> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Device-Specific Setup

> Special installation steps and notes for specific Android TV devices including Chromecast, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, and Xiaomi

While SmartTube works on most Android TV devices, some require additional setup steps or have specific limitations. This guide covers device-specific instructions and known issues.

## Chromecast with Google TV

Chromecast with Google TV blocks third-party app installation by default. You need to enable developer options first.

### Setup Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Developer Options">
    On your Chromecast:

    1. Open the side menu
    2. Go to *Settings > System > About*
    3. Scroll down to **Android TV OS build**
    4. Click it repeatedly until you see a toast message about becoming a developer
    5. Keep clicking until developer mode is activated
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Unknown Sources">
    1. Go back to main *Settings* page
    2. Select *Apps > Security & Restrictions > Unknown sources*
    3. Turn on the toggle for your file browser (e.g., **Downloader by AFTVnews**)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install SmartTube">
    Now follow the standard [Installation guide](/installation) to download and install SmartTube
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Quick install:** Use Downloader by AFTVnews and enter `kutt.it/stn_beta` or `kutt.it/stn_stable`
</Tip>

### Visual Guide

For detailed screenshots of the Chromecast installation process, see [this Android Police guide](https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/02/07/how-to-sideload-any-apk-on-chromecast-with-android-tv/#install-the-apk).

### Voice Search Setup

To enable voice search on Chromecast with Google TV:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Uninstall Official YouTube App">
    You must remove the official YouTube app (no root required)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Bridge App">
    Download and install the ATV Bridge SmartTube app: `kutt.it/stn_bridge_atv`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test Voice Search">
    Use voice search on your remote - it should now open SmartTube
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The bridge app intercepts voice search requests and redirects them to SmartTube. It won't appear in your launcher - it works automatically in the background.
</Info>

## Amazon Fire TV

Fire TV devices work well with SmartTube and are among the easiest to set up.

### Installation

Fire TV allows sideloading by default. Simply:

1. Install [Downloader by AFTVnews](https://www.aftvnews.com/downloader/) from the Amazon AppStore
2. Open Downloader and enter: `kutt.it/stn_beta` or `kutt.it/stn_stable`
3. Follow the installation prompts

### Voice Search Setup

Fire TV has special bridge app support:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Uninstall Official YouTube App">
    Remove the YouTube app (no root required on Fire TV)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Amazon Bridge">
    Download and install: `kutt.it/stn_bridge_amazon`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Alexa Voice Search">
    Now when you use Alexa to search YouTube, it opens in SmartTube
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  On Fire TV, you may need to explicitly say "YouTube" when searching (e.g., "YouTube cute cats" instead of just "cute cats").
</Tip>

### Fire TV Compatibility

SmartTube works on **all generations** of Fire TV Stick, including:

* Fire TV Stick Lite
* Fire TV Stick (2nd, 3rd, 4th Gen)
* Fire TV Stick 4K
* Fire TV Cube

## NVIDIA Shield

NVIDIA Shield is a powerful Android TV device that runs SmartTube excellently, with one notable exception.

### HDR Limitation

<Warning>
  **Important:** NVIDIA Shield supports HDR in general, but **NOT the specific HDR format used by YouTube**.
</Warning>

This is a hardware limitation of the Shield, not a SmartTube issue. HDR YouTube videos will play but without HDR enhancement.

### What Works on Shield

✅ All video codecs (AV01, VP9, AVC) with hardware acceleration\
✅ 4K/8K resolution support\
✅ 60fps playback\
✅ All SmartTube features\
✅ Excellent performance

❌ YouTube's HDR format

<Info>
  For more details about HDR compatibility, see [HDR documentation](/configuration/hdr).
</Info>

### Voice Search Setup (Requires Root)

Unlike Fire TV and Chromecast, NVIDIA Shield requires root access for voice search integration:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Root Your Shield">
    Search for a rooting guide specific to your Shield model
  </Step>

  <Step title="Uninstall Official YouTube">
    Use ADB command: `adb shell pm uninstall com.google.android.youtube.tv`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Bridge App">
    Download and install: `kutt.it/stn_bridge_atv`
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Rooting voids your warranty and can brick your device if done incorrectly. Proceed at your own risk.
</Warning>

## Xiaomi Devices with Chinese Firmware

Xiaomi devices with Chinese firmware have special restrictions that can block SmartTube beta installation.

