Owners of modern Xiaomi TVs often face a limitation: the basic Android TV operating system initially lacks a full-fledged web browser for surfing the Internet. This is done deliberately, because the platform interface is sharpened to control the remote, not the mouse. However, the need to access web pages, online cinemas without official applications or corporate portals does not disappear. Fortunately, the Android architecture allows you to bypass this limitation.
The process of installing third-party software on Xiaomi Mi TV or Mi Box requires several preparatory steps that are not obvious to the average user. You will have to activate hidden developer modes and use third-party file managers. Despite the apparent complexity, the entire procedure takes no more than 10-15 minutes, if you follow the algorithm clearly. In this article, we will break down all the nuances to turn your TV into a powerful multimedia center.
Choosing the Right Browser for Android TV
The first step is to determine which application will be most convenient to control from the remote. Standard mobile browsers such as Google Chrome or Yandex often turn out to be unadapted for large screens, they may not work with the navigation of the remote arrows, and the mouse cursor will be absent, making use impossible without connecting external manipulators.
The best choice for Xiaomi TVs are specialized versions designed with Android TV in mind, among them the Puffin TV Browser and TV Bro. They have an interface that is sharpened for the horizontal location of the screen and control the D-pad remote, these applications automatically scale content and allow you to easily switch between tabs.
You should also look at browsers that support mouse mode. If you plan to visit sites with complex layouts, the ability to emulate the cursor will be a salvation. Some users prefer to install Firefox in the TV version or use Aloha Browser, which also has optimization for large displays.
It is important to understand that not all extensions and plugins will work correctly. Heavy scripts and Flash content (if it is elsewhere) can cause the system to freeze, since the resources of the TV processor are limited compared to the computer.
Preparing Xiaomi TV for APK installation
Before you download the installation files, you need to allow the system to install applications from unknown sources. By default, this feature is disabled for security purposes to prevent malware from entering. You will need access to system settings and a little attention when switching toggles.
First, go to the settings menu of your device. Find the Settings section, then go to About TV or About Device. Here we are interested in the build version. You need to quickly press the OK button (or joystick center) on the remote 7-10 times in a row on the Build field.
⚠️ Warning: After a few clicks, a system notification will appear that you have become a developer.
Once you activate the Developer Mode, go back to the main settings menu and find the new Security and Restrictions section (or Additional Settings -> Security). In this menu, find the Unknown Sources or Installation from Unknown Sources option and switch the slider to the On position.
Also in this section, you often need to allow installation specifically for the application you will run the APK file through. This is usually a file manager or bootloader. Make sure that permission is given for File Commander or a similar application that will be used to unpack the installer.
Installation method through file manager and USB-accumulator
The most reliable and quick way to install a browser on Xiaomi Mi TV — utilization USB-This method is independent of the speed of the Wi-Fi router during installation, and allows you to check the file for viruses on the computer in advance. You'll need a computer with Internet access and the drive itself.
Download first. APK-a file of the selected browser (e.g. Puffin) TV or TV Bro) to your computer. Make sure you download the Android version. TV (There's usually a prefix in the title. TV or ARM). Copy the file to the flash drive to the root directory so it is easy to find.
☑️ Preparation for installation
Put the flash drive in. USB-The system must notify you of the connection of the new device. Open File Explorer app or install File Commander from Google Play Store if it is not in the device's memory.
Find the downloaded file with the.apk extension and click on it. The system will request confirmation to install. Agree and wait until the process is over. Once the Open button is installed successfully, you can start the browser immediately.
This method is especially convenient if the TV is installed Chinese version of the firmware without Google services, as it does not require prior authorization in the account to download files.
Installation via cloud storage or bootloader
If there is no flash drive at hand or USB-You can use the network method, and you can do this by installing a bootloader app on your TV, like bootloader or Send Files to. TV. These ulnae allow you to download files directly from the Internet or transfer them from a smartphone.
So let's look at the bootloader app, and find it in the Google Play Store on your TV, and install it. Run it, and you can type it in the direct line. URL-address APK-You can find links on official developer sites or trusted repositories like APKMirror.
⚠️ Note: Be careful when entering URL-Use only trusted sources to avoid infecting your TV system with malware files that can steal Wi-Fi data from your network.
Once you enter the address, it starts loading. When you complete the bootloader, it automatically prompts you to install the application, which is a good way to do it, because it doesn't require any devices, but depends on the stability of the connection, and if the Wi-Fi signal is weak, the download can be interrupted in the middle.
Alternatively, you can use cloud storage, you can install Google Drive or Dropbox on TV, log in and download the preloaded app. APK-However, embedded file managers of cloud services on TV often do not have an installation function, so you may still need a third-party file manager to run the installation.
Control and interface setting
Once installed, the browser can behave unpredictably when managing a standard Xiaomi remote, many sites are sharpened for touch screens or a mouse. To fix this, most TV browsers have a special control mode in their settings, which must be activated first.
Log in to the settings of your installed browser (usually the gear icon or three dots in the corner). Find the Control or Input section. Here you can select the mouse emulation mode. In this mode, the cross-remote moves the cursor, and the central button clicks. This is a universal solution for all sites.
Some users prefer to connect a wireless mouse or keyboard via USB-Xiaomi TVs are great at peripheral support, making it much easier to type text into search lines and navigate complex web resources.
You also need to set up the font zoom. You can't read small text on the big screen. In your browser settings, zoom the page to 125% or 150% for a comfortable read of news and articles.
Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi TV
To make it easier for you to choose the best solution, we have prepared a comparative table of popular browsers available for installation on the Android TV platform.
| browser | Control of the remote | Support for flash | Speed of operation | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puffin TV | Excellent. | Aye (cloud) | Tall. | Virtual mouse, game modes |
| TV Bro | Good. | No. | Medium | Open code, ad blocker |
| Aloha | Average. | No. | Tall. | Built-in VPN, night mode |
| Firefox TV | Good. | No. | Tall. | Synchronization with PC, privacy |
As you can see from the table, Puffin TV is the leader in functionality, but some of its features can be paid. TV Bro is a great choice for those who appreciate open code and no advertising. It is important to know that Puffin uses cloud servers to render pages, which speeds up loading, but can raise questions about data privacy.
For viewing videos from sites that do not have Android TV apps, browsers with hardware acceleration and codecs are best suited, and in this regard, modern versions of Firefox and Chrome (through third-party builds) show better playback results.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
You may encounter difficulties in installing or using the device, and one of the common problems is the message "App not installed" or "Baget is damaged", which often happens if the architecture of the TV's processor (usually the architecture of the TV's processor). ARM) not consistent with the version APK (for example, x86). Always download versions with a note. ARM or ARM64.
Another common problem is the lack of sound when playing video in the browser. Check the audio settings in the TV itself and make sure that the headphones only mode or similar is not turned on. Also, some codecs may not be supported by the Android TV system player, and then you will need to install an external video player such as VLC and set up opening links through it.
⚠️ Note: If the browser is extremely slow, try clearing its cache in the application settings.Crowded memory on the system partition can cause lags throughout Xiaomi's system.
If your mouse cursor is lost or is running in jerks, try turning off hardware acceleration in your browser settings. Sometimes the TV graphics card drivers conflict with this mode in certain web applications.