Xiaomi Android TV Box discussion II [consolidated]

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xiaofan

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Guys,
Been using a Fire TV Stick for a couple of months. Installed Apple TV+. But error message says "not supported in my region".
How to overcome this?

To pay for a VPN. You can get cheap promotion codes here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...strictly-no-referral-allowed-3807778-234.html

BTW, Apple TV+ is not available for Android TV OS device like Mi Box S yet.

Interestingly my old Apple TV 3rd gen still gets FW updates to add the Apple TV+ compatibility. But I do not really use it.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210740
 
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galliano

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To pay for a VPN. You can get cheap promotion codes here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...strictly-no-referral-allowed-3807778-234.html

BTW, Apple TV+ is not available for Android TV OS device like Mi Box S yet.

Interestingly my old Apple TV 3rd gen still gets FW updates to add the Apple TV+ compatibility. But I do not really use it.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210740

I already have VPN (VPN Unlimited) and tried a few times. Still same message.

But i doubt its region locked, cos i can easily access Apple TV+ on my other devices w/o VPN. Apple TV+ is available in SG.
 

xiaofan

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I already have VPN (VPN Unlimited) and tried a few times. Still same message.

But i doubt its region locked, cos i can easily access Apple TV+ on my other devices w/o VPN. Apple TV+ is available in SG.

Get another VPN instead...

Your Amazon Fire TV Stick is from US and I can only guess that the Apple TV app on it has the region lock.

Try to use Amazon Prime Video Singapore account if you have one, on your Fire TV stick to see if it works. Reports say it does not work as it is region locked to US.

Anyway, the above is just a guess.

You can try to contact Apple for help, as it says Amazon Fire TV devices are supported.
https://www.apple.com/sg/newsroom/2019/11/apple-tv-plus-is-now-available/

Amazon will probably not support you since they do not officially selling Fire TV device here.
 
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rerear

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Am still unable to connect surfshark to any vpn locations on the mibox, although it works on other devices. Anything doing wrong?
 

xiaofan

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Which box can download toggle app without the need to use Chromecast?

No Android TV box officially.

Unofficially my generic boxes like Tanix TX5 Max works even with a warning. Tanix TX5 Max is discontinued but you can get Tanix TX3 S905X3 box from Gearbest. You may want to turn off root. It is said that Toggle app may detect root and disable the access in some cases. YMMV. I will not be responsible if it does not work for you.

Apple TV 4th gen or Apple TV 4k have official Toggle app.
https://toggle.force.com/helpcentre/s/article/How-to-set-up-Toggle-app-on-Apple-TV-4th-Gen-and-above

Toggle FAQ on device support.
https://www.toggle.sg/en/toggle/android-faq

3. What devices can I use to watch Toggle?
You can watch Toggle on smartphones, tablets, computers, Smart TVs, Apple TV and Chromecast.

We recommend a minimum of iOS 8.0 and Android version 5.0 for the best experience. Please note that Android devices that have been “rooted” and iOS devices that have been “jailbreak” will not be able to download the Toggle app.

Tested Android Smartphones include:

Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Note 3, Note 4
Samsung Galaxy S2, S3, S4 and S7
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Galaxy A8
Google Pixel 2 XL

Tested Android Tablets include:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7” & 8.9”)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (7” & 8.9”)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Supported Smart TV models (Selected Models):

LG Connected TV models from 2012
Samsung Connected TV models from 2012
 
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tanahgu

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i have a old mdz-18-aa, bought for my mom

all the china vod apps cannot work due to geolocation
only use the seller loaded youtube app

today this youtube app finally stopped working

i dunno if its caused by xiaomi, youtube or what
time to time, xiaomi will auto upgrade the OS on this box

thanks to ppl talking abt "smart youtube",
i can still get youtube for my mom

although the vid loading speed is somehow slower
 

xiaofan

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i have a old mdz-18-aa, bought for my mom

all the china vod apps cannot work due to geolocation
only use the seller loaded youtube app

today this youtube app finally stopped working

i dunno if its caused by xiaomi, youtube or what
time to time, xiaomi will auto upgrade the OS on this box

thanks to ppl talking abt "smart youtube",
i can still get youtube for my mom

although the vid loading speed is somehow slower

Actually that is the most powerful Mi Box in terms of HW specifications. It is called Mi Box 3 Enhanced (小米盒子3增强版 in Chinese), higher HW specifications than Mi Box S (international version, MDZ-22-AB) and Mi Box 4 (China version, MDZ-21-AA)

Ref:
https://xw.qq.com/cmsid/20180211A0540W

A few options for you.
1) Install app market like Dangbei/Shafa market and then install streaming apps and utilities apps to make use of the box, mainly for Chinese contents streaming but also okay for other possibilities

2) side load apps not requiring Google Play services by yourself, including phone version of Transocks or other China VPNs to utilise the bundled apps, or just forget about the bundled apps and install apps by yourself, for both CJK and English contents

3) If you are more tech savvy and more adventurous you can try root the box and load Google Play Services and Google apps, or even Android TV OS, then you can load other apps, including China VPNs from the Play Stores to utilise the bundled apps. For all kinds of streaming use cases. You can remove some of the bundled apps in this case.

