How to Install Any Apps on Xiaomi Mi Box S: From Google Play to Manual Download APK

Xiaomi Mi Box S is one of the most popular Android TV-boxes, but its capabilities are limited by the standard set of applications from Google Play for Android TV. Many users face the problem: how to install YouTube Vanced, Kodi with add-ons, IPTV-Players or games that aren’t in the official store? In this article, 5 working ways to install apps on the Mi Box S, including bypassing Google’s restrictions and manually downloading APK.

We will not only understand the basic methods (via Google Play and Send Files to). TV), and advanced, with the use of ADB, We'll focus on security, how to avoid viruses in the cloud. APK, Why don't you turn off Play Protect, and what to do if the app doesn't start. If you want to turn your Mi Box S into a full-fledged media center, read on.

1. Install applications through the Google Play Store

The easiest and safest way to use the official Google Play Store for Android TV. However, there is a caveat: not all apps from the mobile version of the Play Market are available on the Mi Box S. For example, you will not find here. VLC (There is only a simplified version, or MX Player with full functionality.

To find and install the application:

• 📺 Open the Google Play Store on the Mi Box S home screen.
• 🔍 Enter the name of the application in the search (use the remote or keyboard).
• 📥 If the application is available, click Install and confirm the action.
• ⚙️ After installation, close the Play Market and find the app icon in the All Apps menu.

If the desired app is not in the search results, try:

• 🌐 Log in the Play Market via a browser on PC → Choose the Mi Box S device → remotely send the application to the installation.
• 🔄 Update the Mi Box S firmware to the latest version (sometimes this opens up access to new apps).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) You may need to confirm your subscription even after you have installed it. If you already have an account, log in through the app menu.

Manual installation APK-Files: Unlocking "Unknown Sources»

If the app is not in Google Play, you can install it manually through the APK-This requires permission to install from unknown sources. On the Mi Box S, this process is different from smartphones:

Steps to unlock:

1. Go to Settings. → The device → Security and limitations.
2. Find Unknown Sources and turn it on.
3. In the list of applications that are allowed to install APK, Select File Manager or Send Files to TV (depending on the way you use it).

Now you can download it. APK. Options for obtaining a file:

• 💻 Download to PC and transfer to Mi Box S via USB-Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🌐 Download directly to the device via the browser (for example, TV Bro or Puffin. TV).
• 📲 Send from your phone via Send Files to TV (about this method in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: Download APK Only from verified sources: APKMirror, official developer sites or F-Droid. Files from torrent trackers or little-known sites may contain viruses or spyware.

After downloading APK:

1. Open the File Manager (if not, install X-Plore or FX File Explorer from Play Market).
2. Find the downloaded file (usually in the Download folder or USB-accumulator).
3. Select. APK and press Set. → confirm the authorization.

Download APK from a verified source

Allow installation from unknown sources

Connect USB-drive or set up cloud storage

Check the version. APK (It should support Android. TV)

Make sure there is a free space (minimum 200 MB)-->

3. Install applications via Send Files to TV (without USB)

One of the most convenient ways of transferring APK — Use Send Files application to TV. It allows you to send files from your phone to the Mi Box S over the local network without wires and without registration.

Instructions:

1. Install Send Files to TV on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Install the same app on the Mi Box S via Google Play.
3. Open the app on both devices and select Send on phone, Receive on box.
4. Choose. APK-File on your phone and wait for the transfer to be completed.
5. On the Mi Box S, a notification about the received file will appear – open it and install it.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Fast transmission (up to 10 MB/s over Wi-Fi 5 GHz).
• 🔒 There is no need for cloud services or USB-storage.
• 📱 It works with all files (not just any files). APK).

If the transmission does not begin:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Make sure they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🛡️ In the Mi Box S settings, turn off Traffic Savings (Settings) → Network and Internet).

💡

If Send Files to TV Can't find your Mi Box S, try manually entering it IP-boxing address in the app settings on the phone. IP You can set up → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → [your network]

Installation via ADB (for power users)

The method for those who want to automate the installation or have encountered errors when manually booting APK. ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to install applications via the command line from your PC.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-A (Connecting the Mi Box S to a PC).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools (download from Google or via Google) SDK Platform Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Mi Box S: Settings → The device → About the device → POS version → Click 7 times on the build number
2. Back to Settings → The device → Developer settings and include: Debugging by USB Debugging over the network (optional)
3. Connect the Mi Box S to the PC via USB-cable (use the port) USB 2.0 boxing).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and do: adb devices If you find a device, continue. If you don't, install Google drivers. USB Driver.
5. Install. APK command: adb install path to file.apk For example: adb install C:\Downloads\kodi-19.5.apk

If the installation is USB It doesn't work, try it. ADB Wi-Fi:

1. Connect to the Mi Box S on USB and execute: adb tcpip 5555
2. Turn off the cable and connect by command: adb connect [IP-box-in]:5555 For example: adb connect 192.168.1.100:5555
3. Now you can install it. APK wireless.