### The Issue

* **Chinese firmware**: Blocks SmartTube **beta** version installation
* **International firmware**: No issues, works normally
* **Stable version**: Usually works even on Chinese firmware

### Solutions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Solution 1: Use Stable Version (Recommended)">
    Instead of beta, use the **stable version** of SmartTube:

    1. Download from: `kutt.it/stn_stable`
    2. Install normally
    3. Stable version bypasses Chinese firmware restrictions

    <Tip>
      The stable version is still excellent and receives all major features, just slightly less frequently than beta.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 2: Flash International Firmware">
    Switch to the international firmware version for your Xiaomi device.

    **Pros:**

    * Removes restrictions
    * Allows beta version
    * Often improves overall device experience

    **Cons:**

    * Requires technical knowledge
    * Risk of bricking if done incorrectly
    * May void warranty

    Search for "Xiaomi \[your model] international firmware" for specific guides.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 3: Factory Reset Method (2020 and Earlier Devices)">
    For devices from 2020 or before:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Factory Reset">
        Perform a complete factory reset on your Xiaomi device
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install SmartTube Beta First">
        Before doing ANY system updates, install SmartTube beta
      </Step>

      <Step title="Update System">
        Now you can safely update your system - SmartTube should continue working
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Warning>
      This method only works for devices manufactured in 2020 or earlier. Newer devices require Solution 1 or 2.
    </Warning>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Xiaomi Compatibility

SmartTube has been successfully tested on:

* Xiaomi Mi Box (all versions)
* Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
* Xiaomi Mi Box S

## Android 11 Voice Search Issues

Devices running Android 11 may experience voice search problems.

### Symptom

Voice search doesn't return results, or searches fail to execute properly.

### Solution

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify the Problem">
    Recent updates to "Google app for Android TV" cause this bug
  </Step>

  <Step title="Uninstall Updates">
    1. Go to *Settings > Apps > Google app for Android TV*
    2. Select **Uninstall updates**
    3. Confirm to revert to the factory version
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test Voice Search">
    Try voice search again - it should now work correctly
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prevent Auto-Update (Optional)">
    Disable auto-updates for the Google app to prevent the issue from returning
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  This is a Google app issue, not specific to SmartTube. The bug affects multiple apps using voice search on Android TV 11.
</Info>

## Other Android Devices

For generic Android TV devices and TV boxes:

### Voice Search (Requires Root)

Most generic Android devices require root for voice search integration:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Root Your Device">
    Search for a rooting guide specific to your device model
  </Step>

  <Step title="Uninstall Official YouTube">
    Use ADB: `adb shell pm uninstall com.google.android.youtube.tv`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Bridge App">
    Download and install: `kutt.it/stn_bridge_atv`
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Installation Notes

Generic Android TV boxes work well with SmartTube:

* No special setup required (unlike Chromecast)
* Usually allow sideloading by default
* Follow standard [Installation guide](/installation)

<Tip>
  If you encounter issues, check the [Troubleshooting guide](/guides/troubleshooting) for common solutions.
</Tip>

## Unsupported Devices

SmartTube **ONLY** works on Android-based devices. It is **NOT** compatible with:

❌ Samsung Tizen TVs\
❌ LG webOS TVs\
❌ Roku devices\
❌ iOS / Apple TV\
❌ Smartphones and tablets (not optimized, no support offered)

<Warning>
  The app cannot easily be ported to non-Android platforms. If you have an unsupported TV, consider using an Android TV stick or box instead.
</Warning>

### Alternative for Unsupported Devices

If you have a non-Android TV:

1. **Buy an Android TV stick or box** (recommended options):
   * Chromecast with Google TV (\~\$50)
   * Amazon Fire TV Stick (\~\$30-50)
   * Xiaomi Mi Box S (\~\$60)
   * Generic Android TV boxes (\~\$30-100)

2. Connect it to your TV's HDMI port

3. Install SmartTube on the Android device

## Need Device-Specific Help?

<Info>
  If your device isn't covered here or you need specific help:

  1. Search the [FAQ](/guides/faq) for more information
  2. Check the [Troubleshooting guide](/guides/troubleshooting)
  3. Ask in the [Telegram support group](http://t.me/SmartTubeEN)
  4. Report device-specific issues on [GitHub](https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/issues)
</Info>