How to install the application on Xiaomi Mi TV Stick: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick

Android TV

Google Play

Many people mistakenly believe that the TV Stick can be installed on any Android application. In practice, the device runs on Android. TV OS — A stripped-down version of Android with strict compatibility restrictions, such as smartphone apps (even from Google Play) often do not support remote control or are optimized for touch screens. APK from unknown sources by default, and in some regions (for example, in Russia) access to Google Play is limited at the system level.

We tested all methods on the current firmware Mi TV Stick (including 2023-2026 models) and only selected working solutions. If you encounter an error "Application not installed" or "Device not supported" - in the article there is a section on the causes and ways to fix them.

1. Install applications via Google Play

The official way is the easiest, but not always affordable.Google Play on Xiaomi Mi TV Stick has two key limitations:

1. Regional lock (in Russia and some CIS countries, the app store may not open).
2. Compatibility filtering – many apps (e.g. YouTube Vanced or Terrarium) TV) hidden in search results.

To install the app via Google Play:

• 📺 Turn on the Mi. TV Stick and connect to the Internet (preferably via cable for stability).
• 🔍 Open Google Play (the icon in the main menu or through Apps) → Google Play Store).
• 🔎 Type the name of the app in the search box. If it is not, try alternative names (for example, instead of "Kodi" look for the name of the app "XBMC").
• 📥 Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.

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If Google Play doesn't open, check the date and time settings on your device. An incorrect time zone or date may block access to Google services.

If the app doesn’t show up in search but you know its exact name, use the web version of Google Play:

1. Open on your computer or smartphone play.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as you do on Mi. TV Stick.
3. Find the desired application and click "Install" by selecting your Mi from the list of devices TV Stick.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) If your Google account is linked to Russia and the app is only available in the United States, the installation will be blocked.

2. Booting APK-File Manager via File Manager

If the app is not in Google Play, it can be installed manually through the APK-It's gonna take a file:

• 📁 File Manager (e.g. File Commander or File Commander) FX File Explorer).
• 🌐 Access to the Internet for downloading APK (For example, from APKMirror or APKPure sites).
• ⚙️ Installation Permit from Unknown Sources.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-file USB-drive or cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive).
2. Connect. USB mi TV Stick through OTG-Adapter (if you use a flash drive).
3. Open the file manager and go to the folder with APK.
4. Launch the file and confirm the installation.

Download APK proven-source|Check out the Android version TV (customized)|Connect USB-drive-in|Installation from unknown sources

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To allow installation from unknown sources:

1. Go to Settings. → The device → Security and limitations.
2. Activate the Unknown Sources option (could be called the External Source Installation option).
3. Select the file manager you will install through. APK.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, you may get infected with viruses. Before downloading, check the hash amounts of files on sites like VirusTotal.

Through Google Play|Through APK-file|Through Send Files to TV|Through ADB|Another way.-->

3 Use of the Send Files to TV application

If the transfer of files through USB Or the cloud seems complicated, use the Send Files to app. TV. It allows you to send it. APK and other files directly from the smartphone on Mi TV Stick on the local network.

How it works:

• 📱 Install Send Files to TV on a smartphone (available on Google Play and App Store).
• 📺 Install the same app on Mi TV Stick (download) APK official website).
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📤 On your smartphone, select APK-file and send it to Mi TV Stick.
• 📥 On the TV, confirm receipt and install the file.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Quick transmission without wires.
• 🔒 Support for traffic encryption.
• 📂 Ability to send multiple files at the same time.

Important: Send Files to App TV It does not require root rights, but for proper operation on the Mi. TV Stick needs to turn off energy saving mode in Wi-Fi settings.

Installation via ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can install the app via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for advanced users and allows you to bypass the limitations of the system.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download it in Android Studio).
• 🔌 USB-cable TV Stick to PC (or wireless) ADB-linkage).
• 📄 APK-file.

Installation instructions:

1. Put the debugging on. USB on Mi TV Stick: Settings → The device → Information on the PO → Build number (click 7 times until the message "You became a developer" appears") → Return to "Settings" → The device → Developer parameters" → Insert "Debugging by USB"
2. Connect Mi. TV Stick to the computer through USB (use OTG-adapter).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices The device should appear in the list.
4. Install APK with the command: adb install path to file.apk

If there is an error "INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS", signifier APK It is not compatible with the Mi processor architecture. TV Stick (usually) arm64-v8a). The solution is to look for a version APK supportive armeabi-v7a or arm64.

5. bypassing regional restrictions

Many applications (e.g, HBO Max, Peacock or BBC iPlayer is only available in certain countries, and you can use it to bypass the lock:

• 🌍 VPN (For example, NordVPN or ExpressVPN).
• 📍 Changing the Google Account Region.
• 🔄 Alternative app stores (e.g. Aptoide) TV).

How to change the Google account region:

1. Go to pay.google.com from your smartphone or PC.
2. Go to Settings. → Profile information → Country.
3. Select the country you want (e.g., the United States) and specify your address (you can use generators like the Fake Address Generator).
4. Create a new payment profile (e.g., a virtual Revolut card or a Wise card with an address in your chosen country).

After changing the region, reboot the Mi TV Stick and update the data on Google Play. apps previously unavailable should appear in search.

⚠️ Note: If you change region, all previously purchased apps and subscriptions will not be available, and Google may require proof of payment method (for example, linking a card to an address in a new country).

Solving typical installation errors

Even when you follow instructions, users encounter errors, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error: "Application not installed"

• 🔹 APK corrupted or not completely downloaded – reload the file.
• 🔹 Incompatible version of Android – check the application requirements (e.g. Android 9.0)+).
• 🔹 Insufficient memory – free up space or use USB-accumulator.

Error: "The device is not certified"

Appears when you try to log into a Google account or install apps from Google Play.

1. Go to the Google Device Registration website.
2. Enter Android. ID your Mi TV Stick (you can find it through the Device app) ID Google Play).
3. Register the device and restart it.

Error: “No suitable device for this application”

So the app is not optimized for Android. TV. Decisions:

• 🔍 Look for alternatives (e.g., use Chrome instead of Chrome) TV Bro).
• 🛠️ Set it through ADB flag-headed -t (For testing: adb install -t -r path to file.apk
• 📱 Use Scrcpy to manage Mi TV Stick from the phone (if the application requires touch input).

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If the application is not installed in any way, check its compatibility with the architecture. arm64 Android version TV (on Mi TV Stick is usually Android 9.0-11.0).

7. Alternative App Stores for Android TV

If Google Play is not available or it does not have the right app, use alternative stores. TV Stick:

Aptoide TV

• 🔹 Optimized for the DU remote.
• 🔹 Large application base, including modified versions (e.g. YouTube Vanced).
• 🔹 Support for Russification.

You can download from the official website: tv.aptoide.com.

APKMirror

• 🔹 Verified APK virus-free.
• 🔹 History of application versions.
• 🔹 Support for direct loading to the device.

Site: apkmirror.com.

TVAppStore

• 🔹 Specialized store for Android TV.
• 🔹 Automatic update of applications.
• 🔹 Built-in file manager.

To install an alternative store, download it. APK Follow the instructions in Section 2 (installation via file manager).

FAQ: Frequent questions about app installation