Modern TV Xiaomi is not just a screen for broadcasting broadcast channels, and a full-fledged multimedia center based on the Android TV operating system. Immediately after purchase, the device offers a basic set of programs, but to unlock the full potential of the Smart TV owner needs to expand the functionality. Many users wonder what applications to download for the Xiaomi TV to watch movies, play or use the gadget for video calls.
In this article, we will discuss the most useful categories of software, how to install them and how to customize them. It is important to understand that the performance of a device depends on the number of processes running and the amount of free memory. A competent choice of programs will help to avoid interface brakes and ensure stable operation of the system for many years.
Before you start mass downloading, you need to decide on your priorities: some are looking for alternative theaters, others need a browser to surf the Internet, and others need tools to manage files, and we will look at each aspect in detail so that you can assemble the perfect set of applications for your needs.
Installation of third-party applications through APK-file
The official Google Play Store on Xiaomi TVs doesn't contain all the software available. Many developers don't adapt their products to control the remote, so they can't be found through standard search. APK-This method allows you to install any software designed for the Android platform.
You'll need a flash drive and a computer to start with, and download the installation file of the program you want from a trusted source on the Internet. Pay attention to the version of Android installed on your TV, as older models (such as those with Android 6.0 or 8.0) may require specific versions of apps. USB-accumulator.
Put the flash drive in. USB-The system automatically prompts you to open the file manager or view the contents of the drive. If the automatic window does not appear, go to the Application section. → Explorer (or download any file manager from the Play Market, such as File Commander). APK-file and click on it to start installing.
- 📂 File Commander – a powerful file manager with support for cloud storage and network protocols.
- 📥 Send Files to TV — utility for fast wireless transmission APK-phone-to-television files.
- 🛠 TV App Repo – a specialized catalog of applications adapted for remote control.
- 🌐 bootloader – a browser and bootloader in one bottle, allowing you to download files directly on the TV.
⚠️ Note: When you first try to install, the system will issue a lock warning from unknown sources, you need to go to the security settings and allow installation for the specific application (e.g., Explorer) you are using to run. APK-file.
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Use the Send Files to TV app on your smartphone and TV to transfer installers without having to search for a flash drive and a computer, which speeds up the process.
The best video services and online cinemas
The main function of any Smart TV is to view content. In Russia and CIS countries, the most popular local streaming platforms that offer huge libraries of movies and TV shows in high quality. Standard applications often have limited functionality or intrusive advertising, so it is worth considering alternatives.
One of the market leaders is Wink from Rostelecom. the application features an excellent interface adapted for remotes and support for HDR technology. It allows you to watch air channels in the archive and provides access to exclusive content. For comfortable browsing, you need a stable Internet connection at a speed of at least 15 Mbps for 4K content.
Another powerful player is Movie Search. Yandex’s ecosystem is deeply integrated into many devices, but a separate app on Xiaomi TV is stable and offers personalized selections, an important feature being the ability to voice search through the remote, if such a feature is supported by your TV model.
| Annex | Type of content | Availability of free fare | Support for 4K HDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wink | Movies, TV channels | Partially. | Yes. |
| Cinema search | Movies, TV shows | Partially. | Yes. |
| YouTube | Video blogs, music | Yes. | Yes. |
| Numerama | Techno-news | Yes. | No. |
YouTube remains the king of video content, but to work fully on some Xiaomi models, you may need to additionally configure DNS or install a modified version (SmartTubeNext), which removes ads and adds sponsored integration features.
Media players and work with local files
A standard video player preinstalled on a TV often fails to play complex file formats or misrepresents subtitles. If you store a movie collection on a hard drive or network storage (NAS), you'll need a third-party media player, which has its own codecs and flexible image settings.
The undisputed leader in this niche is VLC for Android. It's a free, open-source application that's "omnivorous" and plays almost any video and audio format. The interface is simple and clear, and the built-in equalizer allows you to customize the sound to your speaker system. VLC also supports network streams and SMB/UPnP protocols.
The alternative could be MX Player.It's famous for its advanced rendering engine and hardware acceleration, which is especially important for TVs with less powerful processors. MX Player is great at handling heavy 4K-files and allows you to customize gestures control, although on TV this is less relevant than on tablets.
