How to turn Miracast on the Xiaomi Mi TV: step-by-step instructions

Modern multimedia capabilities of smart TVs allow you to stream content from mobile devices to the big screen without the use of unnecessary wires. For owners of Xiaomi equipment, this is especially true, since the brand ecosystem offers many convenient features for interaction between gadgets. Miracast technology is the wireless image transfer standard that is built into most Android devices, including Mi TVs.

Enabling this feature gives you access to viewing photos, videos, and even duplicating your smartphone screen in real time. Users often have difficulty finding the right menu, as the names of items may differ from one version of MIUI for TV or Android TV firmware. In this article, we will detail an algorithm of actions that will help you set up a connection in a few minutes.

It is worth noting that the quality of data transmission depends on the stability of the wireless network. If you plan to broadcast video content in high resolution, make sure that both devices are in the zone of confident reception of the router. For the stable operation of Miracast, it is critical that the TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID and frequency 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

What is Miracast Technology and How Does It Work?

Miracast is a wireless multimedia content standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Unlike Chromecast, which requires a router to route data, Miracast often creates a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection between a source (smartphone) and a receiver (TV), which allows you to transmit an image even when you do not have access to the Internet using only a local network.

The technology supports video transmission in resolutions up to 1080p and even 4K, as well as surround sound. For Xiaomi TVs, it is a native feature that does not require additional software installation. The protocol provides low latency, which makes it possible not only to watch movies, but also to demonstrate presentations or mobile games.

It is important to understand the difference between embedded protocol and third-party apps. While many users search for a separate "Miracast" app on the Google Play store on a TV, in most cases it is already built into the system, activation occurs through system settings or special quick commands, depending on the year of release of your Mi TV model.

Preparation of equipment and network before setting up

Before you start pairing devices, you need to make sure that the basic network settings are correct. Errors at this stage are the cause of 90% of all connection problems. Check that your router is sending out a signal at a frequency supported by both devices. Modern Xiaomi models work well with 5 GHz networks, which provides higher bandwidth.

You should also update your TV software to the latest available version. Manufacturers regularly release patches that fix vulnerabilities in the Wi-Fi module and improve compatibility with new smartphones. Go to the settings menu and check for system updates.

It's not superfluous to restart the router if it's been running non-stop for a long time, and it will clear the cache and distribute it. IP-Addresses again, which can eliminate addressing conflicts, make sure your smartphone does not have Traffic Savings or Flight Mode, which can block the detection of external displays.

⚠️ Note: If your router is set up to isolate customers (AP Isolation, devices will not see each other on the LAN. This function must be disabled in the router settings.

Miracast activation on different versions of MIUI for TV

Xiaomi TVs can vary significantly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, Europe) and model year. In newer Android TV models, the feature is often integrated into the Cast system, whereas in older versions of MIUI TV, it can be brought into a separate application.

To activate the function on most models, follow the following steps:

• 📺 Press the button "Menu" on the remote or go to the main screen.
• ⚙️ Find and open the Settings section (cog icon).
• 📡 Select Wireless Networks or Network and Internet.
• 📲 Find the option Broadcast, Miracast or Wireless Display.

In some cases, the app may be called Mi (Mi Cast) or simply Broadcast. Once the app is launched, the TV will go into standby mode, and the device name and the "Waiting for Connection" instruction will appear on the screen.

If you can't find the feature in the menu, use voice search. Press the microphone button on the remote and say "Miracast" or "Translation." The system will suggest running the service you want, which is especially useful if the menu of the TV is not translated into Russian.

Instructions for connecting an Android smartphone

The process of connecting a smartphone based on Android can be called differently depending on the manufacturer: "Translation", "Smart View", "Wireless projector" or "Cast." Consider a universal algorithm of actions that is suitable for most devices.

First, open the Quick Settings Panel on your smartphone by swiping from top to bottom. Find the Broadcast or Projection icon. If the icon is not visible, click on the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots) and add it to the panel. Once activated, the phone will start searching for available devices.

From the list of found devices, select your Xiaomi TV. You may see a request for permission to connect on your TV screen. Use the remote to confirm the action by selecting Accept or OK. After that, the image from your smartphone will appear on the TV.

For Xiaomi and Redmi devices, there is a simplified way through the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Broadcast. Here you can turn on the “Enable” function and immediately see the list of available screens. You can also use the combination of buttons in the control panel for a quick start.

⚠️ Warning: When broadcasting the screen in horizontal mode (games, videos), make sure that the phone has turned off the screen auto-lock so that the device does not go out while watching.

Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple appliance users often wonder how to turn Miracast on a Xiaomi TV, as iOS uses its own AirPlay protocol. Fortunately, modern Mi TVs have built-in AirPlay 2 support, allowing you to stream content without installing additional apps.

First, make sure AirPlay is enabled on your TV. Go to Settings → AirPlay and activate the switch. You can also set your password to connect to or select First Run Only mode so you don't enter the code every time.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner or bottom up, depending on the model). Click Screen Repeat icon (two rectangles). From the list, select your Xiaomi TV.

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If AirPlay doesn’t work, try turning on IGMP Snooping protocol in your router settings – this often solves the problem with detecting Apple devices on the network.

Once you have entered the confirmation code (if required), the screen will be duplicated on the TV. To stop the broadcast, open Control again and click Stop Repeat. Note that some apps (such as Netflix or HBO) may block the broadcast via AirPlay due to the protection of DRM content, requiring you to use the built-in Cast icon.

Use of the built-in Mi Remote and Cast app

Some Xiaomi TVs have a proprietary Cast or Mi Remote app that extends the capabilities of the standard Miracast, which allows not only duplicate screens, but also transfer files, photos and music directly from the gallery.

Run an app on your TV and select the type of content you want to broadcast: Photo, Video, or Screen. Then open the corresponding app on your smartphone (such as Gallery or Explorer), select a file, and click Share or stream icon.

In the list of devices, select your TV, and the advantage of this method is that it often works more staid when transferring heavy files, because it uses optimized Xiaomi codecs, and in this mode, the phone can be used as a playback control.

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users may face problems: If the TV can’t see the phone, try temporarily disabling the antivirus or firewall on your smartphone, which can block local connections, and resetting network settings on both devices also helps.

If the image is transmitted with a delay or artifacts, move closer to the router. Interference from microwave ovens or neighboring Wi-Fi networks can also degrade the signal. Try to switch the router to a channel with a lower load.

Sometimes the problem is resolution. If your smartphone produces a picture in a resolution that the TV doesn't support (e.g., specific proportions), the image may not appear. In your phone settings, try changing the output resolution or zooming.

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Rebooting your router and TV solves more than 80% of Miracast connectivity problems, as it resets errors DHCP-server.

If nothing works, check the date and time on both devices. Time out-of-synchronization can cause security certificate errors when establishing a secure Wi-Fi Direct connection.