Modern users often face the need to display content from mobile devices to the big screen. Owners of the Apple ecosystem and Xiaomi equipment are no exception, but the process of synchronizing these gadgets can raise questions for beginners.
The Mi TV 4A series is powered by Android TV, which opens up opportunities for integration with third-party devices. Despite the lack of native support for AirPlay 2 in older firmware versions, there are proven ways to circumvent restrictions. In this article, we will detail all the ways available to connect iPhone to Xiaomi.
Before you start setting up, make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, a fundamental requirement for most wireless data protocols. If the router supports dual-band mode, it is advisable to use 5 GHz to ensure a stable stream of high-resolution video.
Preparation of equipment and network
The quality of the wireless broadcast depends on the state of the local network. If your router is old or overloaded with many connected devices, the image on the screen Mi TV 4A It is recommended to restart the router before setting up to free up communication channels and update IP-address.
Make sure the TV has the latest software installed. Manufacturers regularly release updates to improve the stability of network modules. You can check for updates by going to the Settings menu → About TV → System Update.
⚠️ Note: If your router splits 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks into different SSID (Network names, make sure that both iPhone and Xiaomi are connected to one of them, otherwise devices may not see each other on the local network.
It may require a TV remote or a separate keyboard to manage the connection process comfortably, and in some cases, navigating the Android TV menu with a standard remote can be difficult when entering passwords or searching for apps.
Use of the built-in Mi Remote (AirPlay) function
Many Xiaomi Mi TV 4A models have built-in Mi Remote protocol support, which emulates Apple AirPlay, a method that is preferred because it doesn’t require additional software to be installed on the TV if the feature is already built into the firmware.
When you start the Mi Remote app, the device name and possibly the confirmation code will appear on the TV. On the iPhone, you should open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner or bottom up, depending on the model).
Your Xiaomi TV should appear on the list of available devices. The first time you connect, the security system can request that you enter the code displayed on the TV screen in the smartphone field, which is a standard authorization procedure to prevent unauthorized access to your display.
☑️ Checking AirPlay Connection
If the connection is successful, the image from the mobile device will appear on the big screen. It is important to understand that this mode broadcasts everything that happens on the smartphone screen, including notifications and system sounds. To stop the broadcast, re-click on the icon "Screen Replay" and select "Stop Replay".
Installation of third-party broadcasting applications
When the built-in feature is not working properly or is missing from your firmware version, third-party solutions come to the rescue. The Google Play Store on the TV offers a variety of reciprocating apps that create a virtual AirPlay signal receiving point. One of the most popular and stable solutions is the AirScreen or AirPin app.
The installation process is standard: search for the app through a Google Play search on your TV, click “Install” and wait until the download is complete. Once launched, the application will require you to allow access to the local network and microphone (for voice control, if necessary).
| Annex | Type of license | 4K support | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Freemium | Yes. | It's in the free version. |
| AirPin(PRO) | Paid | Yes. | No. |
| Receiver for AirPlay | Free. | Limited. | There is. |
| DoCast | Freemium | Yes. | There are limitations. |
Once the third-party app is installed and launched, the TV will broadcast the signal, mimicking the Apple TV device. On the iPhone, a new device will appear in the Screen Replay menu, often called AS-Xiaomi-TV or the like. The connection principle remains the same: selecting the device and waiting for the connection.
⚠️ Warning: Free versions of reciprocating apps often contain ads that may overlap the image or interrupt the video stream.For continued use, it is recommended to consider buying the full version (PRO).
Why can AirPlay not work after installing the app?
Broadcasting through the Mi Home app
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own management tool, the Mi Home app, which is primarily designed to manage a smart home, but also features media content, which is especially useful if you want to stream photos or videos from a gallery rather than duplicate the entire screen.
To get started, install the Mi Home app on your iPhone from the App Store and log in to your Mi Account. The TV must also be logged in to the same account. After adding the TV to the list of devices, go to its control card.
The control interface often has a Translation button or arrow icon, and by clicking on it, you can select the media files stored in your smartphone memory, which is less bandwidth-intensive, as it only transmits the file data, not the video stream in real time.
Using the native app provides better compatibility with the compression formats used by Xiaomi TVs. However, for streaming services like Netflix or YouTube, this method is not suitable - it is better to use the built-in Cast functions inside the applications themselves.
💡
If the Mi Home app doesn’t see TV, try changing the region in your profile settings to China or your country of residence, as servers may vary depending on your device’s geographic location.
Connecting to the Lightning to HDMI adapter
Wireless technology is convenient, but it doesn’t always guarantee a perfect picture without delay. For gamers or when watching videos in high bitrate, wired connectivity is the best solution. Since the iPhone doesn’t have an HDMI output, you’ll need a special Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (or USB-C for new models).
Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and then connect it with an HDMI cable to the Mi TV 4A. Switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate port (for example, HDMI 1).
The main advantage of this method is that there is no compression of video stream and zero input lag, which is critical for dynamic games. Moreover, as long as the phone is connected with a cable, it can simultaneously charge, which is impossible with active wireless broadcasting, which quickly lands the battery.
It is worth noting that Apple’s official adapters are not cheap, and cheap analogues with AliExpress often do not support HDCP (copy protection), which is why the screen will be black when you run protected content from iTunes or streaming.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Even with the right setup, there can be technical difficulties, and one of the common problems is desynchronizing sound and video. If the actors' lips don't fit into the words, try lowering the quality of the video output in the settings of the broadcast application or rebooting the router.
If the TV is not visible at all, check the firewall settings on the router. Sometimes antivirus programs at the network level block the ports used by the mDNS protocol, which is responsible for detecting devices.
⚠️ Note: When using a wired adapter, make sure that the cable is HDMI connected directly to the TV, bypassing receivers or soundbars that may not correctly transmit video from the iPhone.
In case of permanent breaks of the connection over Wi-Fi, try to assign statically IP-This will eliminate addressing conflicts when the router tries to give the same address to two different devices after restarting.
💡
The stability of the wireless connection depends on the quality of the router and the absence of interference in the air; if the problems are constant, switch to an HDMI cable.