How to make a second screen Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 have the computing power of a budget laptop, allowing them to be used not only for calls, but also for full-time document work. Users often wonder how to make a second screen on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 to turn the device into a compact workstation or stream an image to a large monitor. This is especially true for those who want to work in multitasking mode using a smartphone as a system unit.

The second screen feature on Xiaomi devices can be implemented in several ways, depending on your goals and the availability of additional equipment. You can use a wired connection via USB-C to display images on the monitor, use Miracast wireless protocols for the TV or install specialized applications that create a virtual desktop. Each method has its own settings and limitations that must be considered to achieve stable system operation.

In this article, we will take a look at all the technical solutions available, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party utilities that allow you to organize an efficient workspace. We will discuss the necessary cables, resolution settings and refresh rates, as well as the issues of performance when working in extended screen mode. The right configuration will allow you to maximize the potential of your gadget.

Built-in MIUI capabilities for image output

The Android-based MIUI operating shell provides the basic tools to transmit video to external displays. First of all, consider the wireless broadcast feature that is built into the smartphone control menu. To activate, you need to open the notification curtain and find the Broadcast or Cast item, then select a compatible device on your Wi-Fi network.

This is ideal for presentations or multimedia, but for second screen, it may not be responsive enough because of input delays. Wireless connectivity is highly dependent on router signal quality and device distance. If you plan to work with text or dynamic content, lags can significantly reduce productivity.

A more stable option is to use a wired interface if your particular instance of Redmi Note 9 supports video output via a USB Type-C port. Not all versions of this smartphone are equipped with a port that supports the DisplayPort Alt Mode standard, which is a critical requirement for direct connection of the monitor through an adapter. Checking the specification of your model is the first step before buying adapters.

⚠️ Note: Before buying an adapter USB-C on HDMI Make sure your port supports video transmission, as some low-end versions of the Redmi Note 9 only limit the port to data transfer speeds. USB 2.0.

If the built-in tools don't deliver the desired result in a full desktop interface, you should turn to third-party software solutions that emulate window mode and more flexible management of the workspace, but even then, the quality of the picture will directly depend on the hardware capabilities of the Snapdragon processor installed in the device.

Use of PC mode and third-party launchers

Because native PC mode (Desktop Mode) is available in pure form mainly on flagship lines, owners of Redmi Note 9 have to use alternative methods. One of the most effective ways is to install specialized launchers that change the Android interface to the likes of Windows. Apps like SecondScreen or Taskbar allow you to run applications in window mode and create a taskbar.

To implement this idea, you will need to install APK-files from trusted sources, as the official Google Play store functionality may be limited. ADB Or built-in accessibility settings, which allow the program to control the interface scale and screen orientation when you connect the outer periphery.

Importantly, heavy launchers can consume additional RAM resources. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, depending on the version, has 4 or 6 GB of RAM, and background processes can slow down the system.

Customizing the resolution in these launchers allows you to tailor the image to the size of the monitor, avoiding stretching or black fields. You can manually set the value of 1920x1080 or 1280x720 to achieve maximum font clarity, this is especially important when working with text documents or tables, where every detail is important.

Connecting the smartphone to the monitor via cable

Wired connectivity remains the most reliable way to organize the second screen, ensuring minimal latency and stable data transfer. To do this, you will need a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter that converts the digital signal of a smartphone into a format that is understandable to a monitor or TV. The quality of the cable directly affects the ability to transmit images in high resolution.

The process of connecting is as follows: first you connect the adapter to the smartphone charging port, then connect the HDMI cable from the adapter to the monitor. Android system must automatically identify the external device and broadcast the image. If this does not happen, check the settings in the Settings → Connections → Broadcast.

It should be borne in mind that when you use the screen and connect the periphery, the energy consumption increases significantly. The battery can discharge faster than usual, so it is recommended to connect the smartphone to the power source at the same time if the adapter has an additional USB charging port (PD), which will allow you to work for a long time without interruptions.

In some cases, you may need to change the refresh rate of the screen to eliminate flickering or desynchronization. The standard value is 60 Hz, but if the monitor supports higher frequencies, you can try to increase this option in the developer settings or through third-party utilities. However, the Redmi Note 9 may not support the output of the signal above 60 frames per second.

Organization of the workspace with the periphery

Turning a smartphone into a full-fledged workstation is impossible without connecting an external peripheral such as a keyboard and mouse. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 supports connectivity USB-devices through technology OTG, It's a computer manipulator that allows you to use a computer manipulator. USB-a hub with multiple ports that connects to a smartphone.

Using a hub solves two problems: connecting peripherals and simultaneously charging the device. This is critical for long sessions, as the screen and the processor consume significant current. When choosing a hub, choose models that support fast charging to compensate for power consumption.

Once you have a mouse, the cursor will appear on the screen, and the keyboard will allow you to quickly type in any application, and the MIUI interface is quite adaptive and correctly displays the context menu when you press the right mouse button in most system applications, which creates the feeling of working with a full computer.

However, not all applications are optimized for horizontal and mouse control, and some programs may be forced to deploy to the full screen or require touch input, and in such cases, you have to go back to touch control or look for alternative web versions of services.

Remote access and screen streaming on PC

If your goal is to see a smartphone screen on a computer monitor for control or demonstration, remote access programs like Scrcpy (for advanced users) or AirDroid allow you to stream an image from the Redmi Note 9 to a PC screen via USB or Wi-Fi.

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method provides the lowest latency and highest image quality, and requires the USB debugging mode to be included in the developer menu, and this hidden section is activated by tapping the build number seven times in the About Phone section.

To run the broadcast through the computer, you use the command line. Once you connect the cable, enter a command to start the server and capture the image, which allows you to use the keyboard and mouse of the computer to control the smartphone with minimal latency, which is ideal for games or text.

adb connect IP_address:5555


scrcpy --bit-rate 8M --max-fps 60

The advantage of this method is the ability to use the resources of the PC to process video, which reduces the load on the processor of the smartphone. However, you need a stable connection and basic knowledge of working with the command line. For ordinary users, the simpler option will be graphical shells for ADB.

Optimizing productivity and energy consumption

The second screen mode, especially in high resolution, puts an increased load on the GPU and processor. Thermal output can increase, leading to trottling (reduced processor frequency) and a drop in FPS. It is recommended to monitor the temperature of the device body during long sessions.

To minimize lag, close the background applications that are not used in the work. The built-in MIUI optimizer allows you to quickly clear memory, but also disable the synchronization of heavy cloud services while you are active with the external display, this will free up data channels and computing power.

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Use a dark-designed theme (Dark Mode) when working through HDMI, if you are simultaneously looking at the screen of your smartphone – this will reduce the load on the eyes and slightly reduce the power consumption of the matrix.

Also, consider that some adapters may require additional power. If you notice that the smartphone is not charging or is very slow when HDMI is connected, use an externally powered hub, which will ensure stable operation of all components of the system.

Check system updates regularly, as Xiaomi engineers periodically release patches that improve compatibility with external displays and peripherals. In Settings → About Phone → System Update, you can check for new versions of MIUI.

⚠️ Attention: Long-term operation of the smartphone in high load mode (broadcasting) 1080p 60fps) It can cause the battery to overheat and accelerate the wear of the battery chemistry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)