Owners of Xiaomi Mi Box smart consoles often face a limited set of pre-installed software that does not always meet the needs of the modern user. The standard Google Play store may not contain the necessary programs or provide stripped-down versions designed for smartphones, but not adapted for the TV interface. Expanding the functionality of the device requires manual installation of APK files from third-party sources.
The process of installing additional software opens access to thousands of free channels, IPTV-It takes only a few minutes, and it doesn't require deep programming knowledge or root rights, but you just need a remote, an Internet connection and the right installer file.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to download programs on Android TV from a Chinese manufacturer, we will look at methods both using a computer and fully autonomous installation directly from the TV screen, and we will also pay attention to the nuances of security and compatibility of versions of the operating system.
Preparation of the device for the installation of third-party programs
Before you start downloading files directly, you need to change the security settings of the operating system. By default, Xiaomi blocks the installation of applications from unknown sources to protect the user from malicious code. To get started, you need to access the system settings menu through the main screen.
Find the gear icon in the upper right corner of the interface and go to the Device Settings section. Then go down to Security and Limitations (or simply Security), which is where key switches are hidden that prevent you from installing programs from file managers or browsers.
⚠️ Note: By including installations from unknown sources, you take responsibility for the security of downloaded files. APK-Files for viruses before launch.
In the menu that opens, find Unknown Sources and activate it. In newer versions of Android TV, the system can request permission for a specific application, such as the file manager or browser you plan to use. Allow access to continue.
It is also worth checking whether there is free space in internal memory. Heavy applications, such as games or media players with codecs, can require a significant amount of disk space. If the memory is full, the installation process may interrupt or the system will work unstable.
☑️ Checklist for pre-subscription preparation
Installation method through Send Files to TV file manager
One of the most popular and convenient methods is the use of a specialized application Send Files to TV (SFTTV), which allows you to transfer APK files from a smartphone or tablet directly to the console over a local Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need to use flash drives or complex ADB settings.
To get started, install the SFTTV app on both devices: your Xiaomi Mi Box via Google Play Store and your smartphone (Android or iOS). Make sure both gadgets are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise they won’t be able to “see” each other.
Run the program on your TV and select Receive mode. On your smartphone, launch the application, select Send mode, find the pre-downloaded one. APK-file of the desired program and click on the name of your TV in the list of available devices.
Once the transfer is complete, the file will appear in the console's memory. However, the SFTTV file manager itself cannot run the installers. You'll need another Explorer application, such as File Commander or X-plore, to find the transferred file in the download folder and run it.
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Use a USB-connected computer mouse to navigate in file managers – it’s much faster and more convenient than controlling the cursor with the remote buttons.
Use of the APKPure App Store
If you don’t want to search for individual files online, an alternative app store, APKPure, is a great solution, and it contains millions of apps, including those that aren’t available on the official Google Play for your region or device.
You first need to download the installation file of the APKPure store itself, which can be done through the built-in browser or by transferring the file from your smartphone in the manner described above, and once installed, APKPure will become your main portal for finding and updating software.
The store interface is customized to the remote, making navigation comfortable. You can search for apps by name, browse categories or popularity tops. The main advantage is the ability to download old versions of programs if the new one does not work correctly on your console model.
It is important to note that APKPure automatically checks the digital signatures of applications, which reduces the risk of infection of the device. However, it is worth remembering that some paid programs may require a license from Google Play Services, which does not always work correctly in bypass stores.
Install applications via ADB from a computer
For advanced users who want to have full control of the system, USB debugging (ADB) is ideal, which allows you to install applications directly from your computer without skipping the TV interface, which is especially useful when you install a mass installation or if the console interface is “hang”.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About the device and find the Build item. Click on it 7 times in a row until you get a message that you have become a developer. Then a new section for developers will appear in the settings menu.
Inside this section, turn on the debugging by USB (USB Now your console is ready to take commands from the outside. You'll need a computer with the package installed. ADB Platform Tools and USB-Male-to-Male cable (or network connection if configured) IP-address).
adb connect 192.168.1.XX
adb install imya_prilozheniya.apkEnter the connection command, specifying IP-The address of your console (you can find it in the network settings) and then the installation command. This method ensures that even those applications that the system tries to block through the GUI are installed.
| Parameter | Description | Default value |
|---|---|---|
| Portal of connection | Standard port for ADB | 5555 |
| Protocol | Type of connection | TCP/IP or USB |
| Debugging status | Team authorization | Off. |
| Level of access | Necessary rights | User/Root |
Compatibility and horizontal orientation
When installing smartphone apps on a TV set-top box, users often face the problem of horizontally orienting the interface. Because Android TV is landscape-focused and many mobile apps are portrait-oriented, the picture can flip or stretch.
There are several ways to solve this problem, and the easiest way is to use Set Orientation or similar utilities that force the screen to change the orientation of the particular process that is running, and that makes it comfortable to use banking applications or instant messengers.
Another aspect of compatibility is the lack of support for mouse control in some games. If the application requires a touch screen, you may need to install a mouse emulator or use a special mode in the developer settings that simulates touch.
⚠️ Note: Annexes requiring GPS-Module, camera or accelerometer, may not run on the console, as in the Xiaomi Mi Box these hardware components are physically absent.
Also worth considering is the screen resolution: Mobile apps can incorrectly scale on 4K TVs, making text unreadable, and changing the DPI density in the developer settings helps, but you should be careful not to knock down the system fonts.
What to do if the application does not open?
Cleaning cache and removing unnecessary programs
Regular installation and removal of applications leads to the accumulation of residual files in the system. To make Xiaomi Mi Box work quickly, you need to periodically audit the installed software and clear the cache.
Go to Settings → Applications. Here you will see a complete list of all installed programs, including system ones. Select an unnecessary application and click Delete. For system applications, this button may be inactive without root rights, but user software is removed without problems.
Pay special attention to the cache. In the same menu, select a heavy app (like YouTube or an online movie theater) and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your logins and passwords, but will free up space from temporary files that may have been corrupted and caused errors.
For deeper cleaning, you can use specialized utilities like Clean Master or built-in optimization tools to help you find the “heavy” files left after you delete programs and free up precious gigabytes of internal memory.
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Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unused applications prolongs the life of the internal memory of the console and prevents the interface from braking.