Cast on Xiaomi Phone: What It Means and How to Use It

Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones often encounter a mysterious icon or menu item called Cast. Many users mistakenly believe that this feature is designed exclusively for streaming videos from YouTube or Netflix, but its capabilities are much broader.

The technology behind the name is based on Miracast standards and Google Cast protocols, which delivers high data rates and minimal latency, meaning you can show presentations, run mobile games on a big screen, or just flip through social media feeds using your TV as a second monitor. It's important to understand that the feature doesn't have to have internet access, it's enough that both devices are on the same local Wi-Fi network.

In the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS, this tool is integrated deep into the system, allowing you to manage not only multimedia, but also system windows. If you are looking for a way to expand the capabilities of your gadget or want to turn your smartphone into a smart home remote control with visualization on your TV, understanding the principles of how Cast works will be a key skill for you. Next, we will discuss the technical nuances, settings and possible problems with this feature.

Technical Essence of Cast Function and Transmission Protocols

Cast (or Translation in Russian localization) is a software bridge that encodes the video stream from the smartphone screen and sends it over the local network to the receiving device. Unlike simple video streaming, where the phone is only a remote, it transmits a full picture of the operating system interface in real time, which requires a more powerful processor and a stable communication channel, since every pixel on your screen must be instantly processed and sent.

The basis for this work is Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows devices to connect to each other directly, bypassing the router, if the TV supports such a feature. However, in most scenarios with Xiaomi, the classic circuit via the router is used. Miracast protocol is a universal standard supported by most Android devices and Smart TV, which guarantees compatibility even between devices of different brands.

⚠️ Note: When using Cast in high resolution (4K) significantly increases the load on the Wi-Fi module of the smartphone, which can lead to rapid discharge of the battery and heating the case.

It is also worth noting the difference between built-in Custom and third-party applications. The system function works at the level of display drivers, providing better performance. Third-party applications often use software coding, which can cause noticeable delays (lags) when cursor movement or scrolling pages. For games and dynamic content, it is the native Xiaomi tool that is preferred.

Where to find and how to turn on the stream on different versions of MIUI

The location of the feature switch may vary depending on the MIUI or HyperOS firmware version, as well as regional settings. In most current models, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note or the flagship Mi series, the quickest way to access the feature is through the Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the control panel and find an icon called Translation or the arrow screen icon.

If there is no icon in the menu, you can add it through the panel editing. Click on the three dots or edit button in the corner of the notification curtain, find the "Translation" widgets in the list of available and drag it to the active zone. The alternative way is through settings: go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Broadcast. In older versions of the shell, the path can look like Settings → Connected devices → Broadcast.

Once activated, the smartphone will start searching for available devices within range of the network. The list may be empty if the TV does not support the technology or is not on. Make sure that the screen mirror, anycast or Wireless Display function is activated on the TV. On some TV models, you need to manually select the source of the signal (Source) and go to the appropriate application.

In some regions, the name of the feature may be changed to Wireless Monitor or Wireless Projection. These are the same. If the search does not yield results within 10-15 seconds, try restarting the Wi-Fi module on your smartphone or temporarily turning off mobile Internet so that priority is given to the local network.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting Xiaomi smartphone to the TV

The connection process can be divided into several steps, which ensure stable operation. First, you need to prepare the receiving device. On Samsung TVs, this feature is often called Smart View, on LG it is Screen Share, and on Android TV (Sony, Philips, Xiaomi TV) it is built into the system. Turn on the TV and make sure that it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.

Then we go to the settings of your smartphone. Open the broadcast menu as described in the previous section. The phone will start scanning the airwaves. Once the name of your TV appears in the list, click on it. The TV screen may have a request for permission to connect — confirm it with the remote control. After that, the smartphone screen should be duplicated on the large display.

If you're successful, you'll see your desktop. You can use your phone as a touchpad to control it if the TV supports it, or you can just touch your smartphone screen. You just have to click on the floating control window on your phone to exit the broadcast mode and select "Disable" or simply lock the smartphone screen.

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To reduce latency in games, try settings in the router to highlight traffic priority for your smartphone (QoS), if such a feature is available.

Streaming videos from YouTube and Netflix apps

The Cast scenario is particularly noteworthy when watching a YouTube video or a Netflix movie, it is not always advisable to use full screen duplication (Miracast) because it consumes more energy and can reduce the quality of the picture due to compression.

Find the wave rectangle icon in the video player interface (usually in the upper right corner). Click on it and select your TV. In this mode, the smartphone acts only as a remote control: it sends a link to the video, and the TV itself downloads and plays the content directly from the Internet, which ensures maximum quality (up to 4K HDR) and allows you to use the phone for other tasks while watching.

It is important to note that some apps, such as Netflix or Disney, are available.+, They can block the output of the image through the system translation (Miracast) due to protection. DRM-In such cases, using the internal Cast button in the app is the only legal way to display the image.

• 📺 Quality: Direct Cast from the app gives better picture quality than screen duplication.
• 🔋 Energy: When broadcasting via the app, the phone consumes less battery as it does not encode the video stream.
• 📱 Multitasking: Using the internal Cast, you can fold the app and respond to messages without interrupting the movie.

Removal: Why the broadcast doesn't work

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face problems: the TV is not visible on the list, communication is constantly interrupted or there is no sound. The most common reason is that the devices are on different subnets. For example, a router emits a signal at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and if the phone is connected to one network and the TV to another (or the client isolation function is turned on), they will not “see” each other.

Another common problem is outdated software. Wireless protocols are constantly updated, and older versions of Wi-Fi drivers may not work properly with new TVs. Check for system updates in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. It is also worth updating the Security app and Google Play system services.

⚠️ Warning: Antiviruses and firewalls installed on a router or as separate Android apps can block ports required for Miracast protocol operation.

If there is an image but no sound, check the audio output settings. In screen duplication mode, the default sound should go through the TV speakers. If this does not happen, try pressing volume buttons during the broadcast and selecting the output device (phone speaker or TV) from the menu that appears. Sometimes rebooting the Google Play Services service through the application settings helps.

Using Cast for Games and Work: Advantages and Limitations

Gamers often use Cast to bring a mobile game to the big screen, but there are some nuances here. The main problem is the input lag. Between pressing a button on the phone screen and displaying the action on the TV, there is a time that can be between 0.5 and 2 seconds. For turn-based strategies or card games, this is not critical, but for shooters or racing can be fatal.

Cast is essential for presentations, you can display slides, graphics or documents directly from your phone without plugging in your laptop. In presentation mode, you can use horizontal orientation of the screen. Some Xiaomi models allow you to use the phone as a touchpad when it is on the table, and the image is displayed on the projector.

You should also consider resolution limitations. If your smartphone is high-resolution and your TV is old (HD Ready), the picture may not scale properly, and if you live in long-term broadcast mode, the phone can get very hot, as the processor and Wi-Fi module are running at their limits.

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For high-dynamic games, use wired connection or special game modes, as wireless broadcasting always introduces a small delay.