Owners of Xiaomi smart TVs running Android TV often face the desire to expand the functionality of their device beyond standard applications. One of the most popular browsers in the world is Google Chrome, but it is absent from the official Google Play Store on TVs. This limitation is due to the fact that the desktop or mobile version of the browser is not adapted to control from the remote and the large screen interface.
However, there is a proven way to solve this problem, which allows you to install a full version of the browser through a method known as sideload. This process requires a series of steps to prepare the device, download the installation file and install it correctly. It is important to understand that managing web pages using a conventional remote can be difficult, so you often need to connect the periphery.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all stages of installation, from enabling hidden developer settings to configuring convenient management. APK-How to transfer it to your TV and what alternatives exist if a standard browser seems inconvenient for browsing the Internet.
Preparing Xiaomi TV for Third Party Apps
Before you start loading your browser directly, you need to change several security settings in the Android TV system. By default, the operating system blocks the installation of programs from sources other than the official Google Play Store. This is a security mechanism that prevents the accidental installation of malware, but for our purposes it must be bypassed.
You'll need to go to the main menu of the TV and find the settings section. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI for TV firmware or pure Android TV, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item responsible for device security or application settings.
- 🔍 Go to the Settings menu (cog in the upper right corner).
- 📺 Select the Device and Applications or Applications section.
- 🛡️ Find the item Security and Restrictions.
- ✅ Activate the Unknown Sources (Unknown Sources) switch).
⚠️ Note: Enabling the Unknown Source mode allows installation of any APK-Be extremely careful and only download installation packages from trusted resources such as APKMirror or the official developer website, so as not to infect the system with viruses.
Once activated, the system can issue a warning of potential risks. Confirm your actions by agreeing to the terms. Now your Xiaomi TV is ready to receive installation files from external sources. Without this step, any attempt to start the installer will be blocked by the system.
Selecting the right browser version and downloading APK
The critical step is to choose the correct version of the installation file. Since TVs use a processor architecture other than smartphones or PCs, you will need a browser version compatible with ARM or ARM64 architecture. Trying to install the version for x86 (computers) will lead to a launch error.
There are two main ways to get a file: download directly to the TV via the built-in browser or download to a computer/smartphone and then transfer it. The first option is often inconvenient due to the lack of a keyboard and the difficulties of navigation in a standard TV browser.
It is recommended to use a proven repository APKMirror. In the search box of the site type "Google Chrome." Note that you need a version marked Android TV or a regular mobile version adapted for large screens. Often users choose modifications such as TV Bro or Puffin TV, which are originally sharpened to control the remote, but if the goal is Chrome, look for a stable build.
When choosing a file, pay attention to the release date — the more recent the version, the better it will work with modern web standards. However, too new "beta" versions can contain errors. The best choice is the latest stable build (Stable). Download the file with the.apk extension to your intermediary device.
Transmission and installation methods APK-TV-file
There are several effective ways to deliver a downloaded file to a Xiaomi TV. USB-And the drive, or the desire to use wireless technologies, each has its own advantages and implementation features.
The easiest and most reliable way is to use USB-You need to copy the downloaded drive. APK-file on the storage device formatted in the file system FAT32 or NTFS. Put the flash drive in. USB-The system will automatically detect the new device and a notification will appear on the screen. If this does not happen, use a file manager, such as File Commander or X-plore, which can be found on Google Play on the TV.
An alternative wireless method involves using the Send Files to TV app, which requires installing the same app on both your TV (from the Play Store) and your smartphone or PC.
- 📲 Run the app on your TV and select Receive mode (Get).
- 📡 On your smartphone, select Send Mode and find your TV in the list.
- 📂 Show the way to the galloping APK-Chrome file and start transferring.
- 📥 After the transfer is complete, the file will appear in the download folder on the TV.
Once the file is in your TV memory, click on it. The installer system window opens. Press Set and wait until the process is complete. At the end, you'll see the Open or Ready button.
☑️ Checklist of browser installation
Set up remote control and peripheral
Running Google Chrome on your TV will quickly run into a navigation problem. Xiaomi's standard remote doesn't have a mouse cursor, and focus management in the desktop version of the browser is poorly implemented. Pages may not scale correctly and link highlighting will be chaotic.
For comfortable work, it is highly recommended to connect external input devices. The ideal solution would be a wireless computer mouse or keyboard with a computer. USB-Just put the receiver in the USB-The port of the TV, and the system automatically recognizes the devices, and the cursor will appear on the screen, which will allow you to fully work in the browser.
If the use of wires or USB-You can use the functions of a smartphone, remote applications such as Google Home (for Chromecast built-in) or specialized Mouse Toggle, allow you to turn the phone screen into a touchpad. This solution requires the installation of additional software on the smartphone and TV, but eliminates the need to buy hardware.
| Type of management | Convenience | Equipment required | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi remote | Low. | No. | Minimum |
| USB Mouse/Keyboard | High. | USB peripherals | Plug & Play |
| Smartphone app | Average. | Smartphone + Wi-Fi | Medium |
| Air mouse (gyroscope remote) | High. | Special remote (USB/BT) | Low. |
It’s also worth noting that in the settings of the Chrome browser itself, you can turn on the “Full version of the site” mode or change the zoom, which will slightly improve the readability of text when using the remote, but a full experience comparable to a PC can not be achieved without a mouse.
Why does Chrome slow down on TV?
Alternative browsers for Android TV
If installing Google Chrome is too complicated or your browser is not satisfactory, you should consider specialized alternatives. There is a class of applications created specifically for Android TV and Google TV platforms, which are devoid of unnecessary interface elements and adapted for navigation with buttons.
One of the best solutions is the TV Bro browser. It's an open-source project that's completely free, doesn't contain ads, supports file uploads, and has a built-in media player and can play videos from sites, which is often the main goal of users.
Another popular option is Puffin TV Browser, which is that the pages are rendered on cloud servers and the TV is transmitted to the finished image, which allows you to open "heavy" sites even on weak TVs, but the free version has a time limit for the session.
- 🚀 TV Bro: The Best Choice for Free and Fast Surfing with Download Support.
- 🌩️ Puffin TV: It is ideal for weak devices, but has limits in the free version.
- 🦊 Firefox TV: Good synchronization with the desktop version and support for addons.
Installing these browsers is similar to Chrome: through a search in Google Play on a TV or by sideload method. APK-Often, they are a much more practical solution for viewing online cinemas or news feeds than trying to adapt mobile Chrome.
💡
Specialized browsers for TV (TV Bro, Puffin) are more stable and more convenient to manage from the remote than ported Google Chrome.
Solving problems and errors at work
Users may encounter a number of technical difficulties in operation, one of the most common problems is the black screen when an application is launched or when it is launched, which often indicates that the Android version or the processor architecture is incompatible with the selected one. APK-file.
Another common error is memory shortages. Xiaomi TVs can aggressively unload background processes. If the browser closes on its own, try clearing the app's cache in the system settings: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Clear cache. Also helps to reboot the TV by completely disconnecting from the network.
⚠️ Warning: If the TV is slow after installing the browser or if you have banner ads on your desktop, immediately remove the newly installed app.
Problems with audio or video when playing content in the browser can be caused by the lack of necessary codecs. Unlike a PC, on Android TV, the codec set is limited, in such cases, it is recommended to use built-in YouTube or Netflix applications, or stream content from your phone via Chromecast, instead of running the video directly in the browser.
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Use Incognito mode in your browser on your TV if you share your device with your family, which will prevent you from storing your search history and passwords in your device’s memory.