One of the options to take into account to have Android TV on our television is to acquire a Xiaomi brand TV Box. Specifically, we are talking about the Xiaomi TV Box S, a small device with very simple installation that, connected to our television, provides us with a multitude of Android applications to watch streaming content, in addition to incorporating Google's Chromecast. This time we are going to inform you of some simple configuration tricks so that you can get the most out of your new Mi Box. But, first, a small technical sheet .
- Netflix certification , this Mi Box has the approval of Netflix to be able to reproduce its catalog up to 4K
- Chromecast included to send mobile content as well as mirror your device to the TV
- Google Assistant , you can search for content and control home automation
- Supports 4K and HDR resolution
- Dolby Audio and DTS
- HDMI, USB and audio connection
- Bluetooth 4.2
Make your TV Box go more fluid
This is the first trick that you will have to perform as soon as you turn on the TV Box for the first time. Don't worry, these are adjustments that are made from the menu itself and you won't have to install anything external and your Mi Box is not going to take any risk. To make the Mi Box go a little more fluid, we will have to adjust the speed of the transition animations and eliminate the processes in the background, that is, the applications that remain open when we go from one to another.
Adjust the scale speed of animations
First, adjust the speed of animations . To do this, we must activate the developer options of the Mi Box. It is a very simple procedure. To do this, we must go to the settings gear on the home screen and, within the settings, we will click on 'Device Preferences'. Here, we click with the command on 'Information' and, finally, we click on 'Compilation' about seven times until a message appears that warns us that the developer options are activated.
We go back again, to settings, and look for ' Developer options '. Within this screen we are going to go down to 'Window animation scale' and set the number to 0.5x '. We put the same setting inside 'Transition scale-animation' and 'Animation duration scale'.
Limit background processes
Now, we are going to limit the processes of the Mi Box in the background. so that it goes fluid. In the same 'Options for developers' screen we will go to the 'Applications' section. Here we will see a series of settings, we are exactly interested in ' limiting background processes '. Place it as you want, although we advise you to leave it in 'maximum 2 processes'.
Home screen, configure it to your liking
The home screen is the first thing you see as soon as you turn on the TV Box, so you will have to adjust it according to your needs. Here we can place a series of predetermined 'channels', depending on the apps you have installed, to see the content offered by each one of them. For example, we have YouTube channels, Netflix, RTVE a la carte, the ARTE channel, TuneIn Radio, Atresplayer TV ... If we go down all the way down, we will see a button that says ' Customize channels '.
Customize the channel list
When entering inside we can place and remove the channels we want. Pay attention to some of the channels because it contains, in turn, as many sub-channels that we can also add, such as YouTube, which has three different channels.
Reorder the channel list
Now, how can we reorder the channel list and place them to taste? very easy. On the home screen, as we scroll through the different channels, the icons will be highlighted. Press the button on the left and two new buttons will appear , one with a small arrow that, if you press it, you will reposition the channel where you want. The one next to it, with the prohibited sign, you must press it if you want to remove the channel from the list.
App tricks
How to add shortcuts and uninstall applications
We now go with some tricks related to the Mi Box applications. For example, on the home screen, we have a carousel at the top where the shortcuts of the applications we want will appear. To add them we will only have to click on the '+' icon and choose between the ones we have installed.
To uninstall an application we must go to the gearwheel of the settings, then click on 'Applications', 'See all applications' and there we look for the one we do not want. We select it and click on 'Uninstall'. Ready.
How to install applications from other or unofficial repositories
If you want to install applications that are not in the Play Store, you can also do it. To do this, you will need to download the Aptoide TV application from the APK Mirror page. We recommend that you send the APK file to a pendrive device and then place it in the Mi Box. Then, thanks to a file explorer that you can download to the Mi Box, such as Solid Explorer . In it we will enter the external device, search for the Aptoide TV APK and install it as usual.
Some of the best apps for your Mi Box
We do not end with a common trick, but with a series of recommendations of the best applications to get the most out of your new TV Box.
- Send Files to TV . A very efficient way to send files from your mobile to the TV Box, without the need for a pendrive. You just have to download the 'Send Files to TV app
- Justwatch . This application will make your life much easier if you are subscribed to numerous series and TV platforms. The downside is that it only detects, of the most popular, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. From this application you can access the content of these platforms without having to go to one or the other.
- Analiti . A good app to do a speed test of your Internet connection
- Aptoide TV . A repository of apps for TV Box perfectly designed for our televisions
- Tivimate . An application to watch TV on your Mi Box.