How to Enable WiFi Direct on Mi TV: A Complete Guide

Modern televisions Xiaomi Mi TV are equipped with powerful functionality for multimedia interaction, and one of the key tools is wireless data transmission technology. WiFi Direct Allows you to create a direct connection between devices without connecting to your home network or router. This is especially convenient when you need to quickly share photos with guests or stream videos from your phone, but your primary Wi-Fi connection is limited or unavailable.

Enabling this feature on TVs Mi often raises questions among users, as the operating system interface Android TV may hide necessary settings in non-obvious sections. It's important to understand that in the ecosystem Xiaomi This technology is often implemented through protocols Miracast or built-in screen sharing apps. Proper settings guarantee stable, high-definition video streaming without lag or artifacts.

In this guide, we'll detail the steps for activating a direct connection, explore the nuances of working with different firmware versions, and answer frequently asked questions. You'll learn how to overcome common connection errors and ensure maximum data transfer speeds between your smartphone and TV.

How wireless connections work on Mi TV

Technology WiFi Direct Based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, it allows devices to connect directly to each other, bypassing an access point. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, where the router acts as the central hub, the TV Xiaomi Mi It acts as a server or client depending on the usage scenario. This ensures high data transfer speeds, which are critical for 4K video streaming.

However, in the TV interface Mi You'll rarely see a direct "WiFi Direct" button. Engineers Xiaomi integrated this function into system services Transmit or Screen CastWhen these services are activated, the TV creates a hidden access point or uses Wi-Fi Direct for handshake communication between devices. This is the channel through which the video stream is transmitted, not the internet.

⚠️ Note: The WiFi Direct protocol operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. If your router and TV are using a congested channel, the direct connection may not work. We recommend switching the frequency in your router settings if you experience interference.

For stable operation, it is necessary that the wireless module drivers in the TV Mi have been updated. Older versions of the software may incorrectly handle requests to create a P2P group, leading to connection interruptions. Checking for system updates is the first step before attempting setup.

📊 What smartphone do you use to connect to TV?
Android
iPhone (iOS)
Another brand
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Preparing your TV and smartphone for pairing

Before you begin setup, you need to make sure both devices are ready to communicate. On the TV Xiaomi Mi You should check the status of your network adapter. Even if you have a direct connection, the Wi-Fi module must be activated. Go to Settings → Network & Internet and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is in the on position Included.

On the smartphone side, the procedure may differ depending on the operating system. For Android devices, the function is often called "Cast," "Smart View," or "Wireless Display." For owners iPhone support for the AirPlay protocol will be required, which also uses the principles of direct connection, but through software emulation on the side Mi TV.

It's important to free up your TV's RAM. If you have a lot of background apps running, the system Android TV The system may not allocate enough resources to process the video stream in real time. Close unnecessary applications using the recent tasks menu.

  • 📱 Make sure Bluetooth and location services are enabled on your smartphone—some versions of Android require them to find devices.
  • 📺 Turn off the screen saving mode on your TV to prevent it from turning off during a broadcast.
  • 🔌 Make sure both devices are within line of sight of each other (distance up to 5 meters).
  • 🔄 Reboot your router, even if it is not in direct use, to clear the network ARP tables.

☑️ Ready to connect

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Step-by-step activation via built-in applications

The most reliable way to use WiFi Direct on TVs Mi - using the standard application Wireless Display or its analogue Anyview Cast Depending on your regional firmware, open the app drawer on the home screen and look for the icon labeled "Wireless Display," "Miracast," or "Cast."

Once the app launches, the TV will enter connection standby mode. A message like "Ready to connect" or something similar will appear on the screen, along with the device's name, which will be visible in the smartphone's list of available networks. At this point, Mi TV has already launched the WiFi Direct service.

Settings → Apps → All Apps → Wireless Display → Launch

If the default application is not found, try searching for pre-installed software from Xiaomi called "Mi Remote" or "Cast". In new models with a shell PatchWall The function can be integrated into the signal sources menu. Press the "Sources" button on the remote and select "Wireless Display."

⚠️ Note: The menu interface may vary depending on your Android TV version (8.0, 9.0, 10.0) and regional firmware (Global, China, Russia). If the exact menu name doesn't match, look for synonyms related to the screen or program.

After launching the service on your TV, pick up your smartphone. Find the "Cast" or "Project" button in the notification bar. Your TV's name should appear in the list of available devices. Mi TVClick on it to start pairing.

What if the app is not on the list?

