Secondary screen emulation on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to setup and use

The secondary screen emulation feature on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones allows you to use the device as a full-fledged duplicate or extended display for a PC, laptop or even another phone. This technology is especially useful for gamers, streamers, designers or those who work with multiple monitors. However, not all users are aware that modern Redmi models (starting with the Redmi Note 10 and later) support this mode through built-in tools. MIUI third-party.

Unlike the classic Miracast or Wireless Display, where the smartphone acts as a signal source (broadcasts its screen to TV), secondary screen emulation works in the opposite direction: the phone becomes a video receiver from another device, which opens up new use cases — from watching movies from a laptop on a large screen of the phone to controlling the Windows desktop directly with Redmi. But there are nuances: not all models support this feature out of the box, and for some it will require manual tuning or even unlocking the bootloader.

In this guide, we will discuss:

• 🔍 Xiaomi Redmi models support secondary screen mode (officially and unofficially).
• 📱 Step-by-step instructions for setting up through MIUI and third-party applications.
• ⚡ Limitations and possible problems (delays, artifacts, lack of sound).
• 🎮 Features of use for gaming and streaming.

What is secondary screen emulation and why you need it

Secondary screen emulation is a technology where the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone acts as an additional monitor for another device (PC, laptop, tablet or even another phone). Unlike screen duplication (when the phone displays an exact copy of the main display), here you can:

• 🖥️ Expand your desktop: Use your phone as a second monitor Windows/macOS (For example, chat rooms, tools or reference information).
• 🎮 Stream games: play on a PC, and display the picture on the smartphone screen (useful for cloud gaming or remote control).
• 📺 View content: watch movies from a laptop on your phone screen without flipping files.
• 🔧 Remote control: connect to your PC from your phone and use it as an additional display.

And it's important to understand that it's not the same as Miracast or Google Cast, and in those cases, the phone is the signal source (broadcasting its screen on TV), and here it's the receiver, for example, if you connect the Redmi Note 12 to a PC via a PC. USB-C Wi-Fi, you can display a separate window or the entire desktop.

The main protocols used to emulate the secondary screen on Xiaomi are:

• 🔌 USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode: Physical connection to PC via cable (minimum latency, support for high resolutions).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct / Miracast (reverse mode): wireless connection, but with possible lags.
• 🖥️ Specialized applications: Spacedesk, Duet Display, SplashTop (requires installation on both devices).

⚠️ Not all Redmi models support DisplayPort Alt Mode USB-C. Like Redmi. 9A Redmi 8 is not physically able to receive video signals over cable – only wireless solutions.

What Xiaomi Redmi models support the secondary screen

The official support for secondary screen emulation in Xiaomi Redmi depends on two factors: hardware (the presence of a supported port and chipset) and version of the device. MIUI. Below is the compatibility table for popular models:

Critical information: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has begun to gradually remove support for reverse Miracast in some regional firmware. If your model officially supports the feature but it doesn't work, check the version in Settings. → The phone.

To clarify the compatibility of your model:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Check for Secondary Screen in Settings → Connections and sharing.
3. If there is no item, try connecting through third-party apps (more on this below).

Set up the secondary screen through USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)

This is the most reliable way to connect, as it provides minimal latency and stable connection, but it only works on models that support DisplayPort Alt Mode (see table above).

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C Video support (not all cables are suitable!).
• 💻 Computer with port USB-C/Thunderbolt or adapter (e.g, USB-C → HDMI).
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (for some models).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable USB-C — USB-C.
2. The phone will be notified "Connected as" USB-"Device" - tap on it.
3. Select the "File Transfer" mode (MTP)", Then go back and open the notification again.
4. Now select DisplayPort or Secondary Screen (name depends on the model).
5. On PC go to Windows Settings → System system → Display and press "Detect".

If the screen is undecided:

• Try another cable (many cheap cables don't support video transmission).
• Update the graphics card drivers on the PC.
• Check if the bootloader is unlocked on Redmi (for some models, this is a must).

