Modern users are increasingly abandoning traditional broadcast television in favor of streaming services and smartphone media libraries, but watching content on a small screen is inconvenient. Xiaomi technology offers sophisticated solutions for wireless image streaming, allowing you to transform your TV into a fully-fledged multimedia center without the hassle of cables. To successfully connect devices, you need to understand the principles of data transmission protocols and properly configure your network environment.
The main condition for stable operation is that both gadgets are located on the same local network, which is often overlooked during initial setup. Router It must correctly handle multicast traffic, which is used to discover devices on the network. If you use complex networks with mesh systems or guest networks, communication limitations between clients may arise, requiring additional attention to the router configuration.
The synchronization process may differ depending on the operating system version. Android or iOS, as well as from the installed firmware MIUI TVIn this article, we'll cover all current connection methods, from built-in system features to third-party apps that help bypass protocol limitations. You'll learn how to stream photos, videos, and even gameplay with minimal latency.
Equipment preparation and network infrastructure
Before you begin setup, make sure your network equipment supports the standards required to transmit high-definition video streams. Dual-band routersWireless devices operating in the 5 GHz frequency range provide significantly higher throughput, which is critical for streaming 4K content without buffering. Older devices operating only in the 2.4 GHz frequency range may struggle to handle high-definition video streaming, causing image artifacts and audio desync.
Check what's on your TV Xiaomi Mi TV The WiFi module is enabled and connected to the same access point as your mobile phone. Users often inadvertently connect one device to a guest network and the other to the main network, resulting in them being unable to see each other on the local network. It's also a good idea to update your TV's firmware through the settings menu, as manufacturers regularly release patches that improve compatibility with new smartphones.
⚠️ Important: If your router uses AP Isolation, wireless devices will not be able to communicate with each other. This option must be disabled in the router's security settings.
To diagnose connection quality, you can use built-in tools or third-party utilities that measure network data transfer speed. A stable signal with a level of at least -65 dBm will ensure comfortable viewing, while a weaker signal will result in intermittent connection drops. Place the router so there are no large metal obstructions between it and the TV.
- 📶 Make sure both devices are connected to the same WiFi network SSID.
- 🔄 Update your TV software to the latest available version.
- 🔒 Check your router settings to see if they are blocking local traffic between clients.
- 📡 Use the 5 GHz band to transmit high-definition video.
Screencasting via the built-in Mi Cast function
Owners of smartphones with the shell MIUI have a significant advantage, since the system already has a built-in native tool for screen mirroring. The function Mi Cast (or "Broadcast") allows you to mirror the contents of your phone's display to a large TV screen without installing additional software. This is the most direct method, ensuring minimal latency and highly stable connections thanks to optimized protocols within the ecosystem.
To activate the display mode on your TV, open the quick access panel or app menu and select "Wireless Display" or "Mi Cast." The system will enter standby mode, scanning the airwaves for available devices. On a smartphone, a similar function can be accessed through the notification shade or the "Connect and Share" menu.
☑️ Mi Cast connection algorithm
It is important to note that when using this method, the smartphone screen is completely duplicated, including notifications and system sounds. Permission The transmitted image will be adapted to the TV's capabilities, but the original quality depends on the phone's processor power. If resource-intensive apps are running in the background, streaming performance may decrease.
⚠️ Please note: When casting your screen via Mi Cast, your smartphone's battery drains significantly faster due to the active WiFi module and processor. It is recommended to connect your phone to a charger.
Some TV models Xiaomi Allows you to adjust the image quality and aspect ratio directly during the broadcast. This is useful if the phone's screen aspect ratio doesn't match the TV's display format, resulting in black bars around the edges. Adjusting these parameters improves the viewing experience, especially when viewing photos or presentations.
Using Google Chromecast built-in technology
Most modern Xiaomi TVs run on the operating system Android TV, which includes built-in support for the technology Google CastUnlike screen mirroring, this method allows you to stream content directly from source apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify, using the TV as a standalone renderer. The phone, in this case, merely acts as a remote control, sending start and stop commands.
To get started, make sure you have the app installed on your smartphone. Google Home, which serves as a control center for your smart home and Chromecast devices. Once launched, the app will automatically detect the connected TV on your local network. Clicking on the device icon will give you access to media player controls and display settings.
The main advantage of this method is the ability to multitask: you can minimize an application on your phone, answer a call, or launch another game, and the broadcast on your TV will not be interrupted. Cast Protocol It takes on all the video decoding workload, using the TV's resources and a direct internet connection, which saves your smartphone's battery.
Why might video lag when using Cast?
Delays often occur due to WiFi congestion or low internet speeds, as the TV downloads the stream itself, bypassing buffering on the phone.
- 📱 Open an app with content (for example, YouTube) on your smartphone.
- 📺 Click the broadcast icon (rectangle with waves) in the corner of the video.
- 🔗 Select your Xiaomi TV from the list of devices provided.
- ▶️ The video will start playing on the TV, and your phone will become the remote control.
The technology supports high-quality audio and subtitles, synced with the video. If you use services that don't natively support Cast, you can try casting a browser tab. Google Chrome directly to your TV by selecting the "Cast Tab" or "Cast Desktop" option.
Third-party screen mirroring apps
In situations where standard methods don't work or advanced features are required, third-party solutions come to the rescue. Apps like AirScreen, ApowerMirror or TV Cast Install an additional compatibility layer on your TV by emulating various signal reception protocols. This is especially relevant for iPhone owners who want to use AirPlay on Xiaomi TVs, which lack native Apple protocol support in older firmware versions.
