Xiaomi’s current smartphones have powerful multimedia functionality that often exceeds that of many TVs. However, for a comfortable video viewing or presentation on a large screen, you need to properly configure your wireless connection. Miracast technology is a wireless video transmission standard that allows you to duplicate the screen of a smartphone on a TV without using wires.
Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often face difficulties in finding this feature, since it can be called differently in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS or hidden in deep menus. Understanding the principles of the wireless protocol will help avoid disappointment and quickly stream a high-quality image.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to activate mirror display, look at the nuances of different versions of Android and offer solutions for typical connection errors.
What is Miracast and how does it work on Android?
Miracast is a technology developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to transfer multimedia content between devices. Unlike Chromecast, which requires a source application and an active Internet connection for streaming, Miracast creates a direct connection between the transmitter (smartphone) and the receiver (TV), which means that the image is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct without overloading the main network.
On Xiaomi devices, implementation of this standard may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and regional firmware. The basic principle remains unchanged: the device encodes the video stream in real time and sends it to a receiver that decollates and outputs the picture. Latency is minimal, allowing you to use the feature not only for photos, but also for games.
⚠️ Warning: For Miracast technology to work smoothly, it is critical that both devices are in close proximity to each other, ideally in the same room without thick concrete walls between them.
It is worth noting that the quality of the transmitted image depends on the power of the Wi-Fi module in the smartphone and the support of the TV of modern standards of video compression. Old TV models may not support high resolution or frame rate.
Equipment preparation and network requirements
Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the hardware is physically ready. Not all TVs have built-in Wi-Fi Direct, which is necessary for Miracast to work. If your TV is a regular panel without Smart features, you will need an external console or adapter.
The key requirement is Wi-Fi Direct, which is a technology that allows devices to connect to each other without a hotspot, and unlike normal Wi-Fi, where all devices are connected to a router, here the smartphone and the TV create their own local area network.
- 📱 Make sure that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module is enabled on Xiaomi smartphone (Bluetooth is often used for initial device detection).
- 📺 Check if your TV supports Screen Mirroring, Anyview Cast or Miracast (name depends on brand).
- 📡 For best speed, it is recommended to use the 5GHz band if both devices support it, as it is less noisy.
It is important to understand the difference between DLNA and Miracast. DLNA allows you to broadcast only files (video, photos, music) from memory, and Miracast fully copies the contents of the screen in real time, including notifications and desktops.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Built-in broadcasting tools in MIUI and HyperOS
In Xiaomi smartphones, the wireless projection feature is built into the system, but its location can vary. In newer versions of the HyperOS shell and newer MIUIs, the tool is often renamed or moved to the Connected Devices section.
To run with standard tools, you need to open the control menu (curtain) and find the icon "Translation" or "Cast." If the icon is not, you can add it through editing the Quick Settings panel. An alternative way is through system settings: Connected devices -> Broadcast.
Once activated, the smartphone will start searching for available receivers. If the TV supports Miracast and is in standby mode, it will appear in the list. Some TV models require manual activation of reception mode via the remote (Input or Source button).
Hidden Developer Settings
It is worth mentioning that in some global versions of firmware, the feature may be limited due to licensing agreements with Google, in which case the system may offer to use Chromecast built-in instead of native Miracast.
Use of Mi Remote and Xiaomi Mi TV
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own software solutions to improve device interaction. Mi Remote is primarily designed to control equipment through the IR port, but in conjunction with Mi TVs, it opens up additional opportunities.
For Mi and Redmi TV owners, there is a separate Mi TV app (or Xiaomi TV Assistant) that allows not only content management but also screen broadcasting, a method that often works more stable than the Miracast system, as it uses proprietary company protocols.
| Connection method | Compatibility with TV | Image quality | Delay. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systemic "Translation" | Any Miracast TV | High. | Minimum |
| Mi TV appendix | Only Xiaomi/Redmi TV | Optimal. | Low. |
| Google Home (Chromecast) | Android TV / Chromecast | Depends on the network. | Medium |
Using Xiaomi’s branded apps gives you the advantage of being able to control playback from your phone, use it as a touchpad and run apps directly on your TV, which is especially handy if your TV remote is lost or uncomfortable.
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For Xiaomi TVs, using the proprietary Mi TV app provides better connection stability and additional functionality compared to the standard Miracast protocol.
Third-party applications for wireless projection
If standard methods don’t work or your TV doesn’t show up on the list of available devices, third-party solutions come to the rescue. The Google Play Store offers a variety of encoder apps that can force streaming.
One of the most popular and reliable solutions is the Web Video Caster or LocalCast app, which can find devices that are ignored by the system and broadcast content. Full functionality sometimes requires installing a companion app on the TV itself (if it is on Android TV).
- 📲 ApowerMirror is a powerful solution for gamers and bloggers, allowing not only to broadcast, but also to manage a smartphone from a PC or TV, but has paid restrictions.
- 🎥 Screen Mirroring & TV Cast is a simple application with a minimalist interface that works well with (old) Smart models. TV.
- 📡 TvCast Pro – specializes in video file transfer, but has a screen duplication mode, useful for complex cases.
When using third-party software, it is important to remember access rights, applications require screen recording permission and access to the local network, without which broadcast permissions are impossible for Android security reasons.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful when installing free, intrusive advertising counterparts. Some can overload the smartphone processor, causing heat and quick battery discharge during broadcast.
Solving Connection and Delay Problems
Even when properly configured, users may encounter artifacts, sound dissynchronization, or no image at all, often because the problem is not software, but RF interference or energy saving settings.
MIUI is known for its aggressive battery optimization, which can kill the background broadcast process as it is energy-intensive, and to avoid that, you need to go to the battery settings, find the broadcast app you're using, and set the "No Limits" mode.
If the image is twitching or low resolution, try switching the router to a less loaded channel or bringing the devices closer together, and rebooting the Wi-Fi module on both devices helps: turn off and turn on again.
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Before you start an important presentation or watch a movie, restart your router, which will clear the data buffer and free up channels, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of connection breakdowns.
In some cases, the problem is solved by updating Wi-Fi drivers, but on smartphones this is only possible through an update of the entire system -> Version. MIUI.