Owners of modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi often face a pleasant but limiting situation: the Android TV operating system provides access to thousands of applications, but not all of them are optimized for remote control. Yandex Browser is one of the most popular tools for surfing in the runet, but it is not always possible to find it in the official Google Play Store on the TV, this is due to the fact that the mobile version of the application does not have an interface adapted for large screens and button navigation.
However, the possibility of full use of the Internet on the big screen still exists. TV You can manually use the method of sideloading (downloading third-party) APK-This process requires a little more action than a standard installation, but the result is worth it: you get access to your favorite sites, online cinemas without ads and specific content right on the couch.
In this article, we will discuss all the stages of preparation and installation, and also pay special attention to management issues, because this is the main nuance of using browsers on TVs. You will learn what tools you will need, how to prepare the file system of the TV and how to circumvent the limitations of the operating system to run the necessary programs.
Why the browser is not in the official store and what is Android TV
The Android TV operating system that is installed on Xiaomi TVs is significantly different from the Android operating system we are used to on smartphones and tablets. The main interface of Google TV is sharpened for the consumption of content: video, music and games. Apps that enter the official store on the TV are strictly checked for navigation support using the remote control (D-pad navigation).
Yandex Browser, like many other popular browsers, was originally designed for touch screens on mobile devices, and its code does not contain commands to move the cursor with the hands of the remote, making it impossible to install through an official channel.
⚠️ Warning: Installing applications from unknown sources may carry security risks. APK-files only from trusted resources, such as the official developer site or authoritative repositories like APKMirror.
However, the Android architecture allows users to bypass these limitations. APK-Files are standard practice for advanced smart users TV. This gives you freedom of choice of software, but requires the owner of the Xiaomi TV a certain care when choosing a version of the program.
Preparing Xiaomi TV for Third Party Apps
Before you start downloading installation files, you need to prepare the Xiaomi Mi TV itself. By default, the Android TV security system prohibits installing programs outside the Google Play Store. We need to change a few settings to allow this process. This is standard procedure for any sideloading on the Android platform.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to the settings menu, select the About Device section. Find the Build bar and click on it 7 times in a row. The system will tell you that you have become a developer. Then a new Settings for developers will appear in the settings menu.
☑️ Xiaomi Preparation TV
Inside the menu for developers find the option Debugging by USB (USB Debugging) and turn it on. Also find a clause that allows installation from unknown sources (often it is in the Security and Restrictions section or is called automatically when the installer first starts). Without these flags, the Xiaomi TV will simply refuse to start the installer. APK-file.
Once the permissions are enabled, the system can alert you to potential risks. Confirm action. Now your Smart TV is ready to receive external software packages. It is recommended to also check for free space in internal memory, as browsers can take up a significant amount after cache accumulation.
Methods of transferring the installation file to the TV
There are several proven delivery methods APK-The choice of method depends on what devices are at hand and how convenient you are to work with the file system. TV. Consider the most effective options that guarantee successful data transfer.
The first and easiest way to use USB-You need to download the storage device. APK-file on a computer or smartphone, throw it on a flash drive, and then insert the flash drive into USB-The file manager of Xiaomi usually automatically detects external media, which is good because it does not require network configuration and works even without the Internet on the TV itself (although you will still need the Internet to work for the browser).
The second option is to use cloud storage. If you have a cloud-enabled file manager on your TV (e.g., X-Plore or File Commander), you can download it. APK-You can download a file on Google Drive or Yandex.Disk and then download it directly to your TV, which eliminates the need to run with flash drives, but requires a stable connection to the Internet.
What format? USB-flash drive?
The third way is to use specialized transfer applications, such as Send Files to TV, which, by installing it on both the phone (from which you will be transmitting) and the TV, you can send files over a local Wi-Fi network in seconds, one of the most convenient methods for those who often install software on their devices.
Step-by-step: Installation through file manager
Consider the most universal algorithm of actions that is suitable for most users of Xiaomi Mi TV. We will use the installation method with USB-drive, as it is least dependent on network settings and the variability of interfaces of different versions of Android TV.
First, download the current version. APK-Yandex Browser file (preferably version) TV Or Lite if the normal one doesn't work properly on your computer. Copy the file onto a flash drive. USB-The system must be able to give an audible signal or notify you of the connection of a new device.
Open any file manager available on your TV. If it's not built-in, you'll also have to install it via Google Play (like File Commander). Find your flash drive (usually denoted as USB or by manufacturer name) in the disk list. Go to the folder where the installation file was saved.
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Use voice search on the Xiaomi remote. Press the microphone button and say "File Commander" or the name of the desired application - this is faster than looking for an icon in the menu grid.
Click on APK-File. The system will issue a security alert. Click Settings in the window that appears and allow installation from that source. Go back and click Install. Wait until the process is complete and click Open or Ready. Now the browser icon will appear in the general application list.
The problem of management and ways of solving it
The most critical problem you'll encounter after installation is the lack of a cursor. Because Yandex Browser isn't sharpened to the remote, clicking the Up-down-Left-Right buttons may not work or run randomly. You just can't click on the address bar or the Search button. There are special utilities to solve this problem.
You need to install a mouse emulator app on your TV, and the leader in this niche is Mouse Toggle, which creates a virtual cursor that is controlled by a combination of remote buttons (usually OK or Menu buttons), which turns Xiaomi's remote into a computer mouse, allowing you to freely navigate the web.
| Annex | Type of management | Difficulty setting up | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse Toggle | Imitation of cursor | Medium | Requires ADB permissions for full functionality |
| TV Bro | Adapted interface | Low. | Alternative browser with remote support |
| Smart Remote | Phone from phone. | Low. | Control of the cursor through the smartphone screen |
If you're tinkering with cursor tweaking, you can use your smartphone as a touchpad. Apps like Google's Android TV Remote Control or its proprietary MI Remote app let you put your phone's touchpad on the screen. You drive your finger across your smartphone screen, and the cursor repeats the movements on your TV, which is often more convenient than poking the remote buttons.
⚠️ Note: Some versions of Mouse Toggle may require a computer connection via ADB If you're not ready for complex manipulations, try to find modified versions of browsers with already built-in remote support.
Alternatives: Other browsers for Xiaomi TV
If Yandex Browser is too uncomfortable to use with the remote, it makes sense to look at alternatives designed specifically for large screens: They have an interface sharpened for navigation with buttons, and often work faster on TV hardware.
One of the best alternatives is the TV Bro browser. It's an open-source project that's completely free, ad-free, and perfectly remote-controlled, and it supports tabs, bookmarks, and even has a built-in ad blocker, which is critical for watching videos on TV.
Another option is Puffin TV Browser, which is known for its cloud-based speed, but the free version has time limits. However, it's perfect for quick information retrieval or email checkups. Also worth mentioning is Firefox TV, which combines a powerful engine and user-friendly interface.
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There is no perfect browser: for complex surfing, it is better to use the bundle "Mobile browser + Screen broadcast", and for simple tasks TV Bro is suitable.
Importantly, many users simply stream a tab from their phone to their TV via Chromecast or Mi Cast, in which case the browser runs on a powerful smartphone processor, and the TV acts as a monitor, eliminating all the performance and management issues.