Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs and Redmi TVs are powerful multimedia centers that can stream content not only from embedded applications but also from external devices. Often there is a need to bring to the big screen photos from a vacation, a presentation from a laptop or a video stored in the memory of a smartphone. Fortunately, the Android TV ecosystem on which Xiaomi TV software is based offers many flexible tools to accomplish this task.
There are several basic connection scenarios: wired connection through HDMI-The cable that guarantees maximum stability and image quality, and wireless protocols such as Miracast, Chromecast and AirPlay, depending on the type of signal source you use (Android, iOS or Windows) and the image delay requirements. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of broadcasting, so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
Before you start setting up, make sure your TV is connected to the Internet and updated to the latest firmware. This is critical for the proper operation of Wi-Fi Direct wireless communication modules and Google system services. Some old methods popular a few years ago may not work properly without current security patches and drivers.
Wireless broadcast from Android-smartphone
The most common scenario is to display images from an Android phone. Because Xiaomi TVs run on Android TVs, integration is at the operating system level. You don't need to install third-party apps to get started if you're using standard Google functionality.
Make sure that both your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is a fundamental requirement for local data protocols. If devices are on different subnets (e.g., one on the guest network and the other on the main network), detection may not work.
⚠️ Note: When using a guest Wi-Fi network in a hotel or office, the broadcast may be blocked by the network administrator due to isolation of client devices.
On most modern Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI), the feature is built into the control panel. Lower the notification curtain and find the Broadcast or Cast icon. Once activated, the system will start searching for available devices. Your Xiaomi TV or Android TV should appear in the list.
If the standard feature doesn't work or you want to expand, you can use the Google Home app, which allows you to manage media content more flexibly. Open the app, select your TV from the list of devices, and click Broadcast, a method that is often more stable when dealing with heavy video content.
It's important to understand the difference between mirror mode and streaming. In the first case (Miracast) the TV displays an exact copy of what's happening on the phone's display, including notifications and the desktop. In the second case (Chromecast built-in), the TV itself downloads content from the Internet on command of the phone, which saves the battery of the smartphone.
Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)
Apple device owners have long been limited in their ability to connect to Android TVs, but the introduction of AirPlay 2 support in Xiaomi Mi TV firmware has changed that. Now you can transfer photos, videos and even duplicate the screen of an iPhone or iPad without buying an expensive Apple TV console.
To get started, make sure your TV has AirPlay support enabled. Usually this feature is activated by default, but in rare cases it needs to be enabled manually in the settings. Go to Settings, then Apps, and find control of the built-in AirPlay.
The algorithm of action is very simple:
- 📱 Open the control center on the iPhone (swipe down from the upper right corner or bottom up on older models).
- 📺 Click on the screen repeat button (two intersecting rectangular figures).
- 📡 Select your Xiaomi TV from the list of available devices.
- 🔢 If the confirmation code appears on the TV screen, enter it on your smartphone.
AirPlay 2 transmission quality is usually better than standard Miracast, as the protocol is better optimized for video streams, but it is worth considering that when you duplicate the screen in a vertical orientation on the sides of the image, black bars can appear, since the TV format is horizontal.
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For the best video quality through AirPlay, run content directly in the app (YouTube, Netflix) by clicking on the live stream icon inside the player, rather than through full-screen duplication.
Connecting a laptop or PC via HDMI
When you want maximum image quality without compression or need to demonstrate a presentation from a computer where wireless drivers are unstable, the best choice is a cable connection. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) transmits digital video and sound simultaneously.
You'll need an HDMI cable to connect. Modern laptops often have HDMI, Mini HDMI or DisplayPort ports. If the ports don't match, use the appropriate adapter. Connect the cable to the TV to any free connector by remembering its number (for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2).
After the physical connection, you need to switch the signal source on the TV. Press the Input or Source button on the remote control and select the appropriate port. The desktop may appear on the computer screen, or the system will prompt you to select the mode of operation of the second display.
In the Windows operating system, the Win + P key combination is used to control the second screen. The project menu will open, where four modes are available:
- 🖥️ Computer screen only: TV image goes out.
- 🔁 Repetitive: the same image on both screens (mirroring).
- ↔️ Expand: The desktop continues on the second screen (easy to work).
- 📺 Only the second screen: the laptop screen goes out, only TV works.
☑️ Connection check HDMI
If the picture on the TV looks stretched or fuzzy, check the resolution settings in the system. For most models of Xiaomi Mi TV native is the resolution 1920×1080 (Full HD) or 3840×2160 (4K). Setting a non-standard resolution can lead to distortion of proportions.
Using Chromecast built-in technology
Special attention should be paid to the technology Google Cast (Chromecast), which is built into the software shell of Xiaomi TVs. Unlike mirror display, this method allows you to broadcast content directly from applications, which means that your smartphone acts as a remote control, and the TV itself downloads the video stream.
The advantage of this approach is that the battery is minimally consumed, and you can use the phone for other tasks without interrupting the playback on the big screen.
To use this feature, make sure that your smartphone has apps that support Cast (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, Chrome browser). In the interface of these applications, look for the characteristic rectangle icon with waves in the corner.
Clicking on this icon will show you a list of available devices. Once you select a Xiaomi TV, the content will start playing. If you use Google Chrome on your computer, you can stream not only tabs, but also the entire desktop or specific files.
⚠️ Attention: Chromecast requires both the mobile device and the TV to be on the same local network (4G/5G) On the phone with a Wi-Fi TV will not allow you to find the device.
Third-party broadcast applications
If standard system tools don’t meet your needs or don’t work properly, you can always turn to third-party solutions. Google Play Store apps on your TV and smartphone offer dozens of utilities for image transfer.
One popular solution is Web Video Caster, which allows you to send video files from sites directly to the TV without having to download to the phone, and TV Cast and LocalCast are also well-known applications that can work with local files in formats that are not supported by a standard player.
For users who want to broadcast a computer screen wirelessly, there are emulators of DLNA or AirPlay servers. For example, AirServer or Reflector, installed on a PC, can make the computer visible to the iPhone as a receiver, but in our case we need to make the TV visible. However, if the built-in AirPlay on Xiaomi is buggy, installing a separate application-receiver from the Play Market on TV can solve the problem.
Compare the main characteristics of the connection methods in the table below:
| Method | Quality. | Delay. | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI Cable | Maximum (Lossless) | Absent. | Not required |
| Chromecast | High (up to 4K) | Low. | High (Wi-Fi) |
| Miracast | Medium/High | Medium | Medium (Wi-Fi Direct) |
| AirPlay 2 | High. | Low. | High (Wi-Fi) |
Why is there no sound when connecting via HDMI?
Problem Solving and Optimization
Despite the ease of setting up, users may encounter difficulties, and one of the most common problems is that the TV is not visible on the list of available devices, and 90% of the time it is because the devices are connected to different Wi-Fi frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) or are on different subnets.
Another reason could be outdated software. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update and check for new versions. It is also helpful to clear the cache of the app responsible for receiving the signal (such as Chromecast built-in) through the application management menu.
If the image is transmitted but with a severe delay or artifacts, try:
- 📶 Get closer to the router or use a repeater to improve the signal.
- 🔄 Reboot the router, as buffer overflows can cause packet losses.
- 📺 Shut down. VPN on a smartphone that can block local detection.
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The stability of wireless broadcasting is 80% dependent on the quality of the signal of the Wi-Fi router. 4K-Content is strongly recommended to use the 5GHz band.
In rare cases, the problem may be the antivirus on the computer or firewall settings that block incoming connections for the media server service, in such situations, it is worth temporarily disabling protection or adding an exception for the broadcast application.