What apps to put on Android TV Xiaomi Mi Box in 2026: the full guide

Welcome to the owners of Xiaomi Mi Box S, Mi Box 4K or Mi Box Pro! If you just unpacked the box with the console or want to update its functionality, this article will help turn your Android TV into a real media center. Unlike conventional smartphones, Android TV has its nuances: not all applications from Google Play are compatible with the large screen, and some features require manual configuration. We selected only those programs that are tested on the latest versions of MIUI TV and optimized for the remote control.

In 2026, the Android ecosystem TV It's expanded dramatically, with new streaming services, better gaming emulators, and smart home tools integrating deeper, but it's also increased the load on hardware -- especially if you have a 2GB model like the Mi Box S. So we've divided apps into categories of priority, from "must-have" to "advanced users," and we'll also tell you how to get around the restrictions of Google Play on the Internet. TV-version and where to download APK securely.

1. Basic applications: without them nowhere

These programs should be installed first, replacing standard system functions or adding critical features. Without them, using the Xiaomi Mi Box will be inconvenient, and some features (for example, file management) are not available out of the box.

Starting with the launcher, the MIUI TV stock interface is not always convenient: slow animation, limited customization and recommendation advertising, and alternative launchers address these problems:

• 📺 ATV Launcher is a minimalist interface with fast access to applications, supports background wallpaper customization and icon sorting. Plus: no root rights required.
• 🎯 HalLauncher is for customization users, and you can resize icons, hide unwanted apps, and even add weather widgets.
• 🔄 Leanback Launcher is Google’s official launcher, but with improved performance. Perfect for weak devices (like the 1st generation Mi Box S).

The next thing you need to do is file manager, and the Explorer built into Android TV doesn't work with network folders and archives, and we recommend:

• 📁 FX File Explorer - Supports SMB, FTP And cloud storage, and there's a built-in archiver, and you can mount it. ISO-imagery.
• 🔍 Solid Explorer - two-panel interface and support for WebDAV. Important: for full functionality you need to buy a premium version.

⚠️ Note: When installing launchers through APK (Not from Google Play, you may see a warning that says, "App is not optimized for your device." That's OK -- just click "Install" anyway. But before you do, check the source of the file (we recommend APKMirror or APKPure).

Streaming and IPTV: movies, TV series, TV

The main task of any TV-The Xiaomi Mi Box supports all popular services, but some of them work better with alternative customers. TV Often slows down when scrolling comments - this problem is solved by SmartTubeNext (requires additional settings).

For those who prefer domestic content:

• 🎬 KinoPoisk HD — supportive 4K HDR. There is a function "Continue viewing" and personal recommendations.
• 📺 Wink - if you have a package from the operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2), allows you to watch channels live without additional antenna.
• 🎭 Okko is one of the few services that has Dolby Atmos for movies, and subscriptions are cheaper than Netflix, and the catalog is as good as quality.

For fans of IPTV and “grey” content (at your own risk!):

• 📡 TiviMate is the best player for IPTV-Playlists, supportive. EPG, The premium version is worth the air and multi-screen. ~5$ yearly, but there is also a free option with restrictions.
• 🔗 LaziPTV – if you need support M3U-Playlists with authorization. Can automatically update channel lists.

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To avoid buffering in 4K, connect the Xiaomi Mi Box to the router via cable (the Ethernet adapter is sold separately) or use 5GHz Wi-Fi. In Android TV settings, enable Settings → Network → Prefer Ethernet

3.Games and emulators: turning the Mi Box into a console

Although the Xiaomi Mi Box isn’t marketed as a game console, its hardware (Amlogic S905X or S905X3) is capable of running many of Google Play Games’ projects. The key is to find the right gamepad. We tested it with the Xbox Controller (connects via Bluetooth) and 8BitDo Pro 2 — both of which work without lags.

The best games for Android TV:

• 🎮 Asphalt 9: Legends is an arcade race with gamepad support. Graphics automatically adjusts to the performance of the device.
• 🏆 Minecraft — yes, you can play Mycraft on the Mi Box! But only in Creative mode — there is not enough power for Survival.
• 🔫 Dead Trigger 2 is a gamepad-enabled, well-optimized shooter. Free version with ads, but it doesn't interfere with gameplay.

For retro gamers, there are emulators:

• 🕹️ RetroArch – a universal platform for emulation NES, SNES, PS1, Sega Genesis and other consoles require manual core tuning (cores).
• 🎮 PPSSPP — best-selling PSP Android TV. On the Mi Box 4K He is the creator of God of War and GTA: Vice City Stories on Medium Settings.

