Android Box Problem - Please Please Help Me!!!!

Zak Flaps

I'm about to throw my tv and android box (Minix Neo U9-h) out the window.
I don't use it much, and when i do it's just to run one app.
I have to download a VPN and I'm trying but I can't.
Trying via google play store and trying from google chrome on the box.
It won't let me install it and i just don't know why. I've tried googling for the last 2 hours to figure it out and am getting nowhere. I'm used to Apple products which just seem way easier. Or maybe i'm just not used to Android.
But it's really driving me f*cking mental that i can't do what should be a simple procedure.
I managed to download Smarters Pro last year but I can't remember how i did it.
Please please help!!

DopeTech

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I'm about to throw my tv and android box (Minix Neo U9-h) out the window.
I don't use it much, and when i do it's just to run Smarters Pro.
I have to download a VPN and I'm trying but I can't.
Trying via google play store and trying from google chrome on the box.
It won't let me install it and i just don't know why. I've tried googling for the last 2 hours to figure it out and am getting nowhere. I'm used to Apple products which just seem way easier. Or maybe i'm just not used to Android.
But it's really driving me f*cking mental that i can't do what should be a simple procedure.
I managed to download Smarters Pro last year but I can't remember how i did it.
Please please help!!

Does that box not have full play store support? You can any vpn from there. My recommendation would be toinstall keepsolid VPN app from the play store and get a 7 day free trial here.

https://stacksocial.com/sales/vpn-unlimited-7-day-free-trial

Prices go up and down on that site. It's been down as low as about €13 for a lifetime sub a few times.

For getting apps that aren't available in the play store your best best would be to sideload on Aptoide TV.

Or alternatively install an app like file commander and link your Google drive to it. Then download the app apks on your phone,upload to Google Drive, then find them in file commander and install.

To be honest these unofficial boxes can vary widely in quality. A box running Official android TV os is always better in my opinion. Such as the xiaomi mi box s or new mi TV stick that just launched for less than £30.

Zak Flaps

DopeTech wrote: »

Does that box not have full play store support? You can any vpn from there. My recommendation would be toinstall keepsolid VPN app from the play store and get a 7 day free trial here.

https://stacksocial.com/sales/vpn-unlimited-7-day-free-trial

Prices go up and down on that site. It's been down as low as about €13 for a lifetime sub a few times.

For getting apps that aren't available in the play store your best best would be to sideload on Aptoide TV.

Or alternatively install an app like file commander and link your Google drive to it. Then download the app apks on your phone,upload to Google Drive, then find them in file commander and install.

To be honest these unofficial boxes can vary widely in quality. A box running Official android TV os is always better in my opinion. Such as the xiaomi mi box s or new mi TV stick that just launched for less than £30.

I'm actually using a Minix Neo U9-H which is currently over €100 on Amazon. It's an official and (as far as I know) an established brand.

....I have to download a particular VPN called Surfshark. I think it's actually free. It's on the play store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surfshark.vpnclient.android&gl=IE

But for some reason when i try to click on install, nothing happens and it's p1ssing me off because I can't understand why!
I assume thats what you do....you find the app, click install, then it installs....easy! Except this won't let me click on install!

try to find an app called downloader, and google for an apk of the app you want

corkie

www(.)apkmirror(.)com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=Surfshark

That particular VPN is only free for 7 day trial. So if you have it installed already on another device or used it before, it maybe blocked for install on your google account.

You could try downloading from above and sideload it.

Allot of IPTV services have been taken down recently, so it may not even work for you anymore.

I don't see this thread surviving for long due to the above content.

Zak Flaps

corkie wrote: »

www(.)apkmirror(.)com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=Surfshark

That particular VPN is only free for 7 day trial. So if you have it installed already on another device or used it before, it maybe blocked for install on your google account.

You could try downloading from above and sideload it.

Allot of IPTV services have been taken down recently, so it may not even work for you anymore.

I don't see this thread surviving for long due to the above content.

Hi. Thanks for the message.
I don't have it installed on another device.
I tried that page you suggested but safari can't find the server!

Below is what happens when i try via google play store. You can see at the end that there's nowhere i can go.

Heebie

I have a neo box of some kind. It had problems downloading some apps because the Android version was no longer supported by the app store.

I upgraded my Roku 3 in the sitting room to an Nvidia Shield, and out the Roku where the Neo had been... and was much happier for it.

Suckit

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Hi. Thanks for the message.
I don't have it installed on another device.
I tried that page you suggested but safari can't find the server!

