Xiaomi Mi Box S: how to download a browser and use the Internet

Owners of the modern set-top box Xiaomi Mi Box S often face a limited set of pre-installed software that does not always meet the needs of advanced users. Standard shell Android TV focused on the consumption of content through streaming services, but full-fledged web surfing in it is implemented poorly or not at all. Installing a full-fledged web browser allows not only to browse sites, but also to install applications that are not in the official Google Play Store using direct links.

The process of installing third-party programs on Android TV based on use APK-The Google Play app store on TVs has strict compatibility filters, and you will not only need to download the browser, but also properly prepare the device's file system for manually installing programs from unknown sources. In this guide, we will analyze all the nuances, from choosing the right browser to configuring control from the remote control.

There are several proven methods of downloading and installing web browsers, each with its own advantages depending on your technical background.We will look at both the classic way through the built-in file bootloader, and the more flexible options using third-party download managers.It is critical to understand that installing browsers on the Mi Box S will require a stable Internet connection and access to APK files, since direct installation from the Play Store is often unavailable.

Choosing the Best Browser for Android TV

The first step is to determine which web browser is best for remote control. Standard mobile browsers can be extremely uncomfortable on the big screen, requiring constant use of mouse or keyboard emulation. Xiaomi Mi Box S has developed special versions or modifications of popular browsers adapted for cross-navigation.

One of the most popular solutions is TV Bro, an open-source browser designed specifically for TVs that supports voice input, has a built-in ad blocker and correctly displays fonts over long distances. Another strong contender is Puffin TV Browser, which is famous for its speed and cloud-based processing, which reduces the load on the console processor.

Also worth looking at is Firefox for Android TV, which offers good sync with the desktop version, but may require a mouse connection to fully navigate complex sites. The choice of a particular product depends on your priorities: page rendering speed, extension support, or interface convenience.

  • 🌐 TV Bro is the best choice for those who appreciate the openness of the code and the lack of advertising in the interface.
  • 🚀 Puffin TV — Ideal for weak networks due to compression of traffic on developer servers.
  • 🦊 Firefox TV — It is suitable for users who need to synchronize history and passwords with a PC.
  • 🖥️ Android Browser is a basic option, often requiring refinement or use of a mouse emulator.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing heavy desktop browsers (such as full-fledged Chrome for PC) through emulators, as they can cause overheating of the Mi Box S and significant interface delays.

Preparation of the prefix for installation of APK

Before you download the installation file, you need to change the security settings of your Xiaomi Mi Box S. By default, the Android TV system blocks the installation of applications from sources other than the Google Play Store to protect the user from malicious code.

To start, go to the main menu and select Settings. Go to Security and Restrictions (or just Security depending on the firmware version) and find Unknown Sources and switch the slider to active position. In newer versions of Android TV, this setting can be tied to a specific application that will be used for installation (e.g. Send Files to TV or bootloader).

Once this function is activated, the system will issue a warning about potential risks. Confirm the action by clicking OK. Now your console is ready to manually install the software. Remember that you should only download files from trusted sources, such as the official developer site or APKMirror repository.

In some cases, you may need to enable debugging over USB, although it is rarely necessary to simply install browsers. If you plan to experiment with software often, it makes sense to immediately activate the Developers For Device item, which is hidden by default. To appear, you need to quickly click on the Build Number in the About Device section 7 times to appear.

☑️ Preparation of the Mi Box S for installation

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Method 1: Installation through bootloader

The most convenient and popular way to download browsers on Xiaomi Mi Box S is to use a specialized application bootloader.This tool combines the functions of the browser and file manager, allowing you to enter direct links to the user. APK-files and automatically start the installation process. You can find it in the official Google Play store on the console itself.

Once you install bootloader, launch the app and allow storage access if you request it. In the main window, you'll see the address bar. Using the on-screen keyboard (or connected Bluetooth keyboard for speed), enter a short code or a direct link to the keyboard. APK-a file of the desired browser, for example, TV Bro is often used for short codes that can be found on the developer’s forums or website.

Once you enter the link, click Go. The app will download the installation package. When you complete the download, the Android installer window will automatically open. You will need to confirm the installation by clicking Install. After the successful installation, the Open or Done button will appear.

