Modern media set-top boxes have turned a regular TV into a full-fledged entertainment center, and Xiaomi Mi Box 4 occupies a leading position in this segment due to its availability and functionality. One of the most popular use cases is the wireless transfer of images from a smartphone or tablet to a large screen, which allows you to enjoy photos, videos and games in high resolution. Users often wonder how to activate this feature, since there is no single “Projection” button in the Android TV interface, and the process depends on the technology used.
To be successful, you need to understand that there are several video protocols, each with its own specifics: Miracast (for Android and Windows screens) and Google Cast (Chromecast built-in), which is natively built into the Google ecosystem, and the choice of method depends on the operating system of your mobile device and the type of content you plan to broadcast.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways to activate projection, possible connection problems and the nuances of working with various applications. You will learn how to properly prepare the network, what settings are hidden in the developer menu and how to use third-party utilities if standard methods do not work.
Equipment preparation and network environment
The first and most critical step before setting up is to ensure a stable connection between devices. Wi-Fi network should be the same for both gadgets: the Mi Box 4 console and your smartphone should be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure that both devices are in the same frequency (either both at 2.4 GHz or both at 5 GHz), although modern routers often combine them into a single network.
The quality of the wireless signal directly affects the smoothness of the picture and the absence of delays. To broadcast video in 1080p or 4K resolution, it is recommended to use the 5 GHz bandwidth, which provides higher bandwidth. If the router is far from the TV, image artifacts or sound desynchronization are possible.
⚠️ Note: Using a mobile access point (distribution of the Internet from the phone) to connect the console will not allow you to project, since the devices will be in different subnets or will be isolated from each other by the operator settings.
Also worth checking for software updates on the console itself. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve the stability of wireless modules. Go to the settings menu, select the About section and check for new versions of Android TV. The current firmware often contains patches for bugs associated with the DLNA and Cast protocols.
Use of the built-in Chromecast feature
Because the Mi Box 4 runs Android TV, Google Cast is built into it at the system level, which means that to mirror the Android screen or the Chrome tab, you don’t need to install additional apps on the console itself.
To start the broadcast, open a mobile app that supports transmission (such as YouTube, Netflix or Google Photos) and find the Chromecast icon (the rectangle with the waves in the corner). When you click on it, you will see a list of available devices. The list should show the name of your console, which is usually formed as "Android TV" or "Mi Box."
If you want to stream your phone screen (mirroring) rather than content from a particular app, the process is a little different, and on smartphones with pure Android or MIUI/HyperOS shell, you need to lower the notification curtain and find the Translation or Cast button. On Samsung devices, this feature may be called Smart View, and on Huawei, Project.
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To reduce latency when playing mobile games via Chromecast, close the background apps on your smartphone to free up the CPU and Wi-Fi module resources.
It is important to note that when mirroring the entire screen of the smartphone, the picture resolution adjusts to the capabilities of the console. Mi Box 4 is able to decode the video stream of high quality, but if the source (phone) has a weak connection, the system will automatically reduce the bitrate to maintain smoothness.
Set up the Miracast protocol for Windows and Android
Miracast is the wireless video and audio standard that is supported by most Windows and Android devices. Unlike Chromecast, which often relies on an Internet connection to stream content from the cloud, Miracast creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the source and the receiver, making it ideal for displaying presentations or working without access to the global network.
On the Xiaomi Mi Box 4, Miracast support is also built into the system, but sometimes it may require activation or selecting the right signal source. Usually the system automatically goes into standby mode when you start the display search function on your computer. Some firmware versions may require you to open the Wireless Display app or similar if it is preinstalled by the manufacturer.
To connect from a Windows 10/11 computer, do the following:
- Press the Win + K key combination on the keyboard to open the connection panel.
- In the list of available displays, find your Mi Box.
- On the TV screen, a request for permission to connect may appear - confirm it with the remote.
- After pairing, the computer desktop will be displayed on the TV.
Miracast transmission quality can vary depending on the load of the wireless air. If you see a jerk image, try to move other powerful sources of radiation (microwaves, Bluetooth headsets) away from the router and consoles, and it is worth checking whether someone on the network is actively downloading files, which can strangle the video channel.