Below is what happens when i try via google play store. You can see at the end that there's nowhere i can go.

To me, that video looks like you searched for it, and found it - but didn't go any further to install it.

After watching it again (with volume up full) are you referring to not being able to scroll down the menu?
That's down to the firmware, different versions allow different ways, it's a small learning curve. On many it is the back button or OK button.

I don't know on that particular box, but I could go on a rant about them anyway.

Surfshark isn't free. It may have a free trial.

If you go into mouse mode using the remote control you should be able to click on the search results too.

long_b

Try clicking on this it's a direct link to the app on the pPlay Store.
Or just Google "Surfshark play store* from a browser on the device

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surfshark.vpnclient.android

DopeTech

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I'm actually using a Minix Neo U9-H which is currently over €100 on Amazon. It's an official and (as far as I know) an established brand.

....I have to download a particular VPN called Surfshark. I think it's actually free. It's on the play store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surfshark.vpnclient.android&gl=IE

But for some reason when i try to click on install, nothing happens and it's p1ssing me off because I can't understand why!
I assume thats what you do....you find the app, click install, then it installs....easy! Except this won't let me click on install!

I wasn't knocking it. It looks like a very capable box but the software is what let's it down. From looking online and from your video it looks as though it's not running Official android TV os. That's where your problems lie. In Google searches i can see guides on how to install official Android TV os firmware on it but it doesn't have it out of the box. Whether you want to do this is your decision. As mentioned above there are other ways of getting the app.one way would be

Install it to your phone
Install APK extractor on your phone from the play store.
Extract the APK for surfshark.
Upload it to Google drive
Install file commander on your Android box and link Google drive to it.
Locate your APK file you uploaded and install.

This method never lets me down for sideloading.

Zak Flaps

long_b wrote: »

Try clicking on this it's a direct link to the app on the pPlay Store.
Or just Google "Surfshark play store* from a browser on the device

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surfshark.vpnclient.android

Hi. This actually worked. Using my MacBook pro, i clicked on the link and went to install it on my mac (not really knowing what i was going to do after that - try to upload it to my google drive and take it from there) but to my surprise it asked me if i wanted to upload it to my android box. And it all happened!! Thank you. The stress is finally over!!

jimmycrackcorm

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Hi. This actually worked. Using my MacBook pro, i clicked on the link and went to install it on my mac (not really knowing what i was going to do after that - try to upload it to my google drive and take it from there) but to my surprise it asked me if i wanted to upload it to my android box. And it all happened!! Thank you. The stress is finally over!!

yes, using the web you can choose what device you want to install on from your list of associated devices. But I still don't get why you didn't move down to the app on screen and click it to install.

Do you not have an airmouse to make it easier?

Zak Flaps

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

yes, using the web you can choose what device you want to install on from your list of associated devices. But I still don't get why you didn't move down to the app on screen and click it to install.

Do you not have an airmouse to make it easier?

I was trying to install. I don't have an air mouse but i just assumed my android remote control would work. It worked to get me to the right section, but on the last page it just wouldn't move. If you listen closely you can hear me frantically pushing the remote buttons.

The same thing has now happened again. When i click on the surfshark icon to get into the app, i reach a page to sign in or start free trial, and i can't do anything....the remote won't let me do anything. This is driving me crazy!
Video to follow.

Zak Flaps

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Hi. This actually worked. Using my MacBook pro, i clicked on the link and went to install it on my mac (not really knowing what i was going to do after that - try to upload it to my google drive and take it from there) but to my surprise it asked me if i wanted to upload it to my android box. And it all happened!! Thank you. The stress is finally over!!

I spoke too soon.
App seemed to download onto the android but when i click on it, i'm given the option of signing in or starting free trial. AGAIN, i'm prevented from going further as my frustrating pressings of the remote buttons will reveal! AAAHHHH!!!!!

theintern

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I was trying to install. I don't have an air mouse but i just assumed my android remote control would work. It worked to get me to the right section, but on the last page it just wouldn't move. If you listen closely you can hear me frantically pushing the remote buttons.

The same thing has now happened again. When i click on the surfshark icon to get into the app, i reach a page to sign in or start free trial, and i can't do anything....the remote won't let me do anything. This is driving me crazy!
Video to follow.

This isn't an android problem. This is a crappy navigation or remote problem. Some of these android boxes have really weird remotes and they struggle with some apps.

If you have an android phone maybe try downloading the android tv remote app and control the box that way.

Or if the remote has 'air mouse' functionality, use that to highlight the right text boxes.

