If you own a Xiaomi TV or smartphone (e.g. Mi) TV 4S, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), You may have encountered a mysterious app called Viewer (or Viewer in English), which appears on the installed list, but its purpose is not always obvious. What kind of software is it, can it be removed, and is it not a virus?
In this article, we will discuss in detail what the Viewer is on Xiaomi devices, what functions it performs, how to use it (and whether to use it), and also explain the nuances of its removal. TV or PatchWall and smartphones (on the MIUI). If you suspect that the program is taking up space or slowing down the system, here you will find the answers.
What is a “Viewing Tool” on Xiaomi?
Viewer is a system application developed by Xiaomi for multimedia content, and its main purpose is to provide interaction between the device and external data sources, such as:
- 📺 Mi TVs TV/Redmi TV: streaming video processing, working with DLNA-servers, viewing files from USB-accumulator.
- 📱 Xiaomi smartphones: integration with the function “Screen mirroring” (Miracast), support for protocols for transferring media files.
- 🖥️ Smart devices: sync with Xiaomi Home to display content from cameras or other gadgets of the ecosystem.
It is important to understand that this is not a standalone video app (such as, MX Player or VLC), It's an intermediate module that allows compatibility between Xiaomi hardware and external devices, which is why it's not found on Google Play, but it's installed with the firmware.
On Xiaomi TVs, the “Watching Tool” often works in conjunction with:
- 🎬 PatchWall - a branded shell for Mi TV, which aggregates content from multiple sources (YouTube, Netflix, local files).
- 🔌 Mi Home – to control smart devices through the TV.
- 📂 File Manager – when connecting a flash drive or hard disk.
⚠️ Note: On some TV models (e.g. Mi) TV Q1 or Redmi Smart TV X) The Viewer can duplicate the features of the built-in player. This is not a mistake, it is designed to back up a format that is not supported by the main software.
Why do you need a “watching tool” on a Xiaomi TV?
On Xiaomi TVs, this app plays several key roles:
- Play local files when you connect. USB-A drive, TV, uses a Viewer to open videos, music, or photos, without which many formats (such as.mkv or.flac) may not play.
Without this module, Xiaomi TV will lose some functionality, especially if we are talking about models with PatchWall.
- 🔄 Switch between signal sources (HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi) without failure.
- 🎵 Play music from the flash drive in the background.
- 📱 Use the TV as a second screen for your smartphone.
However, in practice, many users do not notice the difference, as the main functions are duplicated by other applications (for example, Google Photos for photos or YouTube for videos), which leads to the question: can I remove the Viewer if it is not necessary? The answer is ambiguous, and we will discuss it below.
“Viewing tool” on Xiaomi smartphones: features
On Xiaomi smartphones (under management) MIUI) «The viewing tool is less common, but it is still present on some models, especially in the Mi and Redmi lines from 2020-2023:
- 🔄 Support Miracast/Wi-Fi When transferring a screen to a TV or projector, the smartphone uses this module to encode the video stream.
- 📁 File processing through Explorer, for example, when opening rare video formats or 3D-picture.
- 🤖 Integration with smart devices. If you use a Xiaomi Home Security camera, the Viewer can stream video from it.
Unlike TVs, on smartphones, this app is less critical. its absence will not lead to serious failures, but some features (for example, the Limitless screen in the Internet) MIUI 14) may not work properly.
Where to look for “Viewing tool” on a smartphone:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the list of system programs, find the Viewer or the Viewer (may be hidden – turn on the display of system applications).
- Some of the firmware is hidden in the settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities.
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI Global Viewer is sometimes confused with a virus because of its hidden location. However, it is an official component and antiviruses (like Dr.Web or Kaspersky) should not block it. If you see a warning, check the hash of the file through VirusTotal.
Can I remove the Viewer with Xiaomi?
