How to install applications Xiaomi Mi TV 4S: all working ways

Why installing apps on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is different from Android TV

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV 4S They work on Android. TV, But with the PatchWall branded shell, which places severe restrictions on third-party apps, unlike pure Android. TV-devices, for example, NVIDIA Shield or Sony Bravia, there is no full access to the Google Play Market, and many of them are not. APK-This is due to Xiaomi’s policy to promote its own services and minimize the risk of virus attacks.

However, it is possible to circumvent the restrictions - and for this there is at least a 5 In this article, we'll look at each of them, from the simplest (installed through the built-in store) to the most advanced methods using the use of the device. ADB And we'll focus on the common mistakes, like INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK Or Parse Error, and explain how to avoid them.

It is important to understand that the 2018-2023 Mi TV 4S models have different firmware versions, and some methods may not work on older devices. For example, the firmware below MIUI TV 2.0 does not support Google Installer, and the new ones (starting with MIUI TV 3.5) block APK installation through the file manager.

Method 1: Installation via the built-in App Store (PatchWall)

The most obvious and safe method is to use the PatchWall app store, which includes popular services like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, as well as local platforms (Kinopoisk, Okko, IVI), but the range is limited, and many applications (such as Twitch or Disney+) may not be available.

To find and install the application:

• 📺 Turn on the TV and go to the main screen of PatchWall (home button on the remote).
• 🔍 Select the App tab (or App Store in English firmware).
• 🔎 Enter the name of the desired application in the search bar (magnifying glass icon).
• ⬇️ Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.

If the app is not available, try:

• 🌐 Change the region in the settings of the TV (Settings) → Account and security → Region, for example, to access Disney+ Choose the USA.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (Settings) → On TV. → System Update: New PatchWall versions add additional apps.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as TikTok or VK Music can be blocked from being installed on TVs due to developer restrictions, and alternative methods will have to be used.

Method 2: Installation APK-file USB-storage

If the application is not in PatchWall, you can install it manually through the APK-It's gonna take a file:

• 💾 File system flash drive FAT32 (Cloud storage, such as Google Drive).
• 📱 APK-file compatible with Android TV (Not all mobile versions work on TVs!).
• ⚙️ Installation Permit from Unknown Sources.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-file on a computer or phone, we recommend using verified sources: 🔗 APKMirror (safe) APK modificationless). 🔗 Aptoide TV (Android alternative store TV).

Copy the file onto a flash drive or upload it to the cloud.

USB 2.0

Settings → Applications → File Manager

Parse Error

ARM64

ARMv7

Install

If the installation is blocked, enable permission for unknown sources:

1. Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown Sources.
2. Select File Manager (or Browser if you download through it) and activate the slider.

Procedure:

1. Download the archive from Google Installer for Mi TV 4S (the version should match your firmware).
2. Unpack the archive and copy the files to the flash drive: GoogleAccountManager.apk GoogleServicesFramework.apk Phonesky.apk (this is Google Play Market)

strictly

GoogleAccountManager

GoogleServicesFramework

Phonesky

Settings → About TV → Reboot

Google Play Market

If you don’t open Google Play or you get a 505 error after you install it, try:

• 🔄 Remove the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Market → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Install an older version APK (Phonesky 8.3.73 instead of the last one).
• 🔧 Remove the TV firmware to the version MIUI TV 2.0 (if you have a new firmware with locks).

Method 4: Installation via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for installing applications that are blocked by the system when installed manually (for example, Kodi or SmartTubeNext).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (or Wi-Fi connection).
• 📁 APK-file.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your TV: Go to Settings → About TV. Find the Build Number line and click on it 7 times in a row until you become a developer notification appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging slider over USB.
• Connect the TV to your computer via USB (or Wi-Fi if supported).
• Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, type the command to install APK: adb install path to file.apk For example: adb install C:\Downloads\kodi-19.5-arm64-v8a.apk

If the installation is ADB fails INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED, It means that the firmware is blocking the installation:

• 🔧 Use the adb install command -r --fastdeploy (Update an existing application).
• 🔄 Try to install it. APK through ADB In Safe Mode (hold Menu) + Volume Down when turning on the TV).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Mi firmware TV 4S (for example, MIUI TV 3.5.1) completely block ADB In this case, you will have to use an alternative launcher (see the following method).

1. Enable Wi-Fi debugging in the developer settings.

2. Run the command on the computer:

adb connect IP_ TV: 5555

(IP You can find out in Settings → Network).

3. Install. APK team-up -s IP_television:5555 install file.apk-->

Method 5: Use of alternative launchers (ATV Launcher, Sideload Launcher)

PatchWall not only limits the installation of applications, but also hides many of the features of Android TV.

• 🚀 ATV Launcher (optimized for Android) TV).
• 🔧 Sideload Launcher (shows all installed) APK).
• 🎮 Wolf Launcher (with support for game controllers).

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher’s APK (like the ATV Launcher) and install it via ADB or flash drive.
2. Launch the launcher and select it as the default launcher (a request will appear when you first start).
3. Now you will see a complete list of installed apps, including those that were hidden in PatchWall.

Advantages of alternative launchers:

• 📌 Access to all applications, including system.
• 🔍 Possibility of searching by established APK.
• 🎛️ Interface setting (themes, icons, sorting).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some launchers can brake on weak Mi models TV 4S (For example, with an Amlogic processor. T962).
• 🔄 After the firmware update, the launcher can be reset to the standard PatchWall.

💡

Alternative launchers not only reveal hidden applications, but also speed up navigation through the menu due to an optimized interface.

Solving Common Errors When Installing Applications

When installing applications on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, users often encounter errors, and let’s analyze the most common and ways to fix them.

If the application is installed but not running:

• 🔄 Clear the cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Install an older version APK (New versions may require unsupported libraries).
• 🔧 Check the permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

On 2020-2023 Mi TV 4S models with MIUI TV 3.5+ firmware, APK installation is blocked via the file manager, with ADB or alternative launchers being the only working methods.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing apps on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S