Modern multimedia set-top boxes turn a regular TV into a powerful entertainment center, but the device’s full potential is only revealed when synchronized with a smartphone. Users often wonder how to bring an image from a mobile device to a large screen to view photos, videos or games. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a winning position, as the company provides several native tools to implement this task without buying additional equipment.
Screen Mirroring is based on wireless data technologies such as Wi-Fi Direct and Miracast, which allows you to stream video streams in high resolution with minimal latency, which is critical for dynamic content. Below we will look at detailed algorithms for various operating systems and discuss possible nuances of configuration.
The main condition for a successful connection is that both devices are on the same local area network. The router must support 802.11n or higher standards to ensure sufficient channel bandwidth. If this requirement is ignored, image artifacts or sound desynchronization are possible.
Preparation of equipment and network
Before you start setting up, make sure your Xiaomi Mi Box or Mi TV Stick is properly connected to the Internet. Go to the Settings → Network and Internet menu and check the connection status. It is recommended to use a 5 GHz network if the router and console support this range, as it is less busy and provides more stable data transfer.
The smartphone should also activate the Wi-Fi module. Make sure that both devices are geolocated - in modern versions of Android this requirement is necessary to detect devices on the local network. GPS-The phone module may simply "not see" the console in the list available for connection.
⚠️ Note: If your router distributes two networks with the same name (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure that the phone and console are connected to one of them, and not spaced in different frequencies, as some models of routers isolate customers between bands.
To check the quality of the connection, you can run any video on the console, if the video is played without buffering, the network is ready to go, otherwise try to restart the router or zoom in on the signal receiver.
☑️ Checking the broadcast readiness
Broadcasting from Android through embedded tools
The Android operating system has a built-in Cast feature, which is based on the Google Chromecast protocol. Most video viewing apps, such as YouTube or Netflix, support this technology natively. However, for full screen cloning (Mirror Cast), actions may vary depending on the shell of the smartphone manufacturer.
In pure Android, you need to lower the notification curtain and find the "Translation" or "Smart View" icon (on Samsung devices). Once you click, the system will start searching for available devices. Your Mi TV or console should appear in the list. Click on the device name to initiate the connection.
You may see a request for confirmation of connection on your TV screen. Use the remote to select "Accept" or "Allow" from now on, everything that happens on the phone's display will be duplicated on the TV. To stop the process, you just need to click on the broadcast icon again and select "Disable".
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If the broadcast icon is missing from the curtain, add it via the Quick Settings editing menu (usually a button with a pencil or a tetrapoint in the corner of the curtain).
It is worth noting that when using built-in tools Google Cast image quality can automatically adapt to the speed of the Internet. If the network is unstable, the resolution can drop to 720p.
Use of Mi Home and Mi Remote
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own hardware management software, Mi Home or Mi Remote (Mi Remote) not only allows you to manage the console, but also organize media content. While Screen Mirroring is more often implemented by system means, these applications are necessary for initial configuration and linking devices into a single network of a smart home.
The features require a Mi Account. Once authorized, add your Mi Box S or TV to your device list, which will ensure more stable detection of gadgets within the local network, as they will be in a trusted perimeter of your account.
Why is Mi Video better for local files?
The DLNA feature in Xiaomi apps is particularly useful for viewing local video files. You select a file in the gallery, click on the Translate button and select the target device. Unlike mirror display, it only transmits the stream of the media file, which saves battery power of the smartphone.
Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)
Apple device owners often face compatibility issues, as the iOS and Android ecosystems use different protocols, but modern Xiaomi consoles with an Android TV shell or Google TV support AirPlay 2 technology or have built-in emulation of this protocol.
To start the broadcast, open Control Point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom, depending on the model). Click Screen Replay (the icon of two rectangles). In the list that appears, select your Xiaomi console.
If the device is not found automatically, make sure that the console is in the Settings section. → Accounts & Sign In or in the settings of a particular receiver application (e.g. AirScreen) allows AirPlay signals to be received. APK-file for full compatibility.
| Protocol | Devices | Quality. | Delay. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | Android, Windows | High (up to 4K) | Minimum |
| Chromecast | Android, iOS (via apps) | Adaptive. | Medium |
| AirPlay | iPhone, iPad, Mac | High. | Low. |
| DLNA | All platforms. | Depends on the file. | No (media only) |
When using AirPlay, it is important to consider that the horizontal orientation of the phone screen does not always automatically rotate the image on the TV.
Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities
The standard functionality does not always cover all the needs of users, especially if we are talking about old models of TVs or specific file formats. In the Google Play Store on the console you can find utilities that extend the ability to receive a signal. One of the most popular is AirScreen.
This app emulates the AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast receivers at the same time, and once installed and launched, it creates a virtual device that is visible to all smartphones on the network, ideal if standard methods fail or are unstable.
To install, go to the app search on the console, type in the name and click "Install." After you start, follow the instructions on the screen to activate the service. In the application settings, you can specify the device name and security parameters.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party emulator apps may consume significant resources of console RAM. If you notice a slowdown in the Mi interface TV, Close the emulator after use.
Another powerful tool is LocalCast or BubbleUPnP. These applications allow you to stream content not only from your phone, but also from network storage (NAS) or cloud services, bypassing the limitations of embedded players.
Wired connection via USB-C to HDMI
Wireless technology is convenient, but it doesn't always provide the stability you need, especially in games or presentations, and in such cases, wired connectivity is the best solution, and your smartphone needs support for MHL or DisplayPort Alt Mode technology via a USB Type-C connector.
You will need a special adapter (hub) with an exit. HDMI And you can put the adapter on the phone, put the cable in. HDMI to the TV, and the adapter power cable to the socket or USB-port of the TV. Switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate port HDMI.
The image should appear automatically. If this does not happen, check the Connections section of the phone settings. → HDMI. Some manufacturers (such as Huawei with Desktop mode or Samsung DeX) offer an enhanced interface with this connection.
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The wired connection guarantees zero latency and maximum picture quality, but limits the mobility of the device with the length of the cable.
In this case, the use of an adapter will not work, and you will have to rely only on Wi-Fi.
Addressing problems and delays
The most common problem with broadcasting is desynchronization of sound and video or periodic freezes. Most often, the reason lies in congestion of the Wi-Fi channel or insufficient power of the router. Try to disconnect other devices from the network or move the router closer to the console.
Problems can also arise from outdated software. Check for updates for the console in the Settings → About TV → System Update. Similarly, update the smartphone operating system and the broadcast application.
If the image twitches, try to lower the output resolution in the settings of the consoles. Switching from 4K 60Hz to 1080p 60Hz can significantly reduce the load on the data channel and stabilize the picture.
⚠️ Attention: When in use VPN On a smartphone, local broadcasting may stop working, as VPN It changes the network address of the device, pulling it out of the local subnet. VPN before the session.
In some cases, cleaning the cache of the Translation or Google Play Services app on your TV helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Show system → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear cache.