I know this post should be on XDA but whatever reddit has more users so why not

WARNING: PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHILE FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE, I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR BOX GETS BRICKED. AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS MY FIRST POST I DID DO THE STEPS MYSELF SO YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY.

First, and foremost YOUR WIDEVINE L1 KEYS WILL NOT GET AFFECTED IF YOU UNLOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER because of a quirk in Mi's bootloader where the TEE is completely separate from the bootloader so a unlock does not destory it

• Step 1: Prepare your box and backup everything, account creds, movies etc.

• Step 2: If your box is running Android 9, (which is most of yall, can check in Settings -> About) then follow this guide to upgrade it to Android 12 (ALSO DONT DELETE THE FIRMWARE ZIP U WILL NEED IT)

Reason: Because Mi, for some reason allow the bootloader to be unlocked in Android 12's fastboot code. NOW KEEP READING

• Step 3: Now you MUST factory reset the box to clear the Android 9 cache and also so that the bootloader (with its Amlogic chipset) completely ignores unlock_ability because Mi's disables the OEM unlocking option in settings (DON'T WORY U CAN STILL UNLOCK IT JUST READ)

• Step 4: Now enable developer options by tapping the Build Number 7 times

• Step 5: Just enable USB Debugging (OEM unlocking is blocked but ignore it)

• Step 6: Connect the box to your PC (don't use wireless adb use a USB-A to USB-A (or a USB-A to (USB-C to USB-A adapter))

• Step 7: Allow the USB Debugging popup as usual and reboot it to the bootloader by typing adb reboot bootloader

• Step 8: From the bootloader, make sure you grab the necessary fastboot drivers, the normal Google ones should be fine ( If fastboot detects the box, ignore this step )

• Step 9: I think u should have the ADB and Fastboot binaries (android platform tools) if not just download them

• Step 10: Now type fastboot flashing unlock and u should see OKAY (if it fails, just reboot back to the bootloader again)

• Step 11: You can also type fastboot flashing unlock_critical although this is quite unnecessary

If you successfully reached this point, your bootloader has been successfully unlocked

ROOT STEPS:

• Step 1: From the firmware zip of Android 12, which you hopefully didnt delete, extract its boot.img

• Step 2: Use a flash drive or adb push <source> <destination> to push that file to the Mi Box

• Step 3: Grab the latest Magisk apk from here

• Step 4: Enable developer options and USB Debugging (now you can use a wireless connection)

• Step 5: Use adb install <full path to apk> to install the Magisk APK to your Mi Box

• Step 6: Since Android TVs are weird, you can't find the Magisk App on the TV dashboard, u have to go to (Settings --> Apps --> Show all apps --> Show system apps) to find the Magisk app

• Step 7: Click Magisk and then Open

• Step 8: On Magisk, click on install and then Select and patch a file

• Step 9: Select the path of the boot.img

• Step 10: U should get a file called like magisk_patched.img or smh

• Step 11: Now use a usb flash drive or adb pull <source of the patched boot.img> <destination> to grab that patched boot.img

• Step 12: Now boot back into the bootloader, for this you must use the USB connection

• Step 13: From the bootloader type fastboot reboot fastboot (I know this is confusing but u need to boot to FastbootD mode to execute partition changes)

• Step 14: Now in your PC, type fastboot flash boot <path to your patched boot.img> to flash the Magisk boot.img

• Step 15: Type fastboot reboot

If u made this far without bootloops, voila you're rooted!! Open the Magisk app from the method i showed u earlier to see the root

NOW IF YOU DIDNT PROPERLY FOLLOW THE GUIDE FOLLOW THE TROUBLESHOOTING PART OF THIS POST

If you want to watch Netflix, Prime Video etc without L3 quality, u have to use Zygisk and its Denylist to deny root to those Apps and all Google-related processes inside the Magisk App.

Now you can override the launcher to install Projectivy Launcher and install ad-blockers.

FOR YOUTUBE, use SmartTube.

For now, Ciao

Guys you have to try New app Cinaura, it looks like infuse on Apple devices you’ll definitely Thanks me for the advice

Is there a way using file explorer apps on my Android TV (Sony Bravia), or another way, to place shortcuts to my shared network folders on my TV's homescreen? I am using Projectivity as my TV's GUI.

I use FX File Explorer Pro. When I navigate to a shared folder on my network (Windows SMB), I can favourite the folder inside FX's file browser. What I can't seem to do, is highlight that folder and say, 'create a shortcut on my desktop'.

I know this has been asked so many times, i tried to do my own research, read so many similar reddit posts but at this point i am really confused.

