Choosing a browser for a Xiaomi TV is not as easy as it seems. A standard pre-installed browser (usually Mi Browser or the Internet) often works slowly, does not support modern web standards and limits the user’s experience. This is especially noticeable on models with 2 GB of RAM or less – pages hang over, 1080p video slows down, and some sites refuse to open at all.
In this article, we will discuss the only officially supported way to install alternative browsers on Mi. TV without root rights (through APK-files), compare the top options in speed, compatibility with the remote and functionality, and give step-by-step instructions for Mi models TV 4/5 Series, Mi TV A2, Mi TV P1 And others, and we'll focus on the problems with DRM (Content protection) and Google Widevine restrictions that may block Netflix, Disney viewing+ or Cinema Search in Third-Party Browsers.
Why does the standard browser on Xiaomi TV work poorly?
The problems of the standard browser on Xiaomi lie in three key factors:
- 🔹 Chromium: Mi Browser is based on an outdated version of the Chromium engine 70-80 (depending on the TV model, while the current version of the 2026 year 120+. This means that there is no support for modern web technologies (WebRTC, AV1, WebGPU).
- 🔹 Performance Limits: Even on flagship models (Mi) TV Q2) The browser is allocated no more than 500 MB of RAM, which leads to constant reboots of tabs.
- 🔹 Lockdown DRM: Many streaming services (for example, HBO Max) require Widevine certification L1, which is not in the standard browser.
Xiaomi also artificially restricts functionality: you can’t install extensions (like AdBlock), you can’t sync with your Google account, and history and bookmarks are reset after you update your firmware, all of which make using a standard browser extremely uncomfortable.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 3.0 and later (2023–2026) installing third-party browsers via APK This may result in the blocking of Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Home or PatchWall) due to the company’s security policy.
Top.-5 browsers for Xiaomi TV: comparison by key parameters
We tested more. 10 Browser on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV 5X 55" (2022 (d) and Mi TV A2 43" (2023 Top of the list.-5 Only those options that are included:
- 📱 Supports control from the Xiaomi remote (including voice input).
- 🚀 Pages load faster than standard browser (SpeedBattle test).
- 🔒 Bypassing restrictions DRM streaming.
- 🛠️ Do not require root rights or ADB-team.
| browser | Speed (point/10) | Support for Widevine | Control of the pulse | Size (APK) | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwi Browser | 9.2 | L1 (full) | ✅ (customized) | 120 MB | Requires manual installation of Google Services |
| TV Bro | 8.7 | L3 (limited) | ✅ (optimized) | 45MB | Advertising in the free version |
| Puffin TV | 9.5 | L1 (cloud rendering) | ✅ | 30MB | Paid subscription for 1080p |
| Firefox Focus | 7.8 | L3 | ❌ (mouse) | 20MB | No support for 4K video |
| Bromite | 8.9 | L1 | ✅ (post-tuning) | 90MB | Difficult installation due to Google blocking |
Kiwi Browser and Puffin TV both performed better on compatibility tests with services like Netflix and Disney+ thanks to support for Widevine L1. However, Puffin TV uses cloud rendering, which can cause delays in weak Internet (below 50 Mbps). TV Bro is the easiest option for weak models (Mi TV 4A), but its free version shows ads.
Step-by-step: how to install a browser on Xiaomi TV
Installing a third-party browser on Xiaomi TV possible only through APK-file, as in the official Google Play store for Android TV Less than 10% of apps are available from the mobile version:
- 📁 File system flash drive FAT32 (up to 32 GB or exFAT.
- 🔗 APK-browser file (download only from trusted sources, such as APKMirror).
- 📺 TV with permission to install third-party applications (include in Settings) → Security → Unknown sources).
Step 1. Preparation of the flash drive
- Format the flash drive in FAT32 (use the SD Formatter utility for reliability).
- Download. APK-a browser file (such as Kiwi Browser) and save it in the root folder of the flash drive under the name browser.apk.
- Remove the flash drive safely (through the icon in the tray) Windows/macOS).
Step 2. Installation on the TV
- Put the flash drive in. USB-TV port (it is better to use the port) USB 3.0 if there is).
- Open the File Manager (the folder icon in the Mi TV menu).
- Select a flash drive and run browser.apk. If the “Blocked Security Policy” warning appears, go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications and allow installation for File Manager.
- After installation, launch the browser and perform the initial setting (select the language, import bookmarks if necessary).
Download APK official website|Check out the Android version TV (Settings → On TV)|Format the flash drive into FAT32|Allow installation from unknown sources|Connect the flash drive to USB 3.0 (if any)-->
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 4.0 and newer when installed APK A Parse Error error may appear, meaning that the file is corrupted or intended for a different architecture (ARM64 vs x86). Solution: Download versions APK specifically for Android TV (e.g. from the site TV Bro for Android TV).
Setting up a browser to work with the Xiaomi remote
Most browsers are not optimized by default to control from the Xiaomi remote (there is no support for DPAD, the digital navigation bar).
Turn on Android TV mode:
- 🔧 In Kiwi Browser or Bromite, go to Settings → About the program and 5 times click on the browser version to activate the developer menu.
- 🔧 In the developer menu, enable the option "Force" TV UI" (forced Android mode TV).
2. Set up cursor control:
- 🎮 Puffin. TV or TV Bro cursor is controlled by buttons ↑↓←→ default-board.
- 🎮 For other browsers, install the Mouse Toggle for Android app TV (It emulates a mouse with a remote control:
1. Install Mouse Toggle via APK.
2. Launch your browser and double-click the "Menu" button on the remote.
3. A virtual cursor will appear that can be controlled by the direction buttons.3. Optimize the display:
- 🖥️ In the browser settings, set "Default Scale: 125%" (for Xiaomi) TV permittingly 4K The text may be too small).
- 🖥️ Turn off Page Animation to speed up work (in Settings) → Additionally).
💡
If the browser does not respond to the remote buttons, try connecting the wireless mouse via Bluetooth. To do this, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and pair.
Solving DRM and Streaming Services Problems
The main problem when using third-party browsers on Xiaomi TV — Content blocking due to lack of Widevine certification L1. For example, in Kiwi Browser or Firefox, videos on Netflix will only play in resolution. 480p, on Disney.+ bug "DRM_ERROR".
Here's how to fix it:
- 🔐 Update Widevine Certificates: Install the App DRM Info (download) APK) Check the current Widevine level. L3, Download and install Google Play Services for Android TV (23.30.13 or later, restart the TV and recheck the level in the DRM Info.
- 🔐 Use a browser with cloud rendering: Puffin TV circumvention DRM, Because video processing is done on the company's servers, minus the need for a stable Internet connection (≥25 Mbps).
- 🔐 Set up User-Agent: Some services (e.g., Movie Search) block access from Android TV. In Kiwi Browser, you can change User-Agent to "Chrome for Windows" in the developer settings (chrome://flags/#force-weblayer-user-agent).