Set up Xiaomi TV via phone: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

Why is the phone more convenient than traditional methods?

Setting up Xiaomi TVs through a smartphone is not just a trend, it’s a real saving of time and nerves. Imagine: instead of poking the remote for the right menu item on a huge screen, you control everything from a comfortable phone screen, where the interface is adapted for touch control. This is especially true for models of Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 or Redmi Smart TV, where the standard remote is often lost or works with delays.

And synchronizing your TV with your phone also offers a range of possibilities, from transferring photos and videos in a single touch to using your smartphone as a gamepad for games on the big screen. And if you have a Xiaomi ecosystem (like a Redmi Note 12 or a Xiaomi 13 phone), it's even easier with the built-in features of Mi Share and Mi Home. But how does that work in practice? Let's take a step from first connection to fine-tuning.

It is important to understand that the method of setting depends on the TV model and the firmware version. For example, for the Mi TV A2 2023, the algorithm may differ from the Mi TV 4A 2019. We will look at the universal methods that work on most devices, and also point out the nuances for specific lines.

Preparation for setting up: what to check before connecting

Before you start syncing, make sure both devices are ready to go, starting with the specifications:

• 📱 Smartphone: Android version 6.0 and higher (for iOS functionality is limited) with the Mi Remote or Mi Home app installed. On Xiaomi phones, these utilities are often preinstalled.
• 📺 TV: model with Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast support (almost all Mi models) TV After 2018, you can check the settings menu → Connections → Wireless networks.
• 🔌 Network: Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for some functions) or within Bluetooth range (for the remote).
• 🔋 Charge: Your phone should have at least 30% battery – long-term operations (such as file transfers) quickly drain the battery.

You should also upgrade your TV firmware to the latest version. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update. If an update is available, install it before setting up via your phone, this will eliminate compatibility errors.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi TV was purchased outside of official channels (for example, on AliExpress), it may be Chinese firmware without support for Google Play and some synchronization features.

Method 1: Configure with Mi Remote (for all models)

Mi Remote is a universal remote that works even with other brands of TVs, and for Xiaomi, it offers advanced customization options.

1. Installation and Startup: Download Mi Remote from Google Play (a stripped-down version is available for iOS). Once installed, open the app and allow access to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
2. Add TV: Click Add Device → TV → Xiaomi. The app will automatically find nearby Mi TVs. If the search fails, select the model manually from the list (e.g. Mi TV 4S 55).
3. Synchronization: The TV will have a connection request – confirm it from the remote or button OK After that, the app will display all the control functions: volume control, channel switching, access to Smart. TV-menu.

Through Mi Remote you can not only control the TV, but also adjust its settings:

• 🔊 Sound: select sound modes (Standard, Movie, Music) or adjust the equalizer.
• 🎨 Image: adjust brightness, contrast, color temperature (useful for OLED-Mi-type TV Q2).
• 📶 Network: Connect the TV to a new Wi-Fi network without entering a password from the remote.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Europe), Mi Remote features may be limited due to local firmware versions. If the buttons in the app are inactive, try changing the TV region in the settings (Settings) → Region).

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If the app doesn't find the TV, try manually entering it. IP-You can find it in the Settings menu. → Network → State of the network.

Method 2: Using Mi Home for Smart Management (Xiaomi Ecosystem Only)

If you have a Xiaomi account and other devices (such as smart lamps or a robot vacuum cleaner), the Mi Home will be the central hub for managing your TV, a method that is suitable for IoT-enabled models (such as the Mi TV Q1 75" or Redmi Smart TV X).

Instructions for setting:

1. Authorization: Open Mi Home, sign in to your Xiaomi account (if not, sign up) and make sure your phone and TV are tied to the same region (e.g. Russia or Global).
2. Adding device: Press + → Add device → TV. Choose your model from the list. If you don't have one, select Another device → Xiaomi TV.
3. Connection: Follow the instructions on the screen. The TV must be on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone. Once successfully anchored, the TV will appear on the Mi Home main menu.

The advantages of Mi Home over Mi Remote:

Important: For remote control via the Internet, the TV must always be connected to the network and not transferred to energy saving mode (Settings → Energy Saving → Standby mode).

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Mi Home allows you to create automation scenarios, such as turning on the TV when you start a movie on your phone or turning it off along with a smart light.

Transferring files from phone to TV: 3 working methods

One of the most popular features for linking your phone and TV is media file transfer. Let’s look at three proven ways that work on all Xiaomi TV models:

Method 1: Mi Share (Fast and Wireless)

Mi Share is built into the firmware of Xiaomi phones and TVs, and allows you to transfer files at up to 10MB/s (depending on the model).

1. On the phone, open the Gallery or Files, select the desired photos / videos.
2. Press Share. → Mi Share.
3. In the list of devices, select your TV (e.g. Mi TV Q1-75).
4. Confirm the file's reception on the TV.

Limitations: Maximum file size is 2 GB. Use Method 3 to transfer movies to 4K.

Method 2: Google Cast (for streaming)

If you have Google Play on your TV (and it is on all global versions of Mi TV), you can use Google Cast to stream your screen or individual apps (for example, YouTube or Netflix).

• 📱 On your phone, open the app (like YouTube) and click the Cast icon (screen icon with Wi-Fi).
• 📺 In the list, choose your Xiaomi TV.
• 🎬 The video will start streaming on a large screen, and the phone can be used to control playback.

Method 3: USB-OTG or local area network (for large files)

To transmit high-resolution films or archives with data:

• 🔌 Connect. USB-phone-storage OTG-Adapter, copy files, then insert the flash drive into the TV.
• 🌐 Or create a local one. FTP-server on the phone (applications type) FX File Explorer and connect to it from the TV via ES Conductor.

⚠️ Note: When transferring files via Mi Share on PatchWall firmware TVs (e.g. in India), you may need to enable the option to Allow Transfer over LAN in the security settings.

Removing common errors in setting up

Even with strict adherence to instructions, there may be failures, and let's look at typical problems and their solutions.

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t respond to commands from your phone, try:

1. Reboot both devices.
2. Remove the TV from the list of devices in Mi Remote/Mi Home and add again.
3. Reset network settings on the TV: Settings → Network → Network Reset.

For Mi TV P1 and newer models, when Miracast is in trouble (black screen when broadcasting), disabling HDCP in the display settings (Settings → Display → HDCP → Off) will help.

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If after updating the firmware TV stopped seeing the phone, try to roll back the version of Mi Remote to the previous one (download APK from the APKMirror website).

Additional features: voice control and game mode

Syncing your phone with a Xiaomi TV gives you access to advanced features that many don’t know about:

• 🎤 Voice control: You can configure voice control of your TV using Alice (for Russia) or Google Assistant via Mi Home. For example, the phrase "OK Google, turn on Netflix on your TV" will launch the app.
• 🎮 Game mode: On models Mi TV Q2 Redmi Smart TV X can be activated in low latency mode (Settings) → Display. → Play mode) and use your phone as a gamepad for games via Google Stadia or NVIDIA GeForce NOW.
• 🔄 Sync notifications: By linking your TV to your Xiaomi account, you can display notifications from your phone to the big screen (such as incoming calls or messages from Telegram).

To activate voice control:

1. Open Mi Home and go to the TV settings.
2. Select the Voice Assistant → Set up.
3. Follow the instructions for linking a Google or Yandex account.

Unique feature: On Mi TV A Pro you can configure automatic switching to game mode when you connect the Xiaomi Game Controller.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions