Xiaomi Mi TVs have long since ceased to be just screens for viewing channels — they have become full-fledged multimedia centers. One of the key features that sets them apart from the competition is the built-in support for Google Chromecast. But what is it, how does it work and how does it differ from other wireless content technologies? Many users confuse Chromecast with Miracast or DLNA, although the principles of their work are fundamentally different.
If you've ever tried to stream video from your phone to the big screen and you've experienced delays or poor quality, the Chromecast in Xiaomi Mi TV solves these problems with Google's direct streaming architecture. Unlike its peers, it doesn't duplicate the screen — it's directly transmitted from the Internet or local network, which reduces the load on your smartphone and improves the picture quality. But how does it work in practice and what nuances do you need to know?
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔍 What is Chromecast and how it is integrated into Xiaomi Mi TV
- 📱 How different is Miracast, DLNA AirPlay
- ⚙️ Step-by-step setup on Xiaomi TVs (including models) 4A, 4S, 5 Pro)
- 🚫 Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
- 🎮 Extended features: games, presentations, multiroom
Chromecast in Xiaomi Mi TV: What it is and how it works
Google Chromecast is a media streaming technology developed by Google to stream content from mobile devices or computers to a TV. In Xiaomi Mi TVs (starting with Android TV and Google TV models), this feature is built-in at the firmware level, meaning no additional adapters are required. The main difference from the classic Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast with Google TV is the lack of a physical device: everything works through the software module.
The technology uses the Cast protocol, which operates on the principle of "sender-receiver":
- 📱 Sender (smartphone, tablet, PC) – initiates broadcasting through a supported application (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc.).
- 📺 Recipient (Xiaomi Mi TV) TV) — receives a direct link to the content and downloads it independently from the Internet or local network.
This means that your smartphone can be used for other tasks after the broadcast is launched – it is not blocked, as with Miracast.
⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV With PatchWall-based firmware (e.g., models for India), the Chromecast function may be limited or require manual activation in the developer settings. → On TV.
Benefits of Chromecast built-in in Xiaomi:
- 🔹 Support for permission before 4K HDR (on models with appropriate screens).
- 🔹 Low latency when streaming games (via Google Stadia or Google Stadia) NVIDIA GeForce NOW).
- 🔹 Possibility of creating multiroom systems (synchronous playback on several TVs).
- 🔹 Integration with Google Assistant for voice control.
Chromecast vs Miracast vs DLNA: What's the difference?
Users often confuse these technologies, even though they solve different problems.
| Technology | Example of use | Does the Internet require | Delay (lag) | Support for Xiaomi Mi TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast | YouTube streaming from your phone, games via Stadia | Yes (for online content) | Minimum | Yeah (embedded) |
| Miracast | Duplicating the screen of a smartphone (for example, for presentations) | No. | High (depending on the device) | Yes (via Settings → Connections → Wireless Display) |
| DLNA | Playing movies from a home server or NAS | No (for local files) | Medium | Yes (via Media Player app) |
| AirPlay | Broadcast from Apple devices (iPhone, Mac) | No. | Low. | No (third party software required) |
When to use Chromecast?
- 🎬 For streaming videos from apps (Netflix, Disney)+, Kinopoisk).
- 🎵 To listen to music through Spotify or YouTube Music.
- 🎮 For cloud gaming (Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming).
When is the best time to choose Miracast?
- 📱 To duplicate the screen of a smartphone (for example, showing photos or games without Cast support).
- 🖥️ To connect the PC in the second monitor mode.
💡
If you need to stream local files (like movies from your phone), use DLNA via the Media Player app on Xiaomi Mi TV. Chromecast is not suitable for this - it only works with supported services.
3. How to enable and configure Chromecast on Xiaomi Mi TV
On most Xiaomi Mi TV models (4A, 4S, 5 Pro, Q1/Q2), the Chromecast function is activated by default, but sometimes manual configuration is required.
Step 1. Check Chromecast support
- Open Settings → Connections → Google Cast
- If there is no item, update the TV firmware (see section below).
Step 2: Connect your TV and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network
- Make sure that both Xiaomi Mi TV and your smartphone are connected to the same local network (the router must distribute Internet in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band).
- If you use guest Wi-Fi, the Chromecast won’t work.
Step 3: Starting a broadcast from your phone
- Open a supported app (e.g. YouTube).
- Click on the Cast icon (📡) top-right.
- Select your Xiaomi Mi TV from the list of devices.
☑️ Pre-broadcast checks
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Mi models TV (For example, for the Chinese market, the Chromecast function can be blocked, in which case changing the firmware region to Global or Google will help. EEA through settings → On TV. → Update of the PO.
List of popular apps with Chromecast support:
- 🎥 Video: YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Kinopoisk, OKKO, IVI, Amediateka.
- 🎵 Music: Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music (via web version), SoundCloud.
- 🎮 Games: Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- 📷 Photo: Google Photos (only individual images, not albums).
4.Extended Chromecast features on Xiaomi Mi TV
The built-in Chromecast on Xiaomi TVs doesn’t just support basic video streaming, but here are some useful features that many people don’t know about:
1. Multi-audio
- You can sync music playback on multiple Xiaomi Mi TVs or Chromecast-enabled speakers (e.g. Google Home).
- To do this, select the option “Group Play” in the Spotify or YouTube Music app.
2. Broadcasting games from PC
- You can stream your computer screen to your TV via Google Chrome: Open Chrome on your PC. Click ⋮ → Broadcast. Choose Xiaomi Mi. TV and the "Translate tab" or "Translate screen" mode".
The latency will be higher than when streaming live via Stadia, but is suitable for strategy or streaming.
3. Voice control via Google Assistant
- If you have a Google Home speaker or a smartphone with Google Assistant, you can control voice playback: Okay, Google, turn on Best Hits 2020 on Xiaomi TV in the living room.
- The TV and the speaker must be linked to a single Google account.
How to stream local files via Chromecast?
5.Typical Chromecast issues on Xiaomi Mi TV and their solutions
Even when you set it up properly, users are faced with errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
Problem 1: The TV doesn’t appear in the list of devices for Cast
- 🔹 Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (not via mobile internet!).
- 🔹 Restart your router and TV (turn off power for 30 seconds).
- 🔹 Turn off the router settings AP Isolation (customer isolation).
- 🔹 Update the TV firmware: Settings → On TV. → Update of the PO.
Problem 2: Videos are interrupted or delayed
- 🔹 Switch the router to the 5GHz band (if supported).
- 🔹 Close background apps on your smartphone that consume traffic.
- 🔹 In Chromecast settings (on your phone), select High Quality instead of Auto.
- 🔹 If you use VPN on the phone, turn it off.
Problem 3: No sound when broadcasting
- 🔹 Check if the sound on the TV is turned off (Mute button on the remote control).
- 🔹 In the app (like YouTube), click on the Cast icon and select Turn off the sound on your phone.
- 🔹 Restart broadcast.