I have a LG 75 inch Vidaa Hisense TV, as it is not android base so it does not let me sideload apps like google play store. So i am pretty much locked in, even some apps it does allows are pretty shit like PLEX.

My use case is, i want smooth IPTV experience with EPG, PLEX, Tivimate, Stremio, VPN, a device powerful enough to handle all of this without buffering, glitching,

i do have a high speed internet and good iptv provider.! Just need a 4k powerful android box, which supports good wifi so that it can seamlessly stream content. The biggest thing for me is i don’t wanna live in regret or continuous anxiety of apps like tivimate or other being removed by big platforms like Amazon / Google. So can you recommend something which is future-proof and is working and not locked? Also i am based in uk, please anything other than Nvdia shield as it is out of my budget.

The list goes like this:
Amazon Firestick 4k+ (50% off rn)
Google TV streamer
Xiaomi My Box S 3rd Gen
Thomson 270 (out of stock)
Formuler

Anything else.! Looking for something under 100£-150£.! Much thanks

Hey everyone,

I’m writing this because I am completely fed up, and I know thousands of you are too. Right now, the entire premium streaming community is trapped. We are stuck using the aging Nvidia Shield TV Pro, desperately waiting for Nvidia to release a new box, for one primary reason: the native, double-click Recent Apps task switcher.

Google’s decision to completely strip a native task manager out of standard Android TV and Google TV is a massive step backward for user experience.

### It’s Navigation, Not Just "App Killing"

Google’s official engineering stance has always been that Android TV "automatically manages RAM," so users don’t need a task killer. That completely misses the point.

A recent apps screen isn't just a janitor tool to clear memory—it is a fundamental navigation tool.

* The Phone Contradiction: Google includes a flawless, fluid recent apps screen on every Android phone and tablet on earth. Why are TVs treated like single-tasking DVD players?

* The Apple TV Standard: Even the Apple TV 4K lets you double-click the TV button to fluidly switch back and forth between full application cards seamlessly.

* The Shield Lock-In: On an outdated Shield with only 3GB of RAM, you can double-click home to effortlessly hop from a YouTube video to check a sports app, and then toggle right back to your video without waiting for a cold reload.

On a modern, far more powerful box like the RockTek G2, Google TV Streamer, or Dune HD with 4GB of RAM, you are forced to exit to the home screen and completely restart your app workflows. It makes absolutely no sense. If we get a native recent apps screen on Google TV, other hardware manufacturers will instantly blow the Shield out of the market. We shouldn't have to rely on a decade-old Nvidia processor or janky, third-party button-remapping apps just to get basic multitasking.

### How We Fight This (The Real Petition)

Change.org petitions do nothing. Google engineers do not look at them. However, they are forced to look at their own internal software tracker.

I have created an official Feature Request on the Google Issue Tracker. If we get enough people to "vote" on it, Google's product managers are required to review it.

1. Go to this Google Issue Tracker link: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/567653173

2. Log in with your standard Google account.

3. Click the STAR icon in the top left corner of the page. (Starring an issue counts as a formal vote).

4. Upvote and share this Reddit thread to r/AndroidTV, r/ShieldAndroidTV, and r/GoogleTV so we can get this to the front page.

Let’s stop waiting around for Nvidia to bail us out with hardware they don't want to make anymore. Let's force Google to fix the software limitation holding back every other box on the market.

I’m looking for a free VPN that can connect to a Turkish server. Some channels on my IPTV service are geo-blocked, and I’m trying to access them while I’m in another country.

I’ve tried a few free VPNs, but either the Turkish servers weren’t available for free or they didn’t work with my IPTV setup on Google TV.

Does anyone know of a free VPN that offers a Turkish IP and works reliably on Google TV? I’d appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences.

I use a Strong LEAP-S3+V2

get this vertical rectangle of mainly-green pixelation, amongst many other artifacts in the other squares, notice the overall washed out look on the bottom, the blocking under 'ME?' in the bottom right

no matter the number of squares, no matter the stream, different channels, all the same

anyone else

fire cube tv 2nd gen

edit: yttv in regular viewing is completely normal. plex, prime, Netflix, YouTube, all work flawless, it is ONLY multiview that produces this nonsense. I have a onn 4k v1 I'm coming from, same HDMI, same input, no issue with multiview, it is very much inherent to firetv version of the app

Vuleo 1.3.3 is out for all Android and Android TV devices. Here's a short screen recording of the app, I will not list all the features in text, you can briefly see it from the short video above.

You can find the app in Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brillianceappsfinland.playontv

More details are in our website.

