How to stream on a Xiaomi TV

Xiaomi’s modern smart TVs offer incredible multimedia capabilities, but it often requires a larger screen, whether it’s a family video, a presentation to colleagues, or simply a mobile game on a large screen. The Android TV ecosystem, which is home to most Mi TV and Redmi TV models, has several different image protocols, each with its own features and use cases.

Inexperienced users often confuse Miracast technology with streaming through Google Chromecast, which leads to confusion in settings and the inability to quickly start watching. Understanding the difference between screen duplication (when a smartphone image is copied one-in-one on TV) and streaming (when the TV itself downloads content from the network) is a key point. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods available for owners of Xiaomi devices, and also consider possible problems with connection.

It is worth noting that the quality of wireless broadcasting directly depends on the bandwidth of your router and the stability of the Wi-Fi signal. If you plan to broadcast content in high resolution 4K or HDR, make sure that both the router and the TV are connected to the 5 GHz network. We will consider both the regular tools of the Android operating system and specialized applications that may be needed in difficult cases.

The main technologies of wireless image transmission

Before you start to take action, you need to understand the terminology, because the menu of the Xiaomi TV and smartphone can be different names of the same functions. Fundamentally, there are two approaches: direct screen duplication (Screen Mirroring) and streaming (Casting), the first method broadcasts video stream from the screen of a mobile device in real time, which puts a load on the phone processor and quickly drains the battery.

The second method, often called Google Cast or simply Translation, works differently: The smartphone acts only as a remote control, giving the TV a link to the video stream that the TV downloads itself, which frees up the phone for other tasks and saves battery life. Mi TVs support both protocols, but they require both devices to be on the same local network.

⚠️ Attention: For the correct operation of wireless data protocols, make sure that the router has disabled the function"AP Isolation, which prevents devices within the network from seeing each other.

Also worth mentioning is the DLNA protocol, which is used primarily to transfer media files (photos, videos, music) from your phone’s memory to your TV, rather than duplicate the interface. On Android, this feature is often hidden in the Translation or Wireless Monitor menu. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best way to do your current task, whether it’s watching a photo gallery or running a heavy mobile game.

Using the built-in "Translation" function in Android

The fastest way to display an image on the Xiaomi Mi TV screen is to use a standard feature of the Android operating system called Translation, Wireless Monitor or Smart View (depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell), which is based on Miracast technology and does not require the installation of additional applications. The algorithm of actions is extremely simple: lower the notification curtain on the smartphone and find the appropriate icon.

Once activated, the phone will start searching for available devices within Wi-Fi range. When your TV (usually called Android TV or Mi TV) appears on the list, click on it. A request for connection permission may appear on the TV screen, which must be confirmed by the remote control, and then the image from the mobile device will appear on the large screen with minimal latency.

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If the TV is not automatically located, try enabling the "Add device manually" function and enter IP-TV address, which can be found in the settings of the TV network (Settings) → Network → Status).

It is important to consider that when using this method, the smartphone screen must be turned on, as the system continues to render the image in real time.Some copyrighted applications (for example, Netflix or Disney+ in certain regions) can block the output of the image through Miracast, showing a black screen instead of video due to the HDCP protection policy.

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The standard “Translation” feature in Android provides the least input latency, which is critical for mobile gaming, but consumes more battery power.

Broadcasting via Google Home and Chromecast

The official and most stable way to transfer content to Android TVs is to use Google Cast technology. To implement it, the Google Home app, which is usually built into the system on most modern Android devices, is ideal for watching videos from YouTube, Netflix and other streaming services, since it allows you to control playback from your phone without spending its resources on decoding videos.

The process of setting up is this: open the Google Home app, make sure you are logged in to the same Google account as your TV. In the main menu, you will see your Mi TV card. Clicking on it, you will get access to media management and the Translate screen button. This feature duplicates the entire screen of your smartphone, but using more optimized Google codecs, which often gives better picture quality than the standard Miracast.

A feature of Google Cast is the ability to create "Groups" of devices, allowing you to stream content to multiple TVs at once, and through this application you can adjust background images (Ambient mode) that will be displayed on the TV when it is not actively used. If you try to stream an error, try rebooting the Google Play Services app on your phone.

