Owners of modern Smart TVs often face limited functionality of embedded software, which does not always allow you to fully surf the Internet. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, with the Android TV operating system, provides ample opportunities for expanding the functionality, but requires the right configuration. Installing a third-party browser opens access to online cinemas without DLNA support, news portals and web services that are not available in standard firmware.
The installation process may seem complicated only at first glance, since the interface of the TV is different from the usual smartphone. USB-a storage device or smartphone for transferring installation files. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including using the built-in Google Play store and manual installation APK-File Manager via File Manager.
Before you start manipulating the system, it is worth noting that Android TV has its own navigation features. Control of the browser using the remote may not always be convenient, so experienced users often connect a wireless mouse or keyboard, which makes it much easier to enter text into the address bar and navigate complex web pages.
Preparing the TV for the installation of applications
The first step is to check the current operating system status and configure access rights. By default, Xiaomi Mi TV 4S blocks the installation of programs from unknown sources for security purposes. To circumvent this limitation, you need to activate the developer mode or simply allow installation from external sources in the corresponding menu.
Make sure your TV is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or LAN-Connection speeds directly affect the loading speed of heavy installation packages. Also check for free space in the internal memory of the device, as modern browsers can take up a significant amount of disk space.
⚠️ Note: Download installation files only from verified resources. Install modified APK-files from questionable sources can lead to infection of the system with viruses or unstable TV.
For easy navigation, it is recommended to prepare in advance USB-flash drive formatted in the file system FAT32. You can load it on it. APK-file of the selected browser from the computer, if installation through the application store is impossible or limited to the region.
☑️ Preparation Xiaomi Mi TV 4S
Choosing the Right Browser for Android TV
Not all mobile browsers are adapted for remote control. Standard versions of Chrome or Safari may not display the cursor correctly or require touch control, which makes their use on Smart TV extremely inconvenient, so the choice of software should be based on the availability of support for D-Pad navigation.
One of the most popular solutions is Puffin TV Browser, which is specifically optimized for large screens and remote control. It has built-in Flash content support (in some versions) and efficient traffic compression. Another great option is TV Bro, a completely free, open-source browser built specifically for TVs.
- 🌐 Puffin TV — paid, but fast browser with excellent remote optimization.
- 🆓 TV Bro - free analogue with support for tabs and downloads.
- 🚀 Firefox Focus is a lightweight browser for private browsing without history.
- 📺 ATV Browser is a minimalist surfing tool on Android TV.
If you plan to use your browser to view videos from sites, look for codec support and the ability to output audio via HDMI or optical output. Some lightweight browsers may not support hardware video acceleration, which will lead to jerks when playing content in high resolution.
Why not use regular Chrome?
Method 1: Installation via Google Play Store
The easiest and safest way to install a browser on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S — Use the built-in app store. This method doesn't require a connection. USB-However, the availability of specific browsers may depend on the region specified in your Google account.
To start, go to the main menu of the TV and find the Google Play Store icon. In the search bar, type in the browser name, such as "Puffin" or "TV Bro." If the app is compatible with your TV model, it will appear in the search results.
Press the Install button and wait until the download is complete. The system automatically requests the necessary permissions, which will need to be confirmed, and after installation, the application shortcut will appear in the general list of programs or in the Application folder.
| browser | Price. | Remote support | Weight of the application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffin TV | Paid/Subscription | Complete. | ~45MB |
| TV Bro | Free of charge. | Complete. | ~12MB |
| Firefox Focus | Free of charge. | Partial | ~8MB |
| ATV Browser | Free of charge. | Complete. | ~5MB |
If the search does not yield results, it is possible that your Google account is tied to a region where the application is not available, in which case changing the region in the account settings or using an alternative method of installing through the app will help. APK-file.
Method 2: Installation through USB-accumulator (APK)
If you don't have the right browser on Google Play, you can use the manual installation method. USB-First, download the flash drive. APK-browser file (e.g. from APKPure or 4PDA) on your computer, making sure you choose the Android version TV universal.
Copy the downloaded file onto a flash drive and paste it into USB-TV port Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. If you don't automatically start up, go to My Applications and find a file manager or application there to work with. USB.
Find your files in the list. APK-The TV will issue a security alert, you will need to tick the Unknown sources, allowing installation for the exact application you are running the file through (for example, a file manager).
Path to resolution: Settings → Security and restrictions → Unknown sources → Settings →Once you have agreed, you will start the installation process, and when you have done it, you will see the Open or Ready button, and you can now use your browser directly from your desktop, and this method is universal, and allows you to install any version of the software, even those that have been removed from the official store.
⚠️ Attention: When installed through USB Be sure to turn off the flash drive after the procedure is completed. The permanently connected drive can heat up and create background load on the system.
Management setting and text input
The main difficulty of using browsers on TV is typing. The virtual keyboard that appears on the screen takes up a lot of space and is managed slowly. To solve this problem, Xiaomi has provided several convenient ways.
The most effective method is to use the Google Home app or Android TV Remote Control on your smartphone. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. In the app, select your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S and use the typing function. Anything you type on your phone keyboard will instantly appear in the browser address bar on your TV.
Alternatively, connect a wireless computer mouse and keyboard via USB-It turns the TV into a full-fledged computer, allowing you to quickly switch between tabs and zoom in the pages. For Bluetooth, go to the Settings menu. → Remote and accessories → Add an accessory.
- 📱 Use your smartphone as a keyboard through the Google Home app.
- 🖱️ Connect. USB-mouse.
- 🎤 Use voice input in the browser search bar if supported.
Some browsers, such as Puffin, have their own smartphone remote app that emulates a touchpad, which can be more convenient than standard management, as it allows you to swipe and multi-touch gestures necessary to work with modern websites.
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For quick access to frequently visited sites, add them to your browser bookmarks immediately after installation, which will save time on re-entering the address through an inconvenient TV keyboard.
Solutions and optimization of work
During operation, users may find that the browser is slow or video is not played. Often this is due to a lack of RAM or an outdated version of the firmware. Close unused tabs and clear the browser cache through the system settings: Settings → Apps → [Your browser] → Clear the cache.
If the pages are loading for a long time, try changing them. DNS-server settings in the TV network settings to faster ones, such as Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).This often speeds up the system response and solves problems with access to some resources.
Also, heavy web pages with multiple scripts can overload the TV's processor, and in such cases, enabling Turbo or Traffic Saving mode in the browser settings, if such a feature is available, helps, transferring some of the load of content processing to the developer's servers.
What to do if the browser crashes immediately after launch?
Can I install Yandex.Browser on Xiaomi TV?
How to update a browser installed via USB?
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The optimal bundle for Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is the TV Bro browser and control via a smartphone, which provides maximum speed and comfort without unnecessary costs.
By following these guidelines, you can turn your TV into a powerful multimedia center with access to all the content of the world wide web. The right setup and choice of the right software will make using a Smart TV really smart and convenient.