⚠️ Note: After installing applications through ADB shut down the debugging. USB This will reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the device through the local network.

5. Alternative Ways: Cloud Storage and File Managers

If you don't. USB-The storage device or not working Send Files to TV, You can use cloud services or specialized file managers for Android TV.

Method 1: Google Drive / Dropbox

1. Download. APK to your cloud storage from your PC or phone.
2. On the Mi Box S, install Google Drive or Dropbox from the Play Market.
3. Log in and download the file.
4. Open the downloaded one. APK through the file manager.

Method 2: File managers with built-in browser

Some managers (such as X-Plore) have a built-in browser for downloading. APK directly:

1. Install X-Plore from the Play Market.
2. Open the manager and go to the Network → Add a server → FTP/HTTP.
3. Enter. URL on APK (For example, with APKMirror).
4. Download and install the file.

Method 3: bootloader applications

bootloader app for Android TV Allows you to download files via direct links:

1. Install bootloader from Play Market.
2. Open it and enter it. URL on APK.
3. After downloading, click Install.

6. Problem Solving: The application is not installed or launched

Even after successful installation APK The app might not work. Let's look at the typical errors and their solutions:

Problem 1: The application does not start after installation

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Box S (hold the Power button on the remote for 5 seconds).
• 📋 Check Compatibility: Some apps (like TikTok or Instagram) aren’t optimized for Android TV.
• 🛠️ Install. TV App Cloner from Play Market – it adapts mobile apps for the big screen.

Problem 2: “Application not installed” error

• 🗑️ Remove the remnants of the previous installation through Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 Check the architecture APK: The Mi Box S only supports the arm64 or armeabi-v7a.
• 🔍 Download. APK from another source (the file may have been corrupted).

Problem 3: Lack of memory

• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → [select the application] → Clear the cache.
• 🗃️ Move the applications to USB-storage device (needed) OTG-Cable and Adoptable Storage Support).
• 🔄 Remove unnecessary apps (e.g. pre-installed games from Xiaomi).

Problem 4: The remote does not work in the application

Some applications (e.g., Kodi or emulators) require a mouse.

• 🖱️ Connect a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard.
• 🎮 Use the Mouse Toggle for Android app TV (emulates).
• 📱 Install Unified Remote on your phone and control boxing via a local network.

💡

If the app requires Google Services but doesn’t work, check if they’re enabled on the Mi Box S. Go to Settings for this. → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Services and Update It.

7.Optimization: How to Make Apps More User-friendly for Android TV

Many apps are designed for smartphones and are inconvenient to control from the remote, here's how to adapt them for the Mi Box S:

1. Control setup

• 🎛️ Turn on Mouse Mode in Mouse Toggle (hold the Back button to call the cursor).
• 🔄 Set up button combinations in Settings → Remote and accessories → Tune buttons.

2. Interface scaling

If the elements are too small:

• 🔍 Enable the screen size in the special features settings.
• 📐 Use it. TV App Cloner to force permission change.

Auto-launching of applications

To open the application immediately after the Mi Box S is turned on:

1. Install AutoStart from the Play Market.
2. Select the application and enable the AutoRun option.

4. Acceleration of work

• 🚀 Turn off animation: Settings → Developer parameters → The scale of animation (off).
• 🧹 Clean the cache once a week (use CCleaner) TV).

8.Security: How to Avoid Viruses and Fraud

Installation APK There are always risks associated with the use of unknown sources:

Verification APK before installation

• 🛡️ Use VirusTotal to scan the file (download) APK pre-installed).
• 🔍 Check the hash file (MD5/SHA-1) developer's website.
• 📌 Download only from official sources: APKMirror (checks developer signatures), F-Droid (open source only), official sites (e.g. kodi.tv for Kodi).

Security settings for the Mi Box S

• 🔒 Do not turn off Google Play Protect (Settings) → Security → Play Protect).
• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly (Settings) → The device → Update of the PO).
• 🚫 Disable installation from unknown sources after completion (return settings to Security and Restrictions).

Signs of the infected APK

• 🔋 Increased load on the processor (check in Settings) → Annexes → Use of CPUs).

⚠️ Attention: If after installation APK Mi Box S started to slow down or show ads – immediately delete the app and perform a cache reset (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear cache and data. In extreme cases, reset to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing apps on Xiaomi Mi Box S