Modern Xiaomi smartphones and LG TVs are equipped with powerful wireless modules, making it easy to share multimedia content without unnecessary cables. Users often wonder how to display images or videos on a big screen to watch movies with the family or share photos. Miracast technology, built into MIUI, and DLNA support in webOS make this process as simple and accessible as possible, even for beginners.
The main difficulty may arise only during the initial setup, when you need to choose the right data transfer method. There are several ways to implement this feature, from built-in screen mirroring to specialized apps and browser extensions. The choice of a specific method depends on what exactly you want to broadcast: mirroring the entire smartphone interface or just a specific video from the gallery.
It's important to understand that wireless transmission quality directly depends on your router's speed and the amount of interference in the air. For comfortable viewing of high-definition video, Wi-Fi network The feature must work reliably, and the devices must be on the same subnet. If you plan to use this feature frequently, it's recommended to optimize your router settings in advance to avoid audio and video desync.
Preparing devices and checking the network
Before you begin setting up the broadcast, you need to make sure both devices are ready to work. Smartphone Xiaomi and TV LG must be connected to the same wireless network. This is critical, as device discovery protocols often fail if the devices are in different frequency bands or subnets.
Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your TV and Smart Share or Screen Share is activated. Depending on the model and year of your LG TV, the menu interface may differ, but the basic principles remain the same. Also, make sure both devices are updated to the latest software version available from the manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: Some guest Wi-Fi networks have client isolation, which physically prevents devices from seeing each other. Use your main home network for broadcasting.
To diagnose connection quality, you can run the built-in network test on your TV. If the signal is weak, try moving the router closer to your seating area or using a Wi-Fi extender. A stable connection is essential for avoiding stuttering and buffering during streaming.
Method 1: Built-in "Broadcast" function (Miracast)
The easiest and fastest way to mirror your phone's screen to a TV is to use MIUI's native "Cast" feature. This method is based on the Miracast standard and doesn't require any additional software. It's ideal for sharing presentations, photo albums, or games in real time.
To activate the feature, pull down the notification shade on your smartphone and look for the "Broadcast" or "Cast" icon. If the icon isn't available in the quick access menu, go to Settings, select "Connection and Sharing," and find the appropriate section. The system will automatically search for available devices within range.
On your LG TV, launch the Screen Share app. On newer webOS models, it may be called "Connection Manager" or integrated into the Input menu. Once the TV enters standby mode, it will appear in the list of available devices on your smartphone screen.
☑️ Check before connecting Miracast
After selecting the TV from the list, the pairing process will begin. Your smartphone's screen will be completely mirrored to the TV. Keep in mind that in this mode, your phone will continue to operate, and all notifications will be visible on the big screen, so it's best to activate silent mode beforehand.
Method 2: Streaming via the LG TV Plus app
The official LG TV Plus app (formerly LG TV Remote) offers more advanced control than standard screen mirroring. It allows you to not only mirror the TV but also use your smartphone as a remote control and stream media files from your device's internal memory.
Download the app from the Google Play Store and launch it. The program will automatically scan the network and prompt you to connect to a compatible TV. You'll need to confirm the pairing by entering the code displayed on the TV screen or by clicking the confirmation button in the pop-up window.
The app's interface is intuitive. In the "Gallery" section, you can select photos or videos and play them. The advantage of this method is that you can control playback (pause, rewind) directly from your smartphone screen, without leaving the couch.
⚠️ Attention: The LG TV Plus app may not support streaming DRM-protected content from some streaming services due to copyright protection policies.
This app also makes it easy to stream music, turning your TV into a wireless speaker system. Sound quality will depend on the TV's audio system and the bitrate of the source file.
Why can't my phone see the TV?
If the search yields no results, check your router settings. Often, the issue stems from the separation of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Make sure both devices are connected to the same frequency. Also, try rebooting the router and re-running the device search. In rare cases, resetting the network settings on your smartphone may help.
Method 3: Stream via YouTube and Chrome Browser
If you want to watch videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or other video platforms, screen mirroring isn't effective. It's much better to use the built-in Cast feature, which sends a link to the video stream to your TV rather than just the screen image.
