How to Install Apps on MiBox Mini 小米小盒子 from Xiaomi

Date:  May 4, 2015

Updates:  You cannot use this method to install App anymore.  Please see here.  http://miniliew.blogspot.ch/2015/09/xiaomi-mini-tvbox-with-mibox-miui-1383.html

“May the 4th be with you!"

Today, let’s learn how to install 3rd parties apps onto the Mibox Mini.

First, what is Mibox Mini?

This is Mibox Mini.

It is that small.  Sometimes, it is better than the FireTV Mini.  Simply plug the Mi Box mini into the electrical outlet and plug in the HDMI cable.

The packaging is very compact.  Nice.

The foot print is very small.  It is like a adapter.

But it stream shows and movies onto your TV.  It is good and light to carry around when you travel.

Check this out.  The new WHITE COLOR remote control.

And it is a bluetooth remote control.

Just in case that you lost the bluetooth signal.  You can pair the bluetooth remote control by pressing the Home button and the Menu button and hold it for few seconds until you hear the beep sound.  You have to hold the remote very near to the Mi Box mini.

Ok.  There is only one interface on the Mi Box mini.  That is the HDMI port.  There is NO USB port.

So, with NO USB port, how do you install the third party applications?

Very easy.

1.  First, launch your Mi Box mini as per normal.  Setup the WiFi.

2.  Next, you go into the Mi Box setting.

3.  Then, you select the Account & Security Safety option.

4.  You have to select YES/ALLOW to install applications from unknown source.  (The First line option)

5.  Select Allow.

6.  Next, You need to allow ADB to be turned on.

7.  Select ADB developers option by allowing it.

8.  Press the HOME BUTTON.  Go back to the Xiao Mi Box UI page.

9.  Go and select the Applications Store.

10.  Under the Account menu.

11.  Select Fast Installation.

12.  Then, this page will be displayed.

13.  You need this URL address for next step.

14.  Go to a web browser, and type the URL given from last page.

15.  This is the remote installation page.  Simply drag the Apps into that box below, and the application will be installed on the Mi Box mini.

16.  Goto www.shafa.com to download the Shafa Application Store.

17.  Drag the APK file.

18.  Drop the Shafa app inside the box.

19.  Few seconds later, the application is successfully installed.  Click “Install other APK” to continue upload APK files.

20.  I just installed two APKs.  The Cartoon HD and the Shafa Butler/Apps Store.

21.  Then, you have choices, if you already have tons of APK on your computer, simply use the same method to install the APK.  The benefit of doing so is you not need to say “YES” to the annoying installation dialog.

22.  Or, if you want, just install the rest of the APK from the Shafa Apps Store.

 

I told you is easy.

This Mi Box mini is selling for RMB 199 in China.  It is about $50-$60 in China.

I think it is a very light and good carry companion to overseas.