If you can't find the default app, you can install it from the Google Play Store. Look for apps named "AirScreen," "AirPin," or "Miracast." These emulate the system receiver and are often more stable than the stock solutions on older firmware versions.

Using third-party solutions and protocols

In some cases, standard tools Xiaomi may not work correctly or be missing. In this case, third-party solutions that also use the channel come to the rescue. WiFi Direct for data transfer. One of the most popular is the app AirScreen, which is installed on the TV via Google Play.

After installation AirScreen You need to launch it and click the "Start" button. The application will create a virtual receiver that will be visible to smartphones as a broadcasting device. This solution is universal and supports protocols AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast and DLNA.

Another option is to use specialized receiver applications for MiracastThey allow you to transform any Android TV into a fully-fledged picture receiver. It's important to choose highly rated apps, as poor-quality code can cause audio and video desynchronization.

Application Protocols Stability Advertising
AirScreen AirPlay, Cast, Miracast High Yes (in the free version)
AirPin(PRO) AirPlay, DLNA Average No (paid)
Miracast Receiver Miracast Average Eat
Web Video Caster DLNA, Cast High Minimum

When using third-party software, make sure you grant the necessary permissions to access the local network and microphone (for audio transmission). Without these permissions Android TV may block the application from working.

Setting up display and sound options

After successful connection via WiFi Direct It is important to adjust the image output settings. TV Mi By default, the image may be scaled incorrectly, cutting off edges or distorting proportions. Go to your TV's display settings while streaming.

Pay attention to the aspect ratio setting. Smartphones with modern, elongated screens may require the "Fit to Screen" or "16:9" mode to avoid black bars. Also, check your audio settings: if the audio is only coming from your phone, select "Video Only" in the casting menu or switch the audio output to your TV speakers.

Image quality directly depends on the wireless channel load. If you notice compression artifacts or blocky images, try lowering the output resolution on your smartphone. In Android's developer settings, find "Wireless display resolution" and select 720p instead of 1080p or 4K.

  • 🎨 Enable "Game" mode in your TV's picture settings to reduce input lag.
  • 🔊 Check if you have "Silent Night" mode or an equalizer enabled, which can distort the sound during broadcasting.
  • ⚙️ Turn off automatic brightness correction on your TV to prevent the picture from "floating."

⚠️ Caution: When streaming in high definition for long periods, the TV and smartphone casing may become warm. This is a normal physical reaction of the WiFi modules and processors under high load. Ensure proper ventilation of the devices.

Solving common connection problems

A common problem is when the TV Mi The device isn't visible in the list of available devices. In 90% of cases, this can be resolved by simply rebooting the Wi-Fi module. Turn Wi-Fi off and on in the TV settings, then try searching again on your smartphone.

Another common error is "Unable to connect." This could indicate an IP address conflict or a full router connection table, even if Direct mode is used. Try forgetting the network on your smartphone and starting the process again. Resetting the network settings on your TV also helps.

If you have a picture but no sound, check your Bluetooth settings. Sometimes the TV tries to send sound to a connected Bluetooth headset instead of the speakers. Disable all Bluetooth devices in the menu. Settings → Remotes and Accessories.

adb shell settings put global wifi_direct_device_name "Mi_TV_LivingRoom"

For advanced users: You can change the WiFi Direct device name using ADB commands if the default name is causing network conflicts. This is especially useful in multi-family buildings where multiple devices create interference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect an iPhone to WiFi Direct on a Xiaomi Mi TV?

iPhone doesn't use the WiFi Direct protocol as Android understands it. However, on TVs Mi with support AirPlay 2 Connection is possible with an installed emulator app (such as AirScreen). The phone will use the same wireless channel, but via the Apple protocol.

Why is the broadcast lagging or interrupted?

The main cause is airwave congestion or weak signal strength. Make sure there are no thick walls between your phone and TV. Also, try disabling downloads on other devices connected to the network. Reducing the broadcast quality on your smartphone can also help stabilize the stream.

Is internet required for WiFi Direct to work?

No, internet access is not required. WiFi Direct creates a local network between two devices. However, if you're streaming online video (YouTube, Netflix), internet access is required on the source device (smartphone), as the TV only acts as a monitor in this mode.

Is it safe to use WiFi Direct in public places?

The connection is protected by WPA2 encryption, but it's best not to transmit sensitive data in public places. Make sure you're connecting to your TV and not to someone else's device with a similar name.

How do I disable WiFi Direct on my TV?

Simply exit the "Cast" or "Wireless Display" app on your TV, or disable the "Cast" feature on your smartphone. The connection will be disconnected automatically. You can also turn off Wi-Fi in your TV settings.