Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Install an S905X2 Android TV Box into a Home Assistant Supervised Hub
Repurposing Android TV boxes with the Amlogic S905X2 chipset is a popular choice for smart home enthusiasts. By using Armbian, we can bypass the limited Android OS and run a full Home Assistant Supervised environment.
00:00 Preparing the Environment
Before installing Home Assistant, you must have Armbian running on your device via a microSD card or USB flash drive.
01:11 Flash Armbian
Use a tool like Rufus to flash a compatible Armbian image for S905X2 onto your media.
01:35 Booting Flash disk / microSD
Insert the media into your TV box and boot into the Linux environment.
02:50 The Install Script armbian-config
Access the terminal and run the configuration tool: armbian-config
02:31 Install Home-Assistant
Selecting Software: Navigate to Software - Softy and select Home Assistant.
The system will handle the Docker dependencies and the Supervised installer automatically.
Initial Setup
Once the installation script finishes, Home Assistant will take a few minutes to initialize.
Accessing the UI: Open a web browser on your PC and navigate to http://your-device-ip:8123.
Restoring Data
On the onboarding screen, instead of creating a new account,
select Alternatively, you can restore from a previous backup.
Upload: Upload your .tar backup file. This will restore all your previous entities, automations, and dashboards.
Installing HACS
HACS - Home Assistant Community Store
HACS is essential for custom integrations and frontend plugins.
Open the terminal (via SSH or the Terminal & SSH Add-on in the UI).
Run the following command: wget -O - https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -
Important: Understanding File Paths
A key difference when using the armbian-config method versus a manual script installation is where your configuration lives.
Installation Method Default Configuration Path
Armbian-Config (Supervised) /usr/share/hassio/homeassistant
Manual Script / Docker Custom (e.g., /home/user/homeassistant)
Device Won’t Boot from USB/SD Card (Armbian OS on Android TV)
If your TV box ignores the flash drive and boots straight into Android, try these steps:
The "Toothpick" Method: Disconnect the power. Use a toothpick to press and hold the reset button (usually hidden inside the AV jack). Connect the power while holding the button for 10 seconds.
DTB File Check: Ensure you have specified the correct .dtb (Device Tree Blob) file in your uEnv.txt or extlinux.conf file. For S905X2, you typically look for meson-g12a-s905x2-something.dtb.
Install an S905X2 Android TV Box into a Home Assistant Supervised Hub
Repurposing Android TV boxes with the Amlogic S905X2 chipset is a popular choice for smart home enthusiasts. By using Armbian, we can bypass the limited Android OS and run a full Home Assistant Supervised environment.
00:00 Preparing the Environment
Before installing Home Assistant, you must have Armbian running on your device via a microSD card or USB flash drive.
01:11 Flash Armbian
Use a tool like Rufus to flash a compatible Armbian image for S905X2 onto your media.
01:35 Booting Flash disk / microSD
Insert the media into your TV box and boot into the Linux environment.
02:50 The Install Script armbian-config
Access the terminal and run the configuration tool: armbian-config
02:31 Install Home-Assistant
Selecting Software: Navigate to Software - Softy and select Home Assistant.
The system will handle the Docker dependencies and the Supervised installer automatically.
Initial Setup
Once the installation script finishes, Home Assistant will take a few minutes to initialize.
Accessing the UI: Open a web browser on your PC and navigate to http://your-device-ip:8123.
Restoring Data
On the onboarding screen, instead of creating a new account,
select Alternatively, you can restore from a previous backup.
Upload: Upload your .tar backup file. This will restore all your previous entities, automations, and dashboards.
Installing HACS
HACS - Home Assistant Community Store
HACS is essential for custom integrations and frontend plugins.
Open the terminal (via SSH or the Terminal & SSH Add-on in the UI).
Run the following command: wget -O - https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -
Important: Understanding File Paths
A key difference when using the armbian-config method versus a manual script installation is where your configuration lives.
Installation Method Default Configuration Path
Armbian-Config (Supervised) /usr/share/hassio/homeassistant
Manual Script / Docker Custom (e.g., /home/user/homeassistant)
Device Won’t Boot from USB/SD Card (Armbian OS on Android TV)
If your TV box ignores the flash drive and boots straight into Android, try these steps:
The "Toothpick" Method: Disconnect the power. Use a toothpick to press and hold the reset button (usually hidden inside the AV jack). Connect the power while holding the button for 10 seconds.
DTB File Check: Ensure you have specified the correct .dtb (Device Tree Blob) file in your uEnv.txt or extlinux.conf file. For S905X2, you typically look for meson-g12a-s905x2-something.dtb.
