Mi Box: Installing/Side loading Chrome?

by Adam375

I got my Mi Box a few days ago and was eager to set it up, having browsed through the app store i was disappointed to see that it did not have any web browsers available on the play store.

Was interested to know how to install Chrome and side load or enable a shortcut on the home screen.

would be glad if anyone could assist in providing step by step instructions.

haojiezhu

Puffin ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cloudmosa.puffinFree&hl=en_US ) is optimized for TV remote and is in Play Store.

You can also try Firefox for Android TV ( https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/mozilla/firefox-android-tv/firefox-android-tv-3-4-b-release/firefox-android-tv-3-4-b-android-apk-download/ ), which is not in Play Store anymore.

APK for latest Chrome browser can be downloaded here and sideloaded with a file manager, like "X-plore" from Play Store: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/chrome/chrome-73-0-3683-90-release/

Chrome will create a shortcut on the home screen of Leanback launcher.

Barks507

Get Brave browser from a FileLinked store.

flaviofavila

Puffin Browser is what you're looking for.

erikbucik

First you need a file manager. Download one from the PlayStore on MiBox. Then download the Chrome apk (best to get it from ApkMirror) on your computer/phone, and put it on a USB drive. I suggest that you get MiXplorer apk as well, because it works great on mobile and TV. (Make sure to download it from the XDA forum (via the official site), the one in the PlayStore costs 4€ and is just the same thing with already built-in plugins, which you can download separately for free, but you most likely won't need them.) Insert the USB into the MiBox, open a file manager, navigate to the apks and install them.

Problems:

  • sideloaded apks don't update automatically, you can update MiX by going into settings > about > check for updates. For Chrome you'll have to download and install the apk for each new version (luckily once you have Chrome installed, you can download apks directly to the MiBox).
  • you can't add sideloaded apps on the homescreen, unless they're optimised for TV (MiX is), or you use another launcher.
  • you'll need a mouse and keyboard to use Chrome (that's why it's not available on the PlayStore for TVs).
_CitationX

Puffin is on the Play Store. It's a great alternative and for me was far more stable than a Chrome apk. Definitely worth a shot.