → Apps menu helps.
If the site is displayed as a blank screen or writes a certificate error, check the date and time on your TV. An incorrect system date leads to conflicts when establishing a secure HTTPS connection. Synchronize time across the network in your system settings.