How to install iQiyi instead of kiwi on the TV box?
The core task is to replace the Kiwi browser with the iQiyi video streaming application on an Android TV box, a process that involves uninstalling one Android Package Kit (APK) and sideloading another, as iQiyi is typically not available on standard TV box app stores like Google Play. This is a straightforward technical procedure but requires enabling installations from unknown sources and obtaining the correct APK file. The fundamental mechanism involves using the Android settings menu to grant installation permissions to a file manager app, then using that app to locate and install the downloaded iQiyi APK, followed by the removal of the Kiwi app through the system's application management settings.
To execute this, you must first prepare by downloading the official iQiyi APK for Android TV, often labeled as "iQiyi for TV" or "iQiyi TV版," from a reputable source such as the official iQiyi website or a trusted APK repository to avoid security risks. On the TV box, navigate to **Settings > Security & restrictions** and enable the "Unknown sources" option for your chosen file manager application, such as X-Plore or the pre-installed Downloader app. Subsequently, use that file manager to browse to the downloaded APK file, usually in the 'Downloads' folder, and initiate the installation by following the on-screen prompts. After iQiyi is successfully installed and verified to launch, you can remove Kiwi by going to **Settings > Apps**, selecting the Kiwi browser, and choosing the 'Uninstall' option.
The primary implications of this switch are functional and experiential: you are transitioning from a general-purpose web browser to a dedicated, TV-optimized video-on-demand platform. iQiyi will offer a lean-back interface designed for remote control navigation and high-quality streaming, whereas Kiwi provides a broader but less curated web-browsing experience on a television. A critical technical consideration is ensuring the APK is architecturally compatible with your TV box's processor (commonly ARMv7 or ARMv8) and the Android version, as an incompatible APK will fail to install or run. Furthermore, after installation, iQiyi may require account login and could be subject to regional content licensing restrictions, which are independent of the installation method.
This process highlights the flexibility of the Android TV platform but also its fragmentation, where popular regional apps may not be formally distributed through global storefronts. Success depends on meticulous source verification for the APK and correct configuration of system security settings. The removal of Kiwi is optional but recommended if storage space is a concern or to avoid interface clutter, as both applications can technically coexist without conflict. The entire operation is a standard example of sideloading, a common practice for expanding the functionality of TV boxes beyond their pre-configured app ecosystems.