Xiaomi TVs on Android platform TV Google TV They offer a lot of opportunities to install apps, but not all users know how to do it correctly. Unlike smartphones, there are nuances: limited access to Google Play, features of working with the Internet. APK-This article will help you understand all the ways of installing programs, from official to alternative methods for power users.
It’s important to understand that the Mi TV 4/4S/4A, Redmi Smart TV and new series on Google TV (e.g. Xiaomi TV A2 2026) have different interfaces and limitations. We’ll look at generic methods, and point out specific points for specific lines. If your TV doesn’t support Google Play out of the box, don’t worry – there are workarounds.
Before you start, check the Android version. TV Settings menu → On TV. → Software version. It's what makes certain features available. USB-storage device (formatted in FAT32) Bluetooth mouse – it will make navigation easier in the developer menu.
1. Installation via Google Play (official way)
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Google Play Store.It is available on most Xiaomi models with Android TV 9.0 and later, but may not be available on budget versions for some regions.
To find the app:
- 🔍 Open Google Play on the home screen (Color Triangle icon).
- 📝 Enter the program name in the search bar (e.g. YouTube, Netflix, IVI).
- 📥 Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
- 🎮 Run the application from the All Apps section or from the main screen.
If Google Play is missing, try updating your TV firmware via Settings → About TV → System Update. On Redmi Smart TV X50/X55 models, the store may appear after upgrading to Android 11.
⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Google TV (for example, Xiaomi TV A2 2026) the store interface is different – apps are categorized and searches show recommendations based on your preferences.
| Model TV set | Support for Google Play | Minimum version of Android TV |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A (2017-2019) | ❌ No, only. APK) | Android 6.0 |
| Mi TV 4S (2018-2020) | ✅ Yes, after the update) | Android 9.0 |
| Redmi Smart TV X50/X55 | ✅ Yes. | Android 10.0 |
| Xiaomi TV A2/A Pro (2023-2026) | ✅ Yes, Google. TV) | Android 11.0+ |
Installation APK-file USB-storage
If the application is not available in Google Play, you can install it manually through the APK-This method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires pre-configuration.
Instructions:
- Download. APK-Application file to a computer from a trusted source (e.g. APKPure or APKMirror). TV (The file name must be tv or atv).
- Copy the file to USB-storage device FAT32.
- Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager (usually called File Manager or Explorer).
- Find it. APK-If you see an error "Installation locked", go to Settings. → Security and limitations → Unknown sources and allow installation for File Manager.
On Android TV 12+ models (e.g., Xiaomi TV Q2), the path to settings may vary: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
Download APK for Android TV (not for smartphone)|
Check the USB format (FAT32) |
Allow installation from unknown sources |
Use the original USB cable (not adapter)|
Restart the TV after installation-->
⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can cause the TV to get infected with malware. Check the reviews of the file before downloading and use the antivirus on your computer.
3. Use of alternative stores (Aptoide TV, Aurora Store)
If Google Play isn't available or doesn't have the right app, you can install an alternative store. TV:
- 📦 Aptoide TV — specialized version for TVs with a convenient interface and a large catalog.
- 🌐 Aurora Store is an open client for Google Play that does not require a Google account (you need to install apps that are not available in your region).
- 🎮 TVAppStore – a store with remote-optimized applications.
To install an alternative store:
- Download. APK store (e.g., Aptoide) TV) on USB-accumulator.
- Install it through the File Manager (as described in the previous section).
- Start the store, find the right application and install it.
On the Xiaomi TV A2 and newer models, Aptoide TV can request permission to access the storage – provide it in the app settings.
💡
If the app does not open after installing Aptoide TV, clear the store cache in Settings → Apps → Aptoide TV → Storage → Clear the cache.
Installation via ADB (for power users)
The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable for installing applications that do not want to be installed in standard ways, or for batch installation.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on the Developer Mode on the TV: Settings → About TV → Software Version → Press 7 times on the Software Version You will be notified "You became a developer!".
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
- Connect the TV to your computer through USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 on TV for stability).
- Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack the archive.
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute the commands: adb devices (device should be displayed) adb install path to file.apk
If the adb device command doesn’t show the TV, try:
- 🔌 Reconnect the cable.
- 🔄 Restart the TV and PC.
- 🛠️ Update the drivers ADB computer-based.
What if ADB can’t see the TV?
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Android 12+ Additional permission may be required for ADB through settings → For developers → Debugging over the network (even when USB-connection).
5. Installation via cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
If you don't. USB-storage device, you can download APK-You can download the file to the cloud and download it directly to your TV, which is a great way to do things like large files, like games).
How to do this:
- Download APK to Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Disk from your computer.
- On your TV, open a browser (such as TV Bro or built-in Chrome).
- Go to the cloud storage site and log in to your account.
- Download the file and open it through the File Manager.
On Mi TV 4A models, the built-in browser may not support file downloads – in this case, install TV Bro or Puffin TV via APK.
Important: Some cloud services (such as Google Drive) may block downloads APK-In this case, use alternative storage or rename the file to.zip before downloading.
6. Solving problems when installing applications
Even with the right actions, mistakes can occur, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "No appendix installed" | Incompatible version of APK (for smartphone) | Download the Android TV version (the file name must be tv or atv) |
| "Not enough memory." | Internal storage occupied. | Clear the cache in Settings → Storage or remove unnecessary applications |
| "Installation locked" | No permission for unknown sources | Allow installation in Settings → Security → Unknown sources |
| The application does not open after installation | Lack of rights or conflict of versions | Clear the application data or reinstall it |
If the app is installed but does not work with the remote, connect your Bluetooth mouse or use the TV Remote Control app on your smartphone to navigate.
💡
Before installing any apps, check compatibility with your TV model. For example, games with gamepad support (such as Asphalt 9) may not work on budget Mi TV 4A models due to a weak processor.