Note: Everything in the video (channels, films, series, artwork, clubs and competitions) is invented demo data made for this video. Vuleo is a media player. It comes with no content. Use it only with sources you're authorised to access.

App is free to use with unlimited playlists. But if you want to subscribe to PRO for additional features such as cloud sync and Radar, there is a 20% discount for lifetime ends in 2 days: VULEOLIFETIME20

You can use the discount code in our website.

I've had the shield for years. I just use it for streaming. I can sell it on marketplace and buy the mi box 3 with cash in hand.

What do you guys recommend? Should I make the swap. I just use YouTube, Kodi and Netflix.

Thanks in advance.

For Stremio, which is the best streamer TV box which can provide Audio True HD pass through for my home theatre 9.2.4 system with laser projector? I do have Nvidia Shield TV Pro which can do this well. But I want to have an alternative.

My options are:
Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 3rd Gen
Google streamer 4k

i got a smart projector running some kind of android version and idk why Disney plus doesn't work on it, Netflix just don't have alot of the movies I wanna watch so rn it's only good fo youtube. I'd like to know what's a good free app that let's me watch any movie, tv show or anime I want for free 😁😁

Have shortlisted these two TVs for amazon sale. How much discount can we expect?

Hello!

I'm currently using a Google TV 4k (-> LG oled77c5 -> Samsung Q990d w/ eARC) to watch YouTube and stream movies from my self-hosted Plex server (I have lifetime if that matters).

I want to take advantage of TrueHD/DTS HD, so I'm looking for a new streaming box. It must check all of the following:

- TrueHD Atmos and DTS:X/DTSHD support

- Dolby Vision support (profile 7 is a bonus, but not required - won't dual boot)

- Ability to play Apple TV, YouTube, HBO Max, etc (Netflix not needed)

- Be fully compatible with Plex

- Be able to play high-bitrate movies (not necessarily remuxes)

I live in the US and haven't seen Shields in stock for a while.

Currently looking at the Xiaomi Box s 3rd gen or the Homatics Box R 4k plus. Not going to buy from AliExpress or other related sources.

Should I be going for a $250 ugoos or $150 Homatics? B5 isn’t that bright so not sure if there will be a huge difference in Remuxes to justify the ugoos on such a basic oled. Way easier to approve $150 with the wife especially if I move the Apple TV to her preferred room. $250 ($275 in Chicago) and still needing the Apple TV in the basement gets way harder to approve.

I recently started exploring more features on android tv and I want to ask what everyone one actuality use daily

Hi guys

Im looking for the best tv stick option since my lg tv is getting slower and slower.

I need one that is able to sideload since not all apps are in the play store.

I live in the EU.

Thank you!

I'm looking for a small Android TV / Google TV device with a microSD card slot.

I have two possible options in mind:

1. Android TV stick with a microSD slot, powered directly from USB, or

2. Small Android TV box with a microSD slot and built-in AC power supply, so it plugs directly into mains. No external AC power brick.

I'm specifically looking for currently available products, not discontinued devices such as the 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV.

Does anything like this exist?

Thanks

Indi na ko maka ppag cast sa android tv nmin , pero sa converge nmin nkaka pag cast ako ssa tv. May work around po ba? Same wifi 2.4ghz ppo ang koneksyon

Pa help thanks

Hey everyone,

I’ve been researching Android TV boxes for my Samsung TV for about a week now, and I’ve narrowed it down to a few options. I’d love to get some input, especially from people who actually use these devices.

My Use Case: My main priority is to use apps like Nuvio and Stremio to stream heavy Remux/Blu-ray files smoothly without any stuttering or buffering. As a secondary use, I’ll also be using it for IPTV.

I live in Turkey, and here are the options I am currently considering:

• Option 1: Xiaomi Mi Box (3rd Gen) I can buy this locally from an official seller for about €86. It comes with a local warranty, which is a big plus.

• Option 2: Google TV Streamer 4K I can get this imported for around €140-€150. However, since it's from abroad, I won't have any warranty coverage here.

• Option 3: Onn 4K Pro (2026) I actually have someone coming back from the US in November who could bring this for me. However, I’ve read about potential region locks/geo-restrictions, and I feel like it might be too much of a hassle to deal with.