What if bootloader doesn’t see the network?
If the bootloader app shows a connection error, check the settings DNS on the router or try to change DNS on the TV/set-top box itself 8.8.8.8. Also, the problem may be in the ad blocker at the router level, which prevents the download of application scripts.> Method 2: Transfer APK via smartphone or PC If entering links from the remote seems to you inconvenient, you can use the method of transferring the file from another device. APK-smartphone-file (Android/iOS) Or a computer, and then transfer it to the Xiaomi Mi Box S over a local network, which is especially relevant if you already have the right installer on your phone. TV (SFTTV) X-plore File Manager with WebDAV server enabled. Similar application (or affiliate) is installed on the smartphone. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Run the app on your TV and select Receive mode. On your smartphone, launch the app, select your browser file, and find your Xiaomi Mi Box S console on the list of available devices. Once the transfer is confirmed, the file will be copied to the console memory, and you will only need to find it through the file manager and start the installation. Method Required Software Complexity Speed bootloader bootloader (from the Play Store) Low High Send Files to TV SFTTV (TV + Telephone) Medium Medium Medium USB-Flash File Manager Low High Cloud Storage Google Drive / Dropbox High Network Depends on Control and Interface Settings After installing the browser, you may find that the cursor on the screen does not move or moves chaoticly. This is because many web pages are mouse-focused rather than button-navigated. In these cases, mouse emulation features built into Xiaomi’s remote or third-party apps come to the rescue. The Xiaomi Mi Remote often has a button combination (usually Backwards). + Home or long-term pressing of the menu button, which switches the cursor mode. TV Bro, for example, has a dedicated toolbar called by the menu button where you can activate mouse or keyboard mode, which allows you to click on any elements of the page, even if they do not have a navigation focus. For more comfortable text input, it is recommended to connect a wireless keyboard and mouse through USB-port or Bluetooth. Android. TV It recognizes the periphery perfectly, and this turns the console into a full-fledged netbook. If this is not possible, install a remote app (for example, the official Google Home or MI Remote) on your smartphone that has a touchpad and keyboard function. It is also important to configure font scaling. In the browser settings or in the system settings of the Xiaomi Mi Box S (Settings → Device → Screen Settings → Image Size) you can change the DPI or interface scale to ensure that text on sites is readable from a distance of 2-3 meters. Solution and optimization of work In the process of using the browser on the TV, there may be specific problems associated with a lack of resources or codecs. For example, the video on the browser, this is a web server that is often replaying the internal memory, or the web server. Browsers cache pages, and over time, the cache can take up hundreds of megabytes. Regularly clear the cache in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Your browser] → If memory is critically busy, consider connecting USB-The storage device, although Android TV It doesn't always allow you to transfer applications to external drives without root permissions. If the browser crashes immediately after launch, try to delete it and download it. APK-file of another architecture or version. for the Mi Box S (which works on the ARM processor needs an arm version or arm64, version x86 (computers will not work. ⚠️ Note: When using public Wi-Fi networks through a browser on the TV do not enter confidential data (passwords from banks, cards), as the level of protection of built-in browsers may be inferior to desktop counterparts. 💡Regular cleaning of the browser cache is a mandatory procedure to maintain the performance of the Xiaomi Mi Box S, since the amount of internal memory is limited (FAQ) Can I install Google Chrome directly on the Mi Box S? official version of Google Chrome for Android TV You can't find it on the Play Store on the console. APK-It's a tablet version, but it's going to be very uncomfortable to operate without a mouse and it can be unstable. TV Bro or Puffin. Why doesn't YouTube work in a browser on a TV? YouTube in a browser may not play high-quality videos or require constant "I'm not a robot" confirmations. You'd better use a native app to view YouTube. If it doesn't work, the problem is more likely to be a Google account or region than a browser? Use the "Send to TV" function to transfer text or connect USB-Keyboard. Many browsers also support scanning. QR-It's a code that synchronizes tabs with your phone, which allows you to type in addresses and passwords from your smartphone. APK Yes, if you use trusted resources like APKMirror or official developer sites, avoid sites with hacked versions of paid programs, as they often contain miners that can overload the console processor.