After installing such an app on your TV (via the Google Play store on your TV), you need to launch it and allow network access. You'll also need to install a companion app on your smartphone or use the built-in system features to route the signal to the virtual receiver created by the app. Delay When using third-party software, the performance may be higher than with a native connection, but the functionality is often broader.
| Application | Supported OS | Main function | Presence of advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Android, iOS | AirPlay/DLNA emulation | There is (in) |
| Web Video Caster | Android, iOS | Streaming video from your browser | No |
| LocalCast | Android | DLNA/Chromecast streaming | Eat |
| ApowerMirror | Android, iOS | Full screen mirror | There are restrictions |
Many of these apps not only allow you to stream images but also control your TV from your phone, using your smartphone as a touchpad or keyboard. This makes typing in the YouTube search bar or browser much more convenient. Some apps even support transmitting audio from your phone's microphone to your TV speakers.
⚠️ Important: When installing third-party apps on your TV, pay attention to the permissions they request. Avoid apps from unknown developers that require access to system files or the camera unless absolutely necessary.
For iOS users, it is important to look for apps that explicitly state their support AirPlay 2, as this will ensure better compatibility and connection stability with Apple devices. In the settings of such apps, you can often change the device name so it can be easily identified in the list of devices available for streaming.
Compatibility issues and solutions
Despite the standardization of technologies, users often encounter a situation where their phone simply doesn't see their TV in the list of available devices. The first step in troubleshooting should always be checking whether the TV is on the same subnet. If you have a dual-band router that combines 2.4 and 5 GHz networks under a single name, try temporarily separating them or, conversely, combining them, as some older devices cannot "hop" between frequencies.
Firewalls and antivirus software installed on your router or in client apps on your phone can block ports needed for device discovery (typically, ports 1900 for DLNA and 5353 for mDNS). Temporarily disabling the firewall can help identify the cause of the blockage. Restarting your network equipment can also help: unplug your router and TV for 30 seconds to clear the DNS cache and DHCP leases.
If the issue occurs only with a specific type of content, for example, videos won't play but photos display, the issue may be with the codec or file format. Xiaomi TVs may not support some rare audio or video formats directly via DLNA, requiring the use of streaming apps that transcode the stream on the fly. Format MKV containers with DTS audio tracks often cause sound problems on budget TV models.
- 🔌 Perform a full reboot of the router and all connected devices.
- 🛡️ Check your firewall and antivirus settings to ensure they are blocking local ports.
- 📂 Make sure the media file format is supported by your TV's built-in player.
- 📡 Try statically setting IP addresses for your TV and phone in your router settings.
In some cases, resetting the network settings on the smartphone itself can help. This will delete saved WiFi passwords and Bluetooth settings, resetting the network stack to factory defaults, which often resolves software driver conflicts. After the reset, you'll need to re-enter your home network password.
Organizing a media library via DLNA and SMB
For those who store their movie and music collection on a computer hard drive or NAS, the most efficient way to watch them on a Xiaomi TV is to use protocols DLNA or SMBUnlike screen mirroring, the TV itself accesses the storage, reading the file directly, guaranteeing maximum image quality without the compression and squashing typical of wireless mirroring.
To implement this scheme, you need to share a folder containing media files on your computer by enabling network sharing. On your Xiaomi TV, a new option, usually called "Media" or named after your computer, will appear in the signal sources menu (press the "Input" button). Opening it will give you access to the file structure of the shared folder.
The advantage of this method is the ability to use the TV as a full-fledged media center with folder navigation, support for movie covers and descriptions (if the file structure is correct). Bandwidth In this case, WiFi is used most efficiently, since data goes directly from the router to the TV, without going through a double path through the phone.
⚠️ Attention: When using the SMB protocol, make sure that SMB 1.0 support is enabled on your computer (if the TV is old) or SMB 2.0/3.0 is configured, as modern versions of Windows disable older, insecure protocols by default.
To control playback from your phone, you can use controller apps that allow you to select files on the server and send the "Play on TV" command. This creates a convenient user experience where your phone serves as a remote control while the TV plays content from your computer. This approach is ideal for viewing large, high-bitrate files.
Why doesn't my Xiaomi TV see my phone in the list of devices?
Most often, the problem lies in the devices being connected to different router frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which are isolated from each other by hardware settings. It's also possible that geolocation is disabled on the phone, which is necessary for the Android WiFi network scanner to work, or that data saving mode is enabled, blocking local detection.
Is it possible to connect an iPhone to a Xiaomi TV wirelessly?
Yes, it's possible. If your TV has built-in AirPlay 2 support, the connection works natively through the iOS Control Center. If it doesn't, you'll need to install an emulator app (such as AirScreen) on your TV, which will create a virtual receiver that your iPhone can understand.
How to reduce latency when playing games over WiFi?
Minimal input lag is critical for gaming. The best way is to use a wired connection for your TV (LAN) and connect your phone to a 5 GHz network in close proximity to the router. Also, enable "Game Mode" in your TV settings, which disables unnecessary image post-processing, reducing frame delay.
Does the HDMI adapter transmit audio if WiFi is not working?
If you're using a wired adapter (USB-C to HDMI or Lightning to HDMI), audio and video are transmitted over the cable, regardless of WiFi connection. WiFi is only needed for the initial driver or streaming apps, but the signal itself is transmitted over the wire, ensuring stability even without internet access.