The Mi TV Stick runs on Android TV (or Google TV depending on the generation), which directly influences the methods of accessing channels. Unlike an integrated DVB-T tuner, the dongle does not receive any terrestrial signal: everything goes through the Wi-Fi network and applications. Understanding this architecture prevents wasting time looking for a channel search menu that does not exist.
Xiaomi TV+ and FAST Channels: The Often Overlooked Native Stream
On the Mi TV Stick 4K (Gen 2), Xiaomi TV+ is pre-installed and offers free FAST channels funded by advertising. This service starts right after the initial setup, without creating an account or installing anything.
Related reading : Choosing the best graphics card to pair with a Ryzen 7 3700X
FAST channels do not replace traditional French DTT. The Xiaomi TV+ catalog mainly consists of international thematic streams (news, sports, entertainment). For major French channels (TF1, France 2, M6), you need to use other applications.
However, we recommend checking the content of Xiaomi TV+ after each firmware update: the catalog evolves regularly and French-speaking channels are gradually appearing. Mastering the procedure to access TV channels with Mi TV Stick requires knowing this native source before piling on third-party applications.
Read also : Discover the best business opportunities to seize right now on C Fun
Kodi and Catch-up TV & More: Legal Access to French Channels
Molotov TV is the most cited solution online, but it imposes increasing restrictions on its free offering. Kodi paired with the Catch-up TV & More extension is the most comprehensive alternative for legally accessing French channel streams on Mi TV Stick.
Installing Kodi on Android TV
Kodi is available directly from the Google Play Store integrated into the Mi TV Stick. No sideloading required. After installation, the Catch-up TV & More extension is added via Kodi’s repository manager.
This extension aggregates the official streams from TF1, France Télévisions, M6, RMC, and other groups. It works by querying the public APIs of each channel’s replay sites.
Creating Accounts Channel by Channel
Each broadcaster requires a free account to authorize the stream. Therefore, you need to create an account on MyTF1, france.tv, 6play, etc. We recommend doing this from a computer or smartphone rather than via the Mi TV Stick remote, as text entry on Android TV remains cumbersome.
Once the credentials are entered in the Catch-up TV & More settings, the live and replay of each channel become accessible from a unified interface. No need to juggle between multiple applications.
- TF1, TMC, TFX, LCI: MyTF1 account (free, email address sufficient)
- France 2, France 3, France 5, France info: france.tv account (free)
- M6, W9, 6ter: 6play account (free, possibility to log in via a Google account)
IPTV Playlists on Mi TV Stick: What You Need to Know
Applications like BrowseHere or dedicated IPTV players allow you to load playlists in m3u format on the Mi TV Stick. This format lists video stream addresses that the player reads sequentially.
The technical compatibility is real: Android TV handles m3u files without difficulty. However, legality entirely depends on the source of the playlist. Streams redistributed without the broadcasters’ agreement constitute a copyright violation, even if the application used is legal.
To remain within a lawful framework, only playlists provided by an operator holding broadcasting rights or the public streams of the channels themselves are usable. In practice, Kodi with Catch-up TV & More remains more reliable than an m3u playlist of uncertain origin.
Optimizing Stream Stability on Mi TV Stick
Wi-Fi is the weak link of the Mi TV Stick. The dongle does not have a native Ethernet port, making it sensitive to interference and distance from the router.
- Prefer the 5 GHz band over 2.4 GHz: the speed is higher and interference with household devices (microwaves, Bluetooth) is reduced
- Check that the router does not impose bandwidth limitations per device, especially on operator boxes configured by default
- Disable background applications via the developer settings of Android TV to free up RAM, a limited resource on the first-generation Mi TV Stick
- Use a USB-C Ethernet adapter if the model allows: a wired connection eliminates recurring Wi-Fi dropouts
A live stream demands more from the connection than replay content, as there is no prior buffering. A stable connection of at least a few megabits per second is necessary to avoid stuttering on HD channels.
Google Play Store and Missing Apps on Certain Versions
Not all French channel applications are systematically available in the Play Store of the Android TV version embedded in the Mi TV Stick. MyCanal, for example, may appear unavailable depending on the configured region or firmware version.
In this case, sideloading (manually installing an APK file) remains possible. You need to enable the “Unknown sources” option in the security settings of Android TV, then transfer the APK via a USB stick or a network transfer application like Send Files to TV.
We observe that Xiaomi firmware updates progressively correct these catalog gaps. Before resorting to sideloading, checking if a system update is available in the Mi TV Stick settings remains the simplest reflex.
The Mi TV Stick transforms a basic television into a connected platform, but access to French channels requires active configuration. Xiaomi TV+ covers FAST streams, Kodi with Catch-up TV & More provides access to major national channels, and Wi-Fi stability determines the quality of the daily experience. The choice between these methods depends on each user’s technical comfort level and the generation of the dongle used.