Ref: https://youtu.be/HBvGSLw7aQw

http://wolfted.blogspot.com/2019/01/3-1593-andorid.html?m=1

https://www.wunote.cn/article/1538/

But be careful since it may brick your box. YMMV.
 
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gregory_choo

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i have a old mdz-18-aa, bought for my mom

all the china vod apps cannot work due to geolocation
only use the seller loaded youtube app

today this youtube app finally stopped working

i dunno if its caused by xiaomi, youtube or what
time to time, xiaomi will auto upgrade the OS on this box

thanks to ppl talking abt "smart youtube",
i can still get youtube for my mom

although the vid loading speed is somehow slower

try this version
https://apkpure.com/youtube-for-android-tv/com.google.android.youtube.tv

it is faster than smart youtubeTV if it can work on your box.

you can also install 今日影视TV版APP, no geoblock for all contents.

jins365 dot com / tv dot apk
 

Uno_Hu

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Anyone tried Aptoide TV apk, seem to be the most appropriate App for those that having YouTube issues.
 

xiaofan

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Anyone tried Aptoide TV apk, seem to be the most appropriate App for those that having YouTube issues.

The real lesson here is to buy only global version of Xiaomi TV boxes, MDZ-16-AB (Mi Box Global) and MDZ-22-AB (Mi box S, latest model since 2018) for new buyers.

Of course for those who already bought the China version of Xiaomi TV box, you can try to make it useful -- they can be pretty good for Chinese entertainment apps. They can be useful for some other contents as well with the right apps, especially for newer models like Xiaomi TV Box 3S, 3Enhanced, 4C and 4.
 

tanahgu

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Actually that is the most powerful Mi Box in terms of HW specifications. It is called Mi Box 3 Enhanced (小米盒子3增强版 in Chinese), higher HW specifications than Mi Box S (international version, MDZ-22-AB) and Mi Box 4 (China version, MDZ-21-AA)

Ref:
https://xw.qq.com/cmsid/20180211A0540W

A few options for you.
1) Install app market like Dangbei/Shafa market and then install streaming apps and utilities apps to make use of the box, mainly for Chinese contents streaming but also okay for other possibilities

2) side load apps not requiring Google Play services by yourself, including phone version of Transocks or other China VPNs to utilise the bundled apps, or just forget about the bundled apps and install apps by yourself, for both CJK and English contents

3) If you are more tech savvy and more adventurous you can try root the box and load Google Play Services and Google apps, or even Android TV OS, then you can load other apps, including China VPNs from the Play Stores to utilise the bundled apps. For all kinds of streaming use cases. You can remove some of the bundled apps in this case.

Ref: https://youtu.be/HBvGSLw7aQw

http://wolfted.blogspot.com/2019/01/3-1593-andorid.html?m=1

https://www.wunote.cn/article/1538/

But be careful since it may brick your box. YMMV.

yes, the hardware seems leap years ahead of the old dreambox :s13::s13:
but i always felt xiaomi owned the box, not me :vijayadmin:

thanks for the info on rooting the box,
i am not that savvy, failed previously when i first bought the box

the 今日影视TV版 app shared by gregory_choo is great

i guess rooting is a last resort if there are no more such apps that work on my box
 

tanahgu

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try this version
https://apkpure.com/youtube-for-android-tv/com.google.android.youtube.tv

it is faster than smart youtubeTV if it can work on your box.

you can also install 今日影视TV版APP, no geoblock for all contents.

jins365 dot com / tv dot apk

thanks!!
without this 今日影视TV版 i am missing out on the full potential of the box for years :s22::s22::s22:

this youtube-for-android-tv/com.google.android.youtube.tv seems to be an update to the seller-installed-youtube on my box

now i have 2 youtube apps that work on my box!
 

Uno_Hu

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actually. for you guys who uses TV or android tvos ..
instead of the official youtube app.

u might wanna use this for ad less instead.
ads on youtubes are getting ridiculous ..

https://smartyoutubetv.github.io/

Yes, there's this smart youtube app inside Aptoide TV App. It solves the issues of Youtube service being cut off and the Aptoide TV has many useful apps such as FaceBook and Firefox Browser as well.
No wonder Huawei techies recommended this Aptoide when first known about Google would cut them out of its service.
 

imacbie

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Yes, there's this smart youtube app inside Aptoide TV App. It solves the issues of Youtube service being cut off and the Aptoide TV has many useful apps such as FaceBook and Firefox Browser as well.
No wonder Huawei techies recommended this Aptoide when first known about Google would cut them out of its service.

update, i experienced freezing on both

https://apkpure.com/youtube-for-android-tv/com.google.android.youtube.tv
https://smartyoutubetv.github.io/

need to power on off the box

usually happens after a few hours of watching and i use fast forward

most apps that are not on the playstore or if the playstore is not on a particular devices, i sideload them myself.. just take note to get from a safe source.

and for smartyoutubetv ... it's inapp update has work ok for me ... and i update everytime it prompt
 
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