How to play games on a Xiaomi TV via phone: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs and Redmi TVs are powerful multimedia centers that far outperform their older counterparts in performance. However, even with built-in apps and support for Android TV, managing dynamic games is often uncomfortable.

That’s why many users are wondering how to use a smartphone as a game controller, or even how to stream an image from a mobile device to a large screen, which allows them to turn the living room into a full-fledged play area using the phone’s familiar interface for navigation and control.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available connectivity methods, from built-in system features to dedicated streaming apps, how to minimize input latency and what Wi-Fi network settings are critical for comfortable gaming.

The advantages of using a smartphone as a gamepad

Using a smartphone in conjunction with a Xiaomi TV opens up opportunities for the user that are not available when using a standard remote control. Physical buttons on the remote are limited in number and often have not the most convenient layout for action projects or shooters.

The touchscreen of a modern phone allows you to create virtual joysticks, accelerometers and complex combinations of buttons, which is especially true for emulators of retro consoles, where you need accurate positioning of your fingers.

The smartphone also has its own processor that can take some of the calculations when streaming, unloading the TV, which helps to avoid overheating the TV Box or the TV module built in during long gaming sessions.

⚠️ Attention: Using a smartphone as a controller significantly consumes the battery of the mobile device.It is recommended to keep the phone connected to the charger while playing to avoid a sudden shutdown.

It’s also worth noting the versatility of the method: you don’t need to buy a separate gamepad, which may not be compatible with your version of Android TV. Software solutions work at the operating system level, ensuring compatibility with most games from the Google Play Store.

Equipment preparation and network requirements

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements for stable operation, the main condition is that you have a common local area network for both devices.

Xiaomi TVs are usually equipped with 802.11ac Wi-Fi modules, but for games with high graphics and low latency, it is preferable to use a wired connection over Ethernet.

• 📱 Smartphone with Android 8.0 or later (for iOS functionality may be limited).
• 📺 Xiaomi or Redmi TV with Android support TV.
• 📶 5GHz Router Supported for Ping Reduction.
• 🔌 Charger for a smartphone with a current of at least 2 Amperes.

It is important that both devices are on the same subnet, and if your router shares a guest and main network, the connection between your phone and TV may be blocked by security settings.

Check the software version of your TV. Go to Settings → About TV → System information and make sure you have the latest security and system updates installed.

Method One: Built-in Google Home

The easiest way to start playing is to use Google’s standard ecosystem.The Google Home app is pre-installed on most Android smartphones and allows you to control a Xiaomi TV without installing additional software.

To get started, open the app and find your TV in the list of available devices. Click on the device icon, then select the option to Broadcast the screen or Cast my screen. The image from the phone will appear on the TV.

This is a good technique for casual games where you don't need an instant reaction, but for dynamic projects, the delay can be noticeable, and the quality of the image depends on the power of the router and the distance to it.

If you use games that support separate control (when the phone has an interface and the TV has graphics), this method is perfect, otherwise the phone will simply become a second screen.

Method Two: Specialized Controller Applications

For a more serious approach, there are apps that turn the smartphone screen into a full-fledged gamepad with tactile returns and customizable buttons. One of the most popular solutions is the TV Remote Control app or specialized gamepad emulators.

The installation process requires downloading the app not only to the phone, but also to the Xiaomi TV. After installation on both devices, you need to start the program and enter the pairing code displayed on the screen.

⚠️ Note: When installing applications from unknown sources on a Xiaomi TV, you must allow installation from third-party sources in security settings → Installation of unknown applications.

You can adjust the sensitivity of the joystick in the app menu, you can calibrate the axles, change the location of the buttons, and create profiles for different games, and this allows you to tailor the controls to a specific genre.

Some apps support gyroscope function, which allows you to use the phone's tilt to control in racing simulators or first-person shooters.This adds a level of immersion that is not available for conventional buttons.

Set up a remote desktop and streaming games

To run heavy mobile games that require the resources of the smartphone processor, but display images on the big screen, using streaming technology. apps like Steam Link or Twomon allow you to stream video in real time.

So in this case, the phone acts as a computing center, and the Xiaomi TV acts as a monitor, and the control is also transmitted back to the phone, creating a closed loop of interaction. PSP, Nintendo DS heavy 3D-shooter.

The key here is the bitrate of the video stream. In the settings of the streaming application, it is recommended to set a value of at least 20 Mbit / s for 1080p quality. If the network is weak, it is better to reduce the resolution to 720p, but increase the frame rate.

To achieve minimal latency, use 5 GHz. At 2.4 GHz, interference from microwave ovens and Bluetooth devices is possible, leading to jerks in the image.

Troubleshooting and optimizing productivity

Users may face a range of problems during the setup process, from dissynchronizing the sound to no response to commands, most often the problem lies in the smartphone’s power saving settings.

Android can aggressively close the background processes, considering the controller or streamer app unnecessary, and add the programs used to the battery exception list.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Saving charge.
• 📱 Find an application for playing or managing.
• 🚫 Select the option No restrictions or No restrictions.

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If the game requires horizontal orientation and the phone does not hold it, use the screen autorotate function and fix the position in the notification curtain before starting the streaming.

It's also worth checking your router settings. QoS (Quality of Service) allows you to prioritize traffic for gaming devices. If your router supports this feature, add MAC-Television and phone address in the priority list.

In some cases, cleaning the DNS cache on your TV helps. Go to network settings, select your Wi-Fi network, and specify public servers in the DNS settings, such as 8.8.8.8 from Google or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The optimal bundle for gaming is the use of the Steam Link application or a specialized controller over a 5 GHz network, which provides minimal latency and high image quality.