Open the YouTube app on your Xiaomi smartphone. Tap the cast icon (the rectangle with waves) in the upper right corner. Select your LG TV from the list. The video will start playing on the TV, and you can use your phone for other tasks or lock it.
The Google Chrome browser works similarly. Open a webpage with a video, click the menu (three dots), and select "Cast." This method is especially useful for sites that don't have a native TV app but support playback in the browser.
| Parameter | Miracast (Broadcast) | YouTube Cast | DLNA (Applications) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delay | High (1-2 sec) | Minimum | Absent |
| Battery consumption | High | Short | Average |
| Quality | Depends on the signal | Maximum (up to 4K) | Original |
| Using the phone | Only as a remote control | Free | Free |
The advantage of the Cast method is that the TV decodes the video stream itself, offloading the smartphone's processor. This allows you to watch high-definition videos without overheating the device and with minimal power consumption.
Solution: Lags, desynchronization and breaks
Even with proper settings, users may encounter technical issues. The most common is audio and video desynchronization. This occurs when the video and audio buffer at different speeds. This can be resolved by restarting the app or reducing the video quality in the player settings.
If your stream is constantly interrupted or the image is choppy, the cause is a congested airwave. Try switching your router to a less congested channel or switching from the 2.4 GHz band to the 5 GHz band, which offers higher throughput.
⚠️ Attention: When using a VPN on a smartphone, streaming may not work, as the virtual network changes the device's IP address, and the TV stops "seeing" the phone on the local network.
It's also worth checking that no heavy apps (game updates, file downloads) are running in the background that consume bandwidth. To ensure stable streaming, it's recommended to close unnecessary processes and free up your device's RAM.
Using third-party apps for advanced features
Sometimes built-in tools aren't enough, especially when you need to stream content from apps that block Cast. In these cases, universal media servers like BubbleUPnP or LocalCast come to the rescue.
These apps can stream virtually any video file or audio stream to your TV using the DLNA/UPnP protocol. They have built-in codecs, allowing you to play formats that your LG TV's native player may not support (for example, MKV with certain subtitles or FLAC).
Setting up these programs takes a couple of minutes: select a file in the app menu, click the "Cast" button, and select the target device. Many of them support playlist creation and have a user-friendly interface for managing the playback queue.
However, it's worth keeping in mind that free versions of these apps may contain ads that will appear on your TV screen. For comfortable, unlimited use, purchasing a premium version is often required.
Optimizing your Wi-Fi network for streaming
For those planning to stream regularly, home network stability is crucial. Routers provided by providers often struggle to handle the simultaneous transmission of heavy video streams and other tasks. Upgrading to more powerful antennas or installing the router in a central location can significantly improve the situation.
We recommend using Wi-Fi 5 (AC) or Wi-Fi 6 (AX), which provide high data transfer speeds. Older standards (N) may not handle 4K or even Full HD video without buffering. Check your router's specifications in the documentation.
It's also helpful to reserve a static IP address for the TV in your router settings. This will speed up device detection and connection, as the system won't have to reassign the address each time it's connected to the network.
Why is there a black screen during broadcasting, but the sound works?
This is a typical situation with DRM-protected apps (Netflix, some movies in online cinemas). They block screen capture via Miracast to prevent piracy. There's only one solution: use the built-in Cast button within the video service app itself, rather than the system's screencasting feature.
Is it possible to broadcast your screen while playing a game?
Yes, you can, but input lag will be noticeable. For fast-paced shooters or fighting games, this can be critical. For turn-based strategy games or card games, a lag of 1-2 seconds isn't a big deal. For gaming, it's best to use a cable connection or stream via Steam Link if your TV supports this platform.
Does the broadcast use a lot of mobile data?
No, if both devices are connected to your home Wi-Fi, your mobile data (3G/4G/5G) is not consumed at all. Data is transferred locally within your network. Data is only consumed if you stream online video, in which case the data goes through the router, not the phone's SIM card.