When a person buys a streaming device, such as streaming stick or Android Box, they are expected to support various types of apps and videos. Unfortunately, not all devices are released complete with all features. While Amazon's apps are generally available on all platforms (it's Amazon, uh!), The Prime Video app is selective as it doesn't work with Mi Box and on most Android TVs.
So how do you watch Amazon Prime videos on these TVs? Well, there are a number of ways to get around the restriction. Here are four proven methods that allow you to watch Amazon Prime on your Mi Box.
1. Cast from a laptop
The easiest way to watch Prime Video on Mi Box or any other Android TV / Box without installing anything is to mirror your laptop to your TV. Your laptop should be Miracast enabled to do this job. You will also need the Google Chrome browser.
How to cast Windows 10 on TV with Miracast
Here's what you need to do.
Step 1: open Google Chrome on your laptop and visit www.primevideo.com. Log into your Amazon account and play a video.
Step 2: click the three-dot icon in the upper right corner of Chrome and select Cast from the menu.
Step 3: the I box will appear in the pop-up window. Select it. The Prime video will start playing on your TV.
Likewise, you can cast Prime video from your phone using the Cast or Wireless display option.
NOTE: make sure you connect the laptop and Mi Box to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Watch Prime Video on the Chrome browser
In this method, first, you will need to load the Google Chrome browser on your Mi Box. Then open Amazon's Prime Video website. Here is the process in detail:
Google Chrome Sideload
Sideloading means installing apps downloaded from an unofficial store. This is useful when apps are not available in your country or supported on your device due to manufacturer limitations. When sideloading apps, be sure to download apps from trusted sources.
DECLARATION OF Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any issues that occur after sideloading apps.
To sideload Google Chrome, download ES File Explorer to your Mi Box from the Google Play Store. You will need a file explorer to view and install the Chrome APK file from the cloud storage. Open ES File Explorer and go to Network> Cloud Drive. Here add the cloud storage you use.
Now download the Chrome APK file to your phone or laptop from APKMirror, one of the trusted sources for downloading APK files. Then transfer it to the cloud storage that you linked earlier with ES File Explorer.
Launch ES File Explorer and open the APK file you downloaded. If you are sideloading for the first time, you will be prompted to enable the “Install from unknown sources” setting. Enable to install the file.
NOTE: instead of transferring the APK files to the cloud storage, you can copy it to a Pen Drive / Hard Drive and install them directly from there by connecting it to the Mi Box.
View sideloaded app
Sideloaded apps are not visible on the Mi Box main screen. To open them you have to go to Settings> Apps. Click on Chrome and press the Open button to start them.
Alternatively, to reduce these steps you can install Sideload Launcher from the Play Store on your Mi Box. Sideload Launcher displays all apps that have not been installed from the Play Store.
Once installed, Sideload Launcher will be available under Apps on Mi Box. Click to view side-loaded apps. Here you will find Chrome. Open it.
Watch Amazon Prime
Now that you've successfully installed Chrome, it's time to open the primevideo.com website. However, a few things need to be taken care of before proceeding.
First, the Chrome we installed on our TV is designed for the Android phone, so navigating by remote won't be comfortable. You will need to install the CetusPlay remote app or any other app that offers touchpad to navigate easily.
Secondly, if the mobile version of Prime isn't working properly or asks you to install the Prime app, click the three-dot icon in the top right corner of Chrome and enable the Desktop site. Now the Chrome app will behave like on the desktop giving you a better experience.
3. Sideload Amazon Prime
Another way to watch Prime videos is to upload the APK file directly to your Mi Box. To do this, first download the Amazon Prime Video APK from here. Then install it on your Mi Box using the sideloading method mentioned above.
NOTE: An existing Amazon Prime subscription is required for this method.Once installed, use Sideload Launcher to view it or go to Settings> Apps> Amazon Prime. Click Sign In and select Sign Up on the Amazon website. Now follow the onscreen instructions to link the app to your Amazon account. Once done, you will be able to watch Prime videos on your TV.
4. Install Aptoide Launcher
You can also install a third party app store like Aptoide to install unofficial apps. Since Aptoide supports Amazon Prime videos, you can use it to install Prime Video on your Mi Box.
To do this, we first download Aptoide APK to your Mi Box as mentioned above. Once Aptoide is installed, launch it and search for Prime Video in it. Install it.
If only there was an easy way to see Prime Video on Mi Box. Until Google and Amazon resolve the issues, the methods above will allow you to watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV. I know the solutions aren't straightforward, but after installation, everything runs smoothly like butter.
