Date: Sep 24, 2015
This blog post is for advanced users.
If you bought an original Xiaomi Mini TVBox that is factory dated 2015.06 (June 2015). It will comes with MIUI 1.3.83. This is a new version of the operating system that prevent you from installing third party APK/APP files such as Shafa Market (沙发管家) Apk.
You should already know the following before you start this.
1. What is Xiaomi TV Box.
2. What is Xiaomi TV Mini Box.
3. The reason why Xiaomi Mini Box does not come with USB port. Yeap, there is no USB for you to plug your thumb drive. So, you cannot install 3rd party APK files.
4. What is Shafa Market. Because you can install lots of fantastic apps from here. And you can do remote installation from a PC too.
5. You should know how to run a NAS or sharing a directory from your Windows or Mac. Just copies the APK files onto this shared directory.
You cannot blame Xiaomi removing this and that. That is because the Chinese government really wanted to control what apps you can install on to the Big Screen TV. So, that is why they come up with so much restrictions to prevent all these TV content providers to make sure they comply to the government rules.
But luckily, there is always a “backdoor” or way that we still can do this.
First thing, make sure that you allow to install 3rd party apps. But going to the security settings. The ADB does not work anymore.
You might see this. Try not to upgrade. If possible.
I have tested both version 1.3.83 and version 1.3.98. Both works.
As you notice, starting 1.3.83, there is no 快捷安装 (Remote installation) any more. So, don’t waste
Luckily, we still have the 高清播放器 (Media Player). This is the stock media player that comes with Xiaomi. It is a very power media player. And they have done the network file sharing properly and can search all the network drives available on your network.
So, when you run it, go to 设备 (facilities). You will see all your network drive. I saw both my Synology NAS. I saw my son’s Windows PC. I saw my iMac shared drive too.
For those who does not know what to do. Go learn how to enable “File Sharing” on your iMac. Or google it.
Double click on the network drive.
Usually you will need to key in the user name and password to access the network drive.
And you are in. For the example, I went into my Synology drive as I already have a folder that has all the APK in it.
And there you go. You know what to do next. Click and install.
As simple as that.
Thanks for the guide. My Diskstation only shows folders fo rmusic, movies and images so it does not show the apk. Is there a workaround that?
i only managed to see apk after i place it into a public folder under “home” in my mac..so u may wanna try on that
Thanks for your detail guide. Just to check if I do not own an iMac is there any other alternative to jailbreak it?
I am trying to file share, but it isn't working. I have it set up on my Mac and when I go to the facilities it shows nothing. So I add a folder and type in the ip address (192.168….) and then enter in my user name and password for this Mac and it says that it is wrong. Any suggestions?
Hi thanks for the tutorial. I am having the same trouble as Michael. When I set up a new device and it asks me for the IP address, should I put in my computers IP address or the numbers following “afp://”?
Hello, I have the same problem as above, when I enter the PC asks me username and password. I have not put any and gives me error . When I try to connect via i.p. I put all the smartphones and tablets but always fails. Thank you
I use my mobile phone Android base then i download the Shafa apk then i sent it to the Xiao Mi to receive the file from my Mobile phone.. That is much easy. Use Bluetooth pairing then sent it .. Try it out…. It works for me….
I use my mobile phone Android base then i download the Shafa apk then i sent it to the Xiao Mi to receive the file from my Mobile phone.. That is much easy. Use Bluetooth pairing then sent it .. Try it out…. It works for me….
I use my mobile phone Android base then i download the Shafa apk then i sent it to the Xiao Mi to receive the file from my Mobile phone.. That is much easy. Use Bluetooth pairing then sent it .. Try it out…. It works for me….
Hi , I try to do with bluetooth but always gives me failed . I said to my tv mini xiaomi not support that file type . My need to change some mini box to send the apk file and it installs ?
Mine 1s 1.3.98 but i dun have the ADB option in setting.