Technically, removal is possible, but the consequences depend on the device:
| Type of device | Can I remove it? | What happens after removal? | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV/Redmi TVs | ❌ Only with root rights. | The reproduction of the C will cease to work. USB, DLNA, Miracast | Better turn it off. |
| Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI) | ✅ Perhaps (through) ADB) | Mirror functions and rare formats may be missing | Remove if you are not using Miracast |
| Tablets Xiaomi Pad | ⚠️ Partially (requires unlocking of the bootloader) | Possible errors when connecting to external displays | Don't remove |
If you want to get rid of the program, here are the safe ways to do it:
Backup your data (via Mi Cloud or locally)
Disable the application in the settings (without deleting)
Check the operation of key functions (USB, Miracast)
Use it. ADB only if you are confident in the action-->
For TVs, removal is not recommended as it can lead to:
- 🚫 Errors in connection USB-The storage device (the TV will not see the files).
- 📵 Loss of function DLNA (You can’t stream video from your phone).
- 🔄 Update issues (some firmware requires system components).
On smartphones, removal is less risky, but requires ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Instructions:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.viewerIf the command doesn’t work, try disabling the app first:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.viewer⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) «The viewer is linked to Google services, and its removal could cause Google Play Services to crash. Before experimenting, check if the app is being used by other processes through adb shell dumpsys package com.xiaomi.viewer.
How to use the “Viewing Tool” on Xiaomi?
If you choose not to remove the app, you can benefit from it.
On Xiaomi TV
1. Viewing files from USB-storage:
- Connect the flash drive to the USB port on the TV.
- Open Files in the main PatchWall menu.
- Select a video/photo – playback will go through the “Viewing tool”.
2 Telephone broadcasting DLNA:
- On your smartphone, open a gallery or video player (for example, MX Player).
- Select a file → «Send» → «DLNA».
- In the list of devices, select your Mi TV.
On a Xiaomi smartphone
Screen mirroring (Miracast):
- Open "Settings» → «Connections and sharing» → «Screen transmission».
- Select the TV from the list of available devices.
- Confirm the connection – the image from the phone will appear on the big screen.
2. Viewing 3D-photo:
- Open the Gallery and find a file with the.mpo extension (3D) or pano.
- Click on it – if the standard app fails, the “Browser” will open.
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If the "Viewing Tool" does not open the file with USB, Try to rename it extension (for example, from.avi to.avi.mp4) It's often the codec incompatibility that's the problem, not the application itself.
Problems with the “Viewing Means” and their solutions
Despite its usefulness, this application sometimes causes failures. Consider common issues and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV doesn't see the files on the USB | Unsupported format or damaged drive | Format the flash drive into FAT32 or exFAT, check files on another device |
| The application is constantly running itself | Cache failure or conflict with other services | Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Viewing medium → Memory. |
| No sound when playing video | Incompatible audio codec (e.g. DTS) | Convert the file to AAC or MP3 through VLC |
| Miracast is not working. | The service “Viewing tool” is disabled or network settings are lost | Restart the router and turn the application back on |
If the Viewer is getting stuck or slowing down, try:
- Clear the cache and application data (in settings).
- Update your TV/smartphone firmware to the latest version.
- Reset network settings (Settings) → The Internet and the Internet → Reset).
What if the Viewer disappeared after the update?
Alternatives to the “Viewing Tool” on Xiaomi
If you have removed or disabled a standard app but need its features, consider alternative solutions:
- 📺 For TVs: VLC Android TV — It supports all video and audio formats. Kodi is a universal media center with support. DLNA. Plex – if you have a home media server.
- 📱 For smartphones: Google Photos - to view panoramas and 3D-Miracast applications (e.g. Screen Mirroring) for mirroring. Solid Explorer is a file manager with support for rare formats.
The main disadvantage of alternatives is that they are not integrated into the system, so they can run slower or require additional adjustments. DLNA Kodi will have to manually add sources, while Viewer does it automatically.
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If you only use a Xiaomi TV for viewing Netflix/YouTube and do not connect external drives, "Viewing tool" can be safely disabled - it will not be necessary.