Xiaomi’s modern Smart TVs offer a huge amount of multimedia content, but sometimes the built-in functionality isn’t enough, and it may be necessary to display photos from a vacation, watch videos from apps that don’t have an Android TV version, or even run mobile games on a large screen with maximum detail. Fortunately, the MIUI TV ecosystem provides several native and third-party ways to accomplish this task without having to buy additional cables or adapters.
The image transfer process, often called screen cast or screencasting, is based on Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA wireless protocols, which ensures stable high-definition data transfer. Device owners do not need to be technical specialists to set up a connection, since most methods are built right into the interface of the Android TV or PatchWall operating system. The main condition for successful synchronization is the correct configuration of the local network and understanding the differences between full screen mirroring and simple sending media content.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from built-in Google Cast features to customized applications from the manufacturer. We will look at the nuances of working with different smartphone operating systems, possible connection problems and how to solve them. The key requirement for all the methods described below is to find both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, which is often overlooked when you first set up.
Preparation of equipment and network
Before you start the active setup phase, you need to make sure your infrastructure is ready to transmit heavy video stream. Wireless broadcasting requires a stable communication channel, and any interruption of the signal can lead to desynchronization of sound and image or complete disconnection of the connection. The ideal option would be to use a router running in two bands, connecting both devices to a 5 GHz network.
Make sure your Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi TV has the latest software installed. Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix wireless protocol errors and improve compatibility with newer versions of mobile OS. Check can be done by going to the settings menu and selecting Settings → About TV → System Broadcast or similar section depending on the firmware version.
☑️ Pre-broadcast checks
Also worth paying attention to the load on the network. If at the time of watching the film someone else in the apartment starts downloading bulk files or playing online games with high ping, the picture quality on the TV may fall. For comfortable viewing in 4K resolution, the connection speed is recommended at least 25 Mbps.
⚠️ Note: If your router gives away two networks with the same name (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and the devices “see” them as one, but are physically connected to different frequency bands, the broadcast may not start.
Use of the built-in Chromecast feature
The most versatile and common way to broadcast from your phone on a Xiaomi TV is to use Google Cast technology (Chromecast built-in). Virtually all modern Xiaomi TV models have a built-in Chromecast module, which allows you to stream content directly from compatible applications such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify or Google Chrome browser.
To get started, you don't have to set anything up in the TV menu, just make sure it's on. On your smartphone, open the content app, find the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves in the corner) and click on it. From the list of available devices, select the name of your Xiaomi TV. The image will appear on the screen, and the phone can be used as a remote control.
Why is the broadcast button not working?
It's important to distinguish between the two modes of operation: tab broadcasting and full screen broadcasting. In the first case, you send only a link to the video to the TV, and the TV itself downloads the stream from the Internet, saving the battery of the phone. In the second case, the phone encodes the image and sends it to TV, which puts additional strain on the smartphone processor.
- 📺 Open the YouTube or Netflix app on your smartphone.
- 📡 Click on the Cast icon in the corner of the video player.
- 📺 Choose your Xiaomi TV from the drop-down list.
- ▶️ Enjoy content on the big screen by controlling playback from your phone.
This is the most energy efficient and provides the best picture quality, because the TV takes over the task of decoding the video stream, but it only works in applications that support the protocol by the developer.
Screen broadcast from Android (Miracast)
If you want to show the full contents of the screen, for example, to show the interface of an application that is not in the TV store, or for games, you will need Miracast technology. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this functionality is often integrated directly into the system, but on the smartphone side it can be called differently: Translation, Wireless Monitor, Smart View (Samsung) or Screen Replay.
On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall shells or pure Android TVs, the Miracast signal reception function is usually active by default. You just need to start searching for devices on your smartphone. Go to the Android notification curtain, find the Translation or Project button and wait for your TV name to appear.
The way to setup on some Xiaomi TV models:
Settings → Applications → Broadcast → IncludeOnce connected, you'll see an exact copy of your smartphone screen on your TV, and in this mode, the phone continues to work and all notifications will be displayed on the big screen, so before the demonstration begins, it's recommended to turn on the "Do Not Disturb" mode. Input lag in this mode can be noticeable in dynamic games.
It is worth noting that the quality of Miracast transmission is strongly dependent on the Wi-Fi module in the phone. If you see an image twitching, try to approach the router or lower the output resolution in the phone settings, if this option is available.