⚠️ Note: Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 2 emulators on Xiaomi Mi Box will not work - lack performance. ROM-s: This violates copyright law.

Install the gamepad via Bluetooth| Enable performance mode in Settings → Device → Performance Mode | Clear cache in Settings → Apps → Google Play Games | Turn off automatic application updates-->

4.Smart Home and Device Management

The Xiaomi Mi Box can be a smart home control center — especially if you already have Mi Home ecosystem devices. But the standard Mi Home app isn’t optimized for the big screen, so we recommend alternatives:

• 🏠 Home Assistant is an open platform for managing smart homes, supports integration with Xiaomi, Philips Hue, Nest and other brands).
• 🔌 Yandex Smart Home – if you have devices from Yandex (columns, lamps, sockets). TV, There's voice control through Alice.
• 🌡️ LocalTuya – To control Tuya devices (many Chinese sockets, sensors, switches) without the cloud, which speeds up the reaction.

For voice control:

• 🎤 Google Assistant – built into Android TV, But it's a Russian-language curve. To improve recognition, install Assistant Trigger and set up the hot word.
• 🗣️ Alice from Yandex – through the Yandex Smart Home app, recognizes commands better, but requires authorization in the Yandex account.

5. Optimization and Cleaning: How to Speed Up the Mi Box

Over time, the Xiaomi Mi Box starts to slow down, slowly opening apps, pausing the interface, losing sound, and the reason for this is crowded cache, fragmented memory and background processes. Here's how to get the console back up:

• 🧹 SD Maid is a utility for cleaning up garbage, removing duplicates and managing applications. TV There is a special regime TV Mode with large buttons.
• ⚡ Greenify — it puts down unnecessary background processes, useful if you have many apps that run auto-running (e.g., instant messengers).
• 🔄 Reboot Scheduler – automatically restarts the console on a schedule (for example, once a day), this helps to avoid “hangs” due to memory leaks.

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Termux is an Android terminal that allows you to execute commands. ADB For example, to disable unnecessary system applications: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore Warning: Failure to execute commands may cause system failure!

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the console began to work even worse, check the free space in the section /data. On the Mi Box S, there is often a problem with overflowing this partition due to the small amount of memory (8 The solution is to migrate applications to USB-storage device (needed) OTG-cable).

6.Alternative shops and APK installation

Google Play on Android TV is heavily stripped down, with many apps simply missing (like VK Music or Twitch), and some programs (the same emulators) are only distributed in APK format. Here's how to safely install software from third-party sources:

• 📥 Aptoide TV — It's an alternative store with an optimized interface for the remote. TV" And "Games." Minus: lots of commercials.
• 🔓 APKMirror Installer is the official app from APKMirror. APK-automatic-update.
• 🌐 bootloader is a browser with the ability to download files. Useful if you need to download APK directly to the console (for example, with GitHub).

Step-by-step instructions for installing APK:

1. Enable permission to install from unknown sources: Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown Sources → Select a browser or file manager.
2. Download. APK-File (recommended by APKMirror or APKPure).
3. Open the file via APKMirror Installer or the built-in Packet Installer.
4. After installation, check the application for viruses (you can use Malwarebytes).

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Never install APKs from unverified sources (such as torrent trackers) and attackers often disguise viruses as popular apps (such as "Kodi with premium channels").

7. Additional Utility: for Advanced Users

These programs are not mandatory, but they greatly expand the capabilities of the Xiaomi Mi Box, which will be useful for those who want to squeeze the maximum from the console or use it in non-standard scenarios.

• 🖥️ TeamViewer QuickSupport is a remote access to the console from a computer, useful for parental setup or technical support.
• 📡 NetAnalyzer analyzes network connectivity, shows speed, ping and busy ports, helps diagnose Internet problems.
• 🎵 USB Audio Player PRO — If you connect an external sound card to the Mi Box, or USB-DAC. Supports formats FLAC, DSD, MQA.
• 📺 Scrcpy – broadcasting the screen of Android-smartphone TV. It works on USB Or Wi-Fi. Required: Enable debugging by USB phone-on.

For developers and enthusiasts:

• 🐍 Python for Android (Pydroid 3) — if you want to write scripts directly on the console, supports numpy, pandas and even tensorflow-lite libraries.
• 🔧 Tasker: Automation of actions. For example, you can set up automatic Kodi activation when you connect your hard drive over the drive. USB.

FAQ: Frequent questions on Xiaomi Mi Box apps