Today’s users often face the need to stream content from their smartphone to the big screen. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices are no exception, wanting to watch a video or presentation through the TV. USB-The cable has its own nuances that must be taken into account for successful synchronization.
Unlike wireless technology, wired connectivity provides stability and minimal signal latency, especially if the Wi-Fi network is overloaded or absent from the room, and understanding the USB Debugging interface and data protocols will help avoid typical setup errors.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available connection methods, the necessary settings in the MIUI and HyperOS shell, and also eliminate possible compatibility issues, you will learn why the TV may not see the phone and how to activate hidden functions for displaying images.
Technical limitations of USB connection for video output
Before we get into action, it’s important to recognize the fundamental difference between file transfer and video broadcasting. A standard USB cable that comes with a phone is designed to charge and synchronize data in drive mode. Direct output of a pixel-to-pixel image via a simple USB-A to a USB-A cable is technically impossible without an intermediate converter.
To implement the Screen Mirroring task through a physical connection, the phone requires support for the MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or Alt Mode standard for the Type-C port. Most budget and mid-range Xiaomi models are equipped with USB 2.0 ports that do not transmit video directly. Only flagship lines, such as the Xiaomi Mi 10/11/12/13/14 Ultra or Mix series, often have a full USB 3.1/3.2 with video output support.
⚠️ Note: Trying to connect the usual USB-cable from the phone directly to USB-The TV will perceive the device as a flash drive or charger, but not as a source of video signal.
Unless your TV is a Smart TV with wireless protocols, the only wired solution is to use a special adapter, which converts the digital signal from the charging port to an HDMI format that any modern TV can understand. Without such a converter, you will not be able to make wired video output work on most Redmi Note or Poco M/X series models.
Equipment and preparation of interfaces
To make a connection, you'll need not only the smartphone itself, but the right set of peripherals. The quality of the cable is critical: cheap cords often have a cross section only sufficient to charge up to 1A, resulting in lost connection or image flickering.
If you plan to use the wired method through an adapter, make sure your Type-C to HDMI adapter supports a resolution of at least 1080p and a frequency of 60 Hz. Some older adapters are limited to the 720p standard, which on large diagonals of TVs looks blurry and unclear.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
If your TV is smart, then it is smart. TV (Android-based TV, WebOS, Tizen or Xiaomi’s own PatchWall OS, a physical cable for displaying the screen may not be needed at all. USB-The cable is used solely for initial debugging or file transfer, and the video stream is over the local network.
Before setting up, clear the Translation cache in your phone’s settings to avoid conflicts of old settings and ensure a clean start to the device discovery process. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Broadcast and select Clear Data.
Setup of Xiaomi smartphone for data transfer
The standard USB mode on Android is Charging Only. In order for a TV or computer to see a phone, you need to manually switch this mode. Connect the cable to the phone and TV (or PC), then lower the notification curtain on the smartphone screen.
Find the USB Charge notification and click on it. The mode selection menu will open. Select MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) or PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) to transfer files. MTP is the preferred multimedia mode, as it allows the TV to access video and audio files on the phone as an external drive.
For more in-depth customization, including debugging USB, You need to activate the developer menu. This is rarely required unless the standard methods are working or you are using specific streaming software. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI" or "Version." OS".
Once you activate the developer menu (you're a developer), go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers. Find USB Debugging and enable it. Also check the default USB configuration settings and set File Transfer.
⚠️ Attention: Including debugging by USB It opens up access to system commands. Don't connect your phone to suspicious public charging stations with activated debugging, it could lead to data theft.
Use Type-C to HDMI adapters for wired connection
This is the only way to get wired video output if your TV is not Smart or you want to play games without delay (input lag). As mentioned earlier, this requires the phone to support the DisplayPort Alt Mode protocol. You can check the availability of support on the official manufacturer's website in the model specifications or experimentally.
The connection process is as simple as possible and does not require driver installation, as it uses the standard HDMI Alt Mode function: insert the adapter into the phone charging port, connect the HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV. switch the signal source to the TV to the corresponding HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 port.
The image from the phone screen should appear on the TV instantly. Depending on the Xiaomi model, you can control the display mode. The system can suggest choosing Mirror mode (a copy of the screen) or Extended Screen mode (if the application supports multitasking). To watch the video in full screen mode, just launch the player and rotate the phone horizontally.
| Type of connection | Equipment required | Xiaomi support | Image quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct USB-USB | USB-A to USB-A cable | No (files only) | Not applicable. |
| Type-C to HDMI | adapter USB-C → HDMI | Only flagships. | 1080p/4K (no delay) |
| Wi-Fi Cast | Smart TV / The console | All models. | Depends on the router. |
| Chromecast Built-in | TV with Android TV | All models. | High (HD/4K) |
If the image appears but the sound is coming from the phone, check the audio output settings. In some cases, you need to manually select the output device in the media content control panel. The adapter can also consume significant current, so it is recommended to connect an additional power cable to it, if this is possible.
Wireless streaming through built-in MIUI and HyperOS functions
Since direct connection through USB-Video cable is often not possible, and the system's regular facilities offer an efficient wireless alternative. MIUI And HyperOS is based on Miracast and Google Cast, which allows you to display the screen on any TV with Wi-Fi Direct.
To start, open the control center (notification curtain) and find the Translation icon. If it's not on the first screen, click three dots in the corner and add a widget. The system will start looking for available devices. Make sure the phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or that the TV is on a wireless screen).
What to do if the TV is not found?
When you connect to Xiaomi Mi TVs or Android TVs, the process is automatic. You may see a request for permission to connect on the TV screen — confirm it with the remote control. Latency in this mode is minimal for watching video, but can be noticeable in dynamic games.
To stream content from specific applications (YouTube, Netflix, Kinopoisk), use the "Translate" button inside the app itself, which is more energy efficient because the phone is only a remote control, and the video is downloaded by the TV directly from the Internet, bypassing the smartphone's processor.
Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face situations where the connection is not installed.One common reason is outdated software. Make sure your Xiaomi has the latest firmware installed, as updates often contain patches for compatibility with new HDMI and Wi-Fi standards.
If you connect through the adapter, the screen goes out or blinks, this indicates a lack of power. Try using another HDMI cable or connecting the adapter to the power source. Also, the problem may lie in the resolution: try changing the output resolution in the phone settings, if this option is available in the Screen section.
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Use an HDMI cable no longer than 2 meters long to connect via an adapter. Long cables without active signal amplification can cause data loss and artifacts on the screen.
In case of wireless connection problems, rebooting the router often solves the issue. Complex passwords with special characters on the Wi-Fi network also sometimes cause authorization errors when trying to stream - try simplifying the password for the test.
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The stability of wired connectivity via an adapter is always higher than wireless, but requires hardware compatibility. The wireless method is universal, but depends on the quality of your Wi-Fi network.
Remember that during long broadcasts, especially in high resolution, the phone can heat up significantly. This is normal for the processor and communication module, but it is recommended to remove the case for better heat sink if you plan to watch a long movie.