Features of the broadcast from the iPhone (AirPlay)
Apple users often wonder if AirPlay can be used on Xiaomi TVs. The answer is yes: most modern Xiaomi models support AirPlay 2 natively or through the installation of a special application, which allows iPhone and iPad owners to stream content without installing additional apps on the phone itself.
In the newer PatchWall firmware versions, AirPlay support is built into the system. To check this, open the control center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner) and click on Screen Replay. If the TV is visible in the list, then support is working out of the box. If not, you will need to install the AirScreen or AirPin app from the Google Play Store on your TV.
The connection process is simple: make sure that the devices are on the same network, select the TV from the AirPlay menu on the iPhone and confirm the connection if the code appears on the TV screen. The image from the iPhone will be duplicated on the screen with high quality, supporting audio transmission.
- 🍏 Open the "Control Point" on the iPhone.
- 📺 Click on the screen replay icon (two rectangles).
- 📡 Select a Xiaomi TV in the list of devices.
- ✅ Enter the confirmation code on your iPhone if it is displayed on TV.
⚠️ Note: When using AirPlay on Xiaomi TVs, you may sometimes experience audio desynchronization. In such cases, try rebooting the router or changing the buffering in the AirPlay settings on the TV.
Third-party applications for empowerment
Embedded tools don’t always work perfectly, especially when you need to stream content from DRM-protected apps or specific browsers. In these cases, third-party solutions available on the Google Play store on the TV itself come to the rescue, with AirScreen, the leading niche app that emulates AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast receivers simultaneously.
Once you have AirScreen installed on your TV, launch an app that will set up parameters like resolution and device name, and once it's launched, it will create a virtual receiver that can be seen by any smartphone on the network, a universal solution that often works more consistently than native devices, especially for older phone models.
Another popular option is the Web Video Caster app, which is that it doesn't just broadcast the screen, it lets you send links to the TV to video files that the TV then plays itself, and it takes the load off the phone and allows you to watch videos even when the smartphone is off.
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If the built-in channel search doesn’t find the AirScreen app, try typing its name manually into the Google Play search bar on your TV or use the voice search feature on the remote.
Using third-party software gives you flexibility, but requires additional software installation. Remember that free versions of such applications may contain ads that will be displayed at launch or during operation.
Comparison of connection methods and characteristics
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a summary table comparing the main characteristics of different broadcast methods, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on your goals: watching a movie, playing games or presentation.
| Method | Quality. | Delay. | Battery consumption | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast | High (up to 4K) | Low. | Minimum | Android/iOS (in apps) |
| Miracast | Medium/High | Medium | High-pitched | Android/Windows |
| AirPlay | High. | Low. | Medium. | iOS/macOS |
| AirScreen | Depends on the source. | Medium | Depends on the source. | Universally. |
As you can see from the table, the Chromecast is best suited for watching movies, since it does not load the phone. Miracast is optimal for games on Android, although latency can still interfere with shooters. For owners of the Apple ecosystem, AirPlay remains the uncontested leader in convenience.
The choice of method also depends on the router model. If your router is old and supports only 802.11n, then even the best broadcast method will work with artifacts. In such cases, the only way out is to use a wired connection via a USB-LAN or HDMI adapter if the phone supports video output.
Problem Solving and Quality Customization
Even with the right setup, users can face problems such as a black screen, no sound, or constant buffering. Most often, the reason lies in the energy saving settings on a smartphone. Android may limit the background activity of the application responsible for the broadcast, considering it to be energy-consuming.
Go to your phone settings, look for the Apps section, select the broadcast method you use (like Google Home or AirScreen) and select the No Limits mode in Battery. Also check if traffic saving mode is enabled, which can block local data transfers.
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90% of broadcast problems are solved by restarting the router and reconnecting both devices to the same Wi-Fi frequency band (either 2.4 or 5 GHz).
If the problem is no sound, check the audio output settings. On some Xiaomi TVs, when connected via Miracast, the default sound can go through a Bluetooth headset if it was previously connected. Switch the output in the Bluetooth settings or in the TV's sound effects menu.
⚠️ Note: When you stream protected content (licensed movies) through Miracast, the screen may remain black due to protection. HDCP. In this case, only the use of the built-in Chromecast in the player application will help.