Xiaomi’s Android TVs offer thousands of apps through the Google Play Store, but many Russian services — including the Yandex ecosystem — are not officially available, while Yandex.Browser, Yandex.Luncher for TV, or the weather widget can significantly improve the user experience, from easy navigation to quick access to Russian streaming platforms.
In this article you will find 3 proven ways to install Yandex services on Mi TV 4/4A/4S/5/6 series, Redmi Smart TV and other models on Android TV 9-12.
- 📥 Installation through APK — For those who are not afraid of manual file downloads;
- 🔧 Customization through ADB — if the standard methods do not work;
- 🌐 Alternative solutions – when Yandex refuses to start.
All instructions are adapted to the current versions of Xiaomi firmware (2023-2026) and take into account the limitations of Google Play Protect, which often blocks third-party APKs on TV.
1.Preparation of Xiaomi TV for installation
Before installing Yandex applications, you must allow installation from unknown sources and make sure that the TV supports the desired functions. APK-files won't start.
Follow the following steps:
- Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Special Access.
- Select the Installation of Unknown Applications.
- In the list, find the Browser (or File Manager if you use it) and allow installation.
For models of Mi TV 6 series (Android TV 12), the path may be different:
Settings → System → About TV → Build number (click 7 times to activate developer mode)
Settings → System → For developers → Installation via USB (enable)⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 3.0+ (Released after 2022, you may need to disable Google Play Protect in your Google account settings, otherwise it will remove Yandex.Browser as “potentially malicious” software.
2. Method 1: Installation of Yandex.Browser via APK
The easiest method is to download APK-Yandex.Browser file for Android TV It's suitable for most Xiaomi models, except those that block access to the file system.
Follow the instructions:
- Download. APK: 🌍 From the official website: browser.yandex.ru/tv (Choose the version for Android TV); 📎 Or from a reliable source. APK (For example, APKCombo – look for a version. 23.7.0+).
- Transfer the file to TV: 📁 File Manager (if connected) USB-accumulator); 📤 Through Send Files to TV (phone-based); ☁️ Through the cloud (download) APK in Yandex.Disk and open the link to TV).
Set the APK:
- Open File Manager → find the downloaded file (for example, YandexBrowserTV.apk);
- Click on it and confirm the installation.
If the browser does not appear in the application menu after installation, restart the TV (Settings → System → Reboot).
The file was downloaded from an official source
Installation from unknown sources is allowed
APK corresponds to TV architecture (arm64 or x86)
Internet connection (for first synchronization)-->
Method 2: Installation via ADB (for power users)
If the standard APK installation doesn’t work (for example, due to firmware limitations), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a technique that requires a PC and a bit of technical skill, but guarantees installation even on closed Xiaomi models.
You'll need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux;
- 🔌 Cable USB (or Wi-Fi connection);
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools;
- 📄 APK-Yandex.Browser file (see Method 1).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB debugging on TV: Settings → About TV → Assembly number (click 7 times) Settings → System → Developers → USB debugging (enable)
- Connect TV to PC: Connect TV and computer with cable USB-A → USB-A (for Mi TV 6 may be required OTG-Adapter. You'll see a request for debugging permission on TV, confirm.
Install ADB:
- Download the platform-tools and unpack;
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Check the connection command: Adb devices should show the serial number of your TV.
- Install APK: adb install C:\path\to\file\YandexBrowserTV.apk If the file is in the same folder as ADB, use: adb install YandexBrowserTV.apk
4.2.Use of the TV-version of Yandex through Mirroring
If nothing helps, you can duplicate the screen of the smartphone on the TV and use the mobile version of Yandex.Browser:
- 📱 On the phone: open Settings → Connected devices → Screen broadcasting;
- 📺 On TV: Turn on Miracast (Settings) → Connections → Wireless display);
- 🔄 Connect devices and start Yandex.Browser on your phone.
The disadvantage of the method is the image delay (up to 0.5-1 sec) and dependence on the phone.
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If Yandex.Browser crashes after installation, try to disable hardware acceleration in the browser settings (Settings) → System system → Use it. GPU-rendering → turn off).
5. Yandex.Browser setup after installation
After successful installation, it is recommended that:
- Make the browser standard: Settings → Applications → Browser by default → Yandex.Browser
- Set up synchronization: Open browser → Profile → Sign in; Enter Yandex account details to synchronize bookmarks and history.
Optimize for TV:
- Turn on the TV mode (Settings → Interface);
- Set the font size to 120-150 percent for ease of reading from the sofa.
On Xiaomi TVs with 4K resolution (Mi TV 5/6 series), Yandex.Browser can display the interface in low resolution - this can only be corrected through the ADB-command, by forcibly setting the DPI to 213:
adb shell wm density 2136. Installation of other Yandex services (Weather, Music, Launcher)
In addition to the browser, other Yandex applications can be installed on Xiaomi TV:
| Service | Method of installation | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Yandex.Weather. | APK from the official website | Requires geolocation (include in Settings → Privacy) |
| Yandex.Music | APK with APKPure (TV version) | Works only with a premium account (the free version blocks playback) |
| Yandex.Luncher | Only through ADB (see Method 2) | Can conflict with standard Xiaomi launcher (backup recommended) |
| Yandex. Station. | Not supported on Android TV | Alternative – Alice via the Yandex column (connects via Bluetooth) |
⚠️ Note: Yandex.Luncher can reset the screen settings (resolution, scale) to the default values. Before installing, write down the current settings in Settings → Screen and sound.
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Yandex.Weather and Yandex.Music work on Xiaomi TV more stable than the browser, as they do not require high performance and are less likely to be blocked by Google Play Protect.
7. Solving problems after installation
If Yandex.Browser or other services:
- 🚫 Do not start: Check if Google Play Protect has removed them → Google → Security → Play Protect → Disable scanning; Reinstall APK cache-cleaning (Settings) → Annexes → Yandex.Browser → Clear the data).
- 🔄 Depart: Disable Hardware Acceleration in your browser settings; Update your TV firmware to the latest version (see Settings) → System system → Update of the PO).
- 📶 Do not load pages: Check the settings DNS: Replace with 77.88.8.8 (Yandex.DNS) In Settings → Network → Additional; Turn off VPN (if you use).
For models, the Mi TV 4A (with an Amlogic processor) can help reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset), but use this method last.