Modern technologies make it easy to stream content from mobile devices to large screens, turning watching videos or photos into a true pleasure. If you own an Apple smartphone and a Xiaomi TV, you have several effective ways to establish a wireless connection. The primary protocol for the Apple ecosystem is AirPlay, which is supported by many Mi TV models, especially in global firmware versions.
For a successful connection, it is critical that both devices are on the same local network. This means that yours iPhone, And Xiaomi TV must be connected to the same router. If you're using a dual-band router, make sure the devices aren't split into different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), although modern routers often hide this separation. Image quality directly depends on signal stability. Wi-Fi.
In this article, we'll cover not only standard methods but also third-party apps that may be required for older TV models. We'll also discuss optimizing picture quality and resolving common issues with delayed or missing sound. Getting your device ready for synchronization is the first step to a comfortable multimedia experience.
Preparing devices and checking compatibility
Before you begin setup, you need to make sure your hardware is software-ready for interaction. Xiaomi TVs run on the operating system Android TV or its own shell PatchWall, which requires checking the software version. Outdated firmware may not contain the necessary modules to receive signals from Apple devices.
You should go to the TV settings menu and find the "About" or "About" section. This is usually where you'll find the option to check for updates. If the system prompts you to install a new version, accept it, as this often fixes wireless protocol errors.
- 📱 Make sure your iPhone has the latest version of iOS (check in Settings → General → Software Update).
- 📺 Check your TV model: AirPlay 2 support is officially announced for many Mi TV Stick and Android TV models.
- 🌐 Make sure that the "Guest Network" feature is not enabled on the router for one of the devices, as this will isolate them from each other.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone, as active screen sharing drains the battery quickly.
⚠️ Attention: If your Xiaomi TV was purchased in China (running the Chinese firmware), built-in AirPlay support may be absent or unstable. In this case, using third-party apps becomes necessary.
It's also worth checking your router settings. Some ISPs or security settings may block broadcast packets needed to discover devices on the network. If your TV and phone can't see each other, try temporarily disabling AP Isolation in your router settings.
Using the built-in AirPlay feature on Xiaomi TV
The easiest and highest quality way to display an image is to use native support. AirPlayThis protocol is built in by default in the latest versions of MIUI for TV and Android TV. You don't need to download anything if your TV model is relatively new (released after 2019).
To activate this feature, go to your TV settings. The path may vary slightly depending on your software version, but most often it looks like this: Settings → Apps → Built-in Apps → AirPlayMake sure the switch is in the "On" position. You may be asked to confirm permission to connect when you first launch the app.
Now take your iPhone. Open Control Center (swipe down from the upper-right corner on models with Face ID or swipe up on models with a home button). Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two rectangles). Select your TV from the list of available devices. Xiaomi.
A confirmation code may appear on the TV screen. Enter this code on your smartphone to complete the pairing. Your phone's screen will then be mirrored on the TV. You can start a video, presentation, or game, and the image will be streamed in real time.
☑️ Checking AirPlay
It's worth noting that when using AirPlay, audio is also transmitted to the TV. If you want to listen to audio through headphones connected to your iPhone, you'll need to change the audio output source in Control Center after starting the cast.
Broadcasting via the Mi Home and Mi Remote app
If the built-in protocol doesn't work or your TV model doesn't support AirPlay directly, you can use the ecosystem app Mi HomeThis is a universal smart home control tool from Xiaomi that can also stream media files.
Install the Mi Home app from the App Store and sign in to your Xiaomi account. Add your TV to the list of devices, if you haven't already. Once the TV is detected, tap its icon in the app. The control interface often features a "Cast" button or a screen icon with an arrow.
This method is especially convenient for viewing photos and videos saved on your phone's memory. You can select a gallery in the app and send the content to the big screen. However, for mirroring the entire screen (interface), this method is less suitable than AirPlay.
| Function | AirPlay (Built-in) | Mi Home App | Third-party applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen mirroring | Complete | Partial | Complete |
| Latency | Minimum | Average | Depends on the software |
| Sound transmission | Yes | Yes (for media) | Yes |
| Stability | High | Average | Different |
Using the official app guarantees better compatibility with your TV's hardware. However, functionality may be limited compared to a direct video streaming protocol.
Third-party screencasting apps
In cases where standard tools fail, aggregator applications installed directly on the TV come to the rescue. Xiaomi TV is based on Android, you can install APK files on it or download software from the Google Play Store (if it is available in your version).
One of the most popular solutions is the application AirScreen or AirPin(PRO)These programs emulate an AirPlay receiver, making the TV "pretend" to be an Apple TV. Once you install such an app on the TV, your iPhone will see it as a native device for streaming.
The installation process is as follows: search for the app store on your TV (GetApps or Google Play). Enter a name, such as "AirScreen." Install the app and launch it. A message will appear on the screen indicating that the server is running and waiting for a connection.
Why are some apps paid?
