What is CAST in Xiaomi devices and why you need it
If you've ever seen the mysterious CAST app on your smartphone or Xiaomi TV, but you didn't know what it was designed for, this article will put it all together. It's actually not just "another program," it's a powerful tool for wirelessly streaming content between devices. Imagine you're watching video on your phone, but you want to bring it to the big screen of your TV without any extra wires -- that's what CAST is for.
Technology CAST (Transmit allows you to transfer images and sound from one Xiaomi device to another via Wi-Fi or Miracast without resorting to the use of a single device. HDMI-This is especially useful for presentations, watching movies, playing games or even duplicating the screen of a smartphone on Mi. TV Xiaomi has integrated this feature not only into TVs, but also into smartphones (via the Mi Remote app or built-in settings), smart speakers, and even some laptop models.
It’s important to understand that CAST is not a standalone service, but a protocol that works on Miracast, DLNA, and Google Cast standards (depending on the device model).For example, Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/5X uses its own implementation from the company, and smartphones use universal protocols. This means that you can stream content not only between Xiaomi devices, but also on some other brands’ TVs (for example, Samsung or LG, if they support Miracast).
How CAST Works: Technical Details and Protocols
To understand how CAST communicates, let’s look at the protocols that underlie it, and Xiaomi devices use three technologies most often:
- 📶 Miracast is a wireless broadcasting standard that works on a point-to-point (Wi-Fi Direct) principle, does not require a connection to a router, but both devices must support the protocol. TV smartphone-on MIUI.
- 🌐 DLNA — It is a protocol for sharing media over a local network, suitable for transferring photos, music and video, but does not support screen duplication.
- 📱 Google Cast is a technology from Google (similar to Chromecast), which allows you to stream content from supported applications (YouTube, Netflix.
The main difference between Miracast and Google Cast is that the first one duplicates the entire screen of the device (like a mirror), and the second one only transmits content from a particular application. For example, if you run CAST through Miracast, the TV will display an exact copy of the smartphone screen, including notifications and the interface. And if you use Google Cast from YouTube, then the TV will only be video, without unnecessary elements.
The speed and quality of the broadcast depends on several factors:
- 📶 Type of connection: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) It provides a more stable signal than Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
- 📱 Product performance: weak smartphones (e.g. Redmi) 9A) They can be slowed down when broadcasting in Full. HD.
- 🔋 Battery charge: wireless data transfer consumes a lot of energy – it is recommended to connect the phone to charging.
Where to find CAST app in Xiaomi: search on smartphone and TV
Depending on the model of the Xiaomi device, the CAST application can be located in different places.
📱 On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO
On MIUI phones (versions 12 and later), CAST is usually built into the Quick Settings Panel or the Mi Remote app to find it:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the Wireless Broadcast icon (a screen and wave icon) or Screen Cast.
- If there is no icon, click on "Edit" (pencil) and add it manually.
You can also go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wireless streaming. In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the function is hidden in the Additional menu.
📺 On Xiaomi Mi TVs TV
On Xiaomi TVs, the CAST app is usually called Miracast or Wireless Display.
- Press the Menu button (or Home in new models).
- Go to Settings → Network and Devices → Wireless Display.
- Activate the option to Enable Miracast.
In some firmware (for example, on Mi TV 4A), the path may differ: Settings → Connections → Miracast.
💡
If you don’t find CAST on your TV, update your firmware via Settings → About TV → Software Update. Older versions of MIUI TV may not have the option.
Step-by-step: how to connect CAST between Xiaomi devices
Now, let's get to the practice, and let's look at how to set up a screen broadcast from your phone to your Xiaomi TV via CAST.
- 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO on MIUI 11+.
- 📺 Mi TV's a TV. TV (Or another device that supports Miracast).
- 📶 Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or use Wi-Fi Direct).
Step 1: Preparing the TV
- Turn on the TV and go to Settings → Network and Devices → Wireless display.
- Activate the Miracast option (or Screen Mirroring in English firmware).
- Remember the name of your TV, you will need it to connect.
Step 2: Set up your smartphone
- Open the Quick Settings Panel on your phone and find the Wireless Broadcast icon.
- In the list of available devices, select the name of your TV.
- Confirm the connection on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code).
Step 3: Beginning of broadcast
Once successfully connected, the smartphone screen will begin to duplicate on the TV, so you can run any apps, games or videos that will be displayed on the big screen, and to stop the broadcast, you just need to re-click on the CAST icon in the notification panel and turn off.
☑️ Checking before connection CAST
Common CAST Problems in Xiaomi and Their Solutions
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face difficulties when connecting CAST. Let's analyze the most common problems and ways to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV is not displayed in the list of devices | No Miracast support or different Wi-Fi networks | Update your TV firmware, check your connection to one network, reboot both devices |
| Broadcasts lag or slow down | Weak Wi-Fi signal or low smartphone performance | Connect to the router at 5 GHz, close the background applications on the phone |
| No sound when broadcasting | The TV has a sound or incompatible codec turned off | Check the volume on TV, try a different protocol (e.g. DLNA for music) |
| Connection is constantly broken | Interference from other devices or outdated firmware | Restart the router, update the software on the phone and TV |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting the network settings on your phone (Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings) or reset the TV to factory settings (extremely!) and it is also worth checking whether the broadcast is blocked by antivirus or VPN smartphone.
What if CAST doesn’t work on Xiaomi 12/13?
Xiaomi’s CAST Alternatives: When Standard Tools Don’t Work
If the built-in CAST is not working or is not supported by your device, you can use third-party solutions.
- 📱 Google Home is the official Chromecast app (including some Xiaomi models with Google services) and supports YouTube, Netflix and other streaming services.
- 🖥️ ApowerMirror is a universal application for mirroring the screen on a PC or TV. It works on Wi-Fi and USB, screen-recording.
- 📺 LocalCast – an application for broadcasting local files (video, photos) to TVs with DLNA It's a Chromecast, and it's useful if you want to show pictures from your phone.
- 🎮 Steam Link – If you’re a gamer, this app will let you stream games from your PC to your Xiaomi TV with minimal latency.
To connect via Google Home:
- Install the Google Home app from the Play Market.
- Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
- In the app, select your TV and click Broadcast my screen.
If you need to stream the screen on a PC, you can use built-in Windows 11 (Win + K → Wireless Display) or programs like TeamViewer (for remote management).
💡
The side of the application (such as ApowerMirror) often offers more features than the built-in CAST, but may require a premium version.
Security and privacy when using CAST
Broadcasting the screen via CAST is convenient, but don’t forget about security. With wireless data transmission, there is a risk of interception, especially if you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network (for example, in a cafe or airport).
- 🔒 Use the home network: broadcast content only on trusted Wi-Fi networks. Avoid public hotspots.
- 🛡️ Turn it off. CAST After use: Do not leave the broadcast active if you do not use it – this will reduce the risk of unauthorized connection.
- 🔑 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI or MIUI TV There may be vulnerabilities that are closed in new updates.
- 📵 Check Connected Devices: In the TV settings (Settings) → Network and devices → Connected devices can be viewed with active connections.
Be especially careful when broadcasting sensitive information (such as banking applications or correspondence). Even if you use CAST at home, make sure there are no third-party devices nearby that could connect to your network.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4X) function CAST Default enabled for all devices on the network. To restrict access, go to Settings. → Network and devices → Wireless display → Security settings and activate the option "Only for authorized devices".