Modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi are not just devices for viewing cable channels, but full-fledged multimedia centers running on the Android TV operating system. This feature opens up huge opportunities for the owner, the main of which is the installation of third-party software, including gaming applications. Many users mistakenly believe that the functionality is limited only to the pre-installed Google Play store, but the architecture of the system allows you to significantly expand the horizons of entertainment.
TV owners often wonder how to turn their device into an entry-level gaming console.The process of installing games can range from simple catalog searches to manual installations through a video game. USB-Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to make the most of the computing power of your TV. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, that will help you run any game.
Before you start, you need to make sure that your TV is connected to the Internet, as this is a basic requirement for most download methods, it is also worth checking whether there is free space in the internal memory of the device, since modern games can take up a significant amount of disk space. If the storage is crowded, the system may not work stable or will not install new applications at all.
Google Play Store on Android TV
The easiest and safest way to access games is to use the built-in app store. Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TVs pre-installed Google Play, optimized for large screens and remote control, and have thousands of apps that have been tested for compatibility with the TV form factor and various types of remote controls.
To get started, you need to log in to your Google account. If you've already watched YouTube on TV, you're probably already logged in. Otherwise, go to your system settings and add an account. Then open the Google Play Store app on the home screen. In the search bar, type in the name of the game you're interested in or select the category "Games" for your browsing directory.
It is important to understand that not all mobile games are available in the TV version of the store. Developers must specifically tailor the interface to control buttons, not the touchscreen. However, if the game supports gamepads, it is usually marked with the appropriate icon.
- 🎮 Open the app menu and find the Play Market icon.
- 🔍 Use voice search or virtual keyboard to enter the game name.
- ⬇️ Click the “Install” button and wait for the download to complete.
- 🕹️ Run the game through the icon that appears or in the section "My applications».
⚠️ Note: Some games may require a physical gamepad to navigate the menu fully.Make sure your Bluetooth controller is paired with your TV before running such apps.
If you can't find a specific game in search, it means that the developer has restricted its distribution to mobile devices or tablets, and then alternative installation methods come to the rescue, which we'll discuss later, and you shouldn't try to get around the store's limitations for system applications, this can lead to errors.
Installing games through APK-file USB-storage
When the desired application is not in the official store, the method of manual installation of files with the extension.apk comes to the rescue. This method requires preliminary preparation: you will need a computer with Internet access and a computer with a computer with a computer. USB-The method is to download the game installation file from a reliable source and transfer it to the TV.
First, find a proven resource on the network with APK-files, such as APKPure or 4PDA. When searching, pay attention to the Android mark. TV or TV Version, as normal mobile versions may not be controlled by the remote. Download the file to your computer and copy it to the root or a convenient folder on the computer. USB-storage.
Put the flash drive in. USB-The system must notify you of the connection of the external device. To install you will need a file manager. If it is not built into the system, install any popular option from the Play Market, such as File Commander or File Commander. FX File Explorer. Open the file, find your own. USB-drive and start the downloaded APK-file.
Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown Sources → Allow for File CommanderWhen you first try to install the Android TV security system will block the process and suggest you go to the settings, you will need to find the item "Unknown sources" and give permission to the file manager you are using, then re-start the file and confirm the installation.
☑️ Pre-installing check APK
It’s worth noting that your TV’s CPU architecture should match the architecture for which the game is built.Most modern Xiaomi TVs run on Amlogic or MediaTek chips with ARM64 architecture. If you try to install the game for x86 or ARMv7 on an incompatible device, the installation will either be interrupted or the application will fly out at launch.
Use of cloud gaming services
Owners of TVs with less powerful hardware need not despair, and modern streaming technologies allow you to run heavy games using the computing power of remote servers, all that is required is a stable high-speed Internet connection and subscription to the corresponding service.
