Installing the Zone app** on Xiaomi Mi TVs (including Mi TV 4A/4S/4X/5/5X/6, Redmi Smart TV and Mi TV Q1/Q2) often raises questions among users. Despite the popularity of the service for watching movies and TV series, there is no official application in the Mi App Store - it has to be installed in circumvention of system limitations. In this article, we will analyze all current installation methods (including methods for TVs without Google Play), and also solve typical errors like “The App is not supported” or “Unknown Source”.
It’s important to consider that Xiaomi uses its own PatchWall Android TV-based shell, which blocks APK installation from third-party sources by default. We’ll show you how to get around this restriction without rooting and risking a device being built. If your TV is released before 2020, some methods may not work — for these cases, we’ll give you alternative solutions.
Before you start, check:
- 📶 Internet connection (preferably via cable for stability).
- 📦 Free space on the TV (minimum 500 MB).
- 🔄 Firmware version (up-to-date can be viewed in Settings) → On TV).
1. Install “Zone” through the built-in App Store (official way)
Although there is no Zone in the Mi App Store, some users are successful in finding it through keyword searches, a method that only works for TVs with firmware in 2023 and later (e.g. Mi TV Q2 2026 or Redmi Smart Fire TV).
Instructions:
- Open the App Store on the main screen.
- In the search bar, enter Zone TV or Zone TV.
- If the application appears in the results, click Install.
- After installation, run the “Zone” through the All Apps menu.
⚠️ Note: If the app is not on, your TV model does not support this method.
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If the “Zone” does not appear in the search, try changing the TV region to Russia in the settings of the Mi Account. To do this, go to Settings → Account and Security → Region.
Installation APK-File via Send Files to TV (without USB)
One of the most convenient ways is to transfer APK-File directly from phone to TV via Send Files to TV (This method is suitable for all Xiaomi Smart models. TV, including older versions.
Step-by-step:
- Download the latest version of APK Zones from the official website zona.tv (section For Android TV).
- Install Send Files to TV from Google Play or the App Store on your phone.
- Open the app on your phone and TV, select the device to transfer.
- On the phone, select the downloaded APK-file and send it to the TV.
- On the TV, confirm the file reception and wait for the transfer to be completed.
- After transfer, open the File Manager on your TV, find the APK and start the installation.
If the installation error "Installation is blocked", it is necessary to allow installation from unknown sources:
- Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown Sources.
- Find the File Manager in the list and enable permission.
Download APK from the official website |Install Send Files to TV|Allow unknown sources |Check free space (500+MB)
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3. Installation through USB-Driver (for TVs without Google Play)
If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support Google Play Services (like the Chinese model or the older Mi TV 3), the only reliable way to install an APK is to use a flash drive.
- 🖥️ USB-storage device (formatted in FAT32).
- 📱 Computer or phone for download APK.
- 🔌 Port port USB 2.0/3.0 TV-wise.
Instructions:
- Download APK Zones for Android TV (important: not the regular mobile version!).
- Copy the file to the flash drive to the root folder (not nested!).
- Connect the flash drive to your TV (use a USB port, not an HDMI!).
- Open the File Manager on your TV, select a flash drive and find the APK.
- Start the installation. If an error occurs, allow installation from unknown sources (see section above).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs are blocking the launch APK If the installation does not start, try renaming the file to zona.apk (spaceless).
| Model TV set | Support USB-installation | Authorization of “Unknown Sources” is required |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A/4S (2018–2020) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi TV 5/5X (2020–2022) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (permission enabled by default) |
| Redmi Smart TV (all models) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi TV Q1/Q2 (2023–2026) | ⚠️ Partially (requires debugging by USB) | ✅ Yes. |
4. Installation via bootloader (for TVs with a browser)
If your Xiaomi TV has a built-in browser (like Mi Browser or Google Chrome), you can download and install APK directly through the bootloader app.This method works on most models, except the oldest ones.
How to determine:
- Open the App Store on your TV and find the bootloader app (AFTVnews developer).
- Run bootloader and enter the APK Zone URL in the address bar: https://zona.tv/download/androidtv
- After downloading, open the file and start the installation.
- If an error occurs, allow installation from unknown sources for bootloader in the security settings.
🔹 The advantage of the method is that it doesn't require a flash drive or a phone, but the download speed depends on the speed of the Internet on the TV.
What to do if bootloader is not installed?
5. Installation via ADB (for power users)
If none of the above methods worked, you can install the Zone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for all Xiaomi Smart TV models, but requires command line skills.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB.
- 🔌 USB-cable (to connect the TV to the PC).
- 📄 APK-Area file (downloaded in advance).
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your TV: Go to Settings → About TV. Find the Build Number string and click on it 7 times in a row. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer Settings and turn on USB Debugging.
Connect the TV to your computer via USB.
adb devices
adb install to file/zona.apkSuccess
⚠️ Note: Do not turn off the TV from the USB during installation through ADB — If the adb device command doesn't show the device, check the drivers or try another one. USB-cable.
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ADB is the most versatile method, but it requires care. If you've never used the command line, you better choose another method.
6. Solve errors when installing Zones on Xiaomi TV
Even after a successful APK installation, users often encounter startup errors, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.
Error: “The app is not supported”
Reason: A mobile version of APK is installed instead of an Android TV version.
Decision:
- Remove the current version of the Zone.
- Download APK specifically for Android TV from the official website (the file should be called zona-tv.apk or similar).
- Repeat the installation.
Error: “No Internet connection” (on launch)
The reason: The Zone requires access to the network, but some domains are blocked on the TV.
Decision:
- Check your internet connection (preferably via cable).
- If you use Wi-Fi, reconnect to the network.
- In the router settings, turn off Filtration MAC-Addresses and Parental Control.
Error: “The device is not certified”
The reason: The TV doesn’t have Google Play services or they’re outdated.
Decision:
- Install Google Play Services and Google Play Store via ADB (see Section 5).
- Or use an alternative launcher, such as the ATV Launcher (installed via APK).
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If the Zone is constantly flying out, try turning off the energy-saving mode in the settings of the TV: Settings → Power → Standby mode → Turn off.
7. Alternative ways to watch Zones on Xiaomi TV
If you can not install the application, you can use alternative methods:
- 🖥️ Phone streaming: Set the Zone on your smartphone. Connect your phone to your TV via Miracast or Google Cast. Run the screen stream in your phone settings.
- 🌐 Web version via browser: Open Mi Browser on your TV. Go to zona.tv. Log in and watch content directly in your browser (quality may be lower than in the application).
- 📺 Android console TV: Connect a set-top box to your TV (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Box S). Install the Zone via Google Play on the set-top box.
✅ The best option is to use the console, as it provides stable operation and regular updates to the application.