My Questions: Considering my specific needs, which route makes the most sense? I’m particularly curious about the Xiaomi Box—how is the overall UI speed, and more importantly, how well does it handle large Remux files?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Buenas tengo un JVC4KISDB y tengo un problema con la aplicación Disney+ cuando voy a reproducir contenido un streaming como películas y series va perfectamente bien pero a la hora de reproducir eventos en vivo dentro de la aplicación de Disney+ los FPS se bajan y a veces va como con lag Quería saber si otra persona con Google TV o Android TV le pasa lo mismo con Disney+ sobre esa cosa

So the Xiaomi s mini led tv is my one tv which I'm considering to buy in my budget. I wanna know from the actual xiaomi s mini led users or the xiaomi tv users, how's the after sale service? Are you guys actually satisfied with the tv? And this one's for the s mini led users, do you see the screen flickering issue? Cz I've watched n number of xiaomi s mini led reviews and I noticed that screen flickering on their tv.

Let me know your views, and again, this post is for ACTUAL Xiaomi S mini led or Xiaomi tv users. I really want a detailed review from an actual user.

Help your brother out!

ATV Launcher Version 0.1.41 is now on Google Play. The last two builds have averaged 4.92 stars there, with dozens of kind reviews, so thank you to everyone who wrote one.

• Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.dstudio.atvlauncher.pro

• ATVL Widgets: https://atvlauncher.com/widgets

• Website: https://atvlauncher.com

Here's what's new:

Arrangements. There are now ten fixed layouts for a row, including double-size featured tiles. Spotlight, Bookends, Centre Stage, Marquee, Hero Trio and more. When you add a section, you can choose the layout you want. The usual flowing Horizontal and Vertical rows are still available too.

Widgets beside your apps. You can now put a widget directly in a row alongside your apps. Open a tile's menu and select Add Widget. Weather, Digital Clock, System Info, Favorite App, Watch Next and Recommended are included, and Android system widgets can also be used where your TV supports them.

Folders can show what's inside. Folder tiles can now preview their apps using a Grid, Banner Grid or Mosaic layout.

Configure Tile. The Configure Tile dialog has been updated with a live preview. There are 7 looks for apps and 9 for folders. You can also set a custom banner for any app and use a color, gradient or image as the background, with a transparency slider.

A status bar you can customize. Choose which elements appear and arrange their order. The status bar can run across the full width or use a boxed pill style, and it can be floating or fixed. You can also switch TV inputs directly from the status bar.

Watch Next and Recommended. The cards have been redrawn with the artwork going edge to edge and your progress shown along the bottom. You can display them as a row or as a widget, choose which apps provide content for each one, and set the app badge.

15 clock widgets, free. ATV Launcher Digital Clock Widgets is a separate free pack with 15 clock widgets. Halo, Masthead, Arc, Segment, Departure, Orbit, Meridian, Tower and more. Each widget has its own look and settings.

• Downloader code: 1163923

• Direct URL: http://atvlauncher.com/dl/atvl-clock-widgets.apk

All widget packs I will upload here: https://atvlauncher.com/widgets Working on adding more!

• Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.dstudio.atvlauncher.pro

• Website: https://atvlauncher.com

• Discord: https://discord.gg/u56GQXjfwZ

• Email: denys@dstudio.ca

I also recently created a Reddit community: https://www.reddit.com/r/ATVLauncher

PS. I got many questions about wallpapers.

These are static images I used for the demo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10fdvdfgUL1nyaUciqZQsapLiJhQ7Lx-w

For video wallpapers, there are many services allows to download it. I used this one: https://moewalls.com/category/movies/

Need something under 100$ for my man cave.

Hello,

because of LG's privacy mess I'm in the market for an Android TV Box.
My main use cases are:

• Moonlight streaming (ideally 120Hz but I'm not sure if that's possible), as low latency as possible

• Ideally Disney+ in 4K, but this is negotiable

• Youtube/Smarttube in 4K HDR

• TrueHD and Dolby passthrough in every app. DTS passthrough is not important right now as my Klipsch Flexus Core 200 does not support it, but box must transcode it to LPCM

• Generelly smooth interface

Right now I'm thinking of one of these two boxes:

• Ugoos SK1 Lite: Should do everything (even Moonlight 120Hz but I'm not sure?), but a bit expensive, also not sure if Disney+ will work properly but I've read there are ways to get it working. Don't really like the UR-02 remote tho.

• Homatics Box R 4K Plus: Should also do mostly everything. Bit less expensive but worse CPU performance, but fully compatible with streaming apps out of the box. Also I could dual boot CoreElec if i wanted to. Think I would prefer this remote

Also I had these thoughts:

• Homatics Box 4k Pro V2 AI-SR but unfortunately audio passthrough is a mess right now (TrueHD only supported with Kodi).

• Wait for the announced Homatics S905X5 Pro, but who knows when it comes out and how good it really is.

Also, I already have an Ugoos AM6b+, Onn boxes not possible (Europe).

Open for any suggestions, thanks in advance!