Modern Smart TVs have transformed the TV from a simple signal receiver into a full-fledged multimedia center capable of playing content from the Internet without being tied to a PC. However, users often face a limited choice of applications in the official Google Play store or PatchWall, especially when it comes to popular social networks. VKontakte, being a leader in the CIS, does not have a native application for Android TVs, which creates certain difficulties when trying to run it on a large screen.
Owners of Xiaomi Mi equipment TV redmi TV They can use several workarounds to access their account. TV PatchWall does not exist, so all methods will be based on the use of web browsers, third-party devices. APK-The choice of the specific method depends on your TV model, the version of the operating system and personal preferences in the ease of management.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each method available, evaluate their pros and cons, and consider possible problems with authorization. You will learn how to properly configure your browser, install files from unknown sources, and use your smartphone as a remote for entering text, which will significantly simplify navigation on the social network interface on a screen with a diagonal of 40 or more inches.
Features of Android TV platform and the lack of native application
The Android TV operating system on which Xiaomi TVs are based has strict requirements for the application interface: all programs must support remote control (cursor buttons), not just touch input, as on smartphones. It is due to the lack of optimization for the remote and television display format that VK developers did not release an official version for TV Box and Smart TV.
When you try to find an app in the Google Play Store on your TV, you'll find a blank search result. It's not a system error, it's a conscious decision by the developer. But the Android architecture allows you to install apps manually or use web interfaces that adapt to the screen size. It's important to understand that any third-party customers may be less stable.
Why is there no official app?
Using a web version or emulators requires a more powerful hardware. If your Xiaomi TV has less than 1 GB of RAM, working with heavy web pages can be difficult, in which case it is preferable to use broadcast methods, where the main load of data processing takes on the smartphone.
Using the built-in Mi Browser browser to access VC
The easiest and safest way to log in to a social network is to use the pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which is already optimized for remote control and has built-in support for Flash content (where it is still required) and modern web standards.
Once the application is launched, you need to enter vk.com in the address bar. The site interface will automatically determine that you are using a large device, and may offer a simplified version or a full desktop version. For full login, you should switch to Full Version mode through the browser menu so that all controls are available.
- 📺 Open Mi Browser through the main menu of the TV.
- ⌨️ Using the on-screen keyboard, enter the address of the social network.
- 🔐 Enter the login and password using the smartphone as a keyboard (recommended).
- ⚙️ If necessary, allow access to notifications in the browser.
The main challenge is to enter a password. The on-screen keyboard on the TV is inconvenient, so the system will suggest connecting the smartphone. QR-A code or digital code that you want to type in the Mi Remote app or just in your smartphone browser by clicking on the link. TV.
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Use the “History” function in your browser to save the VK page to bookmarks – this will speed up access in the future and save you from re-entering the address.
Installation APK-Files: mobile version of VKontakte on TV
A more advanced method involves installing the mobile version of the VK app directly on the TV, and since it is impossible to install directly from a file on a TV without a trained bootloader, we need a file manager and the source of the installation package, which allows us to get an interface that is familiar from a smartphone, but controlled by a cursor.
To implement the plan, you will need to download APK-application file on a computer or smartphone, and then transfer it to the TV through USB-Note that mobile applications do not always display correctly on the horizontal screen, there may be distortions in the proportions.
⚠️ Attention: Install APK-files from only verified resources, such as 4PDA Files from questionable sources may contain malicious code that could steal your login details.
The installation process requires permission to install from unknown sources. When you first start a file, Android TV will issue a security alert, you will need to go to settings and activate the switch for your file manager (for example, File Commander or Send Files to TV).
☑️ Installation APK Xiaomi TV
Broadcasting the smartphone screen (Cast) as an alternative
If you are dealing with browsers and APK-You do not want to use files, you can use the screen broadcast function (Cast/Screen In this case, Xiaomi TV acts as a wireless monitor, and all the actions are performed on a smartphone. This is ideal for watching video, since the video player is a video player. VK It's more stable on the phone.
Make sure both devices (smartphone and TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the TV in the upper corner, there is often a button to start the signal mode, or the system will prompt the connection when a request is detected. On an Android smartphone, the feature is called Translation or Wireless Monitor.
| Parameter | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Miracast / Google Cast | Support for both devices |
| Delay. | Low (for video), High (for games) | Stable Wi-Fi 5 GHz |
| Quality. | Depends on the router signal. | HD / Full HD |
| Battery | High consumption on a smartphone | Charging is recommended |
Once connected, the image from the phone is fully copied to the TV screen, you can flip through the tape, open the video, and even play simple games, but you should consider that the horizontal orientation of the phone may not be suitable for a vertical news feed, and there will be black fields on the sides.
Control setting and text input from the phone
Controlling a cursor in a browser or mobile app on a TV can be uncomfortable, especially when typing. Xiaomi's standard remote has a limited set of buttons, and typing long passwords or messages into private messages becomes torture. The solution is to use a smartphone as a keyboard.
In the Android ecosystem TV This is built-in at the system level, and when you have a text input field on your TV, it automatically tells you to plug in your phone. QR-And then you have a virtual keyboard on your phone, and any character you click will appear on your TV screen.
There are also third-party remote control apps, such as TV Remote Control or Google's official Android TV app, that allow you to not only type in text, but also emulate a touchpad, making it easier to navigate web pages where cursor navigation is not working properly, which is especially true for sites with complex layouts.
⚠️ Note: When entering passwords through third-party keyboards or cloud-based input services, make sure the connection is secure.Do not use public Wi-Fi networks to log in to social networks via TV.
Solution: Problems with video playback and sound
Even if you successfully log in, users may find that the video is not played or there is no sound. Often the problem lies in the lack of necessary codecs in the TV browser or blocking advertising scripts that are confused with the video player. In the Mi Browser browser, you can try to turn on or off the ad blocker.
Another common reason is the outdated version of the Android System WebView component, which is responsible for displaying web content in apps, and its update via the Google Play Store often solves the black screen issues when running videos on VKontakte.
If audio is in the system but not in the browser, check the audio output settings. Some audio formats (such as Dolby Digital) may not be supported by the browser and need to switch to PCM mode in the TV's Settings → Sound → Out.
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Updating the system component of WebView and cleaning the browser cache solve 90% of problems with the playback of media content on social networks on Android TV.