The cable supports DisplayPort Alt Mode

The latest drivers are installed on the PC NVIDIA/AMD/Intel

Xiaomi bootloader unlocked (if required)

In the settings of the phone is enabled the developer mode-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 Pro) for the first connection, it may be necessary to confirm the permission to transmit video via ADB. The command is: adb shell settings put global. secondary_display_enabled 1

Wireless emulation of the secondary screen via Wi-Fi

If your Xiaomi Redmi doesn't support cable connectivity, you can use wireless protocols, the main drawback is possible delays (50 to 200 ms) and depending on network quality.

Method 1: Built-in Miracast (reverse mode)

Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) K50 or Note 12 Pro+) They support reverse Miracast when the phone is the receiver:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Secondary screen.
2. Enable the option of "Wireless display".
3. On PC (Windows) 10/11) press Win + K and select your Redmi from the list.

If the item "Secondary Screen" is not:

• Check the version. MIUI (upgrade to the last).
• Install regional firmware EEA Global (in Chinese versions, the function may be disabled).

Method 2: Third-party applications (Spacedesk, Duet Display)

For models without built-in support, specialized applications will be suitable, for example, Spacedesk allows you to use Redmi as an additional monitor over the local network.

Instructions for Spacedesk:

1. Download Spacedesk Driver on PC from the official website.
2. Install the Spacedesk app on Redmi from Google Play.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Run the app on your phone and it will automatically find the PC.

The advantages of Spacedesk:

• 🎯 It works even on older models (Redmi 8, Redmi 9).
• 🖱️ Touch control support (you can use your phone as a touchpad).
• 🔧 Image quality settings (you can lower resolution to reduce lags).

💡

If the image on the phone is slowing down, in Spacedesk settings, reduce the resolution to 720p and turn on the "Low Delay" mode".

Use of secondary screen for gaming and streaming

One of the most popular secondary screen scenarios on Xiaomi Redmi is gaming.

• 🎮 Connect your phone to your PC and stream games via Steam Link or Moonlight.
• 🕹️ Use Redmi as a portable monitor for Nintendo Switch or PS5 (video capture).
• 📱 Play mobile games on a large PC screen by displaying the interface on the phone.

Optimal settings for gaming:

• 🔌 Cable connection (USB-C) — delay ~10-30 miss.
• 📶 Wi-Fi 6 (If the cable is not possible, delay ~50-80 miss.
• 🎚️ Permission: 720p@60Hz lag-minimizing.
• 🔇 Sound: output through PC speakers (on some Redmi models sound on the PC) USB-C nontransmittable).

For streaming from PC on Redmi, we recommend:

1. Install Moonlight (for the purpose of NVIDIA GPU) Steam Link.
2. In the codec settings, select HEVC (Best quality with low bitrate).
3. Connect the gamepad via Bluetooth to your phone (e.g., Xiaomi Game Controller).

⚠️ Note: When using Moonlight on Redmi with Snapdragon processor 7xx/8xx We recommend you to turn on the performance mode in the battery settings and use a cooling stand.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When setting up the secondary screen on Xiaomi Redmi, users often encounter typical errors.

If your Redmi model doesn’t support the secondary screen out of the box, but you want to try to get around the limitations, you can:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🛠️ Unlock the bootloader and activate the function through ADB:

adb shell settings put global secondary_display_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global wireless_display_certification 1

Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone and may result in a loss of warranty!

Alternative ways to use Xiaomi Redmi as an extra screen

If standard methods do not work, alternatives may be considered:

• 🖥️ TeamViewer QuickSupport: remote control of the PC with display of the image on the phone (suitable for office tasks).
• 🎮 Rainway: streaming games from PC to Redmi with low latency (alternative to Moonlight).
• 📱 ApowerMirror: Duplication of Android screen on PC and back (supports touch control).
• 🔄 Scrcpy (reverse mode): output of the image from the PC to the phone via ADB (for advanced users).

To use Scrcpy in reverse mode:

1. Connect Redmi to the PC by USB And turn on the debugging. USB.
2. Download scrcpy from GitHub.
3. Run the command: scrcpy --display 1 --no-playback (where --display 1 pointing to a secondary screen).

This method requires knowledge. ADB, It offers minimal delays and high resolution support.

💡

For maximum performance when using Redmi as a secondary screen, give preference to a physical connection (USB-C) Turn off the background processes on the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about secondary screen emulation on Xiaomi Redmi