Zak Flaps

theintern wrote: »

This isn't an android problem. This is a crappy navigation or remote problem. Some of these android boxes have really weird remotes and they struggle with some apps.

If you have an android phone maybe try downloading the android tv remote app and control the box that way.

Or if the remote has 'air mouse' functionality, use that to highlight the right text boxes.

I only have an iPhone.
The remote doesn't have air mouse functionality.
Not sure if it's the remote?
For example, that page that i'm stuck on, if i go back to the previous page, it does so instantly and i can go anywhere, but go back to that one page again, nothing happens again.

advertsfox

You can obtain all the APKs you need on your laptop and use ADBLink to install them. The app was built around managing Kodi builds but has expanded to have tonnes of ADB functionality (push / pull files, screenshots, backups, root commands etc). I am also yet to use a Chinese Android box that works well with the Play Store. As soon as you sign in, you are asking for tonnes of background updates and activity.

Start clean, reset your box to factory, don't sign into Google Play Store and only push your apps with ADBLink.

ADBLInk - http://www.jocala.com/
SurfShark APK - https://surfshark.com/download/android
All other APKs - https://apkpure.com/

Zak Flaps

advertsfox wrote: »

You can obtain all the APKs you need on your laptop and use ADBLink to install them. The app was built around managing Kodi builds but has expanded to have tonnes of ADB functionality (push / pull files, screenshots, backups, root commands etc). I am also yet to use a Chinese Android box that works well with the Play Store. As soon as you sign in, you are asking for tonnes of background updates and activity.

Start clean, reset your box to factory, don't sign into Google Play Store and only push your apps with ADBLink.

ADBLInk - http://www.jocala.com/
SurfShark APK - https://surfshark.com/download/android
All other APKs - https://apkpure.com/

Thanks very much for that message.

But I was thinking last night of just getting rid of my Android box and getting an Amazon Fire Stick instead.
Would it be easier to download the VPN on that instead?

jimmycrackcorm

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I was trying to install. I don't have an air mouse but i just assumed my android remote control would work. It worked to get me to the right section, but on the last page it just wouldn't move. If you listen closely you can hear me frantically pushing the remote buttons.

The same thing has now happened again. When i click on the surfshark icon to get into the app, i reach a page to sign in or start free trial, and i can't do anything....the remote won't let me do anything. This is driving me crazy!
Video to follow.

You can get apps that allow you to use your phone as an airmouse for an android device. E.g. http://tv-true.org/how-to/phone-as-an-air-mouse.html#:~:text=The%20same%20Mobile%20Mouse%20server,a%20fully%20fledged%20air%20mouse.

turns your phone into a virtual keyboard / mouse pad.

DopeTech

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Thanks very much for that message.

But I was thinking last night of just getting rid of my Android box and getting an Amazon Fire Stick instead.
Would it be easier to download the VPN on that instead?

Buy a Xiaomi Mi tv stick or Xiaomi Mi s box, they are pure android TV os the way it was intended. And not locked down in any way like the fire TV stick. Surfshark app from the Android TV play store works fine with the remote.

Senor Frog

Op do you have a button on your remote with a pointer arrow on it (denotes switching to mouse pointer ) if so click that and then navigate the mouse pointer via the directional arrows and click on the app in question on playstore

Zak Flaps

Senor Frog wrote: »

Op do you have a button on your remote with a pointer arrow on it (denotes switching to mouse pointer ) if so click that and then navigate the mouse pointer via the directional arrows and click on the app in question on playstore

I don't unfortunately.

I've ordered an Amazon Fire Stick. I'm sick of the Minix Box!!!

DopeTech

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I don't unfortunately.

I've ordered an Amazon Fire Stick. I'm sick of the Minix Box!!!

Unfortunately you're going to have some of the same issues with the fire TV stick.You'll have to sideload surfshark onto a fire stick as it doesn't come with the Google play store. That's why I said above to buy a xiaomi mi tv stick or box. There is ways of installing it but not without some tinkering which you could have done with your current box. If I were you I'd cancel the fire TV stick or send it back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlHQtuvr4E

Zak Flaps

DopeTech wrote: »

Unfortunately you're going to have some of the same issues with the fire TV stick.You'll have to sideload surfshark onto a fire stick as it doesn't come with the Google play store. That's why I said above to buy a xiaomi mi tv stick or box. There is ways of installing it but not without some tinkering which you could have done with your current box. If I were you I'd cancel the fire TV stick or send it back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlHQtuvr4E

I'm actually having much more success with the Fire Stick.