Xiaomi’s current smartphones have enough power to stream images to large displays, turning them into full-fledged multimedia centers or workstations. Users often look for a way to add a screen to Xiaomi, wanting to display a picture on a TV, monitor or projector for more comfortable viewing movies, games or working with documents. The process of synchronizing devices has become much easier thanks to the introduction of wireless protocols and support for digital interfaces in new models.
However, despite technological advances, the connection procedure can vary depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, and the type of cable used. It is important to understand the difference between simple duplicate image and extension of the workspace, since not all use cases are supported hardware.
There are several main ways to do this: using built-in wireless broadcasting, connecting via a physical USB-C adapter, or using third-party software solutions. Each method has its advantages and limitations, which must be considered before you start setting up. The choice of the right way depends on your goals and the equipment available.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
Before attempting to connect an external display, you need to make sure that your smartphone is technically capable of transmitting a video signal. Not all Xiaomi and Redmi models are equipped with video output ports. The key here is the availability of DisplayPort Alt Mode technology in the USB Type-C connector. If your smartphone is in the budget segment, it can only support data transfer and charging, but not video signal.
You’ll need a dedicated adapter or docking station to wired it. A regular USB-C to HDMI cable doesn’t always work if the phone itself doesn’t support video output. Owners of flagship series like the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14 or Mi 11 are more fortunate — these devices often have full video output support.
- 📱 Make sure that the smartphone model supports video output through USB-C (Check the specifications on the official website).
- 🔌 Get a quality adapter USB-C to HDMI with the necessary permission (for example, 1080p or 4K).
- 📺 Check for a free port. HDMI TV-watch.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 50% as streaming your image consumes energy.
Also, pay attention to the resolution of the target screen. If you plan to stream content in 4K, make sure that both the cable and the adapter support HDCP 2.2. Otherwise, the image may not appear or will be heavily compressed in quality.
Wireless connection through the function "Translation"
The most affordable and popular way to add a screen to Xiaomi is to use the built-in wireless projection feature, which is based on Miracast and Wi-Fi Direct standards, which allows you to transmit images without delay if the network is stable. To get started, make sure that both devices (smartphone and TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
The function is activated through the control center or settings menu. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, the item may be called Translation, Wireless Monitor or Cast. Once the search is turned on, the phone will start scanning available devices within the network range.
If the TV is not equipped with Smart TV, you will need an external console, such as a Chromecast or Mi TV Stick, in which case the algorithm of actions remains the same: the receiver must be on the same network as the phone.
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To reduce latency when wirelessly broadcasting games, place the router as close as possible to your smartphone and TV, preferably in line of sight.
It's worth noting that wireless connectivity can be unstable when there's a lot of interference on the air, and if you notice a dissynchronization of sound and video or image artifacts, try switching to a wired method or reducing the load on the Wi-Fi channel.
⚠️ Attention: When wirelessly broadcasting, the screen of a smartphone can heat up more than usual. This is a normal reaction of the processor to encoding a video stream in real time.
Wired connection via USB-C and HDMI
The wired connection guarantees maximum stability and minimal latency, which is critical for gamers or when showing presentations. As mentioned earlier, this method requires hardware support for the video output from the smartphone. smartphone → adapter USB-C to HDMI → cable HDMI → TV-monitor.
Once the devices are physically connected, Android must automatically detect the external display. In most cases, the image is simply duplicated: what you see on the phone screen appears on a large monitor. However, in some scenarios, it is possible to start a special mode optimized for horizontal display.
If there is no image, check the source of the signal on the TV. Press Input or Source button on the remote control and select the port into which the cable is stuck (for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2).
☑️ Checking wired connection
In rare cases, you may need to manually activate the debugging mode or change the resolution in the engineering menu, but for standard users, simply plugging in the cable is enough. Some adapters have an additional USB port to connect the keyboard and mouse, which turns the smartphone into a PC-like experience.
Configure display and resolution parameters
After successfully connecting an external display, it is often necessary to adjust the image parameters for better quality. Xiaomi system allows you to control the resolution, pixel density and screen orientation. These settings are especially important if the proportions of the smartphone and TV screen do not match (for example, 20:9 vs 16:9).
To access the advanced settings, go to Settings → Connected Devices → Broadcast (or similar in your version of the software) and select the quality of the image you transmit. High quality requires more resources and network bandwidth.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | Number of pixels horizontally and vertically | Choose the native TV resolution (1920x1080 or 3840x2160) |
| Frequency of update | Number of frames per second (Hz) | 60Hz for video, 120Hz for gaming (if supported) |
| Color format | Color Depth (RGB, YCbCr) | RGB for text, YCbCr444 for video |
| Orientation | Screen position (portrait/landscape) | Automatically or forcibly landscaped |
If you use a smartphone to work with text, it is important to properly configure the zoom. Too large on a large screen can look unreadable, and too small will require constant approximation. In the Settings menu → Screen → Font size and display can adapt the interface to the diagonal of the external monitor.
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The optimal resolution for broadcasting is always equal to the physical resolution of the receiving screen to avoid loss of quality when zooming.
Use of Desktop Mode (Desktop Mode)
Some advanced users want to do more than just duplicate the screen, but to have a computer-like experience. MIUI shells, and especially the new HyperOS, have desktop elements. When connected to a monitor, the interface can transform, providing window mode for applications.
To activate a full desktop, you may need to use third-party launchers or activate hidden functions through ADB-Second Space mode can also be useful for separating work and personal tasks with an external screen connected.
When working in desktop mode, it is recommended to connect the periphery. USB-You can connect a keyboard, mouse and external drive to your smartphone at the same time, and this allows you to create and edit documents using your phone as a system unit.
However, it is worth remembering that mobile applications are not always adapted for mouse control, some programs may not respond properly to clicks or have an uncomfortable interface in horizontal orientation.
Solution: No image or sound
Even with the right setup, there can be technical problems, the most common being the absence of an image on the external screen despite the cable connected, first of all check whether your particular HDMI cable supports video transmission (not all cables are the same, especially long).
The second common problem is the lack of sound. Android can by default continue to output audio through the phone's speaker or connected Bluetooth headphones. To fix this, open the sound control panel and select HDMI or an external audio device as the output device.
- 🔄 Restart both devices: Sometimes video output drivers freeze and require a restart.
- 🔌 Replace the cable. HDMI Shorter or better quality if there is interference.
- 📡 When you're wireless, turn it off. VPN on a smartphone, as it can block local data transmission.
- ⚙️ Update the firmware of the TV if it is no longer defined by new smartphones.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is quickly discharged or warmed when connecting the adapter, use an adapter with an additional power port (Pass-through charging).
In cases where the image twitches or has a low frame rate, try to lower the output resolution in the phone settings, and close background applications that consume Internet traffic or CPU resources.
What to do if the adapter is not detected?
Third-party applications for empowerment
If standard features aren’t enough, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, like Screen Cast, ApowerMirror or TeamViewer, allowing you to flexibly adjust your image, record your screen, or control your phone from your PC, and are especially useful if the built-in Translation feature on your TV isn’t working properly.
Some applications allow you to stream the screen over the Internet, not just over the local network, which allows you to show the contents of the Xiaomi screen to a remote user in another part of the world, but this requires a high-speed connection.
When using third-party software, pay attention to the permissions requested. To capture the screen, the application will need rights to record the contents of the screen, which is standard practice, but requires user confirmation.