Integrating Apple’s ecosystem with Android TV devices, which includes most modern Xiaomi TVs, has become much easier in the past few years. iPhone users often face the need to bring photos, videos or desktops to the big screen for more comfortable viewing.
The main method of interaction is AirPlay 2 technology, which is now built directly into the Android TV operating system on board Xiaomi Mi TVs. This means that you do not need to install additional apps on the TV itself if it is released after 2019 and running the current version of the software.
However, beyond simply streaming media, there are other ways to interact, such as controlling an IR port or Wi-Fi using the Mi Remote app. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the connectivity options available, from regular iOS tools to dedicated utilities that will help unlock the potential of your smartphone-television bundle.
Preparation of equipment and Wi-Fi network
Before setting up, it is critical to ensure a stable connection between devices. The LAN is the foundation for AirPlay and Chromecast. Make sure your router is broadcasting at 5GHz if the TV and smartphone support this standard, as it provides less latency when transmitting high-resolution video streams.
If you have a dual-band router that splits 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks into different names (SSIDs), connect your iPhone and TV to one of them. Different subnets or guest Wi-Fi modes can block device detection from each other.
☑️ Checking before connection
Also worth checking for software updates. On Xiaomi TV, go to the settings section and find the system update. On iPhone, go to Settings → Main → Software Update. Current firmware versions contain corrections for data protocol errors, which is especially important for AirPlay to work smoothly.
⚠️ Note: If your router is set up to isolate customers (AP Isolation, devices won't see each other even on the same network, which is usually disabled by default, but can be activated in guest networks or corporate security settings.
Screen broadcast via AirPlay 2
The best way to display an image is to use the native AirPlay function. Xiaomi TVs with support for Android TV 9.0 and higher have an AirPlay 2 server built in. To start using it, you do not need to download anything to the TV, just activate the function in its settings.
On the remote, click the setup button or go to the app menu. Find the AirPlay or Apple AirPlay app and launch it. The TV screen will show a confirmation code or a message about waiting for connection. In some Mi TV models, the function may already be built into the system and does not require a separate start, just turn on the TV.
What if AirPlay can’t find the TV?
Now take your iPhone. Open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner on new models or swipe up on models with the Home button). Click on the Screen Replay icon (two rectangles). From the list of available devices, select your Xiaomi TV. If this is the first connection, a pairing request may appear on the TV screen - enter the code displayed on the TV in the field on the iPhone.
Once successfully connected, the smartphone screen is fully mirrored on the TV, which is convenient for showing presentations, watching videos from non-Cast apps or games. To stop broadcasting, open Control Point again and click Stop Replay.
| Parameter | Meaning/Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | AirPlay 2 | Used as the main |
| Permission | Up to 4K HDR | Depends on the TV model. |
| Delay. | Low (< 100 ms) | Perfect for video. |
| Sound. | It's on TV. | I can get it back on the phone. |
Use of the Xiaomi Mi Remote app
To control the TV, not just broadcast images, Xiaomi has developed the official Mi Remote app, which turns the iPhone into a full-fledged remote control, which is especially convenient if the physical remote is lost or its buttons are stuck.
Download the Xiaomi Mi Remote app from the App Store. Once launched, select Add Device and search for Xiaomi or Mi TV from the brand list. The app will offer multiple connectivity options. Choose Wi-Fi or Network. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the same network as your TV.
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Use the Mi Remote widget on the Today screen in iOS for quick access to volume control and channel switching without having to open the full app.
The app will start searching for devices online. When the confirmation code appears on the TV screen, enter it in the iPhone app. After that, you will access a virtual remote with navigation, text input and media management buttons. It is also a great way to quickly enter a Wi-Fi password or login to YouTube using the smartphone keyboard, which is much faster than typing characters with the remote buttons.
Importantly, to work over Wi-Fi, the TV must be turned on. The IR version of the remote (if it worked on an iPhone via an adapter) would allow you to turn on the TV, but the standard Mi Remote on iOS relies on a network connection. If the TV is turned off, turn it on with a physical remote or button on the case, and then plug in the application.
Streaming videos via Google Home and Chromecast
Because Xiaomi TVs are powered by Android TV, they have built-in support for Chromecast built-in technology, which allows you to stream content from apps directly to your TV without having to touch your smartphone screen. Unlike AirPlay, which mirrors the screen, the phone acts as a remote control, and the video is downloaded directly from the Internet by the TV.
To work with this method, the iPhone must have a Google Home app installed. Sign up for the app and add your Xiaomi TV to the device list. The process is similar to setting up Mi Remote: search the device online and enter a confirmation code.
- 📺 Open the app with video (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch) on iPhone.
- 📡 Click on the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves) in the video corner.
- 📺 Choose your Xiaomi TV from the list.
- ▶️ Video will start playing on a big screen, and the phone can be used for other tasks.
The advantage of this method is that video quality is not as dependent on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection between the phone and the router in real time as it is when mirroring. The TV itself buffers the flow. In addition, the iPhone battery is consumed minimally, since the screen can be extinguished.
⚠️ Note: Some apps, such as ivi or Kinopoisk, may block streaming via Chromecast due to restrictions DRM (In such cases, only mirroring the screen through AirPlay or connecting a cable will help.
Third-party mirroring applications
In situations where the regular AirPlay is unstable or requires advanced functionality (for example, the transmission of sound from certain applications that block audio output), you can resort to third-party solutions. TV Cast for Xiaomi.
These apps use their own video stream compression and transmission algorithms, and they can be useful if the AirPlay protocol built into your particular router or Mi TV firmware version works with audio and video desynchronization, and installing these apps requires permission to record the screen in iOS settings.
The connection process in these applications is standard: you run an app on your phone, it finds the TV on the network, then the broadcast begins, and the main difference is that there are additional resolution and bitrate settings that can be manually tweaked to improve the quality of the picture.
Wired connection through HDMI-adapter
For users who want maximum image quality without compression and minimal latency (for example, for games), the best solution is a wired connection. Since the iPhone uses a Lightning connector (old models) or USB-C (new iPhone 15/16), you will need an appropriate adapter.
You will need a Lightning to adapter. HDMI (Digital AV Adapter or USB-C to HDMI. Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and to it – the usual HDMI-a cable, the second end of which is inserted into the port of the Xiaomi TV. switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate input (for example, switch the signal source on the TV to the corresponding input, HDMI 1).
This connection provides a signal transmission in 1080p or 4K resolution (depending on the adapter model and the TV) at 60Hz. Sound is also transmitted over the cable. This is the only way to guarantee that you avoid the artifacts of compression and delays that are inevitable in wireless transmission.
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Wired connectivity is the only way to play dynamic games on your iPhone TV without a noticeable control delay (input lag).
Frequently encountered problems and their solution
Despite the ease of setting up, users may encounter a number of technical difficulties, often with router power saving settings or network antivirus settings that block device broadcast requests.
If the TV is no longer identified in the AirPlay list, try a full reboot cycle: turn off the TV with a button on the remote, then turn it off the socket for 30 seconds. Turn it back on. On the iPhone, reset the network settings (Settings) → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Network resets. This won't delete your data, but it will update network configurations.
- 🔄 Unstable Wi-Fi: Get closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi repeater.
- 🔒 Firewall lock: Check router security settings, turn off insulation AP.
- 📉 Low quality: Make sure your Wi-Fi channel is not overloaded with neighbourhood networks.
In rare cases, resetting Xiaomi TV to factory settings helps, but this is an extreme measure. Most often the problem is solved by updating the TV firmware through the Settings menu → About TV → System information → System update.