☑️ Checking before connecting Miracast
Broadcast from Apple devices (AirPlay)
Apple users are used to AirPlay technology, which is natively built into iPhones and iPads. However, the Android TV operating system on which the Mi Box 4 is based does not have built-in AirPlay 2 support out of the box, which means that when you try to find the console through the standard screen repeat menu on the iPhone, the device may not be determined.
To solve this problem, you need to install a special emulator app from the Google Play Store. There are several popular solutions, such as AirScreen, AirPin or Receiver for AirPlay. These programs create a virtual receiver that “pretends” to be an Apple TV device, allowing the iPhone to see Xiaomi as its native device.
After you install an app (like AirScreen), launch it, and the code or device name will appear on your TV screen.
- Open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner or bottom up, depending on the model).
- Press the screen repeat button (two rectangles).
- Select your name from the list.
The image from the phone will instantly appear on the TV, and it is worth considering that free versions of such applications may have time limits or display ads.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party AirPlay apps on the Mi Box 4, there may be a slight latency (latency.
Third-party applications for extended projection
If standard methods do not give the desired result or specific functions are required (for example, transmitting sound from a phone microphone or controlling a mouse cursor), you should turn to third-party software. The application store on the Mi Box 4 offers many tools for organizing wireless communication.
One of the most powerful tools is the ApowerMirror app or TeamViewer, which not only broadcasts the screen, but also controls the console from your smartphone, which is convenient for typing text or navigating complex menus. The installation is carried out simultaneously on TV and mobile device, after which the pairing is performed on the QR-code PIN-code.
For media enthusiasts, DLNA server applications like BubbleUPnP or the built-in VLC player are great. In this scenario, full screen mirroring does not happen: you choose a video file in your phone's memory, and it is "flapped" on the console for playback, which takes the load off the smartphone battery and ensures maximum picture quality, since the powerful Mi Box processor is decoding.
Developer Secrets for Stable Communication
Below is a table comparing the main projection methods by key parameters to help you choose the best option for your situation:
| Method | Compatibility | Quality. | Delay. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast | Android, iOS (via apps) | High (up to 4K) | Low. |
| Miracast | Android, Windows | Medium/High | Medium |
| AirPlay (via the app) | iOS, macOS | High. | Low/Mediocre |
| DLNA (Players) | All LAs. | Maximum. | No (only management) |
Diagnostics of problems and troubleshooting
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users sometimes find that the Mi Box 4 does not see the phone or the connection is constantly broken. Most often the problem lies in the settings of the router. Make sure that the router has disabled the function "AP Isolation" (Isolation of access points), which prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
Another common reason is the outdated version of YouTube or Google Home on a smartphone, and since these programs often act as a bridge to transfer, they must be kept up to date. It is also worth trying to reboot the router, as the overflow table DHCP may prevent the issuance of new IP-plug-in.
If there is an image but no audio, check the audio output settings in the app itself or in the Android TV settings (Settings → Device → Sound). Sometimes the sound stays on the phone if the broadcast app does not select the correct audio output, in which case a full session reconnect helps.
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90% of projection problems are solved by simply restarting the router and checking that both devices are on the same subnet (the same is true). IP-lock-house).
In rare cases, the problem may be antivirus software on your computer or phone that blocks incoming connections. Try temporarily disabling the firewall to test your hypothesis. Also make sure that the date and time are synchronized on all devices, as desynchronization can cause security certificate errors when establishing a secure connection.
Optimizing the quality of image and sound
For the best visual experience, it’s important to adjust the output resolution correctly.The Mi Box 4 supports HDR10 and 4K, but if your older TV or HDMI cable doesn’t meet standards (e.g. HDMI 1.4 instead of 2.0), the picture can flicker or be black and white. Go to Settings → Display and Sound → Resolution and select a mode that matches the characteristics of your TV.
When streaming games or dynamic content, the refresh rate is important. In the developer settings, you can try changing Wi-Fi mode to prioritize performance, although this can increase power consumption. HDMI-Cable certified for high data rates to avoid loss of color spectrum.
Sound plays an equally important role. If you're using an external speaker system that's connected via optical output or Bluetooth, make sure that the Dolby Digital or PCM format that your audio system supports is selected in the audio settings. The wrong format choice can result in no sound at all or static noise.