Third-party applications for screen duplication

In cases where the regular funds are unstable or the TV is not defined by the system, third-party client applications come to the rescue. One of the most popular and functional solutions is the Web Video CasterLocalCast application. These programs are able to analyze the video stream on a web page and send only a link to the media file to the TV, bypassing the process of screen duplication, which significantly improves quality and stability.

Another class of applications, such as AirScreen (if you want to receive a signal from an iPhone to an Android TV) or specialized clients for Mi Drop, allow you to implement features that are not available in the basic firmware. However, it is worth remembering that free versions of such programs often contain advertising, and their work may depend on the version of the TV operating system.

For users who need professional control over the broadcast (for example, for webinars or presentations), there are paid solutions that support mouse and keyboard control from the TV. These applications create a virtual touchpad on the smartphone screen, allowing you to fully control the cursor on the large screen, this is especially true when using the TV as a monitor for a PC or laptop through middleware.

Wired connection via HDMI and USB-C

Wireless technology is convenient, but it cannot guarantee the absolute stability and zero latency required for professional work or eSports. In such cases, wired connectivity is the only right solution. For modern Xiaomi smartphones with a USB Type-C port, you need to use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It is important that the phone port supports the DisplayPort Alt Mode standard, otherwise video transmission over cable will not be possible.

Connection is simple: insert the adapter into the smartphone connector, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter and TV, then switch the signal source to the TV in the mode of the corresponding port (for example, HDMI 1). The image will appear automatically. The advantage of this method is that the phone is simultaneously charged (if the adapter has a power port) and transmits the signal, and the picture quality remains native without compression.

There are also docking stations that turn a smartphone into a full-fledged computer when connected to a monitor or TV. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this feature is called Desktop Mode (available on flagship models), and allows you to display an interface adapted for controlling the mouse and keyboard, which turns a bundle of smartphones + TVs into a powerful workstation for office tasks.

Configure permission and frequency of update

When displaying an image on a Xiaomi TV, there is often a situation when the picture does not occupy the entire screen or, conversely, is cut off at the edges. This is due to the discrepancy between the aspect ratio of the smartphone and the TV. Most modern TVs are 16:9, while smartphones can be more elongated (19.5:9 or 20:9). In the settings of the TV, you need to find the settings “Screen Form” or “Speciality ratio” and select the mode “Original”, “Size screen” or “Just Scan”.

Another important aspect is refresh rate. If your TV supports 60Hz or 120Hz, and your smartphone broadcasts a signal at a different frequency, you may experience jerks or twitching images. In the developer's Android settings (Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on the build number → Settings for developers), you can find the "Minimum width" or settings for simulating additional screens, but most often the system selects the optimal mode.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to artificially set the resolution above the native TV resolution (e.g, 4K full HD through engineering menus – this will not improve the quality, but only create an extra load on the graphics processor of the smartphone.

For owners of TVs with support for HDR10+ or Dolby Vision, it is important to make sure that the broadcast content also supports these formats. Otherwise, the TV will convert the signal, which can lead to incorrect display of colors (too faded or, conversely, oversaturated picture).

Solutions and Connection Problems

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face problems: the TV is not visible on the list, the image is slowed down or no sound. The most common reason is the separation of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks on the router. If the phone is connected to one frequency and the TV is connected to another, they may not “see” each other even if they are on the same network. Solution: connect both devices strictly to the same network (preferably 5 GHz for video transmission).

The second common problem is outdated software. Data protocols are updated, and older versions of firmware on Mi TV may not work properly with new versions of Android on smartphones. Check for updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update. It is also worth trying to clear the cache of Media Server or Google Cast Receiver applications in the TV app section.

If you have an image while streaming a video but no sound, check the audio output settings in the app itself, which is broadcasting. Sometimes the sound remains on the phone and needs to be manually switched to the output device (in the notification curtain or in the menu). Bluetooth/In rare cases, a complete reset of the network settings on the TV and re-association with Wi-Fi helps.