Modern users often face the need to display images or media files from a smartphone to the big screen. Owners of budget but reliable devices in the Xiaomi Redmi 8 series may have difficulties, since this model does not support video output via the charging port.
Use of the USB-cable is one of the most stable ways to connect if you configure port modes correctly. You will need not only a physical connection, but also a competent software configuration on both devices. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances, including file transfer and streaming.
Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply insert the cord, but the MIUI system requires manual selection of the data protocol to work correctly.We will take a detailed look at each step so that you can enjoy content on the big screen without delays and synchronization errors.
Technical limitations and capabilities of Redmi 8
Before you start connecting, it’s important to understand the architecture of your gadget. Xiaomi Redmi 8 features a Micro-USB 2.0 port that supports OTG (On-The-Go) technology. This allows the device to work as a host, but video output through this connector is not implemented at the hardware level.
This means that the Micro-USB cable is directly connected to the HDMI It's not going to work without an active converter, but it's standard for transferring media files (photos, videos, music) and using the TV as an external drive. USB-cable is perfect.
- 🔌 Support for the regime OTG It allows you to connect the periphery directly.
- 📂 Protocol MTP (Media Transfer Protocol is the main one for data transmission.
- ⚡ Transmission speed is limited by the standard USB 2.0, which is important for heavy 4K file.
The Android system on board Redmi 8 automatically determines the type of device connected, but often chooses the default mode "Charge Only", which is why manually switching to file transfer mode is a critical step, without which the TV will not see the smartphone.
Equipment and training required
Because Redmi 8 uses a Micro-USB connector, and most modern TVs have a full-size USB Type-A port, you will need a Micro-USB cable – USB Type-A. The wire should not exceed 1.5-2 meters in length to avoid a voltage drop.
Make sure your TV supports reading FAT32 or NTFS file systems, as these are the formats that normally format your smartphone’s internal memory when connected as a drive.
☑️ Checking before connection
⚠️ Warning: Do not use damaged cables with inflections.Unstable connection can lead to short-circuit ports or damage to the power controller on the Xiaomi motherboard.
If you plan to use third-party apps to stream through USB-modem (TV Internet distribution), make sure that the TV has support for Ethernet adapters through the Internet USB or built-in Wi-Fi module, as a direct "spread" of the Internet over the Internet USB smart TV It does not work on all models.
Setting up USB mode on Xiaomi Redmi 8
After you physically connect the cable to your TV and smartphone ports, look at your phone screen, and MIUI, for security reasons, blocks access to your data, and you need to activate visibility mode.
Lower the swipe notification curtain from top to bottom. Find the notification "Charge via USB" or "USB Mode." Click on it to open the selection menu. Here you need to select the option "File Transfer" or "MTP".
Some firmware versions may require additional debugging activation if the standard connection is not determined. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI version number seven times until the message “You are a developer” appears.
- 🛠 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → For developers.
- 🔍 Find the item "Configuration" USB default".
- ✅ Select "File Transfer (MTP)" automatic.
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If the TV doesn’t see the phone immediately after selecting MTP mode, try switching to Photo Transfer (PTP) mode and then returning back to MTP. This often resets the connection cache.
After choosing the right mode, a notification should appear on the TV screen about the connection of the new device. If this does not happen, try using another one. USB-port on the TV, preferably one marked with the USB 2.0 or HDD, Because they often give out more current.
Using the TV as an external storage device
One of the easiest ways to use the connection is to work with the file system. When the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is put into MTP mode, the TV perceives it as a regular flash drive. You can view photos and videos using the built-in media player TV.
To access files, open the Media, Gallery or Explorer app on your TV. From the source list, select your smartphone. The folder structure will be similar to the device's internal memory. Note that system folders may be hidden or unreadable.
| File type | Support TV | Recommended codec | Max. bitrate. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video (MP4) | Tall. | H.264 / AVC | up to 20 Mbps |
| Video (MKV) | Medium | H.265 / HEVC | up to 15 Mbps |
| Photo (JPG) | Tall. | Baseline | up to 100 MP |
| Audio (MP3) | Tall. | MPEG-1 Layer 3 | 320 kbps |
When playing heavy high resolution files through USB-This may cause a slowdown due to the limited capacity of the tire. USB 2.0 on Redmi 8 for a comfortable viewing experience 4K It is better to use local TV storage or streaming over Wi-Fi.
Why are some files not opened?
Alternative methods of screen broadcasting
Since direct connection to USB Screen Mirroring on Redmi 8 is impossible without special adapters, consider the software methods that use the USB-a channel to create a stable network or work in parallel.
You can use the "Translation" function in MIUI, But it requires that both your phone and your TV be on the same Wi-Fi network, USB-The cable can still help if you use it to distribute the Internet on TV (with the support of Tethering on the Internet). USB TV-side).
There are applications such as LocalCast or BubbleUPnP that allow you to stream content over a local network. USB in this case can serve to provide a stable Internet connection on the TV if the Wi-Fi TV module is weak or absent.
- 📡 Use the built-in "Translation" function in the notification curtain.
- 📺 Make sure that the Miracast protocol is on the TV or DLNA.
- 🔄 For games, use low latency if available in TV settings.
⚠️ Attention: With long screen broadcasts or transferring large amounts of data, the smartphone can significantly heat up. Watch the temperature of the Redmi 8 body to avoid processor trolling and performance decline.
For users who are critically important to (wired) image connection, the only option is to buy an active Micro-USB to HDMI adapter with support for MHL or SlimPort. However, Redmi 8 does not support the MHL standard, so such adapters will not work. The only working option is adapters with DisplayLink technology, which require the installation of a special driver on the phone.
Solution and diagnosis
Often, users are faced with a situation where the phone is charging, but the data is not transmitted. 90% of the time, the problem is the cable. Many cheap cables are only for charging and do not have internal lines for data transfer. Replace the cable with the original or certified counterpart.
Another common problem is formatting: If the TV writes "Unsupported format," it could be the phone's internal memory or the phone's internal memory. SD-The card is formatted in exFAT, which older TV models don't read, so it's helpful to transfer files to a flash drive with a file system. FAT32.
If you connect your phone endlessly to "Connected as a media device," try to include USB debugging in the developer menu, which sometimes helps the system to properly initiate handshake protocol with the TV.
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The quality of the micro-USB cable directly affects the ability to transfer data. The cable that only charges will not allow you to transfer a single file to the TV.
If there is no reaction, check the Micro-USB port for dust and pile. Carefully clean the connector with a non-metallic object. Contact oxidation can also prevent high-frequency data signals from being transmitted, even if the charging contact is working normally.