How to install a search engine on a Xiaomi TV: 5 working ways

Xiaomi TVs on Android TV or Google TV offer a limited selection of built-in search engines — usually only Google Search by default. But what if you need Yandex, Mail.ru or even DuckDuckGo for comfortable surfing from the big screen? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install alternative search engines, including bypassing the limitations of the system and using third-party solutions.

It is important to understand: the manufacturer does not always block the installation of other search engines intentionally - often these are the limitations of the Android TV operating system itself, optimized for remotes. We have tested the methods on Mi TV 4A/4S/5, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and Xiaomi TV A Pro models, so the instructions will be relevant for most devices of the brand. If your TV runs on PatchWall (branded shell Xiaomi), some steps may differ - we will warn about this separately.

Before you start, check your TV firmware version: go to Settings → On TV. → Current models (2022 and later) support installation APK-files, and the old ones will need a workaround through ADB or Send Files to TV. Don’t worry – we’ll detail each option, even if you’ve never set up a smart appliance before.

1. Installation of the search engine through the built-in browser

The easiest way is to use a pre-installed browser (usually Google Chrome or Mi Browser), a method that does not require administrator rights and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the budget 4A and 4S series.

Open your browser on your TV (find it in the app menu or search the system). In the address bar, type the URL of the desired searcher, for example:

• 🔍 Yandex: https://ya.ru
• 🔍 Mail.ru: https://go.mail.ru
• 🔍 DuckDuckGo: https://duckduckgo.com
• 🔍 Bing: https://www.bing.com

Once you load a page, bookmark it: click on the star icon in the upper right corner of your browser. Now you can access the search engine with one click from the home screen. Less of the method, you have to open the browser each time, rather than using the search bar directly, as on a smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A 32) the browser may by default block bookmarking. In this case, use the method №2 or №3 of this article.

Installation APK-search-app file

If you need a full-fledged application (for example, Yandex.Browser or Yandex with Alice), it can be installed manually via APK.

1. Download APK-file USB-Send it to the TV via Send Files to TV (The app is available on Google Play for smartphones).
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown sources.
3. Run an APK through any file manager (e.g., File Commander or X-Plore).

List of APKs for Xiaomi TVs:

Once installed, the app will appear in the All Apps menu. To pin it to the home screen, press and hold the OK button on the remote, then select Secure.

⚠️ Note: DuckDuckGo and Firefox apps may not work properly with Xiaomi remote – they will need to connect a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard.

Download APK on USB smartphone|Insert "Unknown Sources" in the settings|Install a file manager (if not)|Restart the TV after installation-->

3. Use of third-party launchers (TV Launcher)

If you don't like the standard PatchWall or Google TV interface, you can install an alternative launcher that supports search engine widgets.

• 📺 ATV Launcher – minimalistic launcher with support for widgets.
• 📺 Hal Launcher – Optimized for Large Screens.
• 📺 Leanback Launcher – imitates the Android interface TV, but with extended settings.

The launcher installation is the same as any other APK (see №2) After installation:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Launcher by default.
2. Select the installed launcher.
3. Add the search widget to the main screen (if supported).

For example, in ATV Launcher, you can add a Yandex.Search widget or Google Search directly to the start screen, which is convenient if you often search for movies, music or information without opening your browser.

4. Connection via ADB (for power users)

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support APK installation through a file manager (e.g., on older Mi TV 3 models), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Steps to install through ADB:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your TV: Settings → About TV → Build Number (click 7 times until the message “You’re a developer” appears). Then go to Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
2. Connect the TV to the PC via USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 for stability).
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
4. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute: adb devices If the TV is displayed in the list, type: adb install path to file.apk

Xiaomi models with ADB lock (such as some versions of the Mi TV 4X) may need to unlock the bootloader.This is a risky procedure that voids the warranty!

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause a TV to crash. Don't follow commands unless you're sure they're there. -k --user 0 com.google.android.gm will delete Gmail, which can disrupt the system.

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Before working with ADB, back up your TV settings through Settings → System → Backup. This will help you recover data when you crash.

5. Alternative methods: mirroring the screen and TV-boxing

If none of the above methods work, consider two additional options:

1.Smartphone screen mirroring

With Miracast or Google Cast, you can stream your phone screen to your TV.

• 📱 On your smartphone, turn on Screen Transfer (on Android) or Screen Mirroring (on iPhone).
• 📺 On your TV, select the Screen Mirroring or Miracast signal source.
• 🔗 Connect to the TV and open the browser on the phone with the right search engine.

2. Connection TV-boxing

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support app installation, buy an external one. TV-boxing (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box S, NVIDIA Shield or Amazon Fire TV They offer a full Android. TV Support for all search engines and applications.

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Screen mirroring is a temporary solution, and TV-Boxing is a long-term investment, and you can choose based on how often you use a search engine on TV.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we will bring all the methods into one table:

For most users, the best solution is to install APK through the file manager (the method) №2) or use of the browser (method) №1). Method c. ADB It is suitable only for experienced users, and TV-Boxing for those who are willing to spend money on upgrades.

FAQ: Frequent questions