The most popular solution is NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming, which allows you to play AAA-level projects without buying a console or a powerful PC. The image is transmitted to the TV as a video stream, and your commands from the gamepad are sent to the server. Picture quality can reach 4K at 60 frames per second.
Internet speed is critical to cloud services, and wired connectivity is recommended. LAN-port, as Wi-Fi can cause unstable latency (ping), which will make the game uncomfortable. HD and 50 Mbps for 4K.
| Service | Required speed | 4K support | We need a gamepad. |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce NOW | 25-50 Mbps | Yes (Premium) | Yes. |
| Xbox Cloud | 20 Mbps | Yes. | Yes. |
| PlayStation Plus | 15 Mbps | Yes. | Yes. |
| Amazon Luna | 25 Mbps | Yes. | Yes. |
Installation of such services on Xiaomi TV is standard through Google Play. Find the service application, log in to your account and make sure that your gamepad is connected. Some services may not have a native TV app, then you will need to use the screen broadcast mode from your smartphone or browser.
Emulation of retro consoles on Xiaomi TV
Xiaomi TVs are great for retro gaming. With emulators, you can turn your Smart TV into a console that supports games with Dendy (NES), Sega, PlayStation 1 and even PSP. This requires installing an emulator and downloading game files (ROMs).
The process of setting up is this: first you install an emulator application, like RetroArch or Lemuroid, which is versatile and supports many gaming systems, and then you download the bios (if required) and the game files themselves in.iso,.rom or.zip format.
Game files are most convenient to store on USB-You can use a flash drive or an external hard drive, because it can take up a lot of space. Connect the drive to the TV, open the emulator and point the way to the folder with the games.
- 📀 RetroArch – a powerful combine for emulating dozens of systems.
- 🎮 Lemuroid is a simple and beautiful emulator with auto-search games.
- 🕹️ DuckStation is the best choice for PlayStation 1 emulation.
- 📼 PPSSPP — Allows you to play games from a portable console PSP.
It's important to set up the controls correctly. From the emulator menu, go to the input settings and assign buttons to your Bluetooth gamepad. By default, emulators often offer presets for popular Xbox or DualShock controllers. If you don't have a gamepad, you can use the remote app on your smartphone, but it's less convenient.
⚠️ Note: Emulator use is legal, but downloading commercial games (ROMs) that you do not own in their original form may infringe copyright.
Setting up a game controller for the TV
For comfortable play on the big screen, the built-in remote control is not always suitable. Most games require analog sticks and a set of buttons. Xiaomi TVs support connecting gamepads via Bluetooth or USB-port.
To pair a Bluetooth gamepad, go to Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Add Accessory. Put your controller in pairing mode (usually by pressing the Xbox or Share button before the indicator flashes quickly). When the TV detects the device, select it from the list to connect.
If you use a wired gamepad, just plug it into free. USB-port. Android system. TV It usually automatically recognizes XInput controllers (like Xbox controllers) and HID. In rare cases, it may be necessary to install drivers or use them. OTG-hub if ports are lacking.
Once connected, check the buttons. Go to any application or use a dedicated gamepad testing utility, such as Gamepad Tester. Make sure the analog sticks work smoothly and all buttons are pressed correctly. If the buttons are confused in a particular game, check the management settings inside the application itself.
Solution: Games are not installed or launched
When installing games on Android TV, users may encounter a variety of errors. One of the most common problems is the message “App not installed”, which is often due to a lack of memory or conflict of versions, clear the Play Market cache in the application settings or delete old versions of the program before installing a new one.
Another common problem is the black screen when you start or crash to the main menu, which is a sure sign that the game is not adapted to control the remote and requires input that the TV cannot provide. TV-version.
Also, pay attention to the date and time in the system. If they are downed, security certificates can block the operation of stores and online services. Set automatic time synchronization over the network in the date and time settings.
If the TV starts to slow down while playing, close the background apps. Go to Settings → Applications and force unnecessary processes to stop. Freeing RAM often returns the system to smooth operation.