Developers invest resources in supporting codecs and protocols. Free versions often have time limits or contain ads that interrupt viewing. Paid versions (PRO) are typically ad-free and support higher resolutions, such as 4K.
There are also apps that need to be installed on both the iPhone and the TV, for example, Web Video CasterThey work like a browser: you open a video in an app on your phone, and it sends a streaming link directly to the app on your TV, bypassing the cumbersome process of screen mirroring. This saves your smartphone's battery.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party APK files from a flash drive (if the store is unavailable), allow installation from unknown sources in the TV's security settings.
Settings → Security → Unknown sources.
Streaming content from specific apps (YouTube, Netflix)
The "Cast" feature within the apps deserves special attention. It doesn't mirror the entire screen, but rather transmits a link to a video stream. The TV automatically downloads the video from the internet, ensuring the best quality and reducing the strain on the iPhone's processor.
In applications YouTube, Netflix, IVi and other video services, there's a streaming icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves) in the upper right corner of the player. Clicking on it will display a list of available devices. If your Xiaomi TV has built-in Chromecast or YouTube TV support, it will appear in the list.
The advantage of this method is that you can minimize an app on your phone, answer a call, or even turn off your smartphone's screen—the video will continue playing on your TV. Picture quality is often higher here, as the TV uses its own decoder and a direct internet connection.
However, it's important to remember that this method only works for content within an app. You can't cast your desktop, game, or browser using the Cast button—for that, you'll need to mirror it via AirPlay or similar.
Solution: TV doesn't detect iPhone
It's quite common for devices to be on the same network but unable to detect each other. First, try rebooting your router. Often, the network table cache gets clogged, blocking new connections.
Check your firewall settings. On iPhone, when connecting to a new network, the system asks: "Allow discovery?" If you select "No," your phone is hidden from other devices. To fix this, go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to your network and turn on the "Private network" switch (or change the network profile to "Trusted").
Another common issue is different subnets. If you have a complex network with multiple routers (mesh system or repeaters), make sure your phone and TV aren't assigned different IP addresses. Ideally, they should receive addresses like 192.168.1.XXX from the same device.
- 🔄 Restart both devices: unplug the TV for 10 seconds, then restart your iPhone.
- 📡 Check if the "Guest Network" mode is enabled on the router for one of the devices.
- 🛡️ Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall on your router, if it has such features.
- 📲 Delete the network profile on your iPhone (Forget the network) and reconnect by entering the password.
If all else fails, reset your TV's network settings to factory defaults. This is a last resort, but it often resolves software conflicts with discovery protocols.
Optimizing image and sound quality
After successfully connecting, you may notice that the picture doesn't fill the entire screen or appears stretched. On Xiaomi TVs, this is controlled by the screen format setting. Use the remote control and look for the square button or the "Format" menu.
Select "Fit to Screen" or "16:9" mode. Avoid "Zoom" or "Wide" modes if you want to see the image without distortion. For movies, it's important to maintain the original aspect ratio, even if black bars remain at the top and bottom.
Regarding audio, when mirroring your screen (AirPlay), audio lag can be noticeable. If you're watching a movie, this can cause your lips and voice to become out of sync. Some mirroring apps (such as AirScreen) have an "Audio Delay" slider in their settings that can be used to adjust the audio.
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi TV settings interfaces are subject to update. The layout of menu items may vary depending on the MIUI for TV version. If you don't find the item you're looking for, look for synonyms or similar sections within the system.
For the best quality, use a 5 GHz network. It provides higher throughput, which is critical for transmitting 4K HDR video. However, 5 GHz has a shorter range, so make sure your TV is in a strong reception area.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to connect an iPhone to a Xiaomi TV without Wi-Fi?
Without Wi-Fi, a wireless connection is impossible, as the AirPlay and Miracast protocols require a local network to transfer large amounts of data. You can use a wired connection via a Lightning to HDMI adapter (or USB-C to HDMI for newer iPhones), but this is no longer a Wi-Fi connection.
Why does the image lag when broadcasting a screen?
Lag is usually caused by a weak Wi-Fi signal, congestion from neighbors, or the TV's processor being slow when decoding the video stream. Try lowering the video quality on the source or moving the router closer to the TV.
Is sound transmitted to the TV when mirroring?
Yes, when using AirPlay, audio is automatically transmitted to the TV. If there's no sound, check to see if the volume is turned down on your iPhone, as sometimes the volume controls remain separate.
Does my old Xiaomi TV support AirPlay?
AirPlay 2 is officially supported on Android TV models 9.0 and higher, as well as on newer versions of PatchWall. Older models (2015-2018) will likely require a third-party emulator app, such as AirScreen.
Is it safe to use third-party streaming apps?
Using popular apps from official stores (Google Play, GetApps) is safe. They don't access your personal data (photos, contacts) and only receive video streams. However, avoid installing unverified APK files from random sources.