Kodi is the perfect medium for a media library, and it's a multimedia platform that puts all your files together in a beautifully designed shell with posters, descriptions and casts. It takes time to set up Kodi, but the result is worth it: you get a personal cinema with a professional interface.
- 🎬 VLC — Maximum format compatibility and ease of use.
- 🚀 MX Player – the best hardware acceleration and smooth playback.
- 🏠 Kodi – creating a full-fledged home media library with covers.
- 📡 Nova Video Player – Automatic Metadata Download and Support 3D.
⚠️ Note: When playing heavy files (bitrate above 80 Mbps) over Wi-Fi, there may be pauses for buffering. LAN-Connection or external hard drive with its own power.
Why can video slow down even on a powerful TV?
Browsers and Internet access
Although the TV is not designed for full surfing, sometimes you need to open a website, check your email or start an online stream from a resource that does not have its own application.
Standard mobile versions of browsers (Chrome, Opera) are inconvenient, as they require the control of a cursor, which is not available on a conventional remote. TV-browsers solve this problem by offering navigation with direction buttons — TV Bro. It is a lightweight, fast, open source browser that supports file downloads and ad blocking.
Another popular option is Puffin TV Browser, which is known for its cloud-based traffic compression speed, but the free version has time limits, and for rare searches, "find a recipe" or "open a YouTube video by link," that's enough.
If you need access to specific web services, make sure they support HTML5. Many older Flash-based sites won’t work on TVs. Also remember that remote text input is time-consuming, so having a smartphone sync feature (like TV Bro) is a huge plus.
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For TV, it is critical to have browsers with support for navigation with the remote buttons, otherwise the use of the Internet will become impossible.
Gaming applications and emulators
Xiaomi TVs have enough power to run not only simple arcades, but also more complex projects. However, internal memory is usually not enough, so you should choose games with low weight or use an external drive. For a comfortable game, it is highly recommended to connect a Bluetooth gamepad.
Google Play Store has a Game section that features Android TV-optimized projects, including chess, racing, quizzes and strategy, and Asphalt 8: Airborne, a racing simulator with stunning graphics that showcases the power of a TV video processor, is a great choice.
The world of emulators is open to retro gamers, and by installing an emulator (like RetroArch or Lemuroid), you can play games from Dendy, Sega, PlayStation 1 and more (ROM-(s) are loaded separately and placed in the memory of the TV or on a flash drive, which makes a modern TV into a universal retro console.
It's important to consider the heat of the device when you play long hours. TVs don't have active cooling systems like computers, and when you're under high load, the processor can reset frequencies, causing "freezes." Take breaks and monitor the temperature of the device if you plan long gaming sessions.
- 🏎 Asphalt 8 - Reference graphics and support for multiplayer.
- 🎮 RetroArch – All in One for Retro Games Lovers.
- ♟ Chess.com – Classic Chess with Online Mode.
- 🧩 Crossy Road is a simple but sticky arcade for the company.
Utilities for optimization and management
Over time, the TV, like a smartphone, becomes overgrown with cache and temporary files, which can slow down the interface. To maintain optimal performance, Xiaomi recommends using specialized snails, which allow you to clean memory, manage autoboot and monitor the state of the system.
Send Files to TV is a transfer tool, but it's also useful for sharing data between devices on a local network. Clean Master for Android TV is a better way to clean up. It finds remnants of remote programs and cache, taking up a minimum of disk space.
The official Mi Remote app (or its analogues like Android TV Remote Control) allows you to use your smartphone as a touchpad and keyboard, and enter search queries through your phone screen much faster than brute force of letters with the remote buttons.
Settings → Device → About the system → Reset (for complete cleaning)Using these tools extends the life of the device. Regularly cleaning the cache after viewing heavy content and removing large applications frees up RAM, making switching between menus more responsive. Don't neglect this, especially on models with 1-2 GB of RAM.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install antiviruses with heavy interfaces and constant background checks on your TV. TV It has built-in security mechanisms (Google Play Protect), and third-party antiviruses can significantly load the processor and cause lags.