How to connect your iPhone to your Xiaomi Mi TV: a step-by-step guide

Modern users often face the need to bring content from a mobile device to the big screen, and the bundle of iPhone with Xiaomi Mi TV is no exception. Apple owners appreciate the ecosystem for stability, but when trying to make iOS friends with Android TV, questions may arise. The process of synchronization requires understanding the features of data protocols, since out of the box, direct connection is not always obvious.

The main difficulty lies in the difference of operating systems: iOS uses a proprietary AirPlay protocol, while Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV or PatchWall. Fortunately, engineers have provided several ways to solve this problem, from built-in features to third-party software. You do not need complex cables or adapters if both devices are on the same network.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available connectivity methods, from the standard operating system to advanced router settings. The key to any wireless method is to have an iPhone and a Xiaomi TV on the same Wi-Fi subnet (same SSID and frequency range), and ignoring this rule is the most common cause of failure when you first try to set up.

Preparation of equipment and Wi-Fi network

Before you start manipulating, you need to make sure your infrastructure is ready to transmit heavy video streams. The wireless connection must be stable, because high-resolution image transmission requires significant channel bandwidth. If the router is old or is far from the TV, there may be delays and artifacts of the picture.

Pay attention to the frequency range of your network. Modern routers often broadcast two networks: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. To stream video in 4K or Full HD, it is highly recommended to use the 5 GHz band, as it provides higher speeds and is less susceptible to interference from household appliances.

• 📶 Make sure the router has Client Isolation enabled – it must be OFF, otherwise the devices won’t see each other.
• 🔄 Restart your router and TV if they have been running non-stop for a long time, this will clear the cache of network services.
• 📱 Check the version of iOS on iPhone – for the correct operation of AirPlay 2, a version not lower than iOS 12.3 is desirable.

⚠️ Note: If your router gives away two networks with the same name (Smart Connect), try temporarily splitting them or force both devices to connect to a 5GHz network for better stability.

It's also worth checking if the software on the TV itself is updated. Manufacturers often release patches that improve compatibility with Apple protocols. To check, go to the settings menu and find the system section.

Use of built-in support for Apple AirPlay 2

Many modern Xiaomi Mi TVs, especially those released after 2019, have built-in support for AirPlay 2 technology. This is the easiest and most native way to install additional software on the TV.

To activate this mode, you need to find the appropriate switch in the settings of the TV. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of PatchWall or pure Android TV. Usually the path looks like a sequence of actions in the menu of the device parameters.

In some regions, AirPlay support may be hidden or require activation. If you do not find a menu item, try changing the region in the settings of the TV to Singapore or India, where this feature is most fully implemented, and once activated, the TV will become visible to Apple devices as an available output device.

The connection process is as follows:

1. Open the "Control Point" on the iPhone (swipe down from the upper right corner or up from the bottom).
2. Click on the screen replay icon (two rectangles).
3. In the list, select your Xiaomi TV.
4. Enter the confirmation code that appears on the TV screen if the system requests it.

Once successfully paired, the screen of the smartphone will be broadcast to the TV, and the quality of the picture depends on the strength of the Wi-Fi signal. LAN-cable, stability will be maximum.

Set up with Xiaomi TV Plus (Mi Remote)

If the built-in tools are not working properly or your TV model is from an older generation, you can use the official application from the manufacturer. Xiaomi TV Plus (formerly known as Mi Remote) allows you not only to control the TV, but also to broadcast content.

The app is available on the App Store and is free to download, and it bridges the operating system using its own video coding algorithms, often bypassing compatibility issues that come with standard protocols.

To get started, install an app and run it, it automatically scans the network and suggests adding your TV, and once you confirm the pairing code on your TV screen, the phone becomes a remote control with a media server function.

• 📺 Supports streaming photos and videos from the iPhone gallery.
• 🎮 Allows you to use your smartphone as a touchpad for navigation on the Android interface TV.
• 📤 It works even if the built-in AirPlay is temporarily unavailable.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi App TV Plus may not work correctly if the phone is enabled with “Data Saving” mode or if permissions for the local network in iOS settings are limited.

It is important to note that the functionality of the application can vary depending on the region in which your Mi Account is registered. In some cases, you need to change the region in the settings of the application itself for full functionality.

Alternative broadcasting applications (Cast to TV)

When standard methods fail, third-party developers come to the rescue. The App Store features a variety of aggregator apps that emulate the work of Chromecast or AirPlay on the server (TV) side. One of the most popular solutions is a bundle of apps on iPhone and receivers on Android TV.

The most universal method is to install a receiver app on your TV, such as AirScreen or Receiver for AirPlay, which creates a virtual device that the iPhone perceives as the native Apple TV.

The setup process looks like this:

1. On Xiaomi TV, through the Google Play Store, find and install the AirScreen app.
2. Launch the app on TV and press "Start".
3. On your iPhone, select the new device that appears in the list (usually called Ascreen or Ascreen).

The advantage of these apps is the flexibility of settings: you can adjust the resolution of the broadcast image, frame rate and even turn off the sound on the phone, leaving it only on the TV, but it is worth remembering that the free versions often contain ads.

Using third-party software, you can turn any “stupid” or old TV into a full-fledged media station, and the main thing is to make sure that the versions of the applications on both devices are up to date.

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To reduce latency when playing or watching dynamic scenes through third-party apps, prioritize traffic from the router in your settings MAC-TV addresses (QoS).

Wired connection via Lightning/USB-C to HDMI

If the wireless connection is unstable or requires maximum image quality without compression, the only correct solution is cable. For iPhone, this means using a Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (for older models) or USB-C to HDMI (for iPhone 15 and newer).

This method completely eliminates the dependence on Wi-Fi speed and air load, and the image is digitally transmitted directly to the TV array, and the input lag is minimal in this case, making it ideal for games or presentations.

You will need to:

• 🔌 Official or certified (MFi) Apple adapter.
• 📺 Cable HDMI (Preferably version 2.0 or higher 4K).
• 🔋 Power supply for adapter (optional, but recommended for long-term operation).

Connect the adapter to the iPhone charging connector, insert the HDMI cable into the adapter and TV, switch the signal source to the TV to the appropriate port (for example, HDMI 1).

⚠️ Cheap Chinese Adapters Often Don’t Support HDCP (Copy protection, which is why the video on Netflix or Apple TV+ It will be displayed as a black screen with sound.

It is worth considering that when wired, the phone battery can discharge faster if the adapter is not connected to charging. Some adapters have an additional Lightning port specifically to power the device while running.

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Wired connectivity is the only way to ensure there are no delays and compression artifacts, which is critical for gaming and professional demos.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Even if you follow all the instructions, there can be technical failures, and often the problem is not with the TV or the phone itself, but with the settings of the network equipment, and if the devices can't see each other, the first thing you need to do is check whether the ban on data sharing within the local network is worth it.

Another common reason is outdated cache. DNS or IP-Try restarting the router by disconnecting it from power. 10-15 You can also try to forget your Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnect by entering your password.

If there is sound and there is no image (black screen), it is likely a problem with the codec or content protection. Try to reduce the output quality in the translation application settings or switch the screen refresh rate.