How to install a browser on Xiaomi Mi TV Stick: official and alternative methods

Why Xiaomi Mi TV Stick doesn’t have a default browser and what to do about it

When buying a compact Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (or its modifications like the Mi Box S), many users face an unexpected problem: the device does not contain a pre-installed browser. Unlike smartphones where Google Chrome or Mi Browser are available out of the box, the firmware of Android TV on Xiaomi TV sets often lacks even a basic web browser.

The absence of a browser creates inconvenience if you need to:

• 🌐 Access a website that is not available through an application (for example, online banking or corporate portals)
• 📺 View streams from web versions of services (such as Twitch or Trovo)
• 🔍 Test smart home web interfaces (such as Home Assistant control panels)
• 🎮 Use web versions of games (like GeForce) NOW browser-wise)

Fortunately, you can install your browser on Mi TV Stick in a number of ways, from official to bypass, and in this article we will discuss all the current methods, their pros and cons, as well as typical errors that occur during installation.

Method 1: Install your browser through the Google Play Store (official method)

The easiest and safest way to download a browser is to download it directly from the Play Market. However, there is a caveat: not all browsers are optimized for Android TV. For example, the standard Google Chrome in the store may not appear on the Mi TV Stick due to device restrictions.

To get around this, follow the instructions:

1. Open the Play Market on the console (icon) ▶️ Play Store on the menu).
2. In the search bar, enter the browser name: 🔍 TV Bro – a specialized browser for Android TV remote-operated 🔍 Firefox for Fire TV — Mozilla version adapted for TV devices 🔍 Puffin TV Browser – a cloud browser with high performance

Install

Connect Mi TV Stick to the Internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter)

Update the firmware to the latest version

Clear the Play Market cache in settings (Settings → Apps → Play Store → Clear the cache)

Check the vacant space (minimum 200MB required)-->

If the browser is not located, try:

1. Use the web version of Play Market on your computer: Go to play.google.com/store. Log in to the same Google account as on Mi TV Stick. Find a browser and click Install by selecting your console from the device list.
2. Move it. APK prefix: 📁 Through a flash drive (formatted into FAT32) 🌐 Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) 📶 Through Send Files to TV (file-transfer application)

Install APK.

1. Open File Manager on Mi TV Stick.

If the browser does not start after installation:

• 🔄 Reboot the console (Settings) → The device → Reboot).
• 📦 Check compatibility. APK with the Android version (Settings) → About the device → Android version).
• 🛠️ Remove the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Browser name] → Clear the cache).

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If the browser doesn’t appear on the menu after installing the APK, try running it through Settings → Apps → All apps. Sometimes apps need the first manual opening to appear on the home screen.

Method 3: Install the browser via ADB (for power users)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You want to install a browser that doesn’t support Android TV.
• 📥 You do not have access to the Play Market or file manager.
• 🔄 Automation of installation (for example, for several devices).

This will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for Mi) TV Stick 4K) adapter OTG.
• 📦 Android Platform Tools utility.

Instructions:

1. Put the debugging on. USB on Mi TV Stick: Go to Settings → About the device. Press 7 times on the Build Number to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings. → For developers and include: 🔧 Debugging by USB 🔧 Installation through ADB
2. Connect the console to the PC: Use OTG-cable or connect via Wi-Fi ADB (Adb connect [IP-address]).
3. Install the browser through ADB: adb install path/to/browser.apk Example: Google Chrome: Adb install com.android.chrome_123.0.6312.57.apk

⚠️ Attention: After connecting to ADB Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast or Kaspersky) may block the connection. Add adb.exe to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.

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ADB-The method allows you to determine any APK, Incorrect commands (e.g., adb shell pm uninstall) can remove system applications and disable the console.

How to control a browser without a mouse on Xiaomi Mi TV Stick

The main problem with using browsers on Mi TV Stick is the inconvenient control from the remote. Most websites are not optimized for navigation using D-pad.

• 🖱️ Connect Bluetooth Mouse: Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. Turn on mouse pairing. Select the device from the list.

Any mouse with Bluetooth 4.0+ support will be suitable, including the Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Mouse or the Logitech MX Anywhere.

Use your smartphone as a touchpad

• 📱 Annex TV Remote (from Xiaomi) – emulates the remote and touchpad.
• 📱 Unified Remote – Supports gestures and keyboard.
• 🎮 Activate Mouse Mode in your browser: Some browsers (for example, TV Bro) have a built-in Cursor Mode that converts the cross-controller into a cursor.