How to download and install Google Chrome on your Xiaomi TV

Owners of modern Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TVs running on Android TV often face a limited set of pre-installed software. The standard Google Play Store on TV platforms has strict moderation, which makes full versions of popular mobile browsers such as Google Chrome often absent from the search results, which creates inconvenience when you urgently need to open a web page, check email or launch an online service not tied to the Smart TV interface.

However, the absence of an app in the official directory does not mean that it cannot be installed. - Android Architecture TV allows for the installation of third-party APK-The process of installing the Chrome browser requires several specific actions, other than the usual download of games or movies. You will need to prepare a file manager, the source of the distribution, and possibly change your system security settings.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all available installation methods, from the use of specialized downloaders to manual installation through the USB-We will also focus on important control nuances, since the desktop or mobile version of the browser is not always optimized for navigation using the remote control. TV does not cancel the warranty, as it does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.

Why Chrome is not in the official app store

The main reason you can’t find Google Chrome through standard search on Xiaomi TVs is because of Google’s operating system segmentation policy. The Android version installed on TVs (Android TV or Google TV) is fundamentally different from the version installed on smartphones and tablets. Google specifically restricts the availability of apps that don’t have a TV interface to avoid spoiling the user experience.

Chrome is designed primarily for touch control or mouse and keyboard use. Its interface is not adapted to the navigation buttons of the D-Pad remote. As a result, Google Play Store algorithms label the application as “incompatible with your device” and hide it from the output, a security mechanism that prevents the installation of software that the user will not be able to properly manage.

However, it's functionally functional, and it uses the same rendering engines and supports synchronization with a Google account, and to get around the restriction, we'll need to use sideload, which is a forced installation method. APK-file from an external source. This is standard procedure for advanced Android users.

⚠️ Note: By installing applications from unknown sources, you take responsibility for data security. APK-files such as APKMirror or the official developer website.

Also, it is worth considering that some Google services may incorrectly display content sharpened to the horizontal or vertical position of the smartphone screen on a wide TV display. Scaling may occur incorrectly, requiring additional resolution settings or using mouse mode.

Preparing Xiaomi TV for APK installation

Before you start downloading and installing your browser, you need to prepare the software environment of your Xiaomi Mi TV. By default, the system blocks the installation of applications from sources other than Google Play Store. This is a basic level of security Android, which will have to be temporarily disabled for a particular installer.

The first step is to activate the developer mode or, in the newer versions of the PatchWall shells, allow the installation of unknown applications. The interface may vary depending on the year of the TV release and the firmware version, but the logic of the actions remains the same. You need to find the appropriate switch in the system settings.

Follow the following steps to prepare the system:

• 📺 Go to the main menu and select Settings (the gear icon in the upper right corner).
• 🔒 Find the Security and Restrictions or Privacy section.
• 📂 Select Unknown Sources (Unknown Sources).
• ✅ Activate the switch for the application to be used for installation (e.g. Send Files to) TV file manager).

It is also highly recommended to check for free space in internal memory. Browsers cache a large amount of data, and crowded memory can (lead) to unstable operation of the entire Xiaomi TV system. If memory is scarce, delete unused applications or clear the cache through the memory management menu.

Method 1: Installation via Send Files to TV

The most convenient way to install Chrome without using a computer and USB-Flash drives are wireless file transfer technology, and this is done using the popular Send Files to app. TV (SFTTV), transmitter APK-Files between devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

You need to install the intermediary app first, and since SFTTV is available in the official Google Play store for Android TV, you won't have any trouble finding it, find it through a search on your TV, install it, and run it, and you'll need to use a similar app (or web version) on your smartphone or PC to send the file.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📥 Download. APK-Google Chrome file (version for Android) ARM or ARM64) on your smartphone.
• 📡 Launch Send Files to TV on the TV and select Receive mode (Get).
• 📲 On your smartphone, launch the app, select Send mode, and find your TV in the list of available devices.
• 📂 Pass the file and wait until the download is complete.

After a successful transfer, the file is usually automatically prompted to install. If no automatic installation has occurred, open the Send Files to TV app on your TV, go to the Files section, find the downloaded APK and click on it. The system will request confirmation of installation — agree.

Method 2: Installation with USB-storage

If the wireless transmission is unstable or the file is large, the classic method is to use the USB-This is especially true if you don’t have a second Android device on hand or prefer a wired connection to ensure data integrity.

You'll need it. USB-storage device formatted in the file system FAT32 or NTFS. Most Xiaomi TVs can read both formats without any problems, but FAT32 It's the most universal. Download the Chrome installation file. APK on the computer and copy it to the root of the flash drive or in an understandable folder.

Installation process:

1. Put it in. USB-port-drive USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 on the back or side panel of the TV.
2. The system can notify you of the connection of a new device – select the option to view files or run the built-in media player / file manager.
3. If the built-in Explorer doesn’t open the APK, you’ll need to install a third-party file manager, such as File Commander or FX File Explorer, available on the Play Store.
4. Find the chrome.apk file and start the installation.

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Use it. USB-powered hub if your flash drive requires a lot of power or if you plug in an external hard drive.The standard TV port may not be enough for stable operation.

Once installed, the system will prompt you to open the application or delete the installation file. The installation file can be deleted, it is no longer needed, but the Chrome application itself will remain in the system.

Problems with navigation and management in the browser

The biggest challenge you'll face after installation is management. Google Chrome doesn't have native TV remote support. Standard Up, Down, Left, Right buttons may not work in the address bar or on site pages. The cursor may just jump between elements or not appear at all.

There are several approaches to this problem, and the most effective is Air Mouse, which many modern Xiaomi remotes (especially the Bluetooth version with voice search) support, and it is usually activated by simultaneously pressing the home and back buttons or a special combination specified in the instructions.

Alternative management options:

• 🖱️ Connect a regular computer USB-You can use a mouse or a Bluetooth mouse to the TV, and that'll make it a desktop experience.
• 📱 Use your smartphone as a remote. Apps like Google Home or special keyboards for Android TV can broadcast text input and mouse movements.
• 🎮 Install an assistant app like Mouse Toggle that emulates a mouse cursor using standard remote buttons (although on newer versions of Android). TV It's not working smoothly).

⚠️ Note: Not all websites are displayed correctly on the TV. Some interface elements may be too small.Use the page zoom feature in Chrome (usually available via the settings menu or keyboard combination if the keyboard is connected).

It’s also worth noting that video playback on sites may require codecs that are in the mobile version of Android, but are not in the TV build. If the video doesn’t run, try installing an additional codec or using another browser, such as Puffin TV Browser, which is sharpened to control the remote.

Alternative browsers for Android TV

If Google Chrome has been too uncomfortable to use because of management problems, it makes sense to consider specialized browsers created specifically for the Android TV platform. They have an interface adapted for navigation from a distance of 2-3 meters, and large controls.

One of the best alternatives is Puffin TV Browser. It's notable for rendering pages on cloud servers, which greatly speeds up the loading of heavy sites on the TV. It also has a built-in trackpad emulation, which eliminates the need to plug in a mouse.

Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi TV:

Another decent option is TV Bro. It is an open source browser that is completely free, ad-free and perfectly manages the remote.It supports bookmarks, history and has a built-in video player, making it a great replacement for standard surfing solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Installing Google Chrome on Xiaomi TV perhaps APK-files, but for comfortable use will be required USB-mouse or remote control with a gyroscope, as standard navigation in the application is not adapted for the TV.