Many users of the Apple ecosystem are faced with the question of integrating their iPhone or iPad with Android TVs, in particular with the popular models of Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV. Unlike native support for AirPlay 2 on Samsung or LG TVs, Xiaomi devices require the installation of additional software or the use of built-in broadcast protocols.
The main difficulty is that the Android TV operating system on which Xiaomi’s Smart TV is based does not have an Apple AirPlay license built-in out of the box in all regions, but this limitation is easily bypassed by third-party apps or activating hidden features depending on the firmware version.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to turn your TV into a full-fledged AirPlay receiver, ensuring stable image and sound transmission without delay.
Compatibility check and firmware version
Before you start setting up, make sure your hardware is ready to work with Apple protocols.Some new Xiaomi TV models already have firmware-level AirPlay 2 support built in, but it can only be hidden or activated in certain regions.
First, check the version of the operating system. To do this, go to the Settings menu. → On TV. → Version: If you have a global firmware version installed (Global) ROM), The probability of having built-in features is higher in Chinese versions (China) ROM) frequently APK-manually.
⚠️ Note: If your TV runs an older version of Android (below 9.0), the built-in techniques may not work, and the only solution is to install external apps through the Android app. USB-accumulator.
Also worth looking at is the processor model: devices based on Amlogic or MediaTek can react differently to third-party broadcast software, and owners of the Master or Q1 series are more fortunate — their hardware is often optimized for multimedia tasks.
Use of the built-in Chromecast and Google Home feature
The easiest way to stream content from an iPhone to a Xiaomi TV is to use the native Google Cast protocol, which is often confused with AirPlay. Although these are different technologies, many apps (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify) allow you to send content to TV equally conveniently.
To set up, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Google Home app on your iPhone and find your TV on the list of available devices. If the TV doesn't show up, check your network settings.
In some cases, you need to activate guest mode or developer mode. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Cast and make sure the service is running. This is a basic integration layer that does not require installing any extra software.
- 📱 Make sure your iPhone has Bluetooth enabled for initial device detection.
- 📡 Check that the Wi-Fi network does not have client isolation, otherwise the devices will not “see” each other.
- 🔄 Restart your router if the list of devices in the Google Home app is empty.
This method is ideal for streaming videos from apps, but it is less suitable for mirroring the entire screen of the iPhone (Screen Mirroring), as it requires support from the source application itself.
Installation of Receiver Applications for AirPlay Emulation
If native methods do not provide the desired functionality, for example, you want to broadcast the Safari screen or the interface of games, you will have to use AirPlay emulators. the most popular and stable solution for the Android TV platform is the AirScreen or DoCast application.
To install, open the Google Play Store directly on your Xiaomi TV. Search for the app name, such as AirScreen. Download and install it. Once launched, the app will request a number of permissions to access the network and display over other windows, all of which must be confirmed.
☑️ Preparation for AirScreen installation
After the launch, the TV will appear on the screen QR-Now on your iPhone, open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom, depending on the model) and click Screen Replay. -AirScreen.
⚠️ Note: Free versions of receiver applications often contain ads and may have a session time limit.
An alternative is the LetsView app, which also works well on Redmi and Mi TVs, and works similarly: installing on TV and pairing with an iPhone over Wi-Fi.
Configure via built-in browser and DLNA
Sometimes users forget about the classic method of broadcasting through DLNA, which is built into the shell of MIUI for TV. Although it is not a full-fledged AirPlay, the functionality of transferring photos and videos from the iPhone gallery is perfectly implemented.
To do this, on your TV, run the Gallery or Media Player app. On your iPhone, in the Photos app, select the image or video you want, click Share, and select Translate or your TV name from the list.
This method is good because it does not require the installation of additional software and works more stable in the transmission of heavy 4K-files, as it uses direct data flow, bypassing emulator buffering.
| Method | Quality. | Delay. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Cast | High. | Low. | Low. |
| AirScreen | Medium/High | Medium | Medium |
| DLNA | Maximum. | Low. | Low. |
| HDMI cable | Perfect. | Absent. | Tall. |
As can be seen from the table, DLNA is best suited for viewing photos, and for games or working with the interface - specialized emulator applications.
Solving Connection and Lag Problems
A common problem with AirPlay on Android TVs is the unsynchronization of sound and image, or intermittent connection breaks, which is because Apple’s protocol is very demanding on channel bandwidth.
First of all, make sure that the TV is connected to a 5 GHz network. The 2.4 GHz range is often overloaded with neighbor routers and Bluetooth devices, which causes the "freeze" of the picture. Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi and select the network with the end of 5G.
Secret code for a developer
It’s also worth checking background processes. If the TV is simultaneously rocking a heavy upgrade or running a torrent client, (bandwidth) may be busy. Close the extra apps through the menu → Apps → Close everything.
- 🚀 Turn it off. VPN If you are on a router or phone, it often changes the route of traffic and blocks local discovery.
- 🔌 Try to turn off the TV power from the socket for 10 seconds (full reset), this will clear the cache of network modules.
- 📶 Move your router closer to your TV or use an Ethernet cable for the TV itself, leaving Wi-Fi only for your iPhone.
If the problem persists, try lowering the resolution of the streamed image in the settings of the receiver application itself (for example, in AirScreen you can choose 720p instead of 1080p), which will reduce the load on the processor.
Alternatives: HDMI and adapters
When wireless methods fail, especially in poor Wi-Fi conditions, there is always a proven wired option: iPhones with Lightning connector will require a Lightning to HDMI adapter, and newer USB-C models will require a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and then connect it with an HDMI cable to a Xiaomi TV. Switch the source of the signal (Source) to the appropriate HDMI port. In this case, the phone will think that an external monitor is connected, and display the image in native resolution.
⚠️ Note: When using cheap non-lyzion adapters, the picture may not be displayed on some protected applications HDCP (For example, iTunes Movies or Disney+). Use Apple Certified Accessories (MFi).
The plus of this method is the complete absence of latency, which is critical for games or presentations, the disadvantage is the need to buy a separate accessory and the presence of wires that limit mobility.
💡
If you use a wired connection frequently, buy HDMI-length 2-3 You can put your phone on the table instead of holding it in your hands.
Comparison of translation methods
The best way to do this depends on your goals. If you just want to show a birthday photo, you'll stop with DLNA. You'll just need Google Cast to view YouTube. And you'll need to install AirScreen or buy an adapter to show you your desktop or games.
Remember that software methods depend on the power of the TV’s processor. On budget models of Redmi with 1 GB of RAM, complex emulators can work with a delay, in which case it is better to use external consoles, such as the Apple TV 4K connected to the HDMI port of Xiaomi, which will turn any TV into a full-fledged Apple center.
Update your streaming apps regularly, as developers often release patches that improve compatibility with newer versions of iOS.
💡
The middle ground for most users is installing a free version of AirScreen and connecting the TV to a 5 GHz network, which solves